Fashion Designing Syllabus & Subjects 2023: Semester-wise List, Top Colleges Syllabus PDF
Akansha BishtContent Writer
In recent times, fashion designing has emerged as an exciting and appealing career choice. This course involves learning and gaining in-depth knowledge about the art of designing garments and other lifestyle accessories. With ever-evolving fashion trends, this course helps aspiring candidates to showcase their creativity in the form of saleable fashion.
Fashion designing courses have numerous branches and welcome students from all backgrounds. Although students predominantly choose undergraduate followed by postgraduate programmes, diploma and certification courses are also available for aspiring fashion designers.
- Syllabus - Important Facts for Fashion Designing
- List of subjects in Fashion Designing
- Detailed syllabus for Fashion Designing
- Specialisation offered in Fashion Designing
- Books and Authors related to Fashion Designing
- Entrance examinations for Fashion Designing
- Syllabus for Distance/Online Programs for Fashion Designing
- Top Colleges for Fashion Designing in India
- Frequently Asked Questions
Syllabus - Important Facts for Fashion Designing
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Bachelor of Design: It is a three-year undergraduate course dealing with clothing and accessory design. This course offers a holistic learning experience for students by providing both classroom and training sessions. In this course, students learn about design patterns, fabrics, trends in fashion, marketing, etc. According to their preference, aspirants can choose a BSc or BA degree.
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Bachelor of Fashion Technology (BFTech): Bachelor of Fashion Technology is similar to a course in fashion design, the main difference being that a BFTech course introduces students to the use of science and technology in the world of fashion. The four-year undergraduate program also provides insights into conceptualising and marketing fashion products. Various workshops and training sessions help students develop their creativity in the fashion industry.
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Master of Fashion Design: Master of Fashion Design is a two-year postgraduate program focusing on research practice and specialising in design thinking. This program helps hone students’ aptitude and skills and prepares them for the real world as fashion design professionals.
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Master of Fashion Management: This two-year postgraduate program is aimed at the development of managerial and leadership skills of the students. Over the course of two years, students are trained in marketing, merchandising, retailing, supply chain management and garment exports. The course also stresses on financial development, focuses on research projects and also, on analytical approach for the holistic skill development of the students.
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Master of Fashion Technology: It is the most popular postgraduate course among fashion students. The duration of this course is two years and covers all the aspects of fashion and design. Students of this course are exposed to the technical and manufacturing aspects of design along with the knowledge and skills to handle managerial roles in the fashion industry.
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Diploma in Fashion Designing: A diploma in fashion designing is a skill-oriented course of 12-18 months’ duration. With a wide variety of subjects covered, students learn everything from the specifics of design to starting and sustaining a brand.
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Online fashion designing courses and certifications: The prevalence of online education has already reached the fashion industry. Many students are enrolling in online fashion designing courses after the 12th. These courses are very short-term, from weeks to a few months, and accredit students with a valuable certificate that is widely accepted.
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General examination pattern: Students are evaluated on the basis of mid-semester and end-semester exams, projects and assignments. However, for online courses, there is one final examination.
List of subjects in Fashion Designing
Typical Core Subjects for Fashion Designing
Subject title |
Subject details |
---|---|
Pattern Making and Garment Construction |
In this subject, students will learn how to make the blueprints of different garments, also called patterns. In the fashion industry, patterns are made to cut the fabric pieces to create garments. There are three types of pattern making - drafting, draping and flat paper pattern making. |
Fashion Illustration and Design |
This subject explains how to communicate different fashion ideas in a visual form with the help of illustration, sketching or drawing. Students will also learn about the Principles of Design, which are,
|
Fashion and Art Design |
Fashion and Art form a bridge that links the two together, and in this subject, students learn about the influence of art in the world of fashion and the artistic way of expressing personalities. |
CAD (computer-aided design) |
This essential subject in fashion design teaches students about creating models based on geometric designs. This computer-aided design is usually depicted in 2D or 3D models and is essential for designers to quickly design and bring the product out to the market. |
Fashion Ornamentation |
Fashion designing also teaches the students how to decorate textiles and garments to give an aesthetic look. In this subject, attendants are taught different types of embroidery and decorative work on fabric. |
Fashion Technology |
Technology plays a crucial role in the fashion world, and students are taught how to make the best out of it. This subject focuses on working with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other designing software to enhance production, quality and efficiency and help maintain standardisation. |
Textile Wet Processing |
This subject is mainly focused on treating textile and garments with colourant and/or chemicals. Textile wet processing is divided into four parts - pretreatment, dyeing, printing and finishing. |
Fashion Marketing |
It is the branch of the fashion industry that deals with advertising campaigns and promotional events for clothing and accessories. In this subject, students learn about managing the flow of merchandise, from production to retail customers, while maintaining profits. |
Detailed syllabus for Fashion Designing
Fashion designing is studied across different institutions and colleges and each institution has its own syllabus and curriculum. However, broadly the syllabus is standard across institutions nationwide. Here is a general overview of the syllabus.
