JIAHAN ZHANG

What do you see as your biggest strength in VMA?

My strengths in visual merchandising arts lie in my exceptional styling abilities and a passion for photography that makes shooting assignments a joy. As a visual merchandiser, I have honed my skills in creating visually stunning displays that capture the essence of a brand and engage customers. My expertise in styling enables me to create dynamic compositions that draw the eye and effectively communicate the brand's message. Whether it is developing a concept for a window display or creating a product presentation, I excel at bringing a creative vision to life. In addition to my skills in styling, I also possess a natural talent and passion for photography. Shooting assignments that allow me to combine my visual merchandising expertise with my love for photography bring me great joy. I relish the opportunity to capture the essence of a brand or product through my lens, and to use my skills in composition and lighting to create images that tell a compelling story.

What is one thing you achieved in the last 2 school years that you will remember for the rest of your life?

The past two years of learning the art of visual merchandising have been an incredible journey for me. What I remember most from this experience is the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that comes with creating something from scratch. Whether it was designing and executing a window display, developing a detailed Sketchup, or orchestrating a fashion shoot, the feeling of seeing my ideas come to life was incredibly rewarding. At the beginning of my journey in visual merchandising, I found some of these tasks to be quite daunting. But as I gained experience and confidence, I found that I was able to push past these initial challenges and produce work that I was proud of. What I learned throughout this process is that the key to success in visual merchandising is a combination of creativity, technical skill, and perseverance. By continuously challenging myself to take on new projects and refine my skills, I have been able to create work that not only meets the needs of my clients but also reflects my unique perspective and creativity. Overall, the past two years have been a transformative experience for me in the field of visual merchandising. I am grateful for the challenges and opportunities that I have encountered and look forward to continuing to learn, grow, and create in this exciting field.

What is one way you surprised yourself this year?

this year has been a year of growth and discovery for me in the field of visual merchandising, and what surprised me most was my ability to pull off a successful fashion shoot entirely on my own. From conceptualizing the theme and inspiration board to contacting agencies to find models, photographers, and other essential team members, I was able to handle all aspects of the shoot with confidence and ease. It was an exhilarating experience to see my vision come to life and produce such great results. I learned that the key to success in visual merchandising is not only having a strong creative vision but also the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with others. Overall, this experience has been incredibly empowering, and I look forward to taking on more projects and challenges in the future. I am excited to see where my journey in the world of visual merchandising will take me next.

What was a hard lesson you learned through your time in VMA?

As I reflect on the past two years of learning visual merchandising, one thing that has consistently challenged me is the need for handmade parts. I have always struggled with this aspect, as I am not particularly skilled in handcrafting. However, I have learned that practice and patience are key to developing these skills and improving as a visual merchandiser.

Is there a specific job you hope to get after graduation?

As I near the end of my studies in visual merchandising art, I have developed a strong passion for the fields of art direction and styling. The ability to conceptualize and bring creative ideas to life through visual storytelling is something that truly excites me. I am eager to work with clients and collaborate with teams to create compelling visuals that engage and inspire. With my skills and knowledge in visual merchandising, I am confident that I will be able to pursue a successful career in art direction or styling, and I am excited for the opportunities that lie ahead.