International Manufacturing &
Product Development

An in-depth overview of marketing strategies for both foreign and domestic environments. This course covers aspects including cultural, political, and economic differences, as well as government and trade regulations affecting the international marketer. Prerequisites: A.A. in Apparel Industry Management, Merchandise Product Development, or Fashion Design

This comprehensive course focuses on negotiation tactics in the context of global business transactions. Students use skill building exercises to negotiate and communicate with an emphasis on cross-cultural conflicts. This course is designed to enhance students ability to identify problems, create solutions, innovate, and improve current practices and resolutions in a constantly changing global environment. Prerequisites: A.A. in Apparel Industry Management, Merchandise Product Development, or Fashion Design

Students research current fabric, color, retail, and style trends to forecast timely commercial conclusions for specific consumer markets. The students analyze potentials of global markets, and understand and identify consumer competition and brand positioning. Course includes a directed study tour to Europe to complete this research. Prerequisites: A.A. in Apparel Industry Management, Merchandise Product Development, or Fashion Design

An advanced class in global management concepts and entrepreneurship that focuses on business management techniques, financing, long range strategic planning, budgeting, organizational structure, and labor issues. This course also provides exposure to global management strategies. Prerequisites: IMPD 3100, IMPD 3150

An advanced, in-depth, studio course that further develops the students rendering skills in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Students learn efficient, effective techniques for developing design concepts in the two applications and gain proficiency in using the two in tandem to create tech packs, proposals, presentations, and flats. Students receive this training via demonstration, discussion, critique, and hands-on, learner-centered projects relating to their field. Prerequisites: A.A. in Apparel Industry Management, Merchandise Product Development, or Fashion Design

This advanced course concentrates on the enhancement of the students digital flat sketching and digital illustration skills to create an industry presentation as means of visual communication in the international marketplace. Students in this studio course use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop in conjunction with Microsoft PowerPoint to translate digital media into visual industry presentations. Prerequisite: IMPD 3450A

This course evaluates the correlation between garment construction and garment cost. Students construct and deconstruct a garment. Through a hands-on simulation students determine the appropriate product price. Prerequisite: IMPD 3300

The course examines the process of sourcing textiles in the global marketplace. Emphasis is placed on methods used to research new fabric trends and their development. Prerequisite: IMPD 3100

International merchandising strategies are used to develop an exclusive product line geared toward the lifestyles of the target market. Students meet with the industry partner for initial product line presentation, critique, and approval. This course requires technical research to understand Product Life Cycle Management & Product Data Management. Advanced training on browser based PDM where technical specification packages are created and applied. Prerequisite: IMPD 3300

An in-depth study of preproduction samples with an emphasis placed on fit for individual body types. Samples assessed to identify appropriate modifications for global manufacturing. Prerequisites: IMPD 3650, IMPD 4200

This thesis course examines global sourcing strategies with emphasis on full value cost, labor issues, assembly procedures, fit evaluations, quality control, customs clearance, and warehousing and shipping of finished products. This program includes field research in Asia to gain understanding of the global production cycle from the raw material stage to the finished product. Emphasis is placed on the sourcing and manufacturing of goods for a specific market. Final project is comprised of a global sourcing and manufacturing strategy with completed samples and an industry thesis presentation. Prerequisites: IMPD 3100, IMPD 3150, IMPD 3300,IMPD 3350, IMPD 3450A, IMPD 3450B, IMPD 3580, IMPD 3650, IMPD 4200, IMPD 4300

International business and finance strategies are evaluated through an investigation of financial documentation and contractual agreements. Students identify business planning techniques and determine appropriate international practices for the apparel industry. Prerequisites: IMPD 3100, IMPD 3150

Students gain practical experience with applications of classroom skills to actual work situations in the area of International Manufacturing & Product Development.