James Madison University

Retail Design & Visual Merchandising

Managed chainwide visual direction for Camp, Packs, Travel, Outdoor Electronics, Sunglasses, Impulse/Food
- Created guidance documents to support seasonal floorset updates, new initiatives/programs, and promotional events
- Collaborated with buyers and vendors on product promotion - launches, signage, and custom displays
- Drafted journal articles communicating new visual merchandising direction and strategies
- Partnered with production and creative marketing teams on promotional signage and artwork for visual presentations
- Worked closely with buying team on assortment management, capacity, and category management
- Traveled to new and existing stores to advise on visual merchandising, make adjustments, and educate teams on best practices
- Collaborated with fixture and store design teams on new fixture designs, floorplans, and display elements
- Advised and guided stores through visual questions and issues via direct email, chat, phone and video conversations
- Key contributor in creation of new planogram structure and implementation of new visual communications platform

Senior Visual Merchandiser - Outdoor Hardgoods

Managed the design and installation of all permanent interior and exterior signage, graphics, and artwork for the Store Design team. Key partner in floor planning and CD review for new stores. Lead designer for Lessons program expansion into hundreds of new locations. Learned a ton about the Real Estate and Construction process along the way.

Guitar Center

Retail Visual Designer

Project manager for all visual merchandising initiatives for accessories and media categories.  Key player new store design and floorplanning as well as new display design, development, and implementation.  I enjoyed the challenge of coming up with creative solutions for merchandising and display issues!

Visual Merchandising Manager

Newly created position in the growing visual merchandising department. Certified in JDA Intactix Space and Floor planning software - created planograms and communications. I gained a wealth of knowledge about merchandising and how retail really works.

Planogram Specialist

Moved to LA during a recession with no job... smart plan.  Knew a bit about acoustic guitars and gave sales a try.  I was fortunate to work in the flagship location, gaining expertise, and working with a range of customers from tourists to celebrities.

Sales Associate

An 8th grade teacher had to leave with medical issues and requested that I take over her classes. I was basically a full-blown teacher for a while and although it was a lot of additional work and responsibility, it was really interesting to basically step into the shoes of a different career and see what it was truly like.  Teachers are underpaid and under-appreciated!

Henrico County Public Schools

Interim 8th Grade English Teacher

Need I say more?  I taught a range of subjects in many different schools - grades K-12. I actually enjoyed this a lot... every day was a new challenge and a new experience!

Substitute Teacher

Introduced 8-15 year olds to the joys of the performing arts!  Kids worked towards a performance of a play, song, and dance with many other daily games, activities, and special guests!  Great kids :)

Asher Nicholson