Do you love to sew and design clothing? Here's a major that trains students to become professional clothing designers.
What is an Apparel Design and Merchandising Major?
If you major in apparel design (which is sometimes known as clothing design or textile design), you'll learn how to create and design clothing and accessories of all kinds. You'll study the art of making clothing, but also the technical aspects, as clothing design requires careful planning and precise measurements.
Some programs focus exclusively on apparel design. Other programs also include a more business-oriented approach with classes on apparel merchandising.
What Courses Does an Apparel Design and Merchandising Major Take?
First, students need to pass a sewing proficiency class to be accepted into this major. Then students are required to take the introductory class in fashion sketching. This is a challenging and time-intensive class in which students learn how to draw clothing on human figures-- which sounds a lot easier than it really is. Since modern apparel design is largely computerized, students take classes in which they learn how to use computer aided design (CAD) software. Other courses apparel design majors take include:
- Clothing Construction
- Color Theory
- Apparel Mass Production
- History of Design
- Textile Fundamentals
- Sociology of Clothing
- Costume Design and History
- Psychological and Cultural Factors in Fashion
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of an Apparel Design and Merchandising Major?
One disadvantages of this major is that it's quite a bit of work-- and the work can be tedious and frustrating. Students need to spend ling hours perfecting the details of their designs. An advantage of this major is that it's usually a small one. Students get to know their instructors well and enjoy small class sizes. In addition, because this is such a vocationally oriented major, students typically have plenty of opportunities for internships and other work experiences.
What Careers are Possible with an Apparel Design and Merchandising Major?
Typically, there are two job tracks for recent graduates in apparel design and merchandising. Students with more technical expertise often get jobs as assistant pattern makers, technical designers, and other detail-oriented positions. Students with more interest and ability in the creative side of fashion design typically begin as assistant designers. If you're interested in this major, you should keep in mind that careers in fashion design aren't usually as glamorous as one might imagine. Although some professional designers create the kind of clothing you see on the runway, there's much more of a demand for designers to create the everyday outfits that ordinary people buy at the mall.
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