Fashion Design (FASD)

Studio I is the first in a series of technical courses. Students in the Studio I course will be introduced to garment construction and appropriate end uses for industry machinery and various textiles. They will also build on the knowledge and skills learned in FASD252 Fashion Design Research. This course is only for Fashion Design Majors.

Computer-aided design is utilized in every segment of the fashion industry from concept development, fabric design and illustration to line development, technical drawing, and presentations. Students learn CAD software and gain skills utilized in a variety of industry-related projects. (CAD 204 until Fall 2023)

From Coco Chanel to Issey Miyake, 20th-century designers played an integral role in the development of the fashion industry. Through the use of the Textile and Costume Collection, students will have the opportunity to learn first hand from the work of these designers, while an emphasis on historical evidence will improve analytical and writing skills. Students will leave the course with a thorough understanding of key designers and their influence on 20th-century fashion and culture.

This is the initial course in the fashion design technical studio sequence. This course focuses on the study and production of apparel construction methods. Students have the opportunity to produce garments and design them through the imaginative use of construction details. A sample book of various industrial construction methods is developed. Note: A minimum grade of "C" will be required in order to continue in the design studio sequence. Admission into the Fashion Design Program.

This course covers the fundamentals of the flat-pattern method. Students will manipulate bodice sleeve and skirt blocks to create various styles. Some patterns are cut and sewn in muslin to test fit and further enhance sewing skills. A sample book of flat-pattern techniques will be produced. In addition, one ensemble will be designed and produced. Prerequisite: FASD211 (Min grade C)

A "short course" that enables students to study various aspects of fashion design, production and merchandising in a major region of the world. Through a series of lectures, guided tours and visits to couture and ready-to-wear establishments, design studios, retailers, production plants and museums, students have the opportunity to experience a segment of the global fashion industry. Students carry a journal and write about their own experiences abroad. A visual record of design inspirations is required as part of the research assignments. Oral and written reports, including visuals, explore the design and business practices of apparel firms. Students also experience cooperative design and merchandising as a result of team assignments.

This required course focuses on methods of research and development of original concepts in the fashion design field. Visual sensitivity to the environment as a source for building observational skills, design literacy, visual documentation, and concept development skills will be addressed. Visits to design resources such as museums, architectural sites, analysis of trend forecasts and current influences will provide inspiration for development of a journal for application in future courses.

This lecture-based course examines the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the mainstream fashion industry and explores how sustainable design thinking can shape a more responsible future. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of challenges across the fashion product lifecycle—from material sourcing and production to distribution, consumption, and end-of-life—while studying key organizations, technologies, trends, and designers leading the shift toward sustainability. Through case studies, systems-thinking analysis, and research on materials and ethical practices, students will evaluate contemporary fashion systems and consider innovative strategies such as upcycling, responsible material use, and alternative approaches to patterning and construction. By synthesizing this knowledge, students will develop a personal design perspective informed by circular and human-centered principles and articulate solutions to real-world sustainability challenges through written and visual communication.

This course will enable the student through hands on experience to understand the basic requirements needed to be successful in the area of technical design. Building on their knowledge of pattern, construction and design, students will learn to create technical specifications packages used for product data management. Students will further acquire an advanced understanding of terminology and technical vocabulary needed to communicate with manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Students will learn the process of developing garment specifications, conducting fittings and successful communication for quality assurance issues to vendors and manufacturing personnel worldwide.

3D Virtual Fashion Design I will enable students to understand the basic requirements needed to be successful utilizing industry-adopted 3D applications through hands on experience. Building on their pattern development knowledge and technical skills in 2D, students will learn to build an entire 3D collection from simple silhouettes to complicated designs utilizing fabric, fit, patterns, colors, and textures. Students will learn successful communication of quality assurance to vendors and manufacturing personnel worldwide.

3D Virtual Fashion Design II will immerse fashion design undergraduate students deeper into 3D fashion software programs. This is an advanced course for students who will continue to hone their skills and explore cutting-edge practices in Digital Product Design (DPC), a comprehensive digital framework that is transforming the fashion industry. Building on the foundational 3D Virtual Fashion Design I skills, this course explores the integration of advanced design. Students will learn to develop end-to-end virtual workflows, create data-rich digital twins, and leverage the A.I. intelligence systems. The curriculum is designed to mirror real-world industry applications, preparing students for specialized roles in the rapidly evolving digital fashion landscape.

