Do you have a flair for creativity and a passion for design? Seneca Polytechnic's two-year Visual Merchandising Arts diploma program gives you hands-on expertise in fashion styling, digital design and retail and display methodologies, all while emphasizing sustainable practices.
Grounded in the fundamental principles of design, styling and visual merchandising, this program is uniquely tailored to equip graduates with a comprehensive skill set that exceeds industry standards. It will prepare you for a dynamic career that thrives on creativity and innovation. In addition, an 80-hour field placement provides an opportunity for you to gain real-world experience, expand your portfolio and network with seasoned industry professionals.
Ontario College Diploma
4 Semesters (2 Years)
September
This program is offered in Seneca's hybrid delivery format with some courses available in Seneca's flexible delivery format. Some coursework is online and some must be completed in person. Students will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements. For courses offered in the flexible delivery format, professors use innovative learning spaces and technology to teach students in a classroom or lab and broadcast in real time to students attending remotely. In flexible courses, students have the choice of coming on campus or learning online.
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
The 80-hour field placement offers an opportunity to make connections and expand your network with our industry partners. In addition, it will provide you with hands-on experience in a range of settings. You could be working in retail visual merchandising, assisting as a fashion stylist or collaborating with visual designers on seasonal projects such as the Santa Claus Parade. In the past, students have worked with partners such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Holt Renfrew and Fashion Art Toronto. This pivotal work placement is designed to furnish you with essential job skills, enhancing your employment prospects when you successfully complete the program.
Graduates of the program can explore the following career options:
| Course Code | Course Name | Weekly Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| COM101 | Communicating Across Contexts | 3 |
| or COM111 | Communicating Across Contexts (Enriched) | |
| DDV133 | Technical and Digital Design | 4 |
| DSG133 | Design Fundamentals | 3 |
| DSP131 | Display Basics | 3 |
| FSH330 | Style and Trends | 3 |
| NBS100 | Brand Strategies | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| DSP232 | Product Display and Showcases | 4 |
| FPS436 | Personal Branding | 4 |
| FSM232 | Materials and Prop Construction | 4 |
| FSM236 | Fashion Styling | 3 |
| NCP200 | Creative Presentations | 3 |
| plus: General Education Course (1) | 3 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| DDV301 | Digital Layout and Planogramming | 4 |
| DSP333 | Concept Design and Installation | 5 |
| FSM334 | Prop Design and Build | 3 |
| NSM300 | Social Media and Portfolios | 3 |
| PSD335 | Photostyling | 3 |
| plus: General Education Course (1) | 3 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| DDV401 | Capstone Design Concept | 3 |
| DSP435 | Design Activations | 6 |
| NLS410 | Live Styling | 3 |
| NST400 | Beyond Storefronts | 3 |
| plus: General Education Course (1) | 3 | |
This Seneca program has been validated by the Credential Validation Service as an Ontario College Credential as required by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:
Canadian citizens and permanent residents may satisfy the English requirements for this program through successful Seneca pre-admission testing.
Recommended upgrading for applicants who do not meet academic subject requirements.
Although not required for admission, completion of a grade 11 or 12 art course is recommended for your success in the program.
International admissions requirements vary by program and in addition to English requirements, programs may require credits in mathematics, biology, and chemistry at a level equivalent to Ontario’s curriculum, or a postsecondary degree or diploma, equivalent to an Ontario university or college. Program-specific pre-requisite courses and credentials are listed with the admission requirements on each program page. To review the academic requirements please visit: Academic Requirements - Seneca, Toronto, Canada (senecapolytechnic.ca).
As a leader in academic pathways, we offer a range of options that will allow you to take your credential further in another Seneca program or a program at a partner institution.
To learn more about your eligibility, visit the Academic Pathways web page.
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