Want to study Fashion Design? Here’s why you should opt for Apeejay Stya University  

Are you a fashionista and do you like to keep up with the latest fashion trends in the market? Or do you love to experiment with clothes? Whatever be your inclination, you can make a successful career out of it!

Deemed to be a top fashion design college, Apeejay Stya University (ASU) offers an interesting and comprehensive four-year undergraduate course that hones students’ technical as well as creative skills. For those looking to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, assistant professor Nidhi Suhag from SDVA, ASU, shares every detail about the course and career opportunities.

What does the Fashion Design curriculum at ASU entail?

The fashion industry is one of the biggest industries today that comes with various career opportunities. Pursuing fashion designing can help a student enhance their creativity while exploring the technical aspects of the fashion industry. The course helps to develop skills related to computer-aided design, sketching, draping, patternmaking, garment construction, sewing techniques, fashion illustrations, and more. Initially, students are given exposure to the basic concepts of design, textiles, history of design, pattern, texture, sketching, and drawing, among others. However, students of B Design are taught about the application of science and technology in making garments. The course also deals with the management and marketing of fashion-related products. It aims at providing creative exploration along with specific skills and techniques to understand the industry through a range of multiple courses such as:

Pattern Making & Garment Construction

Fashion Illustration 

Elements of Fashion & Design

Fashion Ornamentation

Fashion Management and Merchandising

Computer-aided designing

Fashion Marketing

Clothing Culture and Communication etc.

Design Research

Dissertation

Industry Oriented Design Project

Internship

Furthermore, the course offers exposure to the design industry with many internship opportunities, events and exhibitions included in the course.

What is unique about this course?

A Fashion Design programme typically teaches students a range of skills and techniques related to creating garments from the perspective of design solution. Some of the key topics covered in a fashion design program may include:

Design Principles: Students will learn about the principles of design, including balance, proportion, contrast, and hierarchy.

Colour Theory: Students will learn about colour schemes and how to use them to communicate ideas and evoke emotions.

Fashion Illustration: Fashion illustration helps the designers to put their ideas into practice. They give shape to their ideas by drawing or painting. These sketches communicate the idea of the designers to others. It improves the creativity of the designer. 

Pattern Making: It is an important part of fashion designing and requires immense skills and practice. Pattern drafting is where pattern pieces are drawn on paper according to body measurement which becomes the foundation for designers to create garments.

Draping: The dress form draping method enhances the creative skills of the designer, which helps them in implementing innovative designs in the field of fashion design. The biggest advantage of draping is that it allows for customisation.

How does the curriculum promote hands-on learning?

There are several ways to prepare budding designers to be part of the design world:

Build a Strong Foundation: It’s important for designers to have a strong foundation. Design schools or programmes can provide students with a solid education in these areas.

Develop Manual and Technical Skills: In addition to a strong foundation in visual communication skills through coordination between brain and hand, design principles, designers need to have technical skills in software programmes like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Courses or workshops focused on specific design tools can help students develop these skills.

Encourage Creativity: Design is all about creativity and originality. Encouraging budding designers to think outside the box and experiment with different ideas can help them develop a unique design style and approach.

Provide Real-World Experience: Participating in internships or working on real-world design projects can provide budding designers with valuable experience and help them build their portfolios.

Stay Current with Trends: The design world is constantly evolving, and designers need to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies. Encouraging budding designers to read design blogs and attend design conferences can help them stay current and informed.

Foster Collaboration: It is an important aspect of the design industry, and budding designers should learn to work effectively with other designers, clients, and stakeholders. Group projects or team-building activities can help prepare designers for this aspect of the profession.

By providing a well-rounded education, technical training, real-world experience, and opportunities for collaboration, budding designers can be well-prepared to enter the design world and succeed in their careers.

What are the career options in this field?

ASU’s placement cell offers job opportunities at leading fashion companies with a minimum package of about Rs 4-5 lakh per annum to being with. There are numerous career opportunities for fashion designers in India and abroad. Here are five popular graphic design career opportunities:

Fashion Designer: A fashion designer observes recent trends and sets new ones through their creative outlook. In a nutshell, they are creators and trendsetters who shape the fashion of the future.

Fashion Illustrator: In this profession, one is responsible for creating sketches based on the ideas of a fashion designer. The designer explains his/her vision to the fashion illustrator, making it easier for them to sketch it down. In short, an illustrator gives a more solid form to the ideas and creations of the fashion designer. 

Fashion Coordinator: In this role, one has to supervise the management and execution of fashion events or create plans for advertising products. Responsible for managing the arrangements and the marketing policies of a fashion designing house or company, this profile has to do more with tactical skills rather than creative ones. 

Fashion Consultant: This is one of the most interesting career options. A fashion consultant has the power to redefine, enhance or develop their client’s personal and professional image. They need to be aware of the trends and the transitions happening in the industry and also possess the necessary knowledge about fashion designing. 

Fashion Merchandiser: A fashion merchandiser is the one who markets the designed products and manages the sales of a fashion house or agency. She/he must possess in-depth knowledge of the design process and the right way of marketing the products.  

Fashion Stylist: Creating a design is important; presenting it is equally important – this is where a fashion stylist comes to the rescue. The role is to maintain the makeup, dress code, and hairstyle of the models taking part in a fashion show. In simple words, a fashion stylist makes outfits look presentable and appealing. 

A fashion model, fashion blogger/writer, fashion journalist, fashion photographer, etc., are some of the other career opportunities in this field.