Diploma in Fashion Techniques and Design
George Brown College
Key Information
Campus location
Toronto, Canada
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
CAD 17,147 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* for international students. All fees are subject to change, without notice
Introduction
The Fashion Techniques and Design program prepares you for careers in garment manufacturing design rooms. This is a women's wear program that simulates, as closely as possible, the industry's standards, practices, and facilities. You will use industrial machines and learn the essentials of technical illustration, pattern making, pattern grading, and clothing construction. Additional core subjects include textiles, technical specifications, and the history of costume. Program electives allow you to select specific related subject areas, such as fashion show development, portfolio development, draping, lingerie, men's pattern drafting, leather apparel, knitwear, and bridal and evening wear. Computer skills in Adobe Illustrator, pattern drafting, and pattern grading are included as core and elective courses and are continually upgraded to meet industry needs. This program covers introductory methods to more advanced concepts in the second year.
An annual fashion show and portfolio event highlight successful student projects. You have the opportunity to network with the industry, participate in numerous competitions, work on applied research projects, volunteer, and attend industry events.
Note: This program requires extensive sewing; manual dexterity and good vision are assets. Both sewing experience and access to a sewing machine outside of the campus facilities are expected.
At the School of Fashion and Jewellery, the learning environment is as diverse as our students and there are many extracurricular activities to take advantage of.
Program Requirements
The Fashion Techniques and Design program requires students to have access to a personal laptop or desktop computer, and reliable Internet access for synchronous classes.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships for international students at George Brown College are generally in-program awards based on students’ academic performance (and other criteria) at George Brown College after the beginning of the academic program.
Curriculum
Required Courses
Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
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Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
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**Based on the results of your placement test, you may be required to take COMM 1000 Introduction to College Communication before progressing to COMM 1007. COMM 1000 does not count as a course required for graduation, and you will be charged for this extra course.
Electives
*Program elective choices vary from semester to semester. These are examples of some of the program elective courses that may be offered:
- FASH 2082 Fashion Journalism – An Introduction
- FASH 1252 Fashion Business Communication
- FASH 1002 P.D.S. (Pattern Drafting System)
- FASH 1008 Visual Merchandising
- FASH 1084 Fashion Promotion and Advertising
- FASH 1125 Lingerie
- FASH 1132 Block Making
- FASH 1134 Collection Development
- FASH 1135 Independent Study
- FASH 2050 Draping
- FASH 2053 Men's Pattern Drafting
- FASH 2054 Portfolio Development
- FASH 2065 Bridal and Evening Wear
- FASH 2076 Fashion Project and Event Planning
- FASH 2078 Knitwear Product Development
- FASH 2077 Surface Textile Design
- FASH 2081 Introduction to Apparel Fit
- FASH 1090 Independent Study – Field Education
- FASH 1229 Costume Production for Film and Theatre
Articulation Agreement
Graduates may also be eligible for further study in other academic institutions.
Program Outcome
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Draft and grade flat patterns for mass garment production.
- Select and use production methods and techniques that best suit the fabric, pattern and design of the garments.
- Select garment materials that are compatible with the overall apparel design and meet the user's needs.
- Operate industrial sewing, pressing, grading and other technical equipment safely to professional standards.
- Apply technical and computing skills to fashion design and production.
- Research and analyze factors, trends, stylistic features and art principles that influence current fashions.
- Prepare visual and portfolio materials, product specifications and cost analysis for a product, project and/or market.
- Design, prototype and produce original patterns and garments using mass production industrial methods and equipment.
Career Opportunities
Your Career
This program is ideal for individuals with a love of fashion and a desire to be involved in the industry at various stages of creating a fashion line, from initial design concept to final product.
Graduates typically become members of a team in roles that might include:
- Pattern drafting or construction
- Drafting and construction specifications
- Product development
Graduates have had successful careers as:
- Assistant Designers
- Technical Designers
- Patternmakers
- Sample makers
- Assistant Apparel Technicians
- Graders
- Marker Makers
- Technical Illustrators
- Product Developers
- Stylists
- Design, Trend and Style consultants
- Bloggers
Workplaces range from small design studios to large manufacturing companies. In the last 40 years, graduates have also developed into entrepreneurs in design, sewing, and fashion service bureaus.
Future Study Options
Graduates of this program with a minimum program GPA of 2.7 are eligible for admission to George Brown postgraduate programs, including Apparel Technical Design (F414) and Sustainable Fashion Production (F415).
Students who successfully complete this program with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher may be eligible for admission into fashion programs at other post-secondary institutions.