Fashion Design and Technology

3 semester credits. This course offers a solid foundation in the fundamentals of basic construction, draping, alterations, and fitting techniques for apparel. The emphasis of the course is on the importance of proper fit and craftsmanship for the overall quality of garments. Students develop and construct design concepts in muslin and soft fabric in the dress form.

3 semester credits. This course is designed to explore the world of digital fabrication and to investigate textiles and garments through 3D and 2D printing technologies. In this course, students learn how to design and customize garments using novel materials and techniques, as well as master fundamental principles of additive and subtractive manufacturing processes such as laser cutting and 3D printing. Investigation of materials, prototyping and testing, physical mock-ups, and applications of digital fabrication processes are an integral part of the course. This course includes Fab Lab studio hours. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of 3D Design Software and Adobe Suite.

3 semester credits. The history between computers and textile design goes back to when the first Jacquard Loom machine was invented. In this course, students discover how computers and knitting machines are connected through the exploration of knitwear software and the home knitting machine. By combining these elements and other digital tools (Adobe Photoshop as well as other image editing software), students will be able to execute complex patterns using different colors, working with electronic knitting machines, to gain a better understanding of how the Jacquard process works. Through a series of exercises and lectures, students investigate electronic knitting machine functions and learn how to create and convert patterns on computers using software and load them on knitting machine, calculate and design patterns, and using traditional techniques of trims and garment assembly to make their final capsule collection. Prerequisites: Introduction to Knitwear Design, or equivalent.

3 semester credits. Fashion designers are artists that are able to give physical expression to concepts, as they work with forms, colors, textiles and proportions. In this intermediate level course, students learn the art of clothing construction by sculpting the silhouette using draping techniques, in constant resonance with the flat and digital pattern making techniques. Course topics include moulding textiles, analyzing volumes and ultimately pattern making by draping of custom patterns in muslin on dress forms or models. Among the valuable outcomes of this course are finding one's unique self-expression and allowing the creative vision to emerge. Individual designs of dress forms will be demonstrated and practiced. This class includes experiential learning with CEMI. Prerequisites: Patternmaking and sewing skills.

3 semester credits. This course teaches students how to create and develop fashion collections for diverse markets by using appropriate research techniques, project development methods, sketching and rendering techniques. Collections will be structured and organized in a professional manner from customer research and trend forecasting to the creation of mood boards and the selection of materials and colors. Throughout the course students will be invited to develop and test communication skills in order to learn how to assertively communicate collections values. The ultimate goal of the course is to design, create, and prototype a final collection. Field visits to museums and fashion design studios will stimulate the student’s creativity and are an essential part of the course. This class includes experiential learning with CEMI. Prerequisites: Fashion Design Major Junior Standing or equivalent skills in sketching, sewing, and patternmaking.

6 semester credits. This course teaches students how to create and develop fashion collections for diverse markets by using appropriate research techniques, project development methods, sketching and rendering techniques. Collections will be structured and organized in a professional manner from customer research and trend forecasting to the creation of mood boards and the selection of materials and colors. Throughout the course students will be invited to develop and test communication skills in order to learn how to assertively communicate collections values. The ultimate goal of the course is to design, create, and prototype a final collection. Field visits to museums and fashion design studios will stimulate the student’s creativity and are an essential part of the course. This course includes experiential learning hours with our Community Engagement Member Institutions (CEMI). CEMI are dynamic learning environments created to foster learning through a structured interaction with the community. In addition to regular lecture hours, students will be involved in learning by doing through real projects and integration with the local population and territory in order to remove cultural and learning barriers as well as to develop a strong likelihood for success in life. The experiential learning hours are fully supervised by instructors who track students step by step during their learning experience, monitor and advise according to student needs, and support student initiative. This unique learning model allows students to benefit from an all-encompassing educational experience based on theory and practice in real enterprises, learning of comprehensive operational processes, problem-solving, leadership, and management. Prerequisites: Fashion Design Major Junior Standing or equivalent skills in sketching, sewing, and patternmaking.

3 semester credits. This course is an introduction to creative design development and fashion design, offering students an overview of the contemporary visual culture and language related to fashion. Topics include design processes, rendering techniques, research, storyboard creation, color, fabric selection, design innovation, and the 2D to 3D development of creative ideas. Students will gain practice in these areas through projects while being introduced to fashion illustration. Students prepare for future apparel design projects by researching the design development process, textiles, materials, and industry practices. This class includes experiential learning with CEMI.

