Career Mirror -- by Mark Sproxton

Perfectly pressed, corners folded exact, tags carefully tucked inside, Nancy Johnsson steps back and examines her latest work. The last of numerous beds on the floor, the visual presentation associate has the latest fashions on full display for everyone to see. Alongside, night tables and dressers are arranged just so. Decorated with pictures, books, and candles the bedroom furniture fits in perfectly with the decor. The feeling of quiet comfort leaps from the bedroom showcases. Hours of hard work went into the planning and preparation stages of this display, but it's the look that counts.

''You have to have an eye for stuff,'' said Johnsson, who looks after the Market Square section of The Bay downtown. ''Just because you like to do crafts doesn't mean that you can do visual presentation. It's a very physical job (too). You don't have a bunch of people to carry things for you. We change lightbulbs, sweep floors, and have to iron. And in this store there's a lot of walking.''

After graduating from Olds College's two-year design program -- the college now offers a similar one-year course -- in the mid-1970s Johnsson worked for a number of retail outlets when those in the visual presentation field were in demand. ''At one time, freelance visual display was a good position,'' she said. ''I started in '79 when everyone could afford to do their window (displays) one time a month.''

Now, those in visual display work hand-in-hand with their marketing departments, or in the marketing department. ''There used to be a more definite line between the visual people and everyone else,'' she said. But times change. With product styles, colors and image all tied to marketing, visual presenters are called on to use their skills of design and seeing spacial relationships to accentuate the ''look'' determined by head office.

''They want continuity between stores,'' said the visual display artist with 20 years experience. ''The props are ordered and everyone has the same concept, it's up to us to decide where things go within our guidelines.'' Department stores, along with large clothing and furniture stores, are the prime employers of visual display artists.

''When you do a display that's really good and your boss or a customer notices, that's really satisfying,'' Johnsson said. Working Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. those in visual display begin their day with a short meeting discussing any upcoming sales, specials, or big promotions such as Mother's Day. That is followed by a floor-check, ensuring wigs are on straight, picture frames are standing upright, and everything looks proper. Then the hard work begins. Stock has to be moved, racks torn down, signs hung from the roof.... Not surprisingly, if overtime or extra-long days are required, they come in the madness of October and November as retailers prepare for the Christmas onslaught.

The job isn't for everyone, either. Every single thing you look at in the store, signs, mannequins, windows etc. fall into the scope of visual display, and into the arena of public scrutiny. ''You have to be able to take some criticism,'' Johnsson said. ''It's something you have to be able to deal with and learn from.''

While the earnings for visual display people depends largely on their experience, Johnsson said education also will determine your wage. She said almost all her colleagues have either art or design degrees or diplomas. Regardless of the training, and where you work, those in visual display have to always keep the look of their store in mind. 'You're responsible for the appearance of the store inside and out,'' she said.