Fashion Design Degree Programs
The work of Fashion Designers ranges from the glamorous to the mundane and includes designing clothing, shoes and accessories. Their designs run the gamut of styles, functions and wearers from work uniforms to wedding gowns and movie costumes. Fashion Design degree programs provide students with education in all aspects of fashion design and production including the use of design software.
Fashion design is a competitive field that appeals to many creative and talented people. Since job growth is expected to be minimal, students considering this field should have superior talent and drive. Some students take business courses which can open up other opportunities related to fashion. Most fashion design job opportunities can be found in New York and California.
Degree Options
- Associate's Degree - This level of fashion design degree prepares students for jobs such as assistant designer, visual display artist, stylist or fashion illustrator. It can also be used as a stepping stone towards a bachelor's degree.
- Bachelor's Degree - A bachelor's degree is required for most entry-level fashion designer jobs.
- Master's Degree - This level of degree is not common but may help graduates to be more competitive in the job market.
Schools
Fashion Design programs can be found at art and design schools, community colleges, universities and online schools. Many programs are located in the fashion centers of New York and California.
Coursework
The coursework for fashion design programs includes classes such as those listed below:
- Fashion Illustration - Covers the drawing of fashion forms including concept design, the use of color and mixed media, often using live models.
- Visual Design - Includes topics such as two-dimensional and three-dimensional space, color theory, visual vocabulary and tools and materials.
- Textile Design - Examines concepts of layout, repeats, fibers, production, performance and care and aesthetics.
- Elements of Production - Introduces students to processes used to produce clothing and the considerations designers must take into account including cost, quality, materials and planning.
- Patternmaking - Teaches skills of flat-pattern making, draping, pattern drafting while adhering to commerical standards.
- Fashion Construction Techniques - Students construct garments using production techniques as well as custom couture methods.
- Fashion Marketing - Introduces concepts of consumer behavior, fashion markets and strategies of price, product, placement and promotion.
- Computer-aided Design - Students learn to use CAD software to create designs and patterns and may also learn fashion presentation skills.
Internships are also typically required or strongly encouraged. Some programs also require students to participate in fashion design competitions or fashion shows.
Aptitudes and Interests
Those best-suited to major in fashion design have a great sense of style, artistic talent, boundless creativity and have had a life-long interest in clothing and fashion. They also need to be culturally aware and able to stay on top of world-wide fashion trends.
Career Options
Fashion designers generally work for mass marketing clothing and apparel companies or are self-employed. Those that succeed in creating their own fashion brand are very rare. Designers who work for low-volume companies may be involved in aspects of production while most large companies have their clothes manufactured overseas. The type of fashion that designers work on can include men's, women's, children's and even pet clothing. It can also include footwear and accessories such as belts, hats, handbags and jewelry.
Related Programs
Other programs that have similarities to fashion design include:
- Fashion Merchandising - Coursework focuses on forecasting trends, merchandise planning and control, importing/exporting, line development and store development. Students also take business courses such as accounting and marketing.
- Textile Design - Students learn how to design functional and aesthetically appealing fabrics and textiles for clothing, furniture and home decor.
- Interior Design - These programs cover all aspects of designing interior residential and commerical spaces including space planning, building codes, functionality and aesthetics.
- Graphic Design - Curriculums cover artistic design and technical skills such as typography, information presentation, package design, branding as well as various software tools commonly used in the profession.
How to Evaluate Fashion Design Degree Programs
Some factors to be considered when selecting a program are discussed below:
- Internships - A program that is able to place their students in internships is highly valued since experience and industry connections are important to finding a job in this field.
- Scope of Curriculum - Programs that include marketing and other business courses give students valuable training that can be useful regardless of their future position.
- Accreditation - Fashion design programs should be accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
Resources
Council of Fashion Designers of America
Fashion Group International, Inc.
Online Course Finder
Find the path to your
education in 3 easy steps.