Online distance education is a strong industry that is continuing to grow and change as more people realize the benefits of receiving their education online. In addition to more traditional programs, there are a number of specializations that are currently available through distance education. If your goal is to attend fashion school and work in the fashion industry, there are many online fashion design schools are available to choose from.
There are many benefits to taking courses online. Distance education cuts out anything extraneous, like commuting, so you can focus solely on your education. You will have much more flexibility, and can study at your own pace. Many people who learn online have other jobs and commitments, and with a little planning and effort, they are able to both study and work at the same time. Taking online courses does require some dedication, but if you are self-motivated, it can be a great way to learn.
With many online fashion design schools, you will fill out either a mail or online application to register for the courses. Your classes will be a mixture of self-study, usually with a textbook or workbook, and online lesson modules. You may have the ability to work with others online, or have online or email chat to the teacher and other students. Some classes may even utilize a web cam, so you can see others, and your teacher and classmates can see you. Because of the nature of online courses, you may even have your final exam be open book, with an emphasis on critical thinking, or involved projects.
If you are planning to attend a US-based school, you will want to make sure they are accredited. Many schools will offer an associate degree,and some may even offer a bachelor. The Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), is the accrediting body for distance education programs, and some schools may even have an additional accreditation specifically related to fashion design.
Many of the traditional campuses for vocational and technical schools also offer an online fashion design program. For example, Westwood College, a leading vocational school,offers an online Bachelor Degree in Fashion Merchandising. The Art Institute also has a variety of online programs, including a Fashion and Retail Management Program.
If you are truly interested in receiving a fashion design education, you can make it happen. With the Internet, distance does not have to be an impediment to learning. If you are self-motivated and self-directed, an online fashion design program could be the next step in your fashion design career.
Archive for Fashion Designer
Online Fashion Design Schools-What You Need To Know
Where to Start on the Road to Fashion Design
If you are one of the many people that are contemplating a career in fashion design then there are a few things that you can do to help to put yourself ahead of the pack. One important skill that you will need to have in fashion design is drawing. Learning to draw out your fashion design ideas is something of importance that can’t be overstated.
The better you are at drawing detailed ideas of yours and others design ideas, the better you will be at communicating your ideas to others in the business. It is important that you learn to make detailed drawings that show even the most minute details in a creation. The more that you work on drawing out your ides the more the good ideas will pop into your head.
Great ideas are the core of becoming a great fashion designer, because the best fashion designers are true visionaries. This is because, they have to think a full year ahead of everyone else, for this years line of fashion products started out as ideas that were drawn out the previous year.
It is also important to remember that not every idea they you are going to have is going to be a big splash. Many song writers write songs for years before they develop the ability to write songs that sell. Being able to feel what people want can come from seeing what they don’t want.
This means that if your ideas turn out to meet rejection then don’t worry about it and just go back to the drawing pad and come up with something new to present. In time you will develop a better sense for what people are willing to accept and then you can rely on that sense when you are drawing your new ideas.
High Heels, High Hopes, and the Role of Fashion Design Schools
The fashion world has long been filled with glitz and glamour. The ramp for models is always long, dramatic, and well-lighted. The walk is certainly a walk for fame, fortunately for aspirants but sometimes leading to a walk for shame. Who is behind all these promises and/or even breakdowns? No less than the fashion designers.
What, exactly, does a fashion designer do?
Basically, with streaks of talent, creativity, and sensitivity, fashion designers, as if influenced by Rumpelstiltskin, craft accessory and clothing sketches. They usually concentrate in one nature of accessory or garment such as women’s or men’s apparels, swimwear, lingerie, children’s garments, handbags, and even shoes. They, sometimes, lead the groundwork of the creation and promotion of their creations.
Famous fashion designers prefer to be self-employed and they cater for the request of their clients. Some cater to high-fashion department stores or to specialty stores. They establish fashion statements by setting the colors, silhouette, and type of materials that are worn each season.
There are also some designers who are employed by manufacturers of clothes. These designers just adapt fashion statements set by other designers for the market. However, there are small manufacturers who just purchase or copy designs.
Both designers sketch unique garments and follow certain trends in fashion. Likewise, both need assistants who should get used to the fast-paced schedule of the fashion business.
In detail, these designers execute the following tasks:
• Draw their unique designs.
• Create patterns for sample garments.
• Choose textile and add-ons (accessories).
• Apply tailoring and basic dressmaking principles along with draping techniques and flat pattern works.
• Fit and alter the completed product, if necessary.
• Set-up a fashion show.
• Compare the performance of the merchandise against the competitors.
• Keep self up-to-date of latest fashion trends thru magazines and other fashion shows.
• Have frequent trips to fabric showrooms to keep self updated of latest type of fabrics.
Actually, fashion designers can be categorized as follows:
1. Lead or Head Designers
They take care of the executive and creative tasks.
2. Assistant or Apprentice Designers
They usually make patterns and sample garments. They may also teach sample makers how to make patterns and designer garments.
3. Specialty Designers
They coordinate with other designers about special lines of garments.
4. Costume or Theatrical Designers
They usually create costumes used in theater and movie productions on a contractual basis.
The foundations for their creations are their knowledge, skills, and abilities honed in fashion schools and trainings in the long run.
• Basic Design – This refers to technical know-how included in the creation and use of technical blueprints, drawings, plans, and models.
• Idea Production – This is the ability of designers to approach problems creatively and resourcefully.
• Dynamic Learning – This is being able to analyze implications of new information and materials at hand.
• Operations Scrutiny – This is considering requirements of products to execute a design.
• Uniqueness – This pertains to unusual cleverness vis-à-vis trying situations.
• Harmonization – This is being able to having good coordination with others.
• Visioning – This is being able to see how an organization works under real conditions.
The talents and skills of these artists are really important in the fashion industry. The work requires an eye for a striking creation and business management. Thus, aside from the portfolio of their usually creations, formal education help these designers acquire the secrets of the trade in this business. In fact, graduation from a college or school that provides training on fashion and design is highly recommended in the industry, to keep incoming designers updated on the advent of new techniques and technologies.
However, some leaders of this industry view vocational training schools and community college as more capable of producing competent artists because these institutions work along with clothing industries.
Vocational schools provide trainings in sketching, draping and grading, pattern making, garment construction, textiles and trimmings, costume history, principles of design and color; and how to plan and market seasonal fashion lines.
High school students inclined in fashion and design should finish basic courses in arts, sewing, mathematics, speech, English, and business.
Usually, vocational institutions provide a two-leveled program with certificate that is consonant to the degree in Associate of Arts. For those who want to enter the fashion field immediately, a first level certificate of proficiency is provided. The next level of proficiency, the second-level requires a greater time of completion. But upon graduation, artists are considered competent enough to aim for positions as Assistant Designers. After all the necessary formal trainings and specializations, those who have the guts and high hopes spin gold fabrics!