Schools apparel design programs

With a live runway show out of the question, the Class of uses video to present their intimate and thoughtful work. Apparel Design alumni make their mark as creative professionals in whatever way suits them best. Some launch their own lines and find a market niche, while others work as designers for retail leaders such as Calvin Klein, the Gap, Urban Outfitters and more.

Many pursue personal interests in costume design, knitwear, hat design, shoe design, custom tailoring, materials research and more…. By the time she entered her senior year, Katie Gallagher had gained the confidence to follow her own instincts in creating a totally black degree project collection—despite industry warnings against that.

In she earned the Spirit of Design Award for outstanding contributions to the world of design and for her generosity in working with students and young designers. Our comprehensive curriculum prepares you with the professional skills to launch your fashion career.

For 70 years, we have provided effective design and technical career training, and have placed thousands of graduates in the marketplace. Many of our alumni have risen as top leaders in our industry. Employers rely on the Apparel Design and Development program for employees who bring relevant skills to their companies. Our graduates are prepared for a wide variety of jobs within the industry, including:. In addition to finding success with more traditional employers, many of our graduates choose to work on a freelance basis or to start their own businesses.

We are passionate about our industry and always take the extra step to bring out the best creative work in our students — we do this by providing skill development and the needed support to pave the way for learning. In addition to the benefit of flexible scheduling, online students will also be able to approach their schoolwork in a timeframe that best fits their daily routine. By utilizing the curriculum provided in these programs, students will receive a competitive edge in their post-graduate job hunting.

The faculty in charge of these programs have each worked in the fashion industry for several years, ensuring students will be receiving the most useful knowledge possible. Class sizes at UDEL are typically small, allowing students to enjoy a personalized academic experience without feeling like they're falling behind. The world of fashion is a highly competitive environment. One way students can make themselves stand out is by ensuring the fashion school they choose has the right elements for success.

Here are a few things to look out for:. Employers will know which schools are and are not accredited, so selecting one with proper certification is of utmost importance. Look through degree curricula to see if these skills are taught alongside core design topics. The fashion industry is all about paying your dues; most entry-level positions require years of experience, meaning students need to be taking advantage of internships, assistantships and work experience programs while in school to be competitive for positions upon graduation.

A great design program will hold student fashion shows, attracting the attention of local media and industry insiders. Making it as a designer means getting noticed for your creations, so ensure potential programs offer this avenue of exposure. It may seem obvious, but take time to research program alumni.

Understanding this data will help ascertain if the education they received at that institution successfully propelled them into the field of fashion. Associate degrees are an excellent option for those who wish to work as design assistants or retail professionals and provide a thorough review of design fundamentals. This is also an attractive option for those seeking to move towards an academic career. While no doctorate program in fashion design currently exists, complementary programs such as apparel design are offered at a few institutions.

A variety of options are offer for certificates in fashion design. Whether your goal is to learn the basics of fashion or learn about a specific area, programs exist.

A number of institutions offer certificates for students seeking to learn the fundamentals of fashion design. Many of these will only require a high-school diploma or GED, making them an appealing alternative to full degrees. Certificates of this depth are also applicable to professionals from other industries looking to change careers. These can typically be completed in two years of full-time study. Courses could include sewing fundamentals, figure drawing, patternmaking, construction, embellishments and silhouettes.

For students with prior education or experience in fashion design, these programs offer focused study in a specialized topic. The length of these programs range from three months to two years depending on the scope and intensity of study. This certification will outfit students to produce visually stunning styled pieces ready for store windows or photo shoots.

Courses include styling tricks of the trade, fundamentals of fit, working with still life, hand sewing and in-depth fashion show studies. Students with a flair for flashy headwear will enjoy this certificate focused on developing skills for the creation of fashion-forward hats and head accessories. Studies include learning about fabrics and other materials, construction, special occasion headwear and seasonal wear.

Understanding how to use design-specific technology is crucially important in the fashion industry; students undertaking this course will learn how to use the software most often associated with design including Microsoft Excel, Illustrator, Photoshop, Kaledo, WebPDM and NedGraphics.

For students who love the industry but want to work on the organizational side, the fashion business certificate will develop skills in finance, marketing, retailing and information technology specific to the fashion industry.

Lots of interesting options exist for students looking to pursue fashion design at the associate degree level. Typically offered as an Associate of Fine Arts or an Associate of Applied Science, these programs attract many professionals who already have a college background and are seeking a career change. Most programs are credit hours, can be completed in years and do not require any prerequisites. Some of these could include:.

Focused on equipping students with essentials of construction, this course covers principles of scale, sketching, draping and construction of tailored garments.

Color is analyzed from every perspective during this class; students will come to understand the cultural, social and psychological implications associated with colors.

Specific theoretical frameworks are taught, including the illusion of transparency, contrast and patterns. The entire process of creating a garment is reviewed in this course; from cutting to construction and fitting to finishing, students will have an understanding of the full development. They will also be immersed in learning how to use industrial sewing machinery and selecting the appropriate types of fabrics.

Offered as beginner and advanced classes throughout the degree, this course teaches students about both flat pattern design and two-dimensional methods of garment design. Concepts such as slash-and-spread and pivot techniques will be reviewed and students will likely have project requirements relating to proper form and fit.

Two options exist for fashion design degrees at this level. While a Bachelor of Arts will emphasize a liberal arts underpinning supported by studio practice, a Bachelor of Fine Arts will require a creative thesis project such as designing a collection. While most schools do not have prerequisites at this level, demonstrable interest in fashion or design will help potential candidates stand out for competitive programs.

Internships are a vital component of most degrees and will give students hands-on experience and networking opportunities. Study abroad options are also sometimes available in international cities of fashion. Core classes generally build upon basic design and patternmaking skills learned in the first two years before moving on to more advanced topics. Programs are typically completed in four years of full-time study.

A sampling of popular courses is given below. Students will learn the basis of design software used within the fashion industry, including the use of bitmap and vector tools. In addition to skills in digital drawing, topics on industry expectations will be covered. Provides an overview of techniques, including patternmaking, draping, sizing and sewing a complete project.

Usually offered in survey format, the course reviews costumes throughout the ages, touching on moments of history ranging from the Ancient Greeks and Shakespeare to modern day theatre and film designs.