Investing in the Future of Retail Designers

Investing in the Future of Retail Designers

by Linda Lombardi

VP, Global Store Design and Visual Merchandising, Godiva Chocolatier

and 2016 PAVE Gala Vice President

The Retail Design community includes career professionals – designers, manufacturers and business leaders – as well as educators and students.  The strength of our industry depends on the connectivity amongst all of these communities.   

On December 7^th, we’ll gather for the PAVE Gala.  Together, as a community, an industry and a profession, we’ll raise much need funds to provide scholarships and financial aid for college students studying retail design. 

I’d like to focus on the future of our industry.  A concrete starting point is how we’re educating and training the next generation of retail design professionals.   We have great schools, dedicated teachers and ambitious students.  So what is our role as career professionals?  I believe it is to support and to strengthen.

As mentors, we offer advice and help open doors but the next generation of retail design professionals first needs to finish college.   This is where PAVE continues to make a difference.

PAVE – Planning and Visual Education Partnership – provides financial aid and scholarships, supports educators and schools, sponsors design competitions and facilitates professional development for emerging talent in retail design. 

Emma White, a senior at Appalachian State University, is one of many PAVE student success stories.   She did not discover her passion for Interior Design until the end of her freshman year which meant she faced an additional, costly fifth year of studies because there was no way to complete the necessary course work within her initial 4-year plan.  “I was determined to pass portfolio review and begin the Interior Design program, regardless of the additional year, because I knew it would be worth it in the long run,” explains Emma.  “To make this extra year possible, I immediately began to research financial aid opportunities to offset the additional college expenses I was taking on myself.”

Emma applied for, and was awarded, financial aid from PAVE and she expects to graduate in 2017.   The support from PAVE helped Emma with the overall cost of her tuition and living expenses, but also helped with the cost of crucial tools for her design studios.

Since 2006, PAVE has awarded $200,000 in Scholarship and Financial Aid to retail design students in need.  In addition, since 2008, PAVE has awarded $134,000 to accredited design schools to support programs in retail design.

“Our ability to support students significantly increases each year because of the support of the retail industry, ” explains Harry Cunningham, Head of Store Development at Vera Bradley and President of PAVE.  “On December 7^th our dedicated colleagues – retailers, design firms, manufacturers and suppliers – will come together at the annual PAVE Gala to simultaneously have a great time and support a cause we all agree is vital to our industry – education and experience.”

Since 2006, PAVE has also channeled approximately $400,000 to support all aspects of their crucial student design competitions that motivate the students to create their best work and be assessed by us, their future employers.     

Emma, who anticipates graduating with a major in Interior Design and a minor in Marketing, proudly identifies herself on LinkedIn as a recipient of support from PAVE and is actively involved with one of this year’s design competitions.   When asked to explain what excites her about retail design, Emma wrote in an email, “As an interior design student I have always been interested in the way the built environment influences occupants. I have really enjoyed working on retail design projects because they are a seamless blend of interior design, graphic design, and marketing techniques.“

Sounds like someone I want to hire!  But first, let’s help Emma and other students, finish college and get the best retail design training possible.  Join us at the annual PAVE Gala on December 7^th and let’s continue to support and strengthen the next generation of retail design professionals.