Visual Merchandising students bring Christmas cheer to Brunswick with sustainable decorations

Visual Merchandising students bring Christmas cheer to Brunswick with sustainable decorations

Students from RMIT’s College of Vocational Education have gone above and beyond their course requirements to collaborate on ‘Home for Christmas’, an installation of recycled Christmas decorations at Barkly Square.

Diploma of Visual Merchandising students re-purposed cardboard wine boxes to depict homes and notable buildings throughout Brunswick.

The students were briefed to create festive decorations in a sustainable way, using materials that could be reused or recycled in the new year.

Rebecca Kettle, one of the students who worked on the installation, said the project helped her gain a better understanding of her possible career outcomes.

“The Barkly Square ‘Home for Christmas’ project was a great opportunity for me to gain real life experience in a creative and fun way,” Kettle said.

A Christmas tree made from recycled cardboard featuring the name of iconic Brunswick shops. One of the Christmas Trees featured at Barkly Square.

The project speaks to the importance of our homes through the holiday season, and how many of us have longed to be ‘Home for Christmas’ – or home at all – over the past eighteen months.

It also confronts the wastefulness traditionally associated with the holiday season.

Australians produce around 30% more waste at Christmas than any other time of year, owing largely to excess packaging.

The ‘Home for Christmas’ exhibit marks the second year of RMIT’s partnership with Barkly Square through the Diploma of Visual Merchandising program.

It’s one of many industry partnerships embedded in the College of Vocational Education’s Creative Industries curriculum, which creates job opportunities for students, introduce them to key leaders in their community and industry, and help to build strong career foundations.

RMIT students stand in front of their installation at Barkly Square (L:R, Back) RMIT students Jane Westwood, Barbara Statham, Rebecca Kettle Paris Pym, Lottie Roberts, and Emma Howell. (L:R Front) Isabel Hooper, Kayla Desjardins and Miko Mhae Yu.

Jane Westwood, another student whose work features at Barkly Square, said since participating in the project, she feels much more confident stepping out into the visual merchandising world.

“It was great to gain some experience doing a real install, and it was so fun working as a team on a large-scale project,” Westwood said.

“Since being involved in this project, I feel a lot more confident stepping out into the world of Visual Merchandising.”

Program Manager Nancy Everingham said she was thrilled with the partnership’s outcomes.

“The project has really required students to step up and present a professional self to a number of stakeholders over a three-month period, working to a timeline and set deliverables,” Everingham said.

“It is such invaluable experience for the students as they emerge into the industry.”

‘Home for Christmas’ will be displayed at Barkly Square until 3 January 2022. It will then move to Building 94, at RMIT’s City campus.

Story: Georgie Martin

01 December 2021

Share

01 December 2021

Share

  • Sustainability
  • Design
  • Business
  • Arts and culture
Engage

Related News

Future Europe Series France.jpg

Future Europe Series: Latest report aims to support French investment in Victoria

The latest report out of the Future Europe Series delivered by RMIT Europe and the State of Victoria’s European Trade and Investment office, has made recommendations in skills and talent, innovation and digitalisation for French companies investing in Victoria, Australia.

clothes-1220x732px.jpg

Age trumps gender, income and postcode for consumers' clothing habits

The first-ever nationwide study into how Australians use and dispose of clothing has revealed people are buying too many clothes and are unsure how to discard them responsibly.

Professor Allan Fels AO

“We need to put power back in the hands of the people”: former ACCC chair calls for stronger government action on corporate profiteering

Professor Allan Fels AO, former chairman of the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC), called for stronger government action to combat corporate profiteering, while delivering the 2024 Laurie Carmichael Lecture at RMIT University.

Shereen next to model who is wearing a short black flare skirt, crop top and boots.

Students embrace the dark side in Star Wars collaboration with Disney

RMIT vocational education students have embarked on an epic fashion journey with Disney, navigating real-world design challenges with Jedi-like focus.

Show more
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information