WorldSkills UK Visual Merchandising Competition

WorldSkills UK are pleased to announce the opportunity for potential candidates to represent their country as part of Team UK, competing in the Visual Merchandising competition at WorldSkills Kazan in 2019.

Team UK has historically had great success in Visual Merchandising, underpinned by an effective training and mentoring programme facilitated by WSUK, but also reflecting the intrinsic talent, skill and prestige the UK harnesses in this profession.

Our education system supports this talent, our industry fuels this talent and WSUK provides a platform to showcase this talent.

If you are interested in getting involved in this fantastic opportunity, please read the following information on entry requirements, the selection process and how to apply.

Entry CriteriaWe are looking from candidates from education and industry to take part in this skill.

Age restrictions: Please note that competitors must be between the ages of 17 and 22 in order to comply with the age restrictions of WorldSkills international competitions. For the purposes of this demonstration competition, we will only be accepting age-eligible entries.

Candidates currently in education should have successfully completed at least one year of a relevant qualification in:- Visual Merchandising- Retail - Fashion- Branding - A creative, practical Art course.

You should have completed a qualification at Level 3 as a minimum.

Some experience of working in VM or a retail/ display environment is also preferable, but not necessary.

Candidates in the retail sector should have at least 1 year of active experience in a retail/ display/ VM role.

All Candidates must have a portfolio of practical work (product/ window displays) as well as design work.

Candidates must have some practical/ product handling experience.

All candidates must be aware that undertaking training for competitions and taking part in competitions takes time, dedication, passion and motivation. WSUK actively encourages you to seek the support of your employer or college to support your competition journey.

Core CompetencesVisual merchandising demands expertise in multiple skills, from designing window displays to building, styling and implementation, fulfilling both the client brief and customer requirements. It is a marriage of creative, practical and problem solving skills, all of which the UK excels at in our retail industry.

WorldSkills works to a set of professional work standards, which inform competition briefs and marking schemes. These include:

Interpretation and Research Design and Communication Work Organisation Problem solving, innovation and creativity Implementation

Candidates must be equipped with competency in basic core skills in order to be selected. These will be the foundation that will be developed, refined and added to through a bespoke training programme.

All candidates will need the following basic skills/ experience: CAD/ design skills in Photoshop/ illustrator; the ability to produce a realistic

window design and create mood boards. Interpret briefs and develop designs as per client and customer requirements. Simple tool handling and making skills, utilising, use of materials, making

basic props, painting, cutting, measuring and application/ display methods Prepping, handling and styling product Implementing a window display, working to core display dynamics of a

balanced composition and visual aesthetic/ impact. Time management and working to deadlines. Maintaining a clean and safe working environment. Knowledge of current retail market and trends.

Additional useful skills: Problem solving Working under pressure. Prop making (3d construction) Graphic design and use of decals Time planning Reflection and action planning

To note, product styling can utilise both fashion and interior products. Bespoke/ niche skills will be included in a training programme.

Initial Selection Process:

Competitors should complete the registration form and return it to competitions@worldskillsuk.org

Passive heat selection: all suitable candidates will need to fulfil a design brief, submitting images and rationale of a window design, following the below brief and paying attention to the competences listed above.

Submissions will be marked by a professional panel of judges and successful candidates will be interviewed.

Up to 6 suitable competitors will be selected to compete in a pressure test hosted at WorldSkills UK Live on 15-17 November at the NEC in Birmingham.

Up to 3 competitors from this event will be invited to become a part of Squad UK and will undertake an intensive training programme until Team UK selection event, where one competitor will be selected to represent Visual Merchandising as a part of Team UK in Kazan 2019.

Brief

Theme: ‘Playful Graphics’, Fashion windowSeason: late Summer 2018 Customer: 20, year old Art studentTarget market: high street fashion Product: please see images

Props and materials: please see images. Colour samples are paint, x2 chairs, x3 broom handles, x 5 colour hoops, x 5 colour duct tape, x 5 colour carabiners, dot and cross paper 10mt x 60cm w, black vinyl 5m x 60cm w, climbing rope 15m reel of wire,.

Tools: basic tools: staple gun, glue gun, saw, drill, scissors, knives, measuring equipment, masking tape, fishing line.

Window: open 3 sides (no glass) with back panel 2m50 h including base and fascia and 1m20 w and d. Ceiling grid and 1 track of spotlights.

Deliverables1. Mood/ design board with images (basic core words can be used) 2. CAD visual of window (You do not have to ‘dress’ the tailors dummy, but

could add reference to styling of product in the mood board)3. 100 word rationale, explaining the design idea and display components4. info doc with name, mobile no, email, dob, address, college/ work contact

name no and email.

Save as PDF, no more than 10 Mg

Top tip

Consider Space – The full depth of the window needs to be utilised; foreground/mid ground/ background. Stagger the placement of your objects to create interest for the viewer.

Please email submissions to julianne.lavery1@btinternet (please use wetransfer.com if your file is too big to send by email)

Key dates12/10/2018 - Deadline for application and design submission18/10/2018 - Notification of successful passive applicantsMid/Late October – Interviews to take place 15-17/10/2018 – WorldSkills UK Live at the NEC in Birmingham - pressure test and squad selection event. Accommodation and food will be provided, but competitors must pay for their own transport. December 2018-March 2019 – Squad UK Training April/May 2019 - Team Selection event January & July 2019 – WorldSkills UK Boot CampsWorldSkills Kazan: 22- 27 August 2019 (does not include travel and briefings)

Competition rulesCompetitors must:

- Submit all of the requirements at all stages of the competition.- Ensure all work is self-generated and original.- Be aware that if selected they will need to commit to training, further selection

events and participation in competition activities. This is a commitment that requires dedication and support from your college or employer.

- In order to compete in the World Skill competition 2019 in Kazan, competitors may be no older than 22 in the year of competition.

- Competitors may only enter one competition at one level in any given competition year.

- Representatives and competitors should understand the process for selecting competitors for international competitions.

- By signing the competition register, each competitor gives permission for World Skills UK and the Competition Organising Partner to use non-sensitive information from the competition registration, relevant photographs and video film for any publicity purposes in relation to vocational education, training and the competition