Fashion – Apparel Technical Design (BA)
Do you want to pursue a career combining the creative and technical sides of the fashion industry? If so, Arizona State University’s online Bachelor of Arts in fashion with a concentration in apparel technical design may be an ideal fit. In this program, you’ll build practical skills to transform creative ideas into garments manufactured and distributed with accurate shape, fit and construction. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to make your mark on the fashion industry with highly sought-after technical skills in Optitex, Adobe Illustrator and more.
Fashion and apparel technical design courses
Coursework in this program will provide you with both the history and theory of fashion and the practical skills needed to turn creative ideas into marketable products. You’ll explore digital patternmaking and fit analysis in depth, including digital fitting using 3D prototypes that are 1:1 with physically made garments. Additionally, you’ll complete an internship as well as two semesters of capstone and portfolio courses to culminate your degree and prepare you with a body of work to show prospective employers.
FSH 396: Professional Practices for Fashion
FSH 435: Contemporary Fashion (HUAD OR L or HU)
FSH 204: Social Aspects of Fashion (SOBE OR L or HU or SB)
FSH 300: Global Fashion Industry (GCSI OR G)
THE 431: History of Fashion II: 20th-Century Fashion
THE 430: History of Fashion I (HUAD OR HU)
FSH 155: Product Development Fundamentals
FSH 158: Fundamentals of Technical Flat Sketching
FSH 256: Digital Patternmaking and Fit Analysis I
FSH 258: Technical Design I
FSH 356: Digital Patternmaking and Fit Analysis II
FSH 358: Technical Design II
Apparel technical designer and other jobs you’ll be prepared for
Apparel technical designers are in high demand and typically paid well for their expertise and precision using digital software. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to pursue these types of positions, as well as roles as a production and sourcing specialist, costing associate, sourcing strategist and fashion CAD artist. Entering the field can also open doors to living and working in locations beyond the U.S. as companies often send technical design teams to global factories several times a year. Additional potential career paths include, but aren’t limited to:
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
Growth: -7.4%
Salary: $60,320
Fashion Designers
Growth: 3.3%
Salary: $76,700
Media Technical Directors/Managers
Growth: 6.7%
Salary: $85,320