Your journey starts here. You will develop creative and technical skills while working closely with the fashion industry. Study design, pattern making and cutting-edge technology to produce everything from ready-to-wear through to made-to-measure fashion.

You'll learn to blend theory with practice through a series of industry-driven and live international projects and activities.

Through your studies you will gain the skills required to be industry-ready, developing the knowledge and know-how to secure jobs in the fashion industry – especially in computer-aided design (CAD) and the global supply chains.

You will develop a broad range of skills and study the underpinning theory of the design process, including fashion range development, trend research, specification development, design and production management, and pattern and garment construction skills.

In your studies you will learn:

• fashion design and drawing
• computer-aided design
• patternmaking and grading
• computer-aided patternmaking and grading
• fashion trend research
• production planning
• specifications
• garment construction
• supply chain management
• sustainability

You will also work on design briefs from local and international companies such as Alpha60, Cotton On, Denimsmith, Etal, Bizwear and Nobody Denim, working to specifications relating to demographic, colour, fabric, trends and budget.

These experiences will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to work locally or internationally as part of a design team or to start your own business.

This program will unlock your creative potential, enabling you to pursue a career in fashion design or start your own fashion business.

Career Outcomes

This program provides you with high-level skills in fashion design and expert skills in specialist pattern making, managing design and product development.

With experience, you can be working as a designer or product developer, or in management positions within international fashion businesses.

Graduates of this program have found employment with leading fashion organisations in Australia and overseas as designers, pattern makers and graders, product developers, specification technicians, quality assurance officers, production controllers, illustrators and small fashion business owner/operators.

Graduates of this program can apply to complete one additional year of study to gain the Bachelor of Fashion (Design Technology).

As a fashion designer your work activities may include:

• researching emerging trends in fashion, fabrics, colours and shapes
• creating design concepts and presenting them using hand-drawn or computer-aided design sketches
• developing fashion ranges
• working within a team to develop patterns or adapt existing patterns and designs for either boutique or large scale production
• overseeing production
• liaising with design teams, buyers and forecasters
• sourcing, selecting and buying fabrics, trims, fastenings and embellishments
• developing sample garments

Professional recognition and accreditation

Current student and graduate can apply for membership to the:

• Fashion Technician Association Australia (FTAA)
• Design Institute of Australia (DIA)

You are eligible to join the DIA as a student member while studying. Graduates can apply for associate membership and full membership once they have obtained their professional experience.

Please note: eligibility for full membership is based on a points system.