Semesters |
Core/Elective |
Subject title |
Subject details |
---|---|---|---|
I & II |
Elements of Fashion Design |
Elements of Fashion Design |
In the first two semesters of the fashion designing course, students are introduced to basic concepts of design. The subject is mainly focused on the foundation and fundamentals of various clothing and textile. Students are also introduced to Pattern Making and Garment Construction and Embroidery and Surface Orientation. |
III & IV |
Pattern Making and Garment Construction |
Pattern Making and Garment Construction |
This subject is the expansion of Elements of Fashion Design with more detailed information. Students are taught more about applied aspects of the industry as well as ethics and aesthetics. Some of the topics that this subject covers are,
|
V & VI |
Fashion Marketing |
Fashion Marketing |
This subject gives the finishing touch to the third-year students in order to be successful in this industry. The meticulous subject covers topics such as,
|
Specialisation offered in Fashion Designing
With the evolution of fashion, this industry broadened its horizon and is still expanding. Graduates of Fashion Designing do not limit themselves to just being fashion designers but also specialising in certain domains. This not only helps them to experiment with popular trends and what’s new in the market but also gives them the chance to explore the industry further. Here is a list of the most popular specialization courses that fashion designers opt for.
Specialisation |
Subjects |
Details |
---|---|---|
Graphic Design |
|
This specialisation is designed for students who have a knack for graphics in the fashion industry. It provides students with the basic knowledge of graphics and illustrations in the fashion industry. Students specialising in this course also get handy with the latest computer software, illustration, and production techniques. |
Visual Merchandising |
|
Visual merchandising is the art of presentation and plays an important role in the retail business of the fashion industry. Students learn about presenting products in a visually and creatively appealing manner to the client. They also learn the best practices in communicating and collaborating with outlets and boutiques across the country to boost sales. There are five types of Visual Merchandising.
|
Fashion Photography |
|
This genre of photography in fashion designing focuses on clothing and showcasing it along with accessories. This specialised subject helps both amateur and professional fashion photography aspirants to build the necessary skills required in the field of fashion photography. |
Fashion Journalism |
|
This course assists students in developing communication skills and understanding the nitty-gritty of fashion media. Students are taught about photoshoots, the art of interviewing, blogging, presentation, etc. along with the history of fashion and current trends. |
Fashion PR |
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This course is designed for students who are interested in the public relations aspect of fashion design. The course provides insights into how fashion is evolving into lifestyle communities and how businesses can build loyal customers ensuring consistent sales. |
Books and Authors related to Fashion Designing
The fashion world is very diverse, and the knowledge of culture and history related to fashion is important for the students to understand its working. Different authors have penned down their experiences on the best ways to learn fashion design. Here is the list of the top five books that the students find most valuable.
