Fashion Designing Online Courses & Certifications

Fashion design is the art of applying aesthetic and visual principles and dressmaking techniques to create clothing, footwear and accessories. Although humans have been making garments for millennia, the modern institution of haute couture houses run by a designer who oversees creative direction has only existed since the mid-19th century, when designer Charles Frederick Worth, born in England and based in Paris, started putting name tags on his clothes. As per Statista, the fashion industry is valued at more than $3 trillion and is one of the largest industries in the world. 

A fashion designer is responsible for studying different fashion trends, designing and selecting materials, and participating in the production aspects of their designs. They give a specific look to individual garments and other products and oversee the shape, colour, fabric, trimmings, and other aspects of the design as a whole.

The main areas of work for fashion designers include -

1. High street fashion - This includes designing patterns based on seasonal and other current trends. It is largely influenced by celebrity catwalks and is heavily media-led.
2. Ready-to-wear - Designers create ready-to-wear collections. The number is relatively smaller.
3. Haute couture – Designs are created to endorse the brand and create a 'look'.
4. Footwear design - Produce different styles of shoes and boots.
5. Accessory design – This includes designing and producing items like handbags, belts, scarves, headgear, hosiery, eyewear, and suitcases.

Why Study Fashion Designing? 

Fashion designing allows you to unleash your creativity, uniquely express yourself and influence society with your ideas and creations. If you are wondering why you should study fashion design, then here are some reasons that can help you consider studying fashion design -

Creative Expression

Fashion design offers a platform to unleash your creativity, from sketching to fabric selection, allowing you to bring your artistic vision to life.

Problem-Solving Skills 

In the fast-paced fashion industry, designers must think critically and solve problems quickly. Studying fashion design inculcates these skills, which are applicable across various industry domains.

Growth Opportunities 

The ever-evolving fashion landscape offers many career paths to explore, such as Fashion Designer, Technical Designer, Textile Designer, Fashion Stylist, Personal Shopper, etc., offering lucrative pay packages.

Collaboration 

Fashion design involves collaborating with professionals like pattern makers and sample creators. Learning fashion design fosters collaboration skills crucial to thrive in the fashion industry.

Global Industry 

Fashion is a global arena, offering opportunities to engage with diverse cultures and markets. Understanding global fashion dynamics can be pivotal for success.

Personal Satisfaction 

Witnessing your creations come to life and being utilised by others can be immensely fulfilling, making fashion design a gratifying career choice.

Flexibility 

Whether working in-house or freelancing, fashion designers can set their schedules and pursue projects aligned with their interests.

Fashion Design and Management 

Fashion design education can help you move up the career ladder and lead to management roles, where overseeing production and distribution requires strong organisational and leadership abilities.

Fashion Designing Courses Eligibility 

Below is the eligibility criteria for different types of Fashion Designing courses  –

Course	Eligibility Criteria
Diploma in Fashion Designing	10+2 in any discipline from a recognised board.
Bachelor in Fashion Designing	10+2 in any discipline from a recognised board.
Master of Fashion Designing	Graduate degree in any discipline from a recognised institute/university  OR  Completion of an undergraduate diploma of a minimum of three years duration.
M.F.Tech.	B.F.Tech from a recognised institute/university OR Completion of B.E/B.Tech. from a recognised institute/university

Note – The cut-off percentage of marks differs according to the university/college/institute. Do check the course advertisement.

How to Learn Fashion Designing?

Here are some basic steps to help you learn fashion design - 

1. Develop your skills

Successful fashion designers have a wide range of skills, such as drawing, an eye for colour and texture, the ability to visualise concepts in three dimensions, and the mechanical skills necessary for sewing and cutting all fabric types.

Tips

1. If you have yet to learn the basics of fashion design, consider taking sewing classes. Sewing can be challenging, especially with tricky fabrics, but mastering it will significantly benefit your career.  
2. Understand how fabrics move, wrap, breathe, react when worn, etc. Your in-depth knowledge of the fabric is essential to use it when designing correctly. Also, you must learn where to get the materials from.
3. Learn from existing designers, not just who they are but also their background, signature style, the learning they undertook, and where they studied. Knowing this will help you be a better designer since you can follow in their footsteps.
4. Learn how to create storyboards and product ranges. Get good at researching trends and finding inspiration on social media, comparison shopping, and trade shows.
5. Start developing these skills at an early age (as early as middle school). Prepare to spend hours perfecting your craft. A little bit each day will give you a deep understanding of fashion in the long run if you plan to pursue a career.

