Fashion Design Degree
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Fashion Design Degree Program Overview
As a student in the Fashion Design degree program, you’ll develop your own exceptional portfolio while learning innovative techniques to create unique designs and learn about your strengths as a creative. Our degree in fashion design program allows for adaptability in an ever-evolving industry. You’ll also learn how to make patterns with essential technology that lets you create real garments and digitize them into 3d versions as well. Our small class sizes provide an invaluable opportunity for mentorship and tutoring with fashion industry-experienced instructors that will prepare you to impact fashion at local or global scale.
You will learn the relevance of issues impacting the fashion industry, from social justice and diversity to ethical fashion practices and their environmental impact in order to expand diverse voices, visions and solutions.
SKILLS YOU'LL LEARN
Fashion Illustration
Draping + Patternmaking
Textiles + Materiality
CAD Design
Sustainable Design Thinking
Product Development + Management
STEPS TO ADMISSION
1
Complete your artist meeting with an admissions counselor.
2
Submit an admissions application.
3
Create and submit your portfolio to be considered for a scholarship.
4
Submit official high school and college transcripts (for transfer students).
5
Submit the current year’s FAFSA and other financial aid documentation.
ACCREDITATION
TUITION + FINANCIAL AID
At RMCAD, we understand that investing in a college education is a major decision and a major investment. That’s why we offer competitive, affordable tuition when compared to other art and design colleges. Students’ tuition rates are locked in at the time of their initial start date and will not increase as long as they remain enrolled in their program.
FASHION DESIGN DEGREE COURSE DETAILS
RMCAD’s Fashion Design degree program offers the opportunity to cultivate fashion fluency and an integrated approach to express creativity – translating these high-level approaches to our annual fashion showcase and other local shows (Red Ball, Denver Fashion Week) where students can exhibit their fashion concepts. Students can hone skills in primary and secondary research, 3D fashion design software, fashion show production, entrepreneurship, color theory, digital fashion design, fashion illustration, and more.
RMCAD offers classes year-round in both on-campus and online delivery formats. At RMCAD, we believe that online learning is an important part of the overall college learning experience. To provide students multiple scheduling options, diverse learning modalities, and experience in the virtual environment, all on-campus students are required to take part in some online education.
*This section does not include the full list of courses for this program.
Fashion Design Courses (51 Credits)*
FS 1000
Fashion Industry Survey
(3 Credits)
FS 1200
Introduction to Textiles + Materials
(3 Credits)
FS 3140
Fashion Communication + Presentation
(3 Credits)
FS 3610
Textiles + Materials Exploration
(3 Credits)
Liberal Arts Courses (45 Credits)*
AH 1110
Art Historical Methods + Theories
(3 Credits)
EN 1110
Composition I
(3 Credits)
HU 1110
Humanities I: World Thought I
(3 Credits)
MA 1221
The Art of Math
(3 Credits)
The Liberal Arts curriculum is an exciting part of every student’s academic and creative journey at RMCAD. These courses provide the opportunity for students to engage with complex questions and ideas to develop critical thinking skills, a global consciousness, and awareness of art historical foundations that are essential for their intellectual, creative, and personal growth.
Foundations Courses (21 Credits)*
FD 1020
2D Design: Elements + Principles
(3 Credits)
FD 1120
Topics in Color
(3 Credits)
FD 1600
Studio Seminar: Methods of Inquiry
(3 Credits)
FD 2130
3D Design: Space + Materiality
(3 Credits)
Foundation Studies educates students in the development of creative studio practice by fostering individualized and collaborative learning that emphasizes cultural engagement, process, critical thinking, and visual literacy.
Studio Electives (6 Credits)
FS 3100
Special Topics in Fashion Design
(3 Credits)
FS 3470
CAD Production Patternmaking
(3 Credits)
FS 4211
Fashion Entrepreneurship
(3 Credits)
GD 2210
Vector Illustration
(3 Credits)
TECH + TOOLS
RMCAD’s Fashion Design degree program features a comprehensive curriculum and provides students the opportunity to cultivate fashion fluency, an integrated approach to express creativity, and hone technical skills through creative draping and patternmaking approaches and computer-aided fashion design illustration using 3D fashion design software.
Students in RMCAD’s on-campus Fashion Design degree program will be charged a one-time mandatory equipment fee of $1650.00 in their first academic year. Below is the provided equipment that will be yours to keep:
- Juki DDL-8700 High-speed Single Needle Straight Lockstitch Industrial Sewing Machine
- Professional Female Dress Form with Collapsible Shoulders and Removable Arms
All fashion design students also receive software licensing, LinkedIn Learning subscription, LMS access, electronic library resources, cybersecurity, mental health counseling, and tutoring services through their semester fees.
