Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Fashion Design and Marketing with a Specialization in Fashion Design

In this course, students focus on developing writing skills through practice and revision of a variety of different types of essays. Students are also given instruction in library and online research and methods of documentation.

In this course, students focus on research and developing writing skills through writing the ''argument'' essay. Students are also given instruction in library and online research and methods of documentation.

In Historical and Contextual Studies you will be introduced to studying fashion from a historical and contextual viewpoint. The course will introduce fashion as a cultural phenomenon that will enable you to develop an analytical approach to contemporary fashion. Fashion is understood as object, image and idea and will be explored as such through the analysis of designs, images and ideas. The course will explore the links between clothing and other mediums and will be thematic as well as historically chronological in approach. You will be introduced to methods of enquiry and terminology which you will be able to use in your own marketing and/or design practice.

This course is an introduction to the basic concepts in the study of contemporary human cultures. It focuses on similarities and differences in cultural patterns in the economic, social, religious, familial and political arenas. The impact of globalization and cultural change is also analyzed.

An introductory course designed to develop critical thinking, problem solving, and quantitative reasoning skills through the use of standard mathematical operations and techniques as well as analysis of visual data. Students will be expected to identify, analyze, and solve problems in a variety of applied contexts for transfer toward academic, personal, and professional success.

This course will introduce students to the concepts, theory, and method of sociology. In the context of this course, students can develop a better understanding of society, culture, social institutions, social behavior, and other general social processes that operate in the social world.

This is a course for students who are new to university-level learning. Topics will include the theory and application of setting goals, managing time and money, developing self-awareness, and adhering to the rigorous standards of academic and professional writing. Additionally, students will be prepared to work autonomously and collaboratively in academic and professional settings.

Design Process teaches you how to pinpoint a source of inspiration from a current or topical exhibition. Working to a set brief you will be introduced to research development and gain an understanding of how to apply a creative working process from inspiration, to design, to product. You will gain an understanding of how to apply the selection process to your work and how to pull information from various aspects to culminate in final range planning and capsule collections. With a strong understanding of ''idea development'', and developing a ''concept'' you will experiment with different media to find solutions for communicating these ideas in a creative visual format.

This course is a foundation class in principles relating to all areas of visual design. In this course, students can develop an awareness of the basic elements of visual language, aesthetics sensitivity, and the ability to think and act as a designer. Students explore methods for evoking intuitive responses through color, shape, texture, rhythm, line, and other compositional elements. The class consists of both practical studio-based assignments and contextual studies areas.

In Marketing for Fashion you will begin to gain knowledge of the concept of fashion marketing, the marketing environment and market segmentation. In this, your first introduction to fashion marketing, it is important for you to learn to apply basic marketing research skills, tools and methodologies, which will enable you to start to research contemporary fashion companies, their products and consumers and how they operate within the wider marketplace. Through exercises and group projects you will develop an understanding of effective team working.

In The Fashion Cycle you will gain a broad understanding of the fashion industry and the different contexts in which it sits. You will gain a good understanding of the structure of the industry and the way that fashion works. This will provide you with a good foundation on which to build deeper specialist knowledge as you move through your fashion program. You will learn how to explore the business of fashion through investigation, observation and gathering of materials. You will learn to question, discuss, and argue about current fashion business issues and to put forward ideas and information in presentations and written work. You will learn how to know what is happening at the forefront of fashion, and to think about the future for fashion.

Fashion Portfolio I introduces you, as potential fashion designers, to the concepts, techniques and uses of various media that will enable you to communicate your ideas. This will be achieved through drawing live models using line and color, representing texture and movement. This will develop your perception and visual interpretation of garments and how they relate to the human form.

In Sewing Techniques you will be introduced, under close supervision, to the use of basic manufacturing processes, construction techniques and the study skills that are integral to the design process. You will keep a technical and sample file, showing your learning through this course. Using knowledge gained in manufacturing and construction, you will make a garment in response to a given brief, incorporating the sewing techniques learned. You will keep a journal to document your learning and to review and reflect on your progress.

