Tips on Choosing A School For Fashion Design

Once you've made the decision to attend, or at least investigate fashion design as a career, its time to consider your educational prospects. By attending a school for fashion design, you will get the training you need to be successful in your new career. In addition, you will also have the chance to network, and have post-graduate job placement opportunities. Although there are many choices available, finding the right program doesn't need to be complicated.

One of your first tasks should be narrowing down your field of study. Take a look at the various occupational profiles related to fashion, and focus on the ones that interest you. Some of the more popular fashion areas of study are: design, merchandising, marketing, and fashion retail management. By having a primary focus in mind, you can look primarily at programs which are strong in your niche. If you are not sure what your focus is yet, take a look at schools that offer a variety of fashion design programs, so you can make a decision after you've started your initial classes.

Another factor to consider is what type of degree program you are looking for. There are a number of two and four year universities and colleges that offer fashion design as one of their majors. If having a traditional degree is important to you, you may want to apply to these schools. There are also many schools that specialize purely in fashion design programs. This type of education may be more comprehensive, with more of a focus on job placement after you graduate. Many of these offer certificates, associate, and bachelor degree programs.

You should also consider the quality of the education you'll be pursuing. Make sure you have a chance to review the curriculum and courses, and the teaching faculty. If you can attend some of the schools and take a tour, that would be ideal, as you will have a chance to observe much more than what you will see on the website. You should also try to find some objective reviews of the school and program you are interested in.

At this point, practicalities will also come into play. A major component of deciding which school to attend will be cost. Evaluate the complete financial aid packages that might be available, and consider researching and applying for any scholarships. Location is also extremely important. If you have located an appropriate school nearby, that will be much more convenient. If a nearby school isn't an option, you may want to consider an online school, or even a school in a different city or county. Some of the best fashion schools are located in places like Milan, London, and Paris.

Because there is so much involved in choosing a school for fashion design, you should take your time and not rush the decision process. Your odds of choosing a school that will help you fulfill your fashion career aspirations are much higher if you are clear about your focus of study, where you want to study, and how much you can afford. With so many choices available, you will find the school that is right for you.

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Choosing the Right Educational Path in Order to Become a Fashion Designer

If fashion designing is your calling and you dream of becoming a part of a major fashion house such as Dolce and Gabbana, Versace, Armani, Prada and so many more some day, then you've stumbled onto the prefect resource center! Preparing for a career in fashion designing is going to be surprisingly easy with the resources and help you will find here!

If you're looking to become a fashion designer, then you need to make sure that you receive the best education in the field. Applying in Britain is your best option because, British fashion designing courses are generally regarded as the best in the world. Graduates sometimes get jobs in international fashion houses right after they complete their education and some even start clothing lines of their own!

Eligibility

What qualifications are you required to have in order to apply to fashion designing schools in Britain? You need to have completed your secondary education, or alternatively, students may even have a degree in equivalent vocational courses like BTEC in National Diplomas.

Education

After having completed your secondary education, you need to apply for a "foundation course". So what exactly is a foundation course? This course introduces you to the basics of fashion designing, and no, it is not all fun and games. This course lets you have a broad and comprehensive art and design experience and you also learn how to put together the kind of portfolios which the industry demands.

After the foundation year, you are required to go on to the Higher National Diploma. This is a two year course. You may also do a Bachelor of Arts in fashion designing. This is a three year course. But most colleges offer a four year course which covers the material included in the BA as well as the HND. These courses are especially helpful because industrial training is a part of the course as well.

Experience

You might spend up to twelve months working in the industry. Six months of industrial training is also included in the Bachelor of Arts degree as well. After you are done with this course, you may go on to do a master's course or a diploma in fashion designing.

Course material covers drawing, design, pattern cutting, developing, manufacture and industrial practices, styling, knitting, footwear designing, or even photography. Of course there are several elective subjects which you may choose from and this is one of them! The fashion industry is an extremely exciting and creative one, armed with the proper qualifications and degree; you may just take it by storm!

Guide to Choosing A Fashion Design School

A successful future in the fashion design industry depends on right choice of school to attend. Although fashion design is not one of the more popular careers to pursue, if your talents lie in this field, there is ample opportunity awaiting you. However, the first thing to hurdle is your choice of school.

When choosing a fashion design school, consider the following factors.

Area of Focus

Look into the nature of the school. Is it solely a fashion design school or does it offer other courses. Is this school well-known for its emphasis on fashion design?

Fashion design schools are few and far between. This makes it harder to choose one that fits your bill. Your first task will be to find a reputable school that will aid you in your training.

Also, look into whether the school participates in any fashion design competition or has accomplished anything of reknown in the industry. This is a sure sign of their commitment to the fashion arts its education among students.

Different schools have different strengths, find a school that plays to your strengths and has specialization in the field of your choice.

