Fashion Design

Curriculum

The following are the required courses for this major. Students meet with the Education Department to create a personalized academic plan. Transfer credits, placement tests, changes in curriculum, and other factors help determine which courses must be taken prior to graduation.

Click on the green tab to see curriculum for each degree. Click on a course title to expand and read the course description.

Associate of Arts (A.A.)
Associate of Arts Professional Designation (A.A.)

DESN 1150

Fashion Sketching for Design I

Units: 3

In this beginning fashion sketching class, students learn the proportions and techniques for sketching the nine-head figure. Studio.

DESN 1250

Industry Sewing

Units: 3

This course introduces students to sewing techniques, with emphasis on operating the power sewing machine. Students produce a sewing notebook and a complete garment.

DESN 1550

Fashion Sketching for Design II

Units: 3

This advanced fashion sketching class stresses the perfection of fashion figure poses, the accurate illustration of garments, and the development of the students own sketching style. Students learn to render, using colored pencil, markers, and pen. Prerequisite: DESN 1150

DESN 1700

Pattern Drafting Essentials (6 hours)*

Units: 3

This technical course introduces the theory and application of flat pattern drafting. Students learn to draft the various components of garments and to construct muslin samples from drafted patterns. Includes a three (3) hour lab. Prerequisites: DESN 1250, DESN 1450

DESN 1750

Technical Sketching for Design

Units: 3

This course incorporates flat sketching, garment construction, and the development of specification sheets. Terminology of design language, garment details, and the continuation of fashion illustration are covered. Prerequisites: DESN 1150, DESN 1850, GNST 1170, GNST 1230

DESN 1850

The Business of Fashion

Units: 3

In surveying the major business components of the textile and fashion apparel industries, this course defines the role of materials, designers, producers, and retailers in the creative and business cycles. Prerequisites: DESN 1150, DESN 1250, GNST 1170, GNST 1230

DESN 2260

Pattern Drafting Procedures (6 hours)*

Units: 3

In this intermediate course in flat pattern drafting, students interpret sketches in order to design clothing accurately. They produce complete garments, with emphasis on fit, as well as pattern charts and cost sheets. Includes a three (3) hour studio. Prerequisites: DESN 1250, 1450, DESN 1700, GNST 1240 or GNST 1440

DESN 2280

Creative Design Applications

Units: 3

Students apply basic elements of design and expand their creativity by examining social, artistic, and historical influences as they relate to the development of a group and/or collection. Prerequisites: DESN 1550, DESN 1650, TSCI 1800

DESN 2460

Draping & Garment Construction II

Units: 3

This course merges contemporary influences with advanced draping techniques to teach the visual language of fit, proportion, construction, and textiles. Prerequisites: DESN 1250, DESN 1450, GNST 1440

DESN 2530

Computer-Aided Fashion Design I

Units: 3

Development of technical sketches utilizing Adobe Illustrator. Hands-on experience in drawing of flat technical sketch and creating accurate garment detail. Prerequisite: DESN 1550

DESN 2540

Computer Pattern Drafting I

Units: 3

In this introduction to the fundamentals of pattern drafting techniques using Gerber Technology, students reinforce skills developed in previous manual pattern drafting classes and apply their knowledge to producing patterns using the computer. Additional pattern drafting techniques are explored. Students also produce markers. Lab. Prerequisites: DESN 2260, MFTG 2330

DESN 2680

Creative Design Analysis & Collection Development ++

Units: 3

After analyzing and researching the components necessary to create a fashion collection, students in this course engage in the challenge of designing and developing collections for specific customers, including major manufacturers. Prerequisites: DESN 2280, DESN 2530

DESN 2685 Collection Brand Identity may be substituted for DESN 2680 Creative Design Analysis & Collection Development (with Dept. Chair Approval)

DESN 2700

Collection Development (6 hours)*+

Units: 3

This class emphasizes the comprehensive use of acquired pattern making and design skills. A complete design look is selected from each student collection. Patterns and garments are developed according to industry requirements. Cohesive design development includes; pattern drafting, garment construction, pattern cards, cost sheets, and style books. Includes a three (3) hour lab. Prerequisites: DESN 2260, DESN 2460

DESN 2788 Industry Special Projects (6 hours)* or DESN 2960 Chairing Styles (6 hours)* may be substituted for DESN 2700 Collection Development with Dept. Chair Approval

DESN 2780

Industry Pattern Drafting+

Units: 3

In this final pattern drafting class, students use their acquired knowledge to master industry standards in the development of original designs. Including: pattern drafting, garment construction, pattern cards, cost sheets, and style books. Prerequisites: DESN 2260

DESN 2788 Industry Special Projects (6 hours)* or DESN 2960 Chairing Styles (6 hours)* may be substituted for DESN 2700 Collection Development with Dept. Chair Approval

DESN 2830

Computer-Aided Fashion Design II

Units: 3

Development of creative design ideas utilizing a multimedia computer as a tool. Hands-on experience in digitally manipulating fabric prints and scanned artwork. Prerequisite: DESN 2530