Students learn to drape basic bodice and skirt variations on standard industrial dress forms. An original look is designed, draped and sewn using industrial machinery. Accurate patternmaking, sewing and attention to design fundamentals are stressed throughout the course. Prerequisites: FASD 213 (Minimum Grade C)

Computer-aided design is used in every segment of the fashion industry from concept through to design and presentation. Students will learn how to develop industry standard presentations through a variety of projects, including research and analysis of various presentation styles, advanced design, and trim detail focus, incorporating technical draping, and rendering of multiple fabric manipulation techniques, type tool exploration, and advanced knit and textile print development. Prerequisites: CAD-204 (Min grade C), FASD-252 Fashion Design Research

This course focuses on the key components of the fashion design process including research, trend forecasting, materials investigation and presentation of valuable, market-specific collections. Designers consider current market trends and design concepts as influences on merchandising. Extensive opportunities for the development and communication of a personal design vision in illustrated presentations helps students build portfolio-ready collections. Industry directed projects also provide opportunities to develop brand-conscious yet creative concepts and designs. CAD skills are utilized in a variety of presentational techniques.

This elective course is offered to expand construction skills and design possibilities. By hand knitting and/or crocheting, students will design and produce marketable garments to augment other collections or as individual pieces. For Fashion Design Majors Only.

Students in the FASD3XX Diversity in Design course will examine and study the market in design inclusivity. As a part of the research, students will frame the question and engage with focus groups to identify areas of need in underserved populations. Students will utilize their findings to develop a fashion design product that solves a need in the inclusivity market. During the final presentation, students will present the products to the focus groups, potential investors and industry professionals.

This course focuses on the impacts of the mainstream fashion industry on the planet and its people and how sustainable concepts can be utilized to build a better future. In addition to gaining a comprehensive overview of the problems the industry creates, students will also learn about the key organizations, technologies, trends and designers that are paving the way for a sustainable fashion industry. With contextual understanding, students will be empowered to explore strategies to incorporate sustainable design concepts into their work through responsible use of materials, upcycling and innovative approaches to patterning and construction. With these tools, students are provided the opportunity to consider new and alternative solutions to addressing real world sustainable design challenges.

This advanced studio course builds on the foundational knowledge introduced in the Sustainable Concepts for Fashion Design I course, moving from theory to applied studio practice. Students will deepen their understanding of the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry while exploring advanced strategies for creating responsible, innovative, and forward-thinking design solutions. Through hands-on projects, students will experiment with material innovation, upcycling, zero-waste patterning, and sustainable construction techniques. Case studies of pioneering designers, technologies, and organizational models will provide inspiration and context, empowering students implement sustainable practices in their own work. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to develop thoughtful, creative, and actionable solutions to complex challenges in the fashion design industry.

In preparation for the Capstone Courses, students will apply technical and research skills to the creation muslin studies and a final look. Emphasis will be placed on industry standards as they apply to fit, patternmaking and construction techniques. Prerequisite: FASD311 (Min grade of C)

A studio course that offers fashion designers an opportunity to learn the basic process of costume design through the research, development and construction of an original costume design. Character and script analysis will be covered in addition to working effectively with directors and other collaborators. This course explores researching period costumes and uses appropriate construction techniques while considering comfort and durability for a modern theatre or film production.

This studio course is for fashion design students interested in enhancing their understanding of sustainable design concepts and their real-world applications to the fashion industry. Students will be given the opportunity to develop the framework for a sustainable fashion brand, applying sustainable design strategies to the design, sourcing and production of a line with respect to the planet and its people. The final term project will ask students to utilized lifecycle thinking and waste-led design to bring their designs to life, launching their brand’s initial collection of apparel.

A capstone course for senior fashion designers to develop and produce a portfolio of original designs. The collection is designed, merchandised and produced by the student in collaboration with the instructor and a visiting critic.

Students will further develop the concepts from their original sources of inspiration from FASHDES-415, Collection Development I, creating a cohesive collection of clothing. This is also an opportunity for the student who wishes to investigate designing for a different market from a new inspirational source

This course provides fashion design students with a professional portfolio of original work showcasing their design abilities, personal aesthetic, and body of work through illustration and photo layouts. The concept of layout and design will be explored through examining look book presentations, fashion illustration techniques, and aesthetic and brand development. Through group presentation and critique the student will practice techniques and skills used in a job interview. Prerequisite: FASR 207 (Minimum Grade D)