Creative Drape builds upon the cutting skills you gained in previous courses and introduces how to apply drape and volume to garments. You will discover and develop the techniques of manipulating paper drafts and draping directly onto the stand and to judge which method would be most suitable. There is a set design brief enabling you to work with greater autonomy as you develop the visual and verbal language with which to communicate the techniques, technologies and materials with skill and imagination. This will enable you to demonstrate good working practice in response to critical assessment.

In Fashion Trends you will look at how they arise by considering macro business environmental drivers as well as social and cultural influences. You will consider trend identification, market assessment and competitive response strategies. This will be appropriate preparation for fashion product development, range planning and the exploitation of market opportunities.

In Womenswear I you will build, expand on and apply technical, theoretical and design skills and knowledge from 3D Form I to III (also Textiles for Fashion and Creative Drape for Fashion Design students). This course will enable you to explore and generate creative design concepts through research and interpretation of a given project brief and will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your skills through range building and planning, use of fabrication, color, selection and styling of a range of male or female garments. Working with increased independence and autonomy, you will complete a sketchbook, design boards and finished outfit.

3D Form III extends your knowledge of pattern cutting and introduces the skills required to cut and make trousers. You will continue to develop your pattern production techniques, use of tools required for drafting trousers and employ an extended use of appropriate construction terminology. You will work to a design brief requiring you to demonstrate how you developed initial research and design ideas for both the mens and womenswear market.

Computer Design Applications for Fashion enables you to develop industry-relevant skills in the use of computer software (Adobe) as applied to fashion projects which relate closely to industry practice.

Final Fashion Portfolio will give you the opportunity to consider your future and define your goals as you prepare to move from University into the fast moving world of fashion. The course will help you to research the career market, analyze your skills and strengths while developing your portfolio and building your confidence in preparation for professional practice.

3D Form One introduces you to the basic concept of working in 3 Dimensions in order to create a 2 Dimensional ''block'' or pattern for a selection of skirts of your own design. You will be introduced to the tools necessary for calculating specific body measurements, core terminology and cutting techniques enabling you to add seams, fullness, pleats, gathers and functional details. Working to a design brief you will be required to explore and collect research material to develop design ideas which will form the basis of your experimental garments.

3D Form II further develops your knowledge of basic pattern cutting skills focusing on the bodice. You will continue to develop your pattern production techniques and use of terminology. You will be working to a set brief requiring you to demonstrate development through initial research, design, experimentation and final garment.

In Promoting Fashion you will examine external and internal promotional activities of fashion companies including public relations, fashion styling, fashion shows, advertising, visual merchandising and the fashion media. To understand the way in which fashion promotions work to promote fashion products and brands to consumers it is important to consider fashion promotion in relation to society and cultures. You will start to explore fashion communication through engagement with the visual and written areas of fashion promotion and the production of a series of promotional assignments which communicate to the consumer using words and images.

In Targeting Customers you will study consumer buyer behavior, analyzing its relationship to how consumers purchase fashion products and brands. The course will focus on research into consumer attributes and trends that inspire and influence the purchase of fashion products. You will develop an understanding of how cultural, social, personal and psychological characteristics of consumers affect their buyer behavior. You will develop an understanding about how customer attributes including geo-demographics, social class, life cycle, reference groups, lifestyles, values and attributes affect the development and marketing of international fashion product and brands. You will learn how market researchers effectively communicate their findings to others, through statistical, biographical and visual formats.

In Womenswear II you will build, expand on and apply technical, theoretical and design skills and knowledge from 3D Form I to III (also Textiles for Fashion and Creative Drape for Fashion Design students). This course will enable you to explore and generate creative design concepts through research and interpretation of a given project brief and will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your skills through range building and planning, use of fabrication, color, selection and styling of a range of male or female garments. Working with increased independence and autonomy, you will complete a sketchbook, design boards and finished outfit.

In Fashion Accessories you will be introduced to the specialist cutting and manufacturing skills involved in creating accessories. While building on existing conceptual and design skills, you will develop a strong understanding of the accessories market place and the relationship between this and the fashion garment industry. You will produce a small range of pieces with the opportunity to explore millinery, glove making and fashion bags or shoes. This course provides the option to design for men or women.

