Manchester Metropolitan University |
Mockshop takes MMU studies to brand new dimension The next generation of fashion students at Manchester Metropolitan University are now being given a completely different 3D view of visual merchandising, thanks to Mockshop from vrSoftware. Mockshop, the leading visual merchandising software for the fashion industry, which operates in 3D virtual reality, has now replaced MMU's own internal 2D software system - originally developed by MMU's Senior CAD Lecturer, Terry Bond. "We wanted to take our own visual merchandising software to the next level and work in 3D, but we didn't have the resources or the know-how to do it," admits Bond. "So when we saw Mockshop for the first time it was like seeing our perfect visual merchandising package appear before our eyes. And when we found out that it was free to educational establishments such as ours, we were amazed and just had to have it." Enabling students to work in 3D had been one of the University's ambitions for some time, as Bond explains: "We'd seen a similar product a number of years previously but it was too expensive for the university to acquire. So around four years ago, I set about creating my own version of visual merchandising software for the university's students to use." Working mainly during his lunch hours, Bond combined Corel Draw with vector-based 2D fixtures and garment-design CAD clipart to create a system that enabled students to create visual 2D store layouts. Data was stored in a small database where students could browse, select and build their own stores. However, Bond concedes that his system was labour intensive, required in-depth technical knowledge and, despite the recent addition of some graphical perspective creating what he calls 'two-and-a-half D', it still lacked the 3D interactivity that he and his students really needed. Mockshop was donated free-of-charge by its author vrSoftware, and as soon as it was installed MMU students were able to enjoy the advantages of the software's easy-to-use 3D functionality. Students can now build realistic 3D stores of any shape and size on their PCs. They can add fixtures, POS material and even hanging or folded garments to create a fully merchandised layout - all in minutes. And because Mockshop software is fully interactive, they can be as creative and experimental as they like with just a few clicks of a mouse. "Mockshop is so simple to use," says Bond. "Our MSC students are already using it in their International Fashion Marketing, MSC Strategic Fashion Buying and MSC Clothing Product Development studies. These courses attract an international mix of students and they all love using the new software." With such a positive response from its MSC students, MMU now intends to roll Mockshop software out across even more courses and anticipates that over six-hundred students will eventually be using the visual merchandising software. Bond expects the skills his students gain from using Mockshop will make them even more successful during their search for work placements and employment. Students can also continue to use Mockshop for six months post graduation to assist them in their searches. Mockshop at MMU was installed, configured and trained by vrSoftware's Banbury-based Solution provider, VR Intelligence. |
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| Contact details | vrSoftware Ltd |
VR Intelligence |