For example, you might choose a very well-know fashion design school only to find out that they specialize in childrens' clothing, while the field of your choice is adult formal wear. This could diffuse your interests, and dull your specialization.

Make sure you know what field the school you are scouting focuses on. This will help you specialize in that area too.

Alumni and Job Placements

Does the college offer job placement assistance? And has the alumni from this school gone on to be successful professionals? Always learn from other's previous experience. If you see that those that had gone through this school before you received proper training and are successful in their field, that is an indication of a good school.

Most of these reputable schools have numerous connections in the graphic arts industry. They usually offer job placement services. You may want to consider this when choosing a school.

It would do no harm to start looking at the educational background of your admired fashion designer. Checking out the schools they came from will give an idea of the sort of training these artists went through. From here, you may make decisions as to whether you would like to choose the same school as they did.

Curriculum

You must assess whether the curriculum is relevant to you field of study. You may want to compare the curricula of different schools to see which offers the best form of education.

It would also be wise to check the quality of the teaching staff at that school. Having established artists who teach at a fashion design school is also an indication of a good training program.

Student to Teacher Ratio

Ask yourself: how big are the classes and how many teachers and classes are available at this school before you choose it. The more the students the lesser the efficacy of the teacher. However, if there are too few students per teacher, that could tell of a different problem - that of quality. If this is the case, it may be that the school is not popular or is suffering from anemic academic performance.

Accreditation

Accreditation means the school has passed a certain standards of educational quality. Accreditation is performed by the U.S. Department of Education. Fashion design schools must be accredited to prove their level of competence.

Check with the State Postsecondary School Licensing Bureau to see if the college you are investigating is accredited. Also, check National Approval and Accreditation for this concern.

Cost

Some people may proclaim that to obtain their education, they would spare no coin. Unfortunately, it also pays to be practical in your choice of fashion design school. If the school you choose has a tuition rate that is beyond your financial capability, you might find yourself working unable to pursue your studies consistently due to the financial stress which may lead you to look for part-time work.

Scholarships

You might want to consider whether the design school you are looking at offers any scholarships. You also might want to know the terms to them too. Some schools offer scholarships based on academic performance. Some offer them based on fashion design competitions they hold regularly.

Your choice of school is an investment that will last you a lifetime. Proper care and investigation in choosing such is truly important. When you are comfortable with your choice of fashion design schools, you can now chart your path towards a successful career.

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Fashion School Majors - Choosing the Right Major For a Career in Fashion Design

You know when you're meant for a career in fashion design. Perhaps you made clothes for your dolls (or dogs) when you were little; at the movies, you pay more attention to the costume design than the plot; you devour fashion magazines; or maybe you watch a red carpet event and just know you can do a better job dressing the stars. So what does it take to be a fashion designer? Professional training from a fashion school is key, but you might be surprised at the wide range of majors that lead to industry careers.

Fashion Design. This major teaches you to make the most of your creativity. It provides training in essential skills like fashion sketching, draping, computer-aided design, and pattern drafting. You would also study fashion design in the context of a bigger industry picture, with an examination of marketing, production, historical trends, and global business practices. But while this major may be the most obvious, it's not the only option for students looking to break into the field.

Merchandise Marketing. If you have both fashion sense and business sense, this program will prepare you for a career in fashion merchandising. You would receive valuable training in the planning, purchasing, and allocation of merchandise while keeping on top of fashion trends and consumer forecasts. In addition, you would gain the marketing and advertising expertise to effectively merchandise your fashion.

Merchandise Product Development. Suppose you want to develop your own product line, or merchandise an established brand. This major would help you do just that. The curriculum focuses on strategic planning, preproduction, trend analysis, and line production, and also would provide you training in the basics like sketching and fitting.

Apparel Manufacturing Management. This program prepares you to own or manage a fashion manufacturing company. You would learn every phase of the manufacturing process, from global sourcing and production planning to sales management and financial accountability, so you could take a product from initial concept to store distribution and beyond.

Textile Design. Some of the most innovative designers today focus on textiles. This major concentrates on the creation and production of printed and woven textiles that will be used for fashion, and interior, design. You would delve into the technical aspects of production and develop design skills using both traditional and computer-aided programs.

Fashion Knitwear Design. Knitwear is such an integral part of fashion design that many fashion schools now offer a major devoted to it. The curriculum is similar to that of the general fashion design major, with courses in illustration and pattern drafting, but specializing in the unique construction requirements of knitwear.

Costume Design. Students interested in the entertainment industry will benefit from this major, which is often divided into two programs - one for theatre costume design, and one for movies and television. You would study costume construction, wardrobing, rendering, script analysis and breakdown, while learning to work within the production constraints of budget and timing.

These are just some of the college majors that can help you break into the fashion design industry. Visit FIDM the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising for more info.