Fashion Portfolio II will enable you to further develop and enhance your individual drawing style, employing and expanding on the skills, technology and media introduced in Fashion Portfolio I. You will interpret the fashion figure by drawing a variety of poses and outfits from life, discovering how the figure can be dramatized in order to show the body and garments to visual advantage. We will examine methods of achieving professional levels of garment representation, layout and overall presentation. This will be done manually and/or using appropriate computer software.

The Collection Project course offers you the opportunity to identify your individual vision and design philosophy, which you will carry through to your collection/final project. The course is designed to enable you to fully explore, experiment with and develop ideas, methods and processes for your collection/final project. You will prepare a personalized brief outlining areas of research and development relevant to the concept of your ideas, and management of this process, including a customer profile report and visuals. In this way your work will become clearly self-initiated, enabling you to demonstrate the skills you have already acquired and outlining areas through which you intend to learn further. As part of the ongoing research, exploration and design development you will create experimental toiles and textile development where relevant. This will consolidate your proposal and give direction to your progression over the course of your final project.

Fashion Menswear enables you to build upon the design, technical and cutting skills you have learned up to this point. You will focus on developing a collection that demonstrates the specialist skills involved in the relevant area of design, its market and trends. There is a set design brief enabling you to work with greater autonomy. You will employ materials, techniques and technologies with imagination to enable the creation and development of a range of clothing. You will make one outfit from your designed collection. You will demonstrate good working practice in response to critical assessment.

CAD for Fashion Marketing re-enforces the application of creative software (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.), to advance student's skills with computer applications used to enhance fashion presentations including color rendering of drawings and drafting of flats. Students will design a collection, and all the appropriate accoutrements that sit alongside the collection. Students will then take this work and develop and present it in a professional manner using the CAD skills learned in this class.

This course introduces students to industry-specific software (such as Gerber and/or Lectra) used to create and manipulate fashion pattern. Note: The software used varies from campus to campus based upon need and resources.

In Fashion Collection I you will continue to develop the work and ideas begun in Collection Project, consolidating your ideas and your philosophy in preparation for moving on to further Collections classes. Final Collection One requires you to review and demonstrate your ability and accomplishment as a fashion designer as you apply the knowledge and skills you have learned during the program, to your final collection. You will continue to apply inspirational research to your self-initiated brief, translating ideas, engaging in toile development and consolidating fabrication, color and textile manipulation. Your work will be focused and within the contexts set out in your brief. By the end of this course you will have completed fully resolved toiles for three outfits, which will be reviewed by the course team and your peers. (Fashion Collection One will usually be taken alongside Fashion Collection Two, so students will be designing a collection of 6 outfits in total.) You may wish to attempt more outfits. Speak to your tutor for recommendations and advice.

In Fashion Collection II you will continue to develop the work and ideas begun in Collection Project, consolidating your ideas and your philosophy in preparation for moving on to further Collections classes. Final Collection Two requires you to review and demonstrate your ability and accomplishment as a fashion designer as you apply the knowledge and skills you have learned during the program, to your final collection. You will continue to apply inspirational research to your self-initiated brief, translating ideas, engaging in toile development and consolidating fabrication, color and textile manipulation. Your work will be focused and within the contexts set out in your brief. By the end of this course you will have completed fully resolved toiles for three outfits, which will be reviewed by the course team and your peers. (Fashion Collection Two will usually be taken alongside Fashion Collection One, so students will be designing a collection of 6 outfits in total.) You may wish to attempt more outfits. Speak to your tutor for recommendations and advice.

In Fashion Collection III you will complete and style a collection of a minimum six outfits. Working independently, viewing tutors as a resource through which you seek guidance and feedback, you will continue to develop and demonstrate professionalism through time-management, planning and the progress of your collection. This course will include preparation for professional practice. Your outfits should be fully accessorized and styled before assessment and possible inclusion in the Graduation Fashion Show. Only collections that are fully complete and demonstrate your development at honors level will be considered.