Faculty
FIDM Instructor Dat Tran Sees Remarkable Advantage in CLO 3D Software
Students in 3D Apparel Design (MPDV 2250), taught by FIDM Instructor Dat Tran, recently presented their final collections to an industry panel that included CLO 3D Software Design Lead Joy Douglas and 3D Designer Yumi Chon. The course is offered to students in two majors: Merchandise Product Development and Apparel Industry Management. Throughout the quarter, students Fernando Higuera, Christian Martin, Maria Villegas, Olivia Ferguson, Jared Rezeppa, and Heather Seaton were challenged to use the 3D fashion design software program to design, create, and alter true-to-life 3D garments on avatars. We caught up with FIDM Instructor Dat Tran to gain his perspective on the 3D software.
What do you like about CLO 3D software?
The software provides users a remarkable advantage for visualization of the designs prior to the actual production. At the moment, designers communicate their ideas either by hand sketching or using Adobe Illustrator. This is often a laborious task for many, especially for new designers or individuals interested in design with limited drawing skills. The visual effect result from CLO is instantaneous and users often experience a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment; so much so that they want to continue with the learning process. I observed this 'Wow' factor from students in nearly every class session with each special new tool and special effect introduced. I strongly believe having 3D design training will be the standard for future designers, product managers, and startup company owners in the fashion industry.
Why is it important for your students to learn this software?
As the industry evolves and continues to become more efficient, companies persistently look for new approaches to better themselves in the face of competition and investment. In the fashion industry, hand sketching skill has gradually become less important in the past ten or so years due to the interests in Adobe Illustrator for speed and efficiency reasons. From my brief encounters with CLO 3D, I strongly think that 3D design software will be the key to unlock future 'modus operandi'. I am pleased that I was provided the proper training at FIDM and the opportunity to take on the task of teaching while sharing my perspectives about 3D design with the students.
Were there any lightbulb aha moments for your students this quarter as they got more familiar with the software?
While there were subtle aha experiences throughout the course, the big aha moment truly came while they were working on the Final Projects. So many of them shared their perspectives with me after the presentation. While the initial eight weeks in CLO 3D were about discoveries and learning, students also had to perform and accomplish weekly assignments which can seem overwhelming at times in addition to assignments from other classes. While working on the Final Projects, they quickly discovered that they already acquired the skills and knowledge from earlier weeks and everything seemed to click into places, every tool and special effect made sense to which they were able to apply to their designs. Using the CLO 3D skills and knowledge as their foundation, the students were able to let their design inspiration go quite far.
Dat Tran received a B.F.A. from Otis College of Art and Design. One year after graduating he was living and working in New York City as a Designer for Geoffrey Beene, a position he held for four years. He then joined Calvin Klein as a Senior Designer, where he was responsible for designing all woven products for the North American menswear collection. He was also the Senior Product Manager at Phillips Van Heusen for the menswear division. The founder and designer of Lua, an LA-based brand that specializes in better priced women's accessories, Dat teaches 3D Apparel Design (MPDV 2250) at FIDM.
Design | FIDM Student Christian Martin
Categories: Apparel Industry Management Merchandise Product Development Faculty Industry Partnerships Student