3 semester credits. This course represents the advanced level exploration of fashion design studio topic. The course focuses on the study of the fashion industry with emphasis on design and construction. Students develop their designs by exploring and analysing the roles of research, design development, and editing in the fashion design process focusing on economic, and cultural contexts. Concepts are applied with hands-on learning experiences as students study textiles, fashion design, apparel construction, consumer behaviour, products, and materials of the fashion industry.
 This class includes experiential learning with CEMI. Prerequisites: Fashion Design Studio I, or equivalent.

6 semester credits. This course represents the advanced level exploration of fashion design studio topic. The course focuses on the study of the fashion industry with emphasis on design and construction. Students develop their designs by exploring and analysing the roles of research, design development, and editing in the fashion design process focusing on economic, and cultural contexts. Concepts are applied with hands-on learning experiences as students study textiles, fashion design, apparel construction, consumer behaviour, products, and materials of the fashion industry.
 This course includes experiential learning hours with our Community Engagement Member Institutions (CEMI). CEMI are dynamic learning environments created to foster learning through a structured interaction with the community. In addition to regular lecture hours, students will be involved in learning by doing through real projects and integration with the local population and territory in order to remove cultural and learning barriers as well as to develop a strong likelihood for success in life. The experiential learning hours are fully supervised by instructors who track students step by step during their learning experience, monitor and advise according to student needs, and support student initiative. This unique learning model allows students to benefit from an all-encompassing educational experience based on theory and practice in real enterprises, learning of comprehensive operational processes, problem-solving, leadership, and management. Prerequisites: Fashion Design Studio I, or equivalent.

3 semester credits. What does it mean to be a stylist in a digital first world, where everybody has a voice and the opportunity to deliver across multiple platforms? This course is focused on the role and significance of a fashion stylist in the broader industry, as a cultural gatekeeper, storyteller, talent spotter and curators of ideas. Students will understand the variety of roles that a stylist can undertake, with a detailed study of styling for Editorial, Fashion Shows, Celebrities, Advertising, Brand Marketing and E-Commerce. Hands on work with designers’ garments is provided to students to create sets for fashion shootings and fashion shows. Ultimate goal of this course is to educate the students’ eyes to identify and manage the visual impact of trends and ideas. Case studies will be provided, revealing the creative process of relevant stylists of the industry, and explaining concept development from the initial idea to the finished shoot.

3 semester credits. Knitwear design is a longstanding tradition that is is emerging again as an important professional discipline in the fashion industry. In this course, students familiarize themselves with the world knitwear techniques and are introduced to flat bed knitting machines, as well as technical instruments and methods of knitting. Through a series of exercises, students will be able to read and translate pattern schemes, develop ideas into patterns, make samples, and be able to construct a basic machine-knitted garment. Additionally, students will analyze fashion trends in knitwear and learn technical aspects of different yarn types, materials, structure in order to explore tradition and innovation while strengthening an experimental attitude.

3 semester credits. This course focuses on the process of transforming fashion design concepts into reality. During the lessons students will learn the language of the industry, by applying the correct approach to research and project development. The course will encourage students to experience the different performances of various material, color and pattern choices, sourcing, and surface design options. Development topics include prototypes, samples, and systems for ensuring quality and fit. Students will learn how to create and use tech sheets. The course will provide a basic understanding of supply chain management and a framework for analyzing how it can be adapted to best support an individual design concept. Students will experiment with timelines for product development, production costs, and pricing decisions, financial planning, and sourcing of available resources. Prerequisites: Fashion major, Junior standing.

3 semester credits. In this course students will develop skills in pattern making, from concept and design to completion, drafting and executing patterns for garments using simple textiles such as cotton. Important focus is placed on the use of pattern design software for fashion production. By working with flat patternmaking techniques as well as the Cad system, students will develop pattern designs by transferring ideas onto paper or digital format, to create and modify designs, as both artisanal and industrial fashion production require. A relevant outcome of this course will be the acquired capability to interpret fashion projects with a new view, through the understanding and development of the pattern.

3 semester credits. This hands-on course will develop the fundamental skills and techniques of sewing and garment construction. Course topics feature the approach to mechanized and manually-processed techniques involved in the creation of simple cotton garments. An understanding of the use of basic patterns, cutting techniques, seams and finishings will allow students to approach simple prototyping projects. This class includes experiential learning with CEMI.

3 semester credits. This course represents the second level of topics related to sewing and construction techniques. The advanced level focuses on complex cutting, sewing and construction strategies as employed by industry standards, allowing students to create and finish prototypes and garments using a variety of patterns, materials, textiles and finishings. This course involves the use of models for fitting and alteration methods, as currently used in atelier, and implies the development of an inquisitive and ingenuous artisanal approach. This class includes experiential learning with CEMI. Prerequisites: Sewing and Construction Techniques I, or equivalent.