| Q. |
What do I need to access the courses? |
| A. |
You will need:-
access to a computer connected to the internet (preferably by broadband).
an e-mail address.
a word processing program.
digital camera.
a scanner and a webcam operating with the free downloadable Skype program. |
| Q. |
How can I pay for my course? |
| A. |
You have the choice of 3 methods of payment;
1. Payment in full by Cheque,
2. Payment in full by BACS transfer
3. Payment by Standing order - The First Payment is £60.00 and thereafter £58 every month for 5 further payments. You will be provided with a contract whereby you agree to make all 6 payments.
As soon as either full payment or the standing order arrangements have been completed, you will have access to the course material and your Tutor will contact you. |
| Q. |
How long will it take? |
| A. |
You can proceed though the course at your own pace, there are no time constraints for you to deliver course work. It can be completed as quickly as 6 months. |
| Q. |
What will my qualification be on completion? |
| A. |
On completion of the course, a British Display Society Certificate will be issued. This does not award any levels or UKAS points but will give you a qualification from the BDS, which is recognised and respected within the industry. You will also have the opportunity of applying for membership of the society, awarding an affix that acknowledges your profession standing. |
| Q. |
What will I learn and what equipment will I need? |
| A. |
This course will enable you to learn the basics of visual merchandising and display.You will learn about how to arrange a presentation and group merchandise, how to
select striking combinations of items, how to light them effectively and what you will need to do to enhance them with backgrounds, props and accessories.
The modules are designed to develop basic skills that will enable you to design and install displays that attract attention, communicate information and sell merchandise
or services.
You will be able to complete each module in your own time then submit it for assessment, and, if judged to be of a good standard, you will progress to the next stage. After completion of a group of modules you will gain a credit which will go towards achieving a BDS qualification.
It may not always be possible to complete all the modules in order as the practical sessions will only take place when there is a sufficient number of students to make them viable. If you need help at any stage it will always be available by e-mail or telephone. In some areas of the country this will be augmented by local “surgeries”
staffed by tutors.
To ensure that your work can be assessed in the most effective way it will be necessary for you to have access to a computer connected to the internet (preferably by broadband), an e-mail address, a word processing programme, a digital camera, a scanner and a webcam operating with the free downloadable Skype programme.
A small amount of other basic tools and equipment will be required, these will be listed as the course progresses. |
| Q. |
When do I work with my Tutor? |
| A. |
You will arrange Tutorial time that is convenient to both you and your Tutor. |
| Q. |
Some suggestions for reading matter that could be useful to supplement the course |
| A. |
Magazines
Inspiration - international bi-monthly, published by Inspiration Press Corps available by subscription in UK from R.D.Franks 0207 636 1244 ww.rdfranks.co.uk
FX - Monthly published by Wilmington Media 0208 606 7511
Retail Week - www.retail-week.com 0207 505 8000
Marketing Week- Published by Centaur Media 0207 292 3711
Total Retail - Published by 3-D Publishing www.total-retail-magazine.co.uk
Books
Visual Merchandising- Windows and in-store displays for retail by Tony Morgan (Laurence King)
Aesthetics of Merchandise Presentation by Joseph Weishar ISBN #: 9780944094471
Visual Merchandising and Display by Martin Pegler (Fairchild N.Y.)
Store Presentation & Design by Martin Pegler ISBN #: 9781584711094
Store Windows 16 by Martin Pegler ISBN #: 1-58471-124-8
Windows of the World by Louis Bou ISBN #: 9780060893
Stores & Retail Spaces9 by the editors of VM&SD ISBN #: 0-944094-59-7 484
Display by Design by Alan Wheeler (Cornwall)
The Best of Visual Art and Store Design by Inspiration Press Corps
Windows at Tiffany’s-the Art of Gene Moore by Gene Moore & J.Goldman |
| Q. |
How much does the Distance Learning Certificate in Display and Visual Merchandising, Stage 1 Course cost? |
| A. |
Normally £485 but currently the cost is a special price of £350! |
| Q. |
How will my work be marked and how may credits do I need to pass? |
| A. |
Module grades will be converted into units. Pass = 1, Credit = 2, Distinction = 3
There are 28 Modules in the course, so the minimum number of units to pass will be 27.
Collecting 27 - 48 units will show as a Pass on your final award.
49 - 66 will be shown as a Passing with Credit
67 - 81 will be shown as Passing with Distinction |
| Q. |
What are the term times, when can I start? |
| A. |
There are no term times. Each student starts the course, when payment is made, and then progresses at their own pace. There are no pressures to complete the modules at certain dates.
However, you will have a responsibility to meet the deadlines you choose to set with your local retailer for your window design instalments. |
| Q. |
How do we get the practical experience? |
| A. |
Practical Elements of the course
Initially for basic excercises the students are constructing simple arrangements at home on a table and we are communicating by web cam on Skype for assessment.
When it comes to full size projects we have asked the students to team up with a local retailer and offer to install a window/interior display giving their labour for free. We will provide you with introductory documents which explain about the course and in exchange for your free labour we will expect the retailer to cover any expenses incurred and supply a short report confirming that the installation was all your own work. In addition you will provide photos of the installation in progress and the finished display.
There are three Modules like this contained in the course, not necessarily using the same retailer, which will enable you to gain real life experience and also could give you useful contacts for future projects.
All other Modules can be accomplished through e-mail and Skype, nothing needs to be posted but could be if preferred. You will also need a digital camera and a scanner for parts of the course. |
| Q. |
If I should decide to quit the course can I have a refund? |
| A. |
You can request a refund in the first 14 days following payment only. If you are paying by standing order the first payment is not refundable as this is absorbed by administration costs. |
| Q. |
Which qualifications do I need to study this course? |
| A. |
No qualifications are needed to study this course, but you do need an artistic flare, creativity and a good design 'eye'. |
