Store Design & Merchandising · The Professional Foundation
A structured introduction to retail space design, covering brand environment, product strategy, store layout and customer experience.
★★★★★ 4.8 · 1,690 professionals enrolled · 70+ countries
Language
English (CC English)
Start Date
Ready for enrollment
Course Length
22 Video lectures (online learning asynchronous video lessons and assignments)
About this course
This course teaches you how to plan, design and structure retail spaces, from concept and layout, to customer experience and product allocation.
With this course you will be able to start developing amazing store design from scratch or improving an existing one.
Learn how to reflect a concept into the store space, how to create a customer journey, and how to plan a store layout according to your product and business.
After this course you will never see a store the same way again.
What to expect
At the end of this course, you will be able to develop a store design project from scratch, in a practical assignment.
You will understand the principles needed to create a impactful and inspiring shopping experience and how to integrate a brand´s identity.
You will also be able to allocate product in the store space creating a navigation strategy and gain the confidence to start developing your own projects.
Requirements
No previous experience needed, as we will approach the topics from the basics. Perfect for retail design beginners.
Mode of Study
Video lectures within a intuitive user-friendly platform, for web and mobile, all lessons with practical examples.
Store design & Merchandising is in asynchronos learning mode (with on-demand videos) that you can watch at your own pace, with instructor feedback throughout.
Why this course is different
Field-tested methodology
01
Built from real retail practice and professional experience - not generic educational frameworks.
Strategic thinking included
02
Courses that develop critical analysis of retail space alongside technical execution skills.
Portfolio-driven assignments
03
Assignments that produce real deliverables applicable immediately in a professional context.
International retail perspective
04
A curriculum relevant across retail formats, markets and brand types - from specialty retail to flagship stores.
Complete Course Curriculum
- 5 Sections, 22 Lessons
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Intro to Store Design
What is Store Design
Know the store design Experts
Store design is a marketing tool
Store design and its Professionals
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Brand Identity: How to identify and analyze
“ Brand as a person”
Create a brand atmosphere in the store space - Moodboard
Shopping Experience
What store concept means
Case Study
Wrap Up Video lecture - Create a moodboard
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Intro to store space and stockroom
Product grouping - How to identity and create sections
Tactics for product allocation
Decompression Zones & Windows
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What is a layout
Customer flow - What is and how to influence
Layout types - pros and cons for each business
Fixtures and store hardware
Ergonomics and product value perception
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Design a store - Materials & presentation
Self-evaluation & thank you
Who is this course for?
Retail & sales professionals
Looking to improve store layout, product presentation and commercial performance. Or even looking to grow into retail design roles.
Designers & architects
Entering the retail sector or developing a specialism in retail space design.
Career changers, Students & Specialists
Building a professional foundation in retail design and visual merchandising.
What You’ll Be Able To Do
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At the end of this course, you will be able to develop a store design project, either for your own store or a client.
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Learn to create a profitable layout by apply Store layout planning principles choosing the best fixtures.
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You will be able to integrate a Brand identity applied to physical retail spaces
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You will learn how to achieve a balance between creativity and logistical needs in retail
Learn key technics to become a confident store planner and designer.
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Understand the principles needed to create an impactful and inspiring shopping experience
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Learn the most effective way to build costumer flow trough the space in order to improve sales
I will teach how to apply ergonomic techniques to improve the consumer's perception of value, retail space zoning and product sections
What Students Say
★★★★★ 4.8 · 1,690 students worldwide"The course is well structured and gives a good conceptual overview on all topics that must be taken into account when designing a store."
— Martina N., Store Design Graduate
“The content is better than I expected. The videos are easy to follow because they are very well designed. While she is talking, key words appear on the screen, the more complex ideas are supported by images and pictures. I loved it and I am waiting for Diana to release more courses!”
— Valeria V., Store Design Graduate
"I absolutely loved this course. Good quality video, good material and it is well presented. "
— Frank L., Store Design Graduate
Meet Your Instructor
✳
Meet Your Instructor ✳
D I A N A P A I V A
Learn from Diana Paiva
16+ Years of Retail Design Experience
Online instructor with +1600 learners worldwide
✔️ +16 years of experience in Retail Design & Marketing & Visual merchandising & Interior design
✔️ Passionate about helping others grow in their careers
✔️ Certified instructor, courses designed for real-world jobs
How to get started
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1 . Review the curriculum
Review the curriculum and confirm this is the right starting point for your current level and goals.
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2 . Complete enrollment — access begins immediately
Access begins immediately after enrollment confirmation. No setup required.
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3 . Learn at your own pace
Progress through lessons and assignments on your own schedule, with instructor feedback throughout.
Start learning today
Frequently Asked Questions About This Course
Yes. Store Design & Merchandising is designed as the foundational course — no prior experience in retail design or visual merchandising is required. The course starts from first principles and builds a complete understanding of store design from the ground up. It is suitable for those entering the industry, pivoting from adjacent fields, or building on existing retail experience.
Is this course suitable for complete beginners?
1
The course includes 22 video lessons across 5 structured sections, plus 3 practical assignments. Individual lesson lengths range from approximately 1 to 15 minutes. All lessons can be paused, rewatched and completed in any order within each section.
How many lessons are included and how long are the videos?
2
The course includes three assignments: a brand identity exercise, a moodboard project and a final store design project. All assignments are submitted for instructor review and individual feedback from Diana Paiva at final project.
What practical work is involved?
3
No. The curriculum focuses on conceptual, spatial and strategic thinking rather than technical software skills. References to design tools are made where relevant, but the course is fully accessible without any prior software experience.
Do I need any prior knowledge of design software?
4
Will I receive a certificate at the end?
5
Yes. Upon completing the course — including all lessons and assignments — you will receive a professional certificate of completion from STEER Academy.
I already enrolled in this course — can I upgrade to The Complete Program?
6
Yes. If you have already enrolled in Store Design & Merchandising and would like to add Mastering Visual Merchandising at a combined price, contact us at hello@steer.academy.
Can my company pay for my enrollment via invoice?
7
Yes. If your enrollment is being funded by your employer, contact us at hello@steer.academy before completing your purchase. We can provide a formal invoice for company payment processing.
Do I need any prior knowledge of design software?
8
No. The curriculum focuses on conceptual, spatial and strategic thinking rather than technical software skills. References to design tools are made where relevant, but the course is fully accessible without any prior software experience.
FROM BEGINNER TO EXPERT
Already planning to continue with Mastering Visual Merchandising?
The Complete Program gives you full access to both Store Design & Merchandising and Mastering Visual Merchandising at a combined price ($69.90) - the full STEER Academy curriculum in a single program.
Immediate access to Course Store Design & Merchandising
Level 1 Certification Course you can rewatch anytime forever. Self-Paced learning with instructor feedback
Great to start your learning journey
Individual purchase value $29,90
+
Full access to
Mastering Visual Merchandising
Unlock the advanced course that will take you to the next level in Visual Merchandising and Store Design. Be ready to confident develop retail strategies in any industry.
Individual purchase value $59,90
This online store design course is ideal for beginners looking to learn retail layout design, visual merchandising techniques and customer experience planning.