Welcome to Visual Design Pop!

I have been in the retail world for over 25 years, and in almost all of my roles, I have been the Visual Merchandiser, officially and unofficially. I clearly remember taking one of those aptitude tests around 1st grade that gave you career suggestions based on your scores. Top of the list for me was "Artist," which I can gladly say was spot on. I am still an artist! Number 2 on the list was "Window Dresser." I had to ask what in the world that was, and lo and behold, that job meant building beautiful displays in shop windows that tell stories! I instantly imagined myself on some bespoke street in a big city, at night (the street lights are much more dramatic in my mind), admiring my latest creation. Number 3 on the list was "Lawyer." Hmm. I can see that. A little. 

Clearly this test was pretty accurate, as I am currently a full time retail buyer and VM for a sweet business in the Pacific Northwest. I am also an artist and graphic designer. It's eye opening being on both sides of the wholesale table, and it's given me valuable insight and has guided me in how I approach and treat my wonderful vendors at work.

I started Visual Design Pop to share my love of creating trend reports and planning for the year. I also started it as a place to share my experience with other Visual Merchandisers and to those that may want to enter this world and have no idea where to start. Every other VM I have worked with has an incredibly serendipitous route to how they arrived to their VM role. Sometimes it's because they jumped into action in fixing a messy display, other times it's because they are an artist, and observant and supportive managers elevate those creatives and give them the creative tasks and projects.

As someone who spends a ton of time performing research for work, I get so inspired by what I discover and encounter that I need another way to share boards and reports, other than though my job, and in other categories. So, welcome to Visual Design Pop!