Fashion Design Introductory Diploma
Why Study Fashion Design?
This inspirational and practical course encourages the development of ideas, experimentation and creative approaches to fashion design, marketing and illustration, which underpin and define the spirit of fashion now. This course will enable you to develop a fashion portfolio and you will learnhow to use industry leading software (Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator) to prepare you for a career in the fashion industry.
Entry Requirements
In addition to our general entry requirements, you must have:
- GCSE English – grade 3
- GCSE Art – grade 4 (or Merit in Level 2 BTEC Art & Design)
The Course
Students will cover the creative elements of fashion which are delivered practically, through studio sessions, workshops and demonstrations. The course makes use of activities to give you a comprehensive understanding of topics covered.
Course Activities
You will begin by researching Art and Design in Context – this will give you a valuable insight into what lies behind current inspiration for designers and how it forms the ideas behind the trends you see today.
- In the Contemporary Fashion Illustration project, you will learn to use Adobe Illustrator.
- Textile and Up-cycling assignments are designed around issues facing the industry today that encourage designers to work creatively and ethically. You will be taught specialist skills to
turn your fashion and textile design ideas into reality. - You will also plan, research and develop ideas for a specialist design brief of your own choice.
Career and Progression Opportunities
If you successfully gain the Level 3 qualification you can progress onto a foundation or honours degree, associated HE programmes or internships. Careers are many and varied but include: fashion and textile design, fashion buying, fashion forecasting, fashion journalism, fashion merchandising, fashion promotion and PR, fashion retail, visual merchandising and fashion communication.
Course and Structure Assessment
his two-year course is the equivalent of one A Level. You will cover the following units:
- Fashion Illustration n Art & Design in Context
- Up-Cycling Fashion Products
- Textile Design
- Fashion Production
- Fashion Design
An important part of the Fashion with Marketing course is focused on independent study; this usually takes around 4.5 hours a week for the single award or 9 for the double award in addition to your taught lessons. During this time, you will be set tasks but you will also work under your own initiative to research your topic further, to develop ideas and spend time refining the skills that you have learnt within the classroom sessions.
Additional Information
Examination Board: OCR