GET TO KNOW OUR GRADS
FASHION DESIGn Stories
From Sketch to Runway: The Journey of a Fashion Design Student
As an aspiring fashion designer, you may find yourself dreaming about the moment when you see one of your creations illuminated under the lights of the runway. However, to reach that pinnacle in your fashion
Sustainable Fashion: Educating Designers for an Eco-Friendly Future
Do you know how big of a role the fashion industry plays in the world economy? According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the fashion industry generates 1.3 trillion USD annually and employs more than 300
Fashion Illustration: The Creative Process of Communicating Design
If you take a glance at any of the mood boards for fashion design, you will see an array of fashion design sketches that highlight the ideas and concepts for a new line or collection. Illustrations play a
FASHION DESIGN CAREERS
As the world evolves, so does fashion, which provides many options for your future. A RMCAD Fashion Design Degree doesn’t leave you with one path to success, it gives you choices! Our graduates have the opportunity to launch exciting careers in the following areas.
Fashion Design
Fashion design involves creating and developing clothing, accessories, and footwear, blending artistic vision with practical considerations such as functionality, fabric, and trends.
Technical Design
In the fashion industry, technical designers create and develop the technical elements of clothing and apparel, ensuring that designs are functional, fit well, and can be produced efficiently.
CAD Design
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software is used to create, modify, analyze, and optimize designs in the fashion industry.
Textile Design
A role in textile design involves developing patterns, textures, and colors that will be used in a variety of applications, including clothing, upholstery, home textiles, and accessories.
Patternmaking + Draping
Those who work with patternmaking and draping play a crucial role in transforming a designer’s vision into a tangible garment through creating patterns and structures that guide the construction of clothing.
Fabric + Trim Sourcing
Those in fabric and trim sourcing identify, select, and procure the materials necessary for the production of garments and textile products.
Product Development
Product development in the fashion industry focuses on the lifecycle of bringing a new clothing item or accessory from concept and development to production.
Fashion Styling
Fashion styling is the art and practice of coordinating clothing and accessories to create visually appealing outfits for various purposes, including editorial shoots, advertising campaigns, runway shows, and personal styling.
Fashion Trend Forecasting
Those in fashion trend forecasting predict trends in the fashion industry, including styles, colors, fabrics, and consumer behavior.
Custom + Sample Sewing
A role in custom and sample sewing involves creating unique garments or prototypes based on specific client needs or design concepts and is an essential aspect within certain sectors of the fashion industry, including fashion design, production, and retail.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the focus of the Fashion Design degree program at RMCAD?
The program focuses on developing creative design skills, fashion illustration, patternmaking, textiles, CAD design, and sustainable design thinking.
What career opportunities are available for Fashion Design graduates?
Graduates will acquire the knowledge and skills to start careers as fashion designers, textile designers, fashion illustrators, product developers, and fashion entrepreneurs.
What are the key components of the Fashion Design program?
Key components include trend forecasting, target market analysis, merchandising, concept development, textile design, and fashion show production.
What skills will students learn in the Fashion Design program?
Students will learn fashion illustration, draping and patternmaking, CAD design, sustainable design practices, and product development.
How does RMCAD support Fashion Design students?
RMCAD offers small class sizes, tutoring, mentorship, industry-experienced instructors, and well-equipped facilities.
What are the admission requirements for the Fashion Design Degree Program?
Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent and completion of the college’s application process. To be considered for a scholarship, students will also need to create and submit a portfolio of artwork.
What kind of portfolio should students submit for the Fashion Design Degree Program application?
A portfolio showcasing your best design work, including sketches, fashion illustrations, and any completed garment projects.
Are there any sustainability-focused courses in the Fashion Design program?
Yes, the program includes sustainable design thinking, focusing on ethical fashion practices, and environmental impact.
What software and tools are used in the Fashion Design program?
Students use industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Suite and 3D fashion design software for CAD design and digital patternmaking. For more information on program materials, visit here.
Can students visit the campus to learn more about the Fashion Design program?
Yes, prospective students can schedule campus tours or attend info sessions to learn more about RMCAD and the animation program.
What are the Liberal Arts requirements in the Fashion Design program?
The curriculum includes courses that develop critical thinking, global consciousness, and information literacy.
What are the Foundations requirements in the Fashion Design program?
Foundation courses enable students to refine essential skills, get comfortable with the tools they’ll use throughout their program, and study relevant basics— including drawing, composition and color theory. These courses facilitate ideation and collaboration.
What kind of student work is produced in the Fashion Design program?
Students create fashion illustrations, garment designs, digital patterns, and collections showcased in an annual RMCAD fashion show.
What is the importance of CAD design in the Fashion Design program?
CAD design is crucial for creating digital patterns, technical packages, and 3D virtual fittings, streamlining the design and production process.
Are there opportunities for Fashion Design students to showcase their work?
Yes, students can participate in fashion shows and exhibitions to display their designs and collections.
What kind of equipment is provided to Fashion Design students?
Students receive essential equipment such as industrial sewing machines and other tools necessary for garment construction and design as part of their one-time mandatory equipment fee.
