Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Display cases lining the halls of the Education Annex Building on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus have been transformed into product displays with patterned fabrics, unique lighting and various products offered at local businesses.
The product display cases were created by SFA students enrolled in a visual merchandising course that allowed them to use the skills they’ve learned in the classroom to gain real-world experience.
“This project has provided a wonderful experience for students and a great showcase of merchandise for visitors to the building,” said Leisha Bridwell, associate professor of interior design and interior merchandising at SFA.
Featured retailers include Macy May, Nacogdoches Eye Associates, House of Traditions, Rees Jewelry and Miller’s Point.
Each display showcases one retailer’s product line. For example, handmade feather bow ties are featured in one case, and in another, students highlighted Silver Elegance jewelry.
The project required students to meet with the merchants, create a sign for the case and then craft a sophisticated display.
Clarissa Hughes, an interior merchandising major from Tyler, said she is interested in creating retailer displays in the future. Her group designed a case for House of Traditions by incorporating items from the Mud Pie and Beatriz Ball lines.
“Our display items are entertaining pieces for people who like to host parties. We wanted the display to showcase the items in a way that would make a buyer want to put them in their homes,” Hughes said.
Fashion merchandising students Mackenna Joseph from Austin and Erica Reynolds from Corrigan built a display for the Spode Woodland line available for purchase at House of Traditions.
“I enjoyed planning the display,” Joseph said. “It was fun to gain the hands-on experience and figure out where to place the elements.”