Who Should Take Up Fashion Designing Courses?

Consider studying Fashion Design if... 

1. You like fashion in general, from clothes to shoes to accessories that can be worn by a model for a ramp walk or kept decorated on the sideboard of a boutique.
2. You are interested in creating different products and have manual skills to make different accessories.
3. You are good at drawing, understanding space and shape, and always having a creative solution for everything.
4. You see yourself working in your own boutique, in a textile production workshop or with a fashion label.
5. You aim to work for high-street fashion brands like GUCCI, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Chanel, Hermes, Dior, etc. 

How to Learn Fashion Design?

Learning fashion design involves a combination of formal education, hands-on experience, and continuous skill development. Here is a simplified guide on how to get started -

1.  Pursue online fashion design courses

Pursuing online fashion design courses can help you understand everything about the history of fashion design, including manipulating textiles, drawing clothes, attending fashion events, and managing a fashion house.

 In addition to learning practical skills like these, you will also work with industry professionals who can serve as essential contacts in the future. They will give you first-hand advice and feedback on your work. 

1. Polish your skills with practical experience.

Students must practice outside the classroom to hone the skills necessary to execute a design from idea to finished product. This hands-on learning can be accomplished through an internship program with a design company, clothing manufacturer, or personal stylist. Additionally, students can gain experience by volunteering for a fashion house. 

1. Learn the fashion business

Strong business acumen is a must if you wish to become an entrepreneur and run a company in the future. In addition to learning the creative side of the field, students must also become familiar with what happens behind the scenes. We refer to learning finance, sales and marketing.

1. Create a portfolio

Future fashion designers must create a portfolio demonstrating their creative skills and sensibilities to showcase their talents to potential employers. Students can fill their portfolios with work they have done during their degree program, so it is essential to treat each assignment as if they were going to show their work to a future boss. 

Portfolios allow people to showcase various skills, such as drawing, sewing and pattern-making. 

Top 5 Online Fashion Design Courses

Course Name	Vendor	Duration
Sustainable Fashion	Copenhagen Business School on Coursera	3 Weeks
Digital Fashion Innovation Specialization	Parsons School of Design, The New School on Coursera	1 Month
Circular Fashion: Design, Science and Value in a Sustainable Clothing Industry	WageningenX on edX	5 Weeks
Fashion Designer	National Skill Development Corporation	2 Weeks
Innovation: the Fashion Industry	FutureLearn	2 Weeks

How to Choose the Right Fashion Design Courses?

Choosing the right fashion design course depends on your goals, background, and learning style. Here are some tips to help you decide.

1. Enrol to beginner-level fashion design courses if you are considering a career in fashion design.
2. Short online courses focusing on illustration, patternmaking, or software can be ideal if you know about apparel or fashion design and are willing to develop specific skills.
3. Look for courses covering foundational design principles and practical skills like sketching, patternmaking, and garment making. 
4. Consider courses covering industry-standard design software like Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Autodesk AutoCAD, CorelDRAW, Optitex, Kaledo by Lectra, Lectra Modaris, etc.
5. To specialise in any domain, look for specialisations in areas such as styling, fashion photography, visual merchandising, costume design, textile design, fashion journalism, fashion theory, global fashion trends, sustainable fashion, etc.
6. Research the instructors' backgrounds and experience in the industry. Check their design portfolio and teaching experience.
7. If you are interested in formal degrees, check if the institution is accredited by a recognised fashion design association. 
8. Compare course fees, additional material costs, and the overall return on investment for your career goals.
9. Read student reviews for insights into the program's strengths, weaknesses, and learning experience.

Conclusion

A career in fashion design is an excellent option for innovative and creative minds who seek to translate their ideas using fabrics and various materials. This discipline is not limited to the creation of accessories and clothing but is part of an entire industry that affects society daily. Taking relevant fashion design courses can be the stepping stone to starting a successful career in fashion design.