Subject |
Book title |
Author |
Description of the book |
---|---|---|---|
History of Fashion |
The End of Fashion |
Teri Agins |
Teri Agins does an amazing job in penning down the history of fashion. This book speaks about the transition of fashion from elitists to the masses. Students prefer this book to understand the history and psychology of fashion. |
CAD |
Fashion Design: Process, Innovation and Practice (2nd Edition) |
Kathryn McKelvey and Janine Munslow |
The two authors from Northumbria University wrote this book to analyse the logical processes to determine success in the fashion industry. The book contains high-quality illustrations and a strong design concept. |
Design and Illustration |
Colours for Modern Fashion (CFMF) |
Nancy Reigelman |
This book discusses interesting and innovative ideas on drawing, sketching, colour and photo sequences. Aspiring fashion designers can refer to this book for in-depth knowledge of colour and design theory as well as concept illustrations used in modern fashion. |
Drawing |
Fashion Sketchbook |
Bina Bling |
All beginners can opt for this book for a clear interpretation of ideas and easy-to-follow drawing steps. This book focuses on accessory sketches, detail of garments, figure poses, etc. |
Language |
The Little Dictionary of Fashion |
Christian Dior |
This handy book is self-explanatory in its title. This is not a regular book; Christian Dior wrote this book in order to familiarise lay people with terminologies used in this industry, and it is recommended to every aspiring Fashion Designer. |
Entrance examinations for Fashion Designing
In India, most of the entrance exams are held at the central level. Upon qualifying for these exams, students are able to secure themselves at a top-tier fashion designing institute. The minimum qualification for these exams is 10+2. Below is a list of top entrance exams for fashion designing.
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All India Entrance Examination for Design
The syllabus for these examinations includes topics related to:
Qualitative and quantitative thinking
Logical and analytical reasoning
Creativity
Sensitivity and conceptual knowledge of the various aspects of fashion.
Exams are held in an MCQ format, and the difficulty level of these exams ranges from moderate to high.
Syllabus for Distance/Online Programs for Fashion Designing
The Internet has made this world a smaller place, and now, aspiring designers are able to pursue their interests from the comfort of their homes. Over the years, several online learning platforms have come up with fashion designing as a part of their academics. These platforms or websites offer quality education to the candidates, apart from offering globally valid certification. Students interested in learning fashion designing but are not able to afford a full-time course can certainly opt for distance or online programs.
Top Colleges for Fashion Designing in India
Searching for top colleges can be a challenge. We have simplified this process for you. Here is a list of the top 10 colleges and institutions in India based on curriculum, courses and the quality they offer.
Sl no. |
College/University/Institute |
Links |
---|---|---|
1. |
National Institute of Fashion Designing |
To be uploaded soon |
2. |
Pearl Academy |
To be uploaded soon |
3. |
NIFT, Hyderabad |
To be uploaded soon |
4. |
NIFT, Delhi |
To be uploaded soon |
5. |
NIFT, Mumbai |
To be uploaded soon |
6. |
NIFT, Bangalore |
To be uploaded soon |
7. |
Symbiosis Institute of Design |
Download Here |
8. |
Army Institute of Fashion and Design |
Download Here |
9. |
JD Institute of Fashion and Technology |
Download Here |
10. |
Vogue Institute of Art and Design |
To be uploaded soon |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is there scope for fashion design in India?
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Garment and Textile Export Houses
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Television and Film Industry
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Boutiques
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Textile and Fabric Manufacturing Units
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Branded Fashion Showrooms
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Teaching and Training
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Retail Chains
Q. What are the subjects in fashion designing
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Pattern Making and Garment Construction
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Fashion Illustration and Design
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Fashion and Art Design
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CAD (computer-aided design)
