Fashion Design

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Fashion Design Department Mission

The Fashion Design Department at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design is committed to upholding the organizational culture dedicated to student learning. Our educators model professional behavior, encourage innovation, and foster student growth. We partner with our local and global industry to ensure that student skills meet the needs of the demanding market. We deliver content to meet the needs of multiple learning styles. We foster community in our diverse population—teaching students to work as members of global teams. We enable student exit competencies and prepare students to become contributing professionals in our exciting and fast-paced industry.

Fashion Design Program Description

When students join the Fashion Design department, they bring with them a desire to create innovative designs; to learn an array of construction techniques; to access the industry of product development and management; and finally, to understand the needs of the human form. Courses provide a broad range of studio and educational experiences that foster artistic, professional, and personal growth. In the degree, Fashion Design core courses emphasize the fundamental principles of material investigation, garment design, garment construction, manufacturing, and the management of garment design development. Foundations courses seek to develop in students the principles of visual composition, observation, and the necessary practice to critique their own work and that of others in a professional manner. Liberal Arts courses offer a broad path of study across academic disciplines in which students develop critical thinking, academic writing skills, and creative inquiry. The Fashion Design Department educates and develops future fashion designers in the technical and conceptual abilities necessary to pursue professional careers in the fashion industry.

Program Outcomes

CONCEPT: Students demonstrate the ability to forecast trends in the fashion industry and determine their unique stylistic characteristics through color, pattern, texture, and finish of materials.

FOUNDATIONAL: Students will understand the vocabulary of the fashion industry, comprehend the timeline involved in product development from design concept to reach retail sales, and have an awareness of fashion and marketing practices.

CONSTRUCTION: Students will demonstrate the ability to translate fashion designs for manufacturing reproduction by draping, flat pattern, marking, and sewing construction.

TECHNICAL: Students will demonstrate the ability to create flat sketches and technical packages used within the apparel industry. Students will create design ideas through hand drawing and computer-aided design.

PROFESSIONAL: Students will demonstrate essential knowledge and practical strategies necessary to market product design from the original concept through merchandising, financing, sourcing, contracting, quality control, and sale. Students will learn behaviors consistent with professional practices within the apparel industry.

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