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Design students work being modeled for the annual fashion show

Fashion Design - B.A.

Express your creativity with 91²Ö¿â's Fashion Design B.A. program. Our program prepares you for a career in the fashion industry by providing a comprehensive curriculum, experienced faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities. Enroll now and discover your unique design style.

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College of the Arts
School of Fashion
www.kent.edu/fashion

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Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fashion Design

Our Fashion Design Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree prepare you for a career in fashion. You’ll develop your own technical skills, explore creative problem solving and grow an understanding of the challenges in the industry and how to overcome them. The B.A. degree in fashion design offers a diverse and liberal art experience. You can create designs for everything from wearable technology applications to knitwear and accessories.

Our graduates are highly sought after for entry-level design positions across the industry. You’ll also have a strong portfolio to use during interviews, helping to set you up for success when you graduate.

During your major degree, you’ll learn about three key stages of fashion design: conceptual, technical and production. Here are some of the key topics our instructors will cover:

  • Color, design, and trend research
  • Technical sketching and rendered illustration
  • Pattern making and garment construction
  • Fit and fabric selection 
  • Industry standards on production specifications for different markets

Program Information for Fashion Design - B.A.

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Design integrates conceptual, technical and production design knowledge and skills, leading to a synthesis of the design process from concept to production. These processes include color, design and trend research; technical sketching and rendered illustration; pattern-making and garment construction; analysis of appropriate fit and fabric selection; best practices in sustainable methods and knowledge and the ability to communicate specifications for production using industry standards appropriate to specific markets.

The B.A. degree in Fashion Design promotes an emphasis on the diversity of studio practice and liberal art experiences with the most up to date technology applications. Students have the option to select coursework offerings to gain expertise in a variety of specialties that connect directly to fashion design, such as wearable technology applications, sustainable development and design, garment knitting, illustration and/or accessory design.

The degree program prepares students for professional careers by developing technical competency, creative/independent problem solving and conceptual understanding necessary for the challenges of a career in the creative industries. Students develop portfolios for presentation at industry interviews and are prepared to be strongly competitive for any entry-level design position in the industry. In addition, students  participate in a study abroad/away experience, which includes opportunities to study for a semester in New York City and Florence, Italy, as well as through collaborative partnership programs with the Paris American Academy, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Regent's University in London.

When enrolled in junior-level fashion design studio courses, fashion design students may complete the application process to declare the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree or chose to continue pursing the B.A. degree. The decision as to which degree is best for a particular student depends on the student's educational and career goals, academic standing, performance in studio coursework and an approved "B.F.A. Proposal."

Admissions for Fashion Design - B.A.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

Freshman Students: Admission to the Fashion Design major is selective. Prospective applicants must have a minimum 3.000 overall grade point average (on a 4.000 scale).

Transfer Students: Admission to the Fashion Design major requires a minimum 2.750 overall GPA based on minimum 24 credit hours of college-level coursework at an accredited institution. Those students meeting this GPA requirement but with fewer than 24 credit hours will be evaluated as new freshmen.

Students who do not meet the criteria for admission to the Fashion Design major may be eligible for admission to the Pre-Fashion Design and Merchandising non-degree major. In addition, students who do not meet the admission criteria may initiate the process for declaring the B.A. degree in Fashion Design after completing minimum 12 credit hours of non-developmental coursework at 91²Ö¿â and earning a minimum 2.750 overall GPA.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning a minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 47 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive English Program. For more information on international admission visit the admissions website for international students.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Understand the fashion industry, fashion markets, fashion products and services.
  2. Demonstrate understanding of integrating conceptual, technical and production design knowledge and skills, leading to a synthesis of the design process from concept to production.
  3. Apply knowledge and skills in the use of basic tools, techniques and processes sufficient to produce work from draft or specifications to finished product, including skills in portfolio preparation.
  4. Articulate conceptual and critical thinking applicable to the fashion industry.
  5. Employ research processes and practices employed in the fashion industry.
  6. Articulate professionalism and communication skills in the appropriate creative industry.
Coursework