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Fashion Ornamentation
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Fashion Technology
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Textile Wet Processing
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Fashion Marketing
Q. Is fashion designing a good course?
Q. Will I get a job after completing a fashion designing course?
Q. Which is better - Bachelor of Design or Bachelor of Fashion Technology?
Q. Does fashion designing require candidates to clear the NIFT Entrance Exam?
Q. Which specific career in fashion design is the best?
Q. Is there any entrance test for fashion designing courses?
Q. Do you need maths for fashion designing?
Q. Can Arts students do fashion designing?
Q. Is fashion designing hard?
Q. Is fashion worth studying?
Q. Which is the best country for a career in fashion design?
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Most Popular Courses
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- Master of Fashion Technology (M.FTech)National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi
- Master of Fashion Management (MFM)National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi
- Certificate in Creative Thinking and Design DevelopmentNational Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi
- Certificate in Fashion Retail ManagementNational Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi
- Certificate in Garment Export Merchandising and ManagementNational Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi
- B.Des. in Accessory DesignNational Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi
- B.FTech. in Apparel ProductionNational Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi
- B.Des. in Fashion CommunicationNational Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi
- B.Des. in Fashion DesignNational Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi
- B.Des. in Knitwear DesignNational Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi
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News & Updates
Dec 24, 2024
Dec 24, 2024
Student Forum
Answered Yesterday
NIFD Global Vashi offers courses such as BDes and BVoc as the flagship programme. The Institute offers BDes in Fashion Design for the duration of 4 years on the basis of merit. Candidates must secure a minimum aggregate in Class 12 from a recognised university and make it through the selection proce
U
Beginner-Level 4
Answered Yesterday
The BDes in Fashion Designing curriculum followed at INSD Pune comprises a range of theoretical and practical subjects. The following table enlists some subjects included in the course curriculum:
Theoretical Subjects | Practical Subjects |
---|---|
|
|
H
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Dear Rahul,
Pearl Academy in New Delhi offers a Bachelor of Design (B.Des) in Fashion Design, a four-year undergraduate program. The total tuition fee for the entire course is approximately INR 29.94 lakh.
Regarding the cutoff information for the B.Des in Fashion Design program, specific cutoff marksA
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 days ago
1. Research Universities and Courses:
Find the Best Fashion Design Schools: Look up and note the best universities for fashion design abroad. The most renowned schools for fashion design are:
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), USA
Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, UK
Parsons Scho
Answered 2 days ago
Yes, you can pursue a Diploma in fashion design after completing your 10th grade. Several institutions offer such programs, typically lasting one to two years, focusing on various aspects of fashion design, including garment construction, pattern making, and fabric selection.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Com
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 3 days ago
Yes, here are some popular online programs you can pursue for free of cost.
Fashion Design Course | Course Provider | Tuition Fee |
---|---|---|
Diploma in Fashion Design | Alison | Free |
Diploma and Certifications | Coursera | Free |
Circular Fashion: Design, Science and Value in a Sustainable Clothing Industry | edX | Free |
Note: The information is soured from the official body of the institutes.
L
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 3 days ago
Hi, here are some of the best Fashion Design college options in India you can pursue a PhD from:
Fashion Design colleges | Tuition Fee |
---|---|
Amity School of Fashion Technology | INR 3 Lakh |
Woxsen University | INR 50,000 |
Lovely Professional University | INR 3 Lakh |
Vellore Institute of Technology - Chennai | INR 1 Lakh |
Manipal University Jaipur | INR 81,900 |
Note: The information is sourced from the official body of the institutes.
R
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 3 days ago
The 1st year Syllabus of the Global Fashion Design course includes the basics of experimentation and innovation. It includes subjects like Design Principles / Design Practice, 2D to 3D, The body as an object (Experimental design & construction), Future Thinking (Forecasting), and so on.
The next yea
S
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 3 days ago
During the BSc Fashion Design admission process, you should career a few things important to complete the procedure seamlessly:
- Passport-Sized Photographs
- Class 10 and 12 Marksheets
- Valid ID Proof (adhar, passport, PAN Card, etc.)
- Design Portfolio (If you have any)
R
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 3 days ago
Though 35% marks can be way more less to get admission to a top-rated Fashion Design colleges in India, there are still many Fashion Design colleges you can get admission to. However, you will need to search for the colleges offering admission on the respective scores and see their eligibility crite
I
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 6 days ago
Yes, Jewellery Design courses are considered to be one of the easiest courses to pursue among the candidates and have the potential to provide employment to a large portion of the population in theupcoming times due to their simple and easy learning curve. You need to have a creative mindset and the
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
The topics/subjects included in the curriculum are related to the kids fashion industry. In this professional certificate course, the students get to learn and hands-on experience. Mentioned below are the subjects included in the course curriculum:
- Kidswear Design Principles
- Garment Construction for K
R
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 weeks ago
The INSD Pune curriculum for BSc in Fashion Designing is spread over six semesters. In each semester, students have to study various theoretical and practical subjects which carry certain credit points. Some subjects included in the BSc (Fashion Designing) curriculum for the first year are presented
H
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
According to the latest report, the highest package offered during LPU BDes placements 2023 stood at INR 18 LPA. Further, the LPU average package offered to BSc Fashion Technology and BDes in 2023 stood at INR 4 LPA. The key highlights of Fashion Designing placements at Lovely Professional Universit
Answered 3 weeks ago
Many online courses include projects where you create original designs. Here are some tips for building a fashion design portfolio:
- Showcase Diversity: Include sketches, fabric choices, mood boards, and garment samples.
- Focus on Quality: Select your best work, demonstrating attention to detail.
- Highlig
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
To change your campus from Ahmedabad to NCR while registering for the B.Des in Fashion Design and Styling at United World (G.D. Goenka), you should first contact the admissions office directly. Reach out via phone or email and inform them of your desire to switch campuses. They will check the availa
Answered 3 weeks ago
Fashion design courses typically cover tools like:
- Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop: For creating digital sketches, mood boards, and layouts.
- CLO 3D and Optitex: For 3D garment visualization, virtual fitting, and prototyping.
- TUKAcad: A specialised tool for pattern making, grading, and technical specifi
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Here are some of the Top Fashion Design Courses offered by the top vendors -
- Designing Fashion: Design, Science and Value in a Sustainable Clothing Industry by edX
- Designing and Creating Trousers by edX
- Designing0 in Fashion Design by Alison
- Fashion Design by Coursera
- Digital Fashion Reality by Coursera
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
A fashion designer need to be a pro at the below tools and skills.
Fashion Design Tools
- AutoCAD
- CorelDRAW
- PatternSmith
- AIMS360
- TUKAcad
- Rhino
- Indigo8
- PolyPM
- Bluescape
- ConceptDraw PRO
- BlueCherry
- Delogue PLM
- COMPREHENSIV ERP
Business Skills
- Creativity and a good understanding of colors, textures and shapes
- Excellent ve
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
In today's competitive world, it has become essential that students gain industry-based skills along with pursuing a college degree. Especially in fields such as Fashion, students must have necessary practical skills along with theoretical knowledge. Listed below are some of the skills demanded from
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
LaSalle College Vancouver offers a three-year on-campus Bachelor's in Fashion Design taught in English. The programme primarily focuses on sustainable design principles, along with the development of expertise in Business Development, fashion marketing, and digital marketing. Furthermore, the progra
S
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 4 weeks ago
The Kohinoor Technical Institute's eligibility criteria for applying to the Diploma in Fashion Designing (CAD) is generally as follows :--
Educational Qualification: 10th class or 12th class from a recognized board.
Age Limit: Not specified, but applicants should be above 16 years old...
Basic Knowledg
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Admission to the Post Graduate Diploma in Fashion Design at SFI requires candidates to have completed their graduation. The selection process includes a Common Entrance Test (CET) conducted by the institute, followed by a personal interview. Meeting the eligibility criteria and performing well in th
U
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
Hello greetings!
NIFT Exam Pattern 2025 B.It consists of 100 multiple-choice questions based on Quantitative Ability, Communication Ability, English Comprehension, Analytical Ability, and General Knowledge and Current Affairs. The exam is conducted offline.
Exam Details
GAT: 2 hours for B.Desand M.Des,
Answered a month ago
Yes, you need to bring a valid photo ID to the Indian Institute of Art and Design (IIAD) 2025 entrance exam along with your admit card and follow the exam guidelines.
Without I'd candidate will not allowed inside the exam hall.The I'd proof must be original. No photocopy will be accepted.The candidat
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
The Knitwear industry is composed of a promising future, reinforced with new-age technology, talented Knitwear designers and lots of creativity.
Students belonging to this domain have a wide range of career opportunities in Textile and Knit industry, handloom and handicrafts organizations, NGOs, desi
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Yes, there are a few colleges in India offering distance programs for Knitwear Design:
Knitwear Design Distance Colleges | Tuition Fee |
---|---|
Netaji Subhas Open University | INR 15,000 |
Madras Institute of Fashion Technology - MIFT | - |
Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Here are some popular Knitwear Design books that can be helpful for students gathering additional knowledge about their field:
- Sweater Design in Plain English by Maggie Righetti.
- Pop Knitting: Bold Motifs Using Color & Stitch by Britt-Marie.
- Knitting To Fit: Learn to Design Basic Sweater Patterns by
A
Contributor-Level 10
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