Fashion Design Course Descriptions

AA 102 Sample Room Techniques

A study and application of the principles of garment construction. The course emphasizes application techniques for various fabrics and production methods for basic styles. (3)

AA 103 Apparel Design I

Execution of fashion designs through the flat pattern method. The course teaches the rudiments of draping. Prerequisite: grade of C or better in AA 102. (3)

AA 110 Apparel Quality and Analysis

Students will analyze the quality of ready-to-wear apparel products in relation to consumer value, industry quality assurance standards and specifications, cost, and performance. (3)

AA 111 Fashion Apparel and Accessory Coordination

Students will examine and produce fashion apparel and accessory coordination (styling) for window and interior retail display, print and digital formats, runways, entertainment, and images. (3)

AA 150 Fashion Retailing

An overview of the unique practices of fashion retailers: an analysis of brick and mortar, online and direct response approaches, product merchandising, management marketing, operations, and control functions. (3)

AA 204 Methods in Fashion Construction

Applying technical skills to a creative process, this course teaches students advanced techniques of flat pattern making, draping, tailoring, and couture techniques in garment construction. Prerequisite: grade of C or better in AA 103. (3)

AA 211 Visual Merchandising

A study and application of merchandising principles for good store design. The course also examines the aesthetic elements used in merchandise presentation. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: DSINQ. (3)

AA 212 Fashion Industry & Promotion

The course focuses on communication and the elements of the promotional mix in fashion marketing. Students will engage in the creative process as they produce media messages and content that effectively express brand identity. (3)

AA 251 Textiles

A study of fibers and fabric of both natural and synthetic origins. The course includes an analysis of the use and care of textiles, design applications, and finishing. Emphasis on the use of textiles for fashion. (3)

AA 255 Digital Presentation for Fashion

Students utilize Photoshop and Illustrator software for applications to the fashion industry, such as fashion presentations, trend boards, and mood boards. (3)

AA 265 Fashion Illustration I

An analysis and application of techniques for drawing the fashion figure and related apparel. The course includes projects designed to develop technical drawings and illustrations suitable for presentation purposes. Prerequisite: FA 105 or permission of the instructor. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: DSINQ. (3)

AA 272 Textile Design

Introduces principles related to surface design for printing on textiles with an emphasis on market trends for the industry. Studio projects develop skills in the design of textiles and computer-aided design. Prerequisite: FA 105 or permission of the instructor. (3)

AA 275 Fashion Illustration II

The course highlights hand-drawing skills learned in Fashion Illustration I and incorporates the visual communication process into multiple digital and CAD formats. The course introduces various visual skills for the communication of fashion garments and the integration of textile designs. Students will learn to create hybrid, digital, and CAD drawings for fashion figures, textile and garment design, specification drawings, and pattern development. Prerequisite: grade of C or better in AA 265. (3)

AA 305 Draping

Advanced study in the use of the draping method. Design concepts are developed for final, well-constructed original creations. Prerequisite: grade of C or better in AA 204. (3)

AA 306 Apparel Design II

Exploration of advanced flat pattern techniques. Teaches design students the theory of drafting clothing patterns based on sets of body measurements and the theory of grading patterns. Prerequisite: grade of C or better in AA 305. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: DSINQ. (3)

AA 307 Product Development I

Focuses on technical product development through the evaluation of garment quality from construction standards to appropriate textile choice, mass production processes, and pricing. Covers technical apparel design skills, including the writing of specifications, for industrial garment production. Prerequisite: AA 255. (3)

AA 320 Fashion Research and Forecasting

Students will learn consumer behavior theories related to fashion trends and consumers’ fashion adoption process. Students will simulate fashion forecasting activities. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirement Designation: DSINQ. (3)

AA 330 Omni-Channel Fashion Retailing

In this course, students will expand their understandings of fashion retailing from the brick-and-mortar to the omni-channel environment. Students will gain knowledge in the seamless distribution of fashion products through brick-and-mortar stores and direct-marketing channels that include online/mobile stores. The course will focus on analyzing the important fashion retailing strategies developed for e-commerce. (3)

AA 355A Advanced Construction and Couture Techniques

This course provides an opportunity for students to progress in the understanding of garment construction as it relates to design from both the technical and aesthetic perspectives. Prerequisites: AA 250 and AA 260. (3)

AA 355B Advanced Applications of Patternmaking Techniques

This course offers instruction in advanced methods of making patterns for menswear, pants, and advanced womenswear as well as methods of pattern making in other cultures. It emphasizes the application of these methods to problem solve for originality in design of apparel. Prerequisites: AA 260, AA 350, and AA 385. (3)

AA 355C Designing the Apparel Masterpiece

This course provides an in-depth examination and exploration of the processes contributing to originality in fashion design. It will consider the creative process related to fashion design and the research process for inspired and original apparel design, including fabric research, construction research, and principles of design applications. Processes of modeling through sketching, model making, and first and subsequent prototypes will be used. A final executed garment or ensemble will result. Prerequisites: AA 260, AA 350, AA 385, and AA 415 or AA 355B. (3)

AA 355D Tailored Garment Structures

A studio in the methods of tailoring. Projects are assigned to develop skills in fitting, shaping, lining, and underlying of garments. Prerequisites: AA 260. (3)

AA 361 Survey of Fashion

An analysis of fashion: its function, history, and relation to the modern economy. The course covers the principles of fashion change, fashion terminology, and the development of fashions and accessories from ancient Egypt to the present. Prerequisite: EN 102 and a grade of D or better in AA 251. University Requirements Designation: WI. (3)

AA 382 Merchandise Planning and Analysis

This course provides an understanding of the methods and calculations necessary in successful merchandising as well as computer applications for inventory control. Prerequisite: grade of D or better in AA 150. (3)

AA 390 Principles of Costume and Theater

Examines the principles and processes of designing costumes for the stage. Emphasis on methods used to illuminate ideas, themes, characters, and action found in a script. (3)

AA 400 Internship

A senior student may register for three (3) credits in a field experience in the fashion industry. Appropriate settings include manufacturers, specialty stores, and department stores. The internship is monitored by a faculty member. Prerequisite: junior status (60+ credits completed toward degree). Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: EXP. (3)

AA 407 Product Development II

Investigation of the process by which an apparel product is launched in the marketplace from the design and merchandising perspectives, including research, testing, financial planning, and marketing. Open only to juniors and seniors majoring in fashion design or merchandising. Prerequisite: grade of C or better in AA 307. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: DSINQ. (3)

AA 408 Advanced Problems in Fashion Design I

Examines fashion design as both process and product. Students learn to integrate the elements of visual design, methods of pattern making, and the use of special fabrics. Prerequisite: grade of C or better in AA 306 and senior status. (3)

AA 409 Advanced Problems in Fashion Design II

A continuation of the advanced projects started in AA 408. Students create a line of garments suited to a specific market. Prerequisite: grade of C or better in AA 408 and senior status. (3)

AA 410 Fashion Consulting and Culture

A study of fashion as it relates to clothing selection. Emphasis on clothing behavior, consumer practices, wardrobe planning, and color. Analysis of fringe consumer groups. (3)

AA 412 The Great Designers

An examination of the origin of haute couture and the contributions of noted fashion designers since 1850. The course considers social and economic influences on the designer and consumer in each period. (3)

AA 413 Fashion Event Planning

Students will develop initial planning skills required for fashion shows and special events. Students will gain experience in planning a dramatized fashion show by developing leadership and team member positions, scheduling, budgeting, theme development, and activities related to public relations, such as collaborating with industry fashion designers and other units on and/or off campus. Prerequisite: grade of D or better in AA 212. (3)

AA 414 Fashion Show Production

The development of advanced planning required for a dramatized fashion show. Students will develop strategies for advertising and publicity, budgeting, floor plans, stage and program designs, and targeting an appropriate market. Students plan lighting and sound, choreograph routines, and produce the fashion show. Prerequisite: grade of D or better in AA 413 or permission of the instructor. (3)

AA 421 Project

An investigation of a selected topic in the major emphasis area under the direction of a faculty advisor. The project is intended to develop independent research capabilities and presentation techniques for fashion design or fashion merchandising. Prerequisite: permission of the dean of the School of Design, Arts, and Humanities. (3-6)

AA 433 Research

Students in this course will conduct collaborative research (scholarly work leading to new knowledge) under the direction of a faculty member. Prerequisite: application and approval of department chair. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: EXP. (1-6)

AA 440 Fashion in the Global Marketplace

This course provides an understanding of the textile and apparel industries in the world economy. Emphasis is on U.S. importing and exporting and on global trends in the production and consumption of textiles and apparel. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: GP. (3)

AA 483 Senior Seminar in Fashion Merchandising

This capstone course in fashion merchandising presents current practices, trends, and problems in the field. Students learn to analyze contemporary problems by using the case study method and by presenting a written and oral case analysis at the end of the course. Prerequisites: EN 102AA 382, and senior status. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: DSINQ, WI. (3)

AA 485 Senior Design Research and Development

Students will research the various markets within the fashion industry and choose one major area of focus. They will utilize the study of target markets, price points, demographics, and customer profiles to create a concept journal for the basic foundation of their senior portfolio. Students will research sources of inspiration in order to develop mood boards, fashion illustrations, technical sketches, and fabric swatches in preparation for Senior Fashion Design Portfolio and the creation of their senior lines. Prerequisite: EN 102 and a grade C or better in AA 255. University Requirements Designation: WI. (3)

AA 495 Senior Fashion Design Portfolio

Design for different markets is integrated with fashion presentations. Students create a portfolio for entry into the industry. Prerequisite: grade of C or better in AA 275 and AA 485, and senior status. (3)