Apparel Design B.S.

Apparel design students learn to design, produce, and market apparel and wearable products by developing the creative thinking and technical expertise to address contemporary issues while using industry technologies, communