Fashion is a dynamic industry that could lead to various lucrative career paths. Apparel technical designers, commonly called ‘garment engineers’, are experts in body shape, fit and apparel construction. Their work ensures manufactured garments are comfortable, functional and consistent, sized to fit target consumers and sewn together properly.
This program provides insight into the technical designer’s role in the fashion industry flow, from creative design and technical production to manufacturing and distribution. Now is an exciting time to enter a field needing professionals with digital and quantitative skills to convert ideas into products.
The knowledge and skills you’ll develop
As a student, you can expect to gain hands-on skills in the software used in the fashion industry. You’ll use Adobe Illustrator to create 2D technical drawings and Optitex to develop patterns and analyze fit through 3D prototypes. You’ll also learn the methodologies of fit and body shape. Other practical skills include developing industry-standard, production-ready tech packs to provide precise instructions for manufacturing garments.
With ASU’s first-of-a-kind partnership with Optitex, graduates will have one year of access to the software to continue honing their pattern-making skills, strengthening their portfolio and supporting their pursuit of fashion careers. Demonstrable experience with this software can give you a leg up when applying for technical design roles.
Choose the right fashion degree for your career goals
All fashion majors gain an understanding of the industry, from creative design and technical production to manufacturing, distribution, merchandising and retailing. The right specialization for you depends on your career goals and interests. Available concentrations include:
- Apparel product development
- Ideal for those who want to be involved in the entire product lifecycle from concept to consumer. As a generalist, you’ll focus on bringing products to market.
- Merchandising
- Designed for those interested in the core of the fashion business. You’ll study merchandising through the lens of branding, planning and buying.
- Technical design
- Best suited for those passionate about garment fit, construction and design. As a specialist in this field, you'll turn creative ideas into tangible products.
Do you want to pursue a career combining the creative and technical sides of the fashion industry? If so, Arizona State University’s online Bachelor of Arts in fashion with a concentration in apparel technical design may be an ideal fit. In this program, you’ll build practical skills to transform creative ideas into garments manufactured and distributed with accurate shape, fit and construction. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to make your mark on the fashion industry with highly sought-after technical skills in Optitex, Adobe Illustrator and more.
Coursework in this program will provide you with both the history and theory of fashion and the practical skills needed to turn creative ideas into marketable products. You’ll explore digital patternmaking and fit analysis in depth, including digital fitting using 3D prototypes that are 1:1 with physically made garments. Additionally, you’ll complete an internship as well as two semesters of capstone and portfolio courses to culminate your degree and prepare you with a body of work to show prospective employers.
ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is home to world-class scholars, artists and designers who inspire students to shape the future. Our faculty’s research is grounded in the transformative power of art and its ability to change the world. Faculty research areas include:
- Arts and design for social justice.
- Arts, education and arts-integrated education.
- Arts, entrepreneurship and cultural policy.
- Community engagement and public policy.
- Creative health collaborations.
- Design, arts, science and engineering.
- The study of creative work.
ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is the home to top-ranked programs from a variety of disciplines ranging from the arts, media and engineering to film, dance and theater. We train artists and designers to leverage their creativity and problem-solving abilities to advance culture, build community and transform society.
students.
internationally recognized faculty members.
programs in arts, media and engineering, design, dance and theater, film and music.
best graduate school for fine arts, according to U.S. News & World Report, 2020.
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”