Fashion Design
Overview
Fashion design programs prepare people to design clothing for commercial sale.In fashion design programs, students learn to:
- Create designs manually and using computers
- Use artistic abilities to design apparel and accessories including hats and shoes
- Produce their own designs
- Sew their own designs
Students also study:
- Management in the fashion industry
- Different types of fabrics and fibers
- History of fashion
- Ways culture has influenced fashion trends
- Labor and cost analysis
Schools
Several independent fashion design schools and community colleges offer certificate and associate degree programs in fashion design. A certificate program usually takes a year of full-time study. An associate degree program usually takes two years to complete.
Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in fashion design. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.
A few universities offer graduate degrees in fashion design. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- Apparel and Textiles
- Business Management and Administration
- Family and Consumer Sciences, General
- Fashion Merchandising
- Fiber, Textile, and Weaving Arts
- Graphic Design
- Modeling
- Painting and Drawing
- Textile Sciences and Engineering
Related Careers
Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study
Other Careers Related to this Program of Study
- Costume and Wardrobe Specialists
- Graphic Designers
- Set and Exhibit Designers
- Shoe and Leather Workers
- Tailors
Program Admission
Proprietary schools, colleges, and universities all offer this program. If you want to study at a proprietary school, you can prepare for this program of study by completing your high school diploma or getting a GED. If you want to study at a college or university, you can prepare for this program by taking the following courses: four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.
You should also complete college-level courses in the following:
- Art Appreciation
- Design (beginning and advanced levels)
- Drawing (beginning and advanced levels)
Most schools require the submission of a portfolio that shows your drawing skills and capacity for creating both artistic and functional apparel. Portfolio requirements vary.
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- Art
- Art Portfolio
- CAD Design and Software
- Clothing and Sewing
- Clothing and Textiles
- Computer Graphics
- Drawing and Painting
- General Computer Applications
- Introduction to Business
- Marketing
Typical Course Work
Program Courses
This undergraduate program typically includes courses in the following subjects:
- Apparel Construction
- Apparel Design and Development
- Business Law
- Color Theory
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD) for Apparel
- Draping
- Fashion Presentation
- History of Fashion
- International Marketing
- Line Development
- Pattern Development
- Portfolio Development
- Principles of Fit
- Principles of Marketing
- Principles of Visual Communication
- Social-Psychological Aspects of Clothing
- Tailoring Techniques
- Textiles: Fibers and Yarns
- Textiles: Structures, Dyes, and Finishes
Many of the programs - both undergraduate and graduate - offer some sort of practicum or internship as part of their curriculum. As an example, you might assist a designer at the firm of a notable fashion label with making rough sketches or sewing samples. You would also have the benefit of working under the supervision and guidance of an experienced fashion designer.
Things to Know
Many fashion designers are self-employed. For this reason, you may find it helpful to take courses in business, marketing, and accounting.
Earning an associate degree in fashion design may only qualify you to be a designer's assistant.
Schools
East Side Area
Washington State University - Pullman
- Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles
- Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles--Apparel Design
King-Snohomish Area
Seattle Central College
- Apparel Design & Development
Seattle Pacific University
- Family and Consumer Sciences--Apparel Design