What is Fashion Designing?
One of the most creative course options, Fashion Designing is considered a very thriving vocational education stream not only in India but also abroad. This is mainly because the fashion industry has grown by leaps and bounds and that too in a decade. Therefore, following these numbers, it is clear that the selection of a course in Fashion Designing will open up a lot of opportunities for aspiring candidates. However, some important aspects of this course are worth knowing.
Although fashion designing and textile design are closely related to each other, there is a difference between the two. While fashion designing is dedicated to creating lifestyle clothing and accessories, the textile design course educates students about the process of creating structures, as well as designs for knits, fabrics, patterned fabrics, or fabrics with surface ornaments and the like. Aspirants can pursue fashion design as a course at the undergraduate level or even at the graduate level. Apart from this, applicants can even pursue short-term Diploma or Certificate programs in the field of Fashion Design.
Popular Design Specializations
|
Interior Design |
Graphic Design |
|
Jewelry Design |
Product Design |
Skills required to be a Fashion Designer
To build a future in this field, one needs to have an artistic and creative personality. Apart from this, aspirants need to be good at drawing and possess the knack to express their ideas by means of helpful sketches. Candidates who aspire to pursue a Fashion Design programmer need to possess the below mentioned skill-set:
|
Creativity and artistic taste |
Sensitivity to colors, shades and tones |
|
Good communication skills |
Originality and innovativeness |
|
Ability to think in three-dimensions to translate visualization into garments |
Goal oriented |
|
Business acumen |
Interest in sketching |
|
Eye for detail |
Visual imagination |
|
Persuasiveness |
Observation |
|
Good understanding of market and customer lifestyle |
Eligibility criteria for fashion design
Applicants who have passed their Class 12 from any stream (Science / Commerce / Arts) may pursue a Fashion Design course at the graduation level. However, the most popular design colleges allow candidates to participate in their admissions process only if they have completed their education at a recognized board. To pursue a Fashion Design course at the graduate level, applicants who have completed a Design course at the undergraduate level are preferred for admission.
Fashion Design Course Outline
Topics taught as part of a Fashion Design course vary depending on the degree / diploma / certificate offered to candidates upon completion of the course. Apart from this, there may be slight variations in the fashion design course curriculum from one university to another.
Fashion design program for the UG course
Some common topics taught as part of an undergraduate course offered in fashion design are mentioned below:
BDes Fashion Design Course Outline
|
Introduction to Pattern Making & Draping |
Introduction to Textiles |
|
Introduction to Fashion design & Fashion Technology |
Fashion Theory |
|
Introduction to Fashion Sketching & Illustration |
History of Fashion |
|
Apparel Development |
Current Trends and Forecasting |
|
Computer Aided Design |
Apparel Development |
|
Fashion Illustration |
Design Process |
|
Advanced Draping |
Model & Prototype Development |
|
Research & Communication |
Element of Colour& Design |
|
Fashion Model Drawing |
Fashion Accessory |
Study Program for BA (Hons) Fashion Design Course
|
Apparel Construction Methods |
Color Mixing |
|
Computer-Aided Design |
Elements of Textiles |
|
Fabric Dyeing and Printing |
Fashion Illustration and Design |
|
Fashion Studies |
History of Costumes |
|
Introduction to Pattern Making and Garment Construction |
Leather Designing |
|
Manufacturing Technology |
Surface Development Techniques |
|
Textile Science |
- |
Fashion Design BSc Course Outline
|
Analytical Drawing |
Apparel Construction Methods |
|
Basic Computer Studies |
Computer-Aided Design |
|
Colour Mixing |
Basic Photography |
|
Grading |
History of Costumes |
|
Introduction to Pattern Making & Garment Construction |
Indian Art Appreciation |
|
Knitwear |
Leather Designing |