DESN 2840

Computer Pattern Drafting II +

Units: 3

In this advanced course in developing patterns using Gerber Technology, students further develop their skills in creating patterns from sketches as well as from finished garments. Students also produce markers on the computer. Prerequisites: DESN 2540

DESN 2788 Industry Special Projects (6 hours)* or DESN 2960 Chairing Styles (6 hours)* may be substituted for DESN 2700 Collection Development with Dept. Chair Approval

DESN 2980

Portfolio Preparation & Presentation

Units: 3

Students prepare, develop, and expand a professional portfolio of work while exploring creative and practical techniques to enhance the marketability and appeal of their portfolio. They also analyze and practice interviewing skills to communicate with prospective employers. Prerequisites: DESN 2680, DESN 2830

GNST 1040

English Composition

Units: 3

In this process-oriented course, students combine deep, disciplined research with careful writing and revision to produce a thoughtful, creative, and personally meaningful research essay. They learn to formulate focused research questions, identify and investigate credible sources, and synthesize expert opinion with their own insight in support of a clearly defined, complex thesis. The emphasis is on curiosity, exploration, and discovery. As part of the process, students also gain confidence and competency in two primary areas of written expression: organization and mechanics.

GNST 1170

History of Costume

Units: 3

This course provides an overview of costume history in Western culture from ancient civilizations to the present. Students examine cultural, social, and historical events and analyze their effect on the history of costume and apparel, including the influence of historical costume on fashion today. Students develop a broad fashion vocabulary and become familiar with period costume terminology.

GNST 1230

Color & Design Theory

Units: 3

An introductory study of the principles and elements of color and design theory. Students critique aspects of a visual representation by analyzing the components of design and the use of color by the artist.

GNST 1440

Textile Science

Units: 3

A practical analysis of the basic components of textiles and their relationship to performance. Students examine the characteristics of fibers, yarns, methods of fabric construction, such as weaving and knitting, and survey dyes, prints, and finishes. Emphasis is placed on performance and the determination of fabric suitability in the apparel design industry.

GNST 1600

Effective Speaking

Units: 3

A course in oral communication designed to give students poise, speaking confidence, and the ability to develop and produce a focused, well-organized speech that holds the audiences attention through effective delivery methods. Presentational skills and audience-centered communication are emphasized.

GNST 1650

Critical Thinking

Units: 3

Designed to foster independent thinking, this course strengthens students capacity to reason clearly, critically, and creatively, including the ability (1) to analyze the arguments of others, (2) to synthesize effective arguments of their own, and (3) to solve problems skillfully. Students also gain experience in reading closely and conducting purposeful, imaginative researchskills essential to the examination of demanding social, moral, political, and personal issues. Prerequisite: GNST 1040

GNST 2020

Survey of Western Art I

Units: 3

A survey of art, architecture, and design from the Prehistoric Period through the Middle Ages. Included are the social, economic, cultural, political, and religious influences which have prompted or affected the art of each period. Students examine works of art and their iconography, stylistic techniques, and different media, with the goal of being able to recognize, understand, and discuss various art forms in their broader contexts.

GNST 2420

Survey of Western Art II

Units: 3

A survey of art, architecture, and design from the Renaissance through the 20th century. Art movements such as Realism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, Cubism, Abstraction, and Surrealism are studied. Particular emphasis is placed on the artists role in society and the effect of society on art.

GNST 2960

American Political & Economic History

Units: 3

A survey of American history from 1930-2000. Emphasis is on the political and economic features, both domestic and foreign, that contributed to the emergence of the welfare state and the nations rise to global leadership after World War II. The course provides an understanding of the Great Depression, the Second World War, the Cold War, Americas eventual emergence as the worlds only superpower, and the interrelation of all these factors.

GNST 2980

Professional Practices

Units: 3

To become more self-reliant and enterprising in the job search, students investigate career opportunities and the career path, personal traits, job responsibilities, and qualifications necessary to be competitive and promotable. Students build research tools that enable them to develop a plan of action, conduct informational interviews, practice interviewing skills, and produce a digitized professional resume, biographical statement, and cover letter for immediate submission to prospective employers.

MFTG 2330

Computer Grading, Marking & Cutting

Units: 3

This course introduces students to the principles of pattern grading, including manual techniques of chart and stack grading. The course uses Gerber Technologys computerized digitizing, grading, and marker-making system. Industry spreading and cutting techniques are demonstrated. Prerequisites: MFTG 1700 (For Fashion Design Majors), DESN 1450, DESN 1700

TSCI 1800

Fabric Identification

Units: 3

This course demonstrates knowledge of textiles and the application of these skills in the product development process. Emphasis is placed on the compatibility of fabrics to meet performance criteria and market acceptance. Students identify fabrics, weights, construction, and finish. Prerequisite: GNST 1440

++ With Dept. Chair approval, DESN 2685 Collection Brand Identity may replace DESN 2680

Some programs offered may require completion of a second year at the Los Angeles or San Francisco campus. Please contact the campus for details.