Visual Communication, Digital and Media Arts (VCDMA) Fashion Design Concentration (FASH), BS

The Fashion Design (FASH) concentration prepares students for careers in (but not limited to): fashion design, product development, technical design, sourcing, fashion illustration and production. Students also merge skills in traditional art with technology, marketing/business, and design. The Fashion Design concentration will provide students that are seeking the opportunity to receive current, relevant, real-world education to prepare them for a career in the fashion industry.

Students are prepared to obtain entry-level positions in the industry requiring specific skills in design, sketching, CAD, product development and garment construction. The objectives of the concentration are to prepare graduates to enter a career in the fashion industry with a focus on design, pattern making/technical design, illustration, product development, sourcing, and production. Students will focus primarily on design and development and garment construction, and the integration of computer aided design and product management, thus making graduates in this area more marketable and in demand.

Expected student learning outcomes: After successful completion of coursework, portfolio reviews, exhibitions, internships and senior thesis projects, graduates will be able to: 

• Communicate fashion concepts and design ideas clearly and professionally using mood boards, illustration boards, market research, trend analysis, and discipline-specific terminology. 
• Develop and render fashion figures and technical flats, accurately representing silhouette, proportion, fabric texture, drape, and material weight. 
• Produce professional-quality presentation boards incorporating original fashion illustrations, technical flats, fabric swatches, and visual merchandising elements. 
• Demonstrate technical proficiency in draping, flat patternmaking, and construction methods using both traditional and industry-standard practices. 
• Execute garment construction techniques with attention to fit, functionality, craftsmanship, and finishing appropriate to intended use and target market. 
• Utilize computer-aided design (CAD) software to create digital flats, fashion layouts, textile designs, and digital patterns for industry-standard presentation. 
• Translate two-dimensional designs into three-dimensional garments, applying iterative prototyping methods and critical problem-solving in fabrication. 
• Identify and analyze each phase of the apparel production cycle-from concept development, sourcing, and design through to production, marketing, and retail. 
• Design and produce a cohesive garment collection, demonstrating a unifying aesthetic, market positioning, and a well-defined customer profile. 
• Assemble a professional portfolio that showcases a range of competencies, including sketching, CAD, draping, pattern drafting, and garment construction, suitable for employment or graduate study.