|
Creative Jewellery |
Current Global Fashion Trends |
|
Elements of Design |
Draping |
|
Elements of Textiles |
Fabric Dyeing and Printing |
|
Fashion History |
Fashion Forecasting |
|
Fashion Illustration and Design |
Design Process |
|
Fashion Studies |
Free Hand Drawing |
|
Garment Construction |
Geometrical Construction |
BSc Fashion Design & Technology course outlines
|
Principles of Fashion |
Fashion Industry and Concepts |
|
Fashion Marketing |
Fundamentals of Fabrics |
|
Quantitative Techniques and Demand Forecasting |
Introduction to IT applications |
|
Fashion Communication and Presentation |
Consumer Behaviour in Fashion |
|
Marketing Research Concepts & Techniques |
Principles and Techniques of Merchandising |
|
Introduction to Garment Manufacturing Technology |
Pattern Making, Grading and Construction |
|
Fashion Distribution Management |
- |
Fashion design syllabus for the PG course
Some common topics taught as part of a graduate course offered in fashion design include the following:
MDes fashion design course outlines
|
Introduction to Design |
Visual Design- Principles and Applications |
|
Ergonomics |
Design Methods |
|
Form Studies |
Graphic Design |
Master's Fashion Design Course Outline
|
Apparel Manufacturing Technology |
Fashion Communication |
|
Advanced Pattern Making |
Construction of Women’s Wear |
|
Design Illustration |
Computer Designing |
|
Retail Marketing & Merchandising |
Knitwear Design Technology |
|
Construction of Men’s Wear |
- |
Fashion Design Management MBA Course Outline
|
Economics and Management Decisions |
Qualitative Techniques |
|
Business Communication and Negotiation Skills |
Organizational Behavior |
|
Marketing Management |
Indian Fashion Scenario |
|
Research Methodology and App Statistics |
Basic Concepts of Fashion Products and Manufacturing |
|
Global Fashion Scenario |
Principles of Fashion Marketing and Merchandising |
|
International Trade Operations and Documentation |
Entrepreneurship and Fashion Venture Management |
|
Visual Merchandising |
Competition and Strategies in Fashion |
|
International Fashion Marketing |
- |
MBA Fashion Management course outlines
|
Basic Product and Manufacturing Related Knowledge |
Principles of Fashion Marketing, Merchandising and Management |
|
Economic Analysis and Statistics |
Information Technology |
|
Marketing Research and Consumer Behavior |
Global Textiles and Apparel Product Market Characteristics |
|
Retail Management and Advanced Export Merchandising |
Quantitative Techniques and Operations Research |
|
Management Accounting |
Marketing Strategies and Brand Management |
|
International Marketing |
Fashion Forecasting and Product Development |
|
Financial Management and International Finance |
Human Resource Management |
|
Supply Chain Management and e-Business |
Customer Relationship Management |
|
Visual Merchandising |
Intellectual Property Rights |
Master's Fashion Design Course Outline
|
Apparel Manufacturing Technology |
Fashion Communication |
|
Advanced Pattern Making |
Construction of Women's Wear |
|
Design Illustration |
Computer Aided Designing |
|
Retail Marketing and Merchandising |
Construction of Men's Wear |
|
Knitwear design Technology |
- |
MSc Fashion Design & Technology course outlines
|
Elements of Fashion |
History of World Fashion and Costume |
|
Women's Wear- International Fashion |
Indian Wear |
|
Surface Design Techniques |
Apparel Technology |
|
Textile Technology |
History of Indian Costumes and Textiles |
|
Men's Wear |
Fashion Merchandising and Marketing |
|
Creative Pattern Making |
Fashion Styling |
Fashion Design Program for Diploma / Certificate Course
Some common topics taught as part of a certificate or diploma course in fashion design include:
Diploma Program in Fashion Design
|
Fashion Designing |
Fashion Accessory |
|
Fashion Illustration |
Fashion Ornamentation |
|
Textile Science |
Product Specification |
|
Pattern Making and Garment Construction |
Computer Aided Design |
|
Fashion Merchandising and Management |
Fashion Marketing and Management |
Undergraduate Diploma in Fashion Design and Apparel
|
Foundation Art |
Fashion and Apparel Design Fundamentals |
|
Elements & Principles of Fashion & Apparel Design |
History of the Western World Fashion |