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
FDM 10010FASHION FUNDAMENTALS 3
FDM 10023FASHION VISUALS 1
FDM 10024FASHION VISUALS LABORATORY 2
FDM 10033FASHION FABRICS 1
FDM 10034FASHION FABRICS LABORATORY 2
FDM 10043SUSTAINABLE FASHION THINKING 1
FDM 10044SUSTAINABLE FASHION THINKING LABORATORY 2
FDM 10053INTRODUCTION TO FASHION TECHNOLOGY 1
FDM 10054INTRODUCTION TO FASHION TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY 2
FDM 15055BASICS OF APPAREL CONSTRUCTION 3
FDM 20013HISTORY OF COSTUME 3
FDM 20050FASHION TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS 3
FDM 20121FASHION DRAWING 3
FDM 20123FASHION DESIGN CONCEPTS 3
FDM 201562-D FASHION DESIGN PRACTICE 3
FDM 201573-D FASHION DESIGN PRACTICE 3
FDM 35010CONTEMPORARY FASHION DESIGNERS (WIC) 13
FDM 40121FASHION PORTFOLIO I 3
FDM 40122FASHION PORTFOLIO II 3
FDM 45292INTERNSHIP IN FASHION DESIGN (ELR) 3
Fashion Study Away Requirement 2
Additional Major Electives, choose from the following: 315
Any Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) course
Any Accounting (ACCT) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Any Architectural Studies (ARCS) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Any Art History (ARTH) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Any Art Studio (ARTS) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Any Business Administration Interdisciplinary (BUS) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Any Business Analytics (BA) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Any Computer Information Systems (CIS) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Any Design Innovation (DI) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Any Economics (ECON) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Any Entrepreneurship (ENTR) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Any Finance (FIN) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Any Management (MGMT) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Any Marketing (MKTG) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Any Media and Journalism (MDJ) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Any Theatre (THEA) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Any Visual Communication Design (VCD) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Fashion Design Studio I Electives, choose from the following:6
FDM 30161
FASHION DESIGN STUDIO I
FDM 30189
FLORENCE FASHION DESIGN STUDIO I (DIVG) (ELR)
FDM 30190
NEW YORK CITY FASHION DESIGN STUDIO I (ELR)
Fashion Design Studio II Electives, choose from the following:6
FDM 30162
FASHION DESIGN STUDIO II
FDM 30289
FLORENCE FASHION DESIGN STUDIO II (DIVG) (ELR)
FDM 30290
NEW YORK CITY DESIGN STUDIO II (ELR)
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
ARTH 22006ART HISTORY: ANCIENT TO MEDIEVAL ART (KFA) 3
ARTH 22007ART HISTORY: RENAISSANCE TO MODERN ART (KFA) 3
ECON 22060PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS (KSS) 3
MATH 10041INTRODUCTORY STATISTICS (KMCR) 4
MKTG 25010PRINCIPLES OF MARKETING 3
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
6
3
3
6-7
6
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours)4
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

2

Students are required to participate in a study away opportunity. Students must have a minimum 2.500 overall GPA to participate in this study away requirement. Choose from the following: FDM 30189; FDM 30190; FDM 30289; FDM 30290; FDM 35070; FDM 35080; FDM 35589; FDM 35689; FDM 35789; FDM 35889; FDM 35989; FDM 45392; FDM 45589; FDM 45590; OGE 10095.

3

Maximum 6 credit hours of FDM 45093 can be used as an Additional Major Elective. Maximum 6 credit hours from each non-Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) subject area can be used as an Additional Major Elective.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.500 2.500
  • Participation in a study abroad/away experience
  • Minimum 2.500 overall GPA required for internship
  • Minimum 2.500 overall GPA required for study away
Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
ARTH 22006 ART HISTORY: ANCIENT TO MEDIEVAL ART (KFA) 3
!FDM 10010 FASHION FUNDAMENTALS 3
FDM 10023 FASHION VISUALS 1
FDM 10024 FASHION VISUALS LABORATORY 2
FDM 15055 BASICS OF APPAREL CONSTRUCTION 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Two
ARTH 22007 ART HISTORY: RENAISSANCE TO MODERN ART (KFA) 3
!FDM 10033 FASHION FABRICS 1
!FDM 10034 FASHION FABRICS LABORATORY 2
!FDM 10043 SUSTAINABLE FASHION THINKING 1
!FDM 10044 SUSTAINABLE FASHION THINKING LABORATORY 2
FDM 10053 INTRODUCTION TO FASHION TECHNOLOGY 1
FDM 10054 INTRODUCTION TO FASHION TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY 2
MATH 10041 INTRODUCTORY STATISTICS (KMCR) 4
 Credit Hours16
Semester Three
ECON 22060 PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS (KSS) 3
FDM 20050 FASHION TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS 3
!FDM 20121 FASHION DRAWING 3
!FDM 20156 2-D FASHION DESIGN PRACTICE 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Four
!FDM 20013 HISTORY OF COSTUME 3
!FDM 20123 FASHION DESIGN CONCEPTS 3
!FDM 20157 3-D FASHION DESIGN PRACTICE 3
MKTG 25010 PRINCIPLES OF MARKETING 3
Additional Major Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Five
FDM 35010 CONTEMPORARY FASHION DESIGNERS (WIC) 3
!Fashion Design Studio I Electives 6
Additional Major Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Six
!Fashion Design Studio II Electives 6
Additional Major Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours12
Third Summer Term
FDM 45292 INTERNSHIP IN FASHION DESIGN (ELR) 3
 Credit Hours3
Semester Seven
!FDM 40121 FASHION PORTFOLIO I 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Eight
!FDM 40122 FASHION PORTFOLIO II 3
Additional Major Electives 6
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Elective 1
 Credit Hours13
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
Accreditation for Fashion Design - B.A.

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Fashion Design - B.A.

At the School of Fashion, we prepare you for a career in the industry. Our programs balance theoretical with practical studies.

Examples of Possible Careers
  • Fashion designer
  • CAD designer
  • Creative director
  • Illustrator
  • Product developer
  • Print designer
  • Technical designer
  • Textile designer
  • Product development
  • Knit designer
  • Knit programmer
  • Sourcing