Fashion Designer: Educational Requirements for a Design Career in Fashion
Those with a passion for fashion and a flair for style may consider a career in fashion design. Fashion designers use their creative and technical skills to create varieties of clothing and accessories. Along with sketching and constructing original products, designers constantly study the industry to stay informed of current trends and to be able to forecast future styles.
Fashion Designer Educational Requirements
Fashion designers are generally required to hold undergraduate degrees in fashion design. Those who intend on owning their own design firms or shops may benefit from earning a combined degree in fashion design and marketing or another business-related subject. Aspiring fashion designers seeking degree programs may consult with the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the nationally recognized accrediting organization for design schools.
Curriculum
Associate's degree programs in fashion design are 2-year programs that equip students with fundamental, technical design skills, such as tailoring, sewing and basic fashion theories. Bachelor's degree programs generally last four years and tend to offer more extensive career training, combining technical coursework with artistic and conceptual instruction. Courses may include fashion drawing, 3-D design, color theory, textiles, computer-aided design, fashion business and portfolio presentation.
Internship
Hands-on training and industry exposure are essential for obtaining employment in fashion design. Aspiring fashion designer may gain such experience through internship programs, which are often required for graduation from bachelor's degree programs. Internships are available at design firms and retail businesses, and interns may be compensated for their work or provided with college credit. These programs allow interns to apply their fashion knowledge and skills and contribute to the company's design efforts under the guidance of experienced designers and executives.
Additional Qualifications
Along with formal training, fashion designers must have a strong capacity for creativity, including a knack for color, textile detail and style. Drawing and computer drafting skills are necessary for fashion sketching, and knowledge of sewing and tailoring are required for explaining the design process to manufacturers. Employers also tend to prefer fashion designers with retail or sales experience, which apply to the marketing aspect of the occupation. Similarly, designers are constantly working with various industry professionals, so strong communication and collaboration skills are essential.
Related to Fashion Designer: Educational Requirements for a Design Career in Fashion
- Related
- Recently Updated
- Popular
Fashion Design Training: Top School for Becoming a Fashion Designer - Indianapolis, IN
For individuals with dreams of being the next big fashion designer, the University of Indiana Bloomington offers a...
Fashion Design Degrees: Top School for Becoming a Professional Fashion Designer - San Francisco, CA
California College of the Arts is the only 4-year, not-for-profit institution of higher learning to offer a fashion...
Fashion Design Education: Top Ranked Fashion Design School - Philadelphia, PA
Drexel University is one of the largest not-for-profit institutions of higher learning to offer fashion design...
Fashion Design School: Top Fashion and Apparel Design Programs - Chicago, Illinois
Students interested in fashion and apparel design programs can attend Columbia College in Chicago, Illinois....
Top Ranked Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing Degree Programs - Los Angeles, CA
- Online Fashion Design Degree Program Overviews
- Advanced Fashion Design and Merchandising Technology: Coursework Overview
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA): Fashion Design and Merchandising Degree Overview
- Top School for Business Degree Programs - Columbus, OH
- Top Ranked Pharmacy Technician School - Cincinnati, OH
- Top Degrees for Business Administration - San Francisco, CA
- Get $1000 for Earning College Credit!
7 Popular Schools
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Georgia (1 campus)
Classroom-Based Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- California (1 campus)
- Florida (2 campuses)
- Illinois (1)
- Michigan (1)
- Nevada (1)
- Texas (1)
- Washington (1)
Classroom-Based Programs
-
School locations:
- Arizona (2 campuses)
- California (6 campuses)
- Colorado (1)
- Florida (2)
- Georgia (1)
- Illinois (3)
- Indiana (1)
- Kansas (1)
- Michigan (2)
- Minnesota (1)
- Missouri (1)
- North Carolina (2)
- Ohio (1)
- Oregon (1)
- Pennsylvania (2)
- South Carolina (1)
- Texas (4)
- Virginia (1)
- Washington (1)
- Wisconsin (1)
Classroom-Based Programs
-
Master
-
- Master in Graphic Design
- Master in Interior Design
-
- Master in Design & Media Management
-
-
Bachelor
-
- Bachelor in Fashion Design
- Bachelor in Fashion Marketing & Management
-
- BA in Graphic & Web Design
-
-
Associate
-
- Associate in Apparel Design
- Associate in Fashion Design
- Associate - Accessory Design
-
- Associate in Fashion Merchandising
- Associates in Industrial Design
- AA in Graphic & Web Design
-
-
Non-Degree
-
- Diploma in Residential Design
-
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Bachelor
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Distance Learning Programs
-
Non-Degree
-
- Career Diploma in Artist: Comprehensive
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 17 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Non-Degree
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Associate
Other Schools:
-
School locations:
- Iowa (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Iowa State University include:
-
- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Design and Applied Arts
- Fashion Design
- General Visual Communications Design
- Graphic Design
- Interior Design and Decorating
- Musical Arts
- Design and Applied Arts
-
School locations:
- Texas (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Texas Tech University include:
-
- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Dance
- Design and Applied Arts
- Fashion Design
- Graphic Design
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
-
School locations:
- Virginia (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Virginia Commonwealth University include:
-
- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Non-Degree: Diploma
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Dance
- Design and Applied Arts
- Fashion Design
- General Visual Communications Design
- Graphic Design
- Illustration and Drawing
- Interior Design and Decorating
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Photography, Film, and Video
