Assuming you are a fashion design aspirant who has just completed 12th grade, you might be wondering how to go about the whole thing and where to start – we are here to help you figure this out. Fashion designing is a highly creative spectrum with various avenues to explore. Just like the industry, the educational gamut of it is dynamic as well. There are various courses you can pursue – one being the Diploma in Fashion Designing program. In this article, we will look into understanding the course details, fees, eligibility and career scope. Keep reading further to know more.
General Overview of the Course
| Course Duration | 1 year – course |
|---|---|
| Eligibility for the program |
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| Application/Admission Process |
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| Course Fee | Approximately up to 1 Lakh |
| Average Salary after Graduation | 2 Lakhs to 6 Lakhs per annum |
| Job Scope | Retail Manager, Stylist/Consultant, Design Manager, Entrepreneurial scope |
Why Should you Opt for a Diploma in Fashion Designing?
If you are passionate about all things fashion and design, here’s why choosing a diploma in fashion design is the best decision:
- Though the course is of 1 year duration, it gives you a comprehensive overview of technical, practical and creative knowledge.
- The program also offers apprenticeship opportunities, giving you the access to learn from and work with industry experts and specialists.
- A diploma in the field also equips you with the knowledge to become an entrepreneur. You get to start your own fashion consultancy and/or service.
- You get to learn how to keep up with advancements in the industry and global fashion trends.
- The industry offers great scope for lucrative career choices and more experience with time.
- Most diploma programs offer industry based training and equips you with hands – on experience.
- Learning the right skills can also help you branch out within the industry such as: Advertising, marketing, social media management, merchandising, business, entrepreneurship, retail management and much more.
- While learning industry standards and best practices, you also get to create your own unique way of creating designs
- Well – curated programs provide you with global perspectives and insights
- There is always scope to learn more and there are no obstacles within the industry that stop you from pursuing you more.
- Working on project during your education can be an added advantage while creating your portfolio.
Potential Syllabus and Curriculum Structure
The course envelopes various subjects ranging from technical and practical knowledge to critical and creative knowledge. Within a year’s duration, you get to learn the following:
| ● Principles of Fashion | ● Constructing Garments and Making Patterns |
| ● History of Fashion Designing | ● Assuring Textile and Fabric Quality |
| ● Basics and Terminologies in Fashion Design | ● Garment Silhouettes |
| ● Surface Ornamentation Techniques | ● Fashion Forecasting and Appreciation |
| ● Fashion Illustration and Sketching | ● Marketing and Advertising in Fashion |
| ● Blocks and Patterns – Drafting Methods | ● Selecting Garments and Fabrics |
| ● Learning to use Computer Aided Softwares (CAD) | ● Creating Mood Boards and Developing a design |
| ● The Science of Textiles | ● Learning to start your own line |
| ● General Fashion Theory | ● Fashion in the 21st Century |
| ● Fashion and Influences on Design | ● Market Research and Study |
| ● Design Development and Construction | ● Comprehending Threads, Yarns and Fabrics |
| ● Material and Fabric Sourcing | ● Financing Clothing Brands |
Skills Required for Fashion Designing
The world of fashion is a blend of various skills and one cannot outweigh the other. It requires both critical thinking expertise and creative approaches. Let us take a look at some of the skills you will need to acquire to become a professional designer:
- Artistic skills: Fashion designers are required to draw, sketch and paint new designs
- Technical skills: Knowing to use various design softwares (CAD) is important for a fashion designer
- Creativity: Since the industry is fast paced, it requires you to come up with innovative ideas every now and then; this requires a flair of creativity
- Communication skills: While working on projects, you may be required to constantly communicate with your teammates, present ideas with clients, speak to vendors regarding garments and fabrics, speak to managers, fashion editors etc.
- Strong attention to detail: The smallest detail may make the biggest impact in a design, intricacy is important in fashion designing.
- Knowledge about fabrics: The key to crafting a design is understanding what fabric it would work well with. A fashion designer must be able to choose the right fabric for a design and must also know what kind of fabric to go for based on weather conditions.
- Being adaptable: The fashion industry does not have a single approach for all aspects, adhering to technological advancements and industry preferences, changes keep happening. A designer must be able to adapt and keep up with these changes.
- Time Management: Although designing clothes is an intricate process, projects come with deadlines and you may often find yourself multitasking. This requires you to effectively manage time and equally prioritize all projects.
Career Scope
The career scope in the fashion world is vast and average salary can range from 2 lakhs to 7 lakhs per annum, based on the niche you opt for. Let us take a look at some of the job roles you can purse:
- Personal fashion consultant or stylist
- Fashion Designer
- Fashion Forecaster
- Setting up your own clothing line
- Setting up your own fashion consultancy
- Retail Manager
- Fashion Researcher
- Fashion Merchandiser
- Quality Controller
- Fashion Designing using AR and VR Tools
- Fashion Coordinator
- Retail Store Manager
- Fashion writer or Journalist
- Fashion Critic
- Fashion Blogger and/or Fashion Publicist
Conclusion
While deciding ‘what next?’ It is important to take your time, weigh your options and make the right decision based on personal preferences. You can go through college websites, read up about course structures and curriculum, take a look at who the faculty are and understand the institutes accreditation and recognitions.
The industry offers various avenues you can explore and branch out. There is so much the field of work can create and with time to come, newer techniques will keep coming up – people’s preferences change and expectations differ; here’s where you can put to use all the skills you have learnt and offer more of your own.
Read more about AAFT’s School of Fashion and Design.