Retail design, a field in design and marketing, is a creative aspect of architecture and interior design interweaved with the elements of graphic design and industrial design. What makes Retail design one of the most sought after programmes in India today, is the heavy demand for retail space. Retail design constitutes lighting, flooring, music, window displays, furnishings and store layout in order to fit and showcase a brand in the best way possible.
Retail design is offered at certification, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate levels. A course in the discipline takes you from the overview of design to design management which gives a thorough understanding of the Indian consumer behaviour and psyche.
Retail designing has emerged as a specialisation with great growth potential and those pursuing the same are eyed by the industry. With the increase in awareness of retail design, the seemingly niche career attracts a lot of design enthusiasts across the country.
Retail Design Highlights
Given below are the highlights of Retail design that aspirants can take note of before pursuing the programme:
Course Name | Retail Design |
|---|---|
Stream | Design |
Programmes Offered | Certificate, Diploma, Undergraduate and Postgraduate |
Exam Type | Depends on the degree |
Eligibility Criteria | Depends on the degree |
Selection Process | Merit-based, through entrance exam or GD/PI |
Top Recruiting Companies | CallisonRTKL, Gensler, Henderson Engineers, FRCH Nelson. GreenbergFarrow, WD Partners, Architects Orange, Stantec Architecture, etc. |
Retail Design Eligibility Criteria
In India, there are limited institutes that offer certificate, diploma, undergraduate or postgraduate courses in Retail Design. Some of the best institutes among them include The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun, National Institute of Design (NID), Bengaluru and MIT Institute of Design, Pune. In order to get admission in any of the institutes that offer a Retail Design programme, one has to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- For a diploma or certificate course in Retail Design, one should have qualified 10th standard.
- For an undergraduate programme in Retail Detail, aspirants should have qualified 10+2 in any stream from a recognised Board of education.
- For a postgraduate programme in Retail Design, one must have completed graduation of minimum 3 or 4-year duration in any stream. Candidates who have qualified a full-time diploma of minimum 4-year duration in Architecture/Applied Arts/Fine Arts/Design may also apply for the course.
- There may an upper age limit at certain institutions offering the course.
Note: The eligibility criteria may vary from college to college.
Retail Design Admission Process
Selection to Retail Design programmes shall be carried out on the basis of any of the following parameters:
- Marks obtained by the candidate in the qualifying examination.
- The score obtained in an entrance examination conducted or accepted by the institute.
- Few institutes may also select candidates through an interview or group discussion round.
Retail Design Syllabus
In the table below, one may find the subjects or topics that they may come across or encounter while pursuing the course:
Design Drawing 1 | Fundamentals of Design 1 (Colour) |
|---|---|
Fundamentals of Design 2 (Geometry) | Fundamentals of Design 3 (Materials) |
Digital Methods 1 | Inter Design Studies 1 (Environ Exposure) |
Fundamentals of Design 4 (Form Space and Structure) | Design Drawing 2: Freehand, Analytical & Perspective |
Fundamentals of Design 5: Colour II | Fundamentals of Design 6: Solid Geometry |
Fundamentals of Design 7: Three Dimensionalaties of Form, Space & Structure | Fundamentals of Design 8: Materials |
Digital Methods 2: Advanced Image Processing and Vector Graphics Applications | Design Process: Problem Solving |
Interdesign Studies 2: Urban Environment Exposure | Space, Form Studies and Space Composition |
Design Drawing & Orthography | Fundamentals of Design: Basic Photography |
Visualization & Rendering | Ergonomics & Introduction to Retail Design |
Technology 1: Materials & Processes | Design Project 1: Simple Retail Design |
Interdesign Studies: Study of a Retail Space ( Self Study In Vacation) | Digital Methods 1: Autocad |
Design Project: 2 Space Analysis | History Of Art & Design |
Digital Methods 2 – 3Dsmax | Form Studies: Nature & Form (2D & 3D) |
Technology 2: Structures, Joinery & Basic Mechanisms | Content Development, Basic Typography & Information/Panel Graphics |
Form Studies: Tensile Forms | Form Studies: Space Transformation |
Interdesign Studies: Introduction To Theatre | Project 3: Design Of Retail Spaces & Visual Merchandising |
Technology 3: Materials & Processes- Lighting & Acoustics | Project 4: Exhibition Design |
Project 5: Technically Complex Project | Design For Film & Television Design ( Prod Design) |
Open Elective | Project 6: Museum Design |
Space & Form Studies: Environmental Graphics | Communication Theory & Media Studies |
Design Overview | Project 8: Events Design |
Project 7: Systems Design | Colloquium Paper |
Inter Design Studies: Set Design | Internship Project |
Design Management | Graduation Project |
Retail Design Career Options and Job Prospects
A retail design professional plays an important role in portraying the values and images of retail spaces such as a salesroom, flagship store chains. showrooms, flagship stores and more. With the increasing need to offer the best possible retail experience to consumers, retailers have started focusing more on getting professional help to design stores. Freshers in this field may begin their career with a CTC of INR 4 Lakh. One may also explore entrepreneurship opportunities and set up design firms.
Following are the job roles or positions that an individual may expect after completing a course in retail design:
- Design Executive
- Retail Design
- Graphic Designer
- Retail Store Designer
- Retail Visibility Designers
- Retail Architect
- Interior Designer – Retail Showroom