|
Introduction to Fashion Design |
Introduction to Textiles |
|
Basic of Computer and Application |
Creative Yarn Craft |
|
Introduction to Fashion Illustration |
Creative Embroidery |
|
Sewing Technology |
Fashion Design: Introduction to Pattern Making |
|
Introduction Garment Manufacturing Technology |
Introduction to Draping |
|
Textile Science Processing (Dyeing and Printing) |
Advanced CAD for Fashion and Textiles |
|
Garment Manufacturing, History of Indian Fashion |
Advanced Course in Fashion Illustration |
|
Vintage Costumes |
History of Western World Fashion |
|
Fashion Accessories |
Fabric Testing and Quality Control |
|
Advanced Course in Fashion and Apparel Design |
Visual Merchandising |
|
Fashion Business Management |
Fashion Analysis, Global Markets |
|
Production Management and Merchandising |
- |
PG Diploma Fashion Design
|
Fashion Design Process |
Visualization and Presentation Techniques |
|
Contextual design studies and Communication |
Fashion Form and Function |
|
Traditional Textiles & Crafts |
Business Studies & Entrepreneurship |
Certificate Course in Fashion Design
|
Fashion Accessory |
Textile Science |
|
Pattern Making and Garment Construction |
Fashion Merchandising and Management |
|
Fashion Illustration |
Fashion Ornamentation |
|
Product Specification |
Fashion Marketing and Management |
|
Computer Aided Design |
- |
Certificate in Fashion Styling
|
Shoot Concepts |
Fashion Image Analysis |
|
Styling for Body Types |
Styling to Suit Various Fashion Genres |
|
Trends |
Street Style |
|
Styling Kit |
Requesting Samples from PRS / Sourcing & Returns |
|
Fashion Editing & Run Through |
Giving Direction to Achieve a Desired Image |
|
Working with Photographers, Hair and Makeup |
Project Management |
|
Conceptual Editorial Styling vs Sales Driven |
Commercial Styling |
|
Fashion Hair and Makeup |
Composition, Color & Mood |
|
Working with a Photographer |
Creating a Visual Reference Board |
Popular Entrance Exams for Fashion Design Course Admissions
Most educational institutes shortlist candidates for admission in their Fashion Design course on the basis of a design aptitude test followed by reviewing the candidate’s portfolio and conducting a personal interview round. Some popular fashion design entrance examinations aspirants should consider giving are:
|
NIFT Entrance Exam |
Pearl Academy Entrance Exam |
|
GD Goenka DAT |
NID Entrance Exam |
|
IIAD Entrance Exam |
AIEED |
Fashion design jobs and top employers
Aspiring designers who wish to join the fashion industry must have a thorough understanding of various fabrics, fabrics, drape qualities, color, and changing trends. Candidates wishing to pursue a career in fashion design can check out the list of job profiles mentioned below:
Fashion Designer - In that job profile, applicants can start their own brand or join a firm to design clothes for them. As a fashion designer, a person has to work on the design of different types of clothing, such as jeans, jackets, women's clothing, children's clothing, men's clothing, nightwear, knitwear, sportswear and the like.
Fashion marketer: In this job profile, candidates can work for clothing companies, boutiques or outlet chains. As fashion marketers, applicants must work to advertise and increase awareness of a particular brand, designer brands, or department stores. So basically, if one chooses such a career field, one is expected to plan, direct or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a company and its competitors, and identifying potential customers.
Fashion Concept Manager: People working under this profile are expected to think of unique topics on which a designer, brand or fashion firm should design a range of clothing or accessories. In addition, they research and suggest ways in which the new clothing line should be advertised.
Quality Controller: The first and main task of a quality controller is to establish quality standards for everything that is purchased for a new collection. Apart from this, the quality control (QC) manager also issues guidelines for each department to determine quality in various processes throughout garment production. QC is also responsible for verifying the quality of the product through the various stages of production.
Fashion Consultant / Personal Stylist: People who want to become fashion consultants / personal stylists are mostly freelancers. However, one can only make a mark on this job profile if they have a very good reputation in the fashion industry. The typical task of a fashion consultant / personal stylist is to help people develop an outfit that promotes their public image. People who work in this profession advise others on the latest fashion trends, clothing styles, colors to wear / avoid, and how to do makeup and hair.
Technical Designer - People who work as technical designers are responsible for deciding how a garment should be sewn and made. Therefore, they are responsible for creating a technical package or TP. Then, their task begins when they are given a sketch of the garment to be made. Generally, technical designers should include sewing details, measurement points (or POM), description of the wash, tag / hang tag placement, and packaging instructions.
Fashion coordinator: they are responsible for creating a unified "look and feel" in all the fashion divisions of a department store, a design house or a fashion magazine. A fashion coordinator needs to constantly monitor various fashion publications and must be up to date with industry trends in order to advise the organization on what fabric, pattern and style the firm should produce.
Fashion Show Organizers - A person who works as a fashion show organizer needs to organize various fashion events. To be successful in this profession, you must have good connections.
Fashion Design Recruiters
Fashion Design graduates have a plethora of opportunities ahead of them. After completing their course, applicants can work with fashion designers and companies. Some companies hiring graduates in fashion design are listed below:
|
Raymonds |
Benetton |
|
Arvind Garments |
ITC Ltd. |
|
Levis |
Lifestyle |
|
Madura Garments |
Modelama Exports |
|
Omega Designs |
Orient Craft |
|
Pantaloon |
Proline |
|
Shahi Exports |
Span India |
|
Spykar |
Swarovski India |
|
Uni Style India |
Texport Overseas |
|
Snapdeal |
Shoppers Stop |
|
Pearl Global |
Mahajan Overseas |
|
Kimaya |
Gokuldas Images |
|
Indus League Clothing |
Fashion Design FAQ
Q. What do fashion designers do?
Answer: Fashion designers have a responsibility to create original clothing, accessories and footwear. While designing anything, a fashion designer first sketches the design, selects the required fabrics, decides on the pattern, and also instructs others on how they should make the final product.
Q. How can you become a fashion designer?
Answer: To become a fashion designer, one should consider earning a Bachelor's degree in design. Some popular courses that candidates can follow in design to become fashion designers are: BDes in Fashion Design, Bachelor of Fashion Technology (BFTech), Bachelor of Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising, etc. In addition to these courses, candidates can also take Fashion Design courses at the PG level such as Master of Design (MDes), Masters of Fashion Technology (MFTech) and the like. When hiring fashion designers, employers often shortlist candidates who are creative and have a good technical knowledge of how clothing, accessories or footwear are produced.
Q. Where can I study Fashion Design?
Answer: Applicants can follow a Fashion Design course at any of the universities mentioned below:
-
NIFT Delhi
-
NIFT Mumbai
-
Pearl Academy, Delhi
-
NIFT Bangalore
-
NID Ahmedabad
-
Arch College of Design & Business
-
Symbiosis Design Institute
Q. Is there a demand for fashion designers?
Answer: The demand for fashion designers is increasing with each passing day. This is mainly because people are becoming more and more fashion conscious. Graduates in fashion design are hired not only by renowned fashion designers, but also by outlets.
Q. What kind of education do you need to be a fashion designer?
Answer: To be hired as a fashion designer, you need to have at least a bachelor's degree in the field of design. Full-time fashion design courses offered at the undergraduate level typically last three to four years. The education and training required to be a fashion designer are such that applicants must have adequate knowledge of fabrics, textiles and fashion trends.
Q. What is the average salary for a fashion designer?
Answer: The salary a fashion designer earns varies according to the experience one has in the field of design along with the firm / company for which he works. According to PayScale.com, the median salary a fashion designer earns is Rs 3.64,296. The starting salary a fashion designer can expect to earn is around Rs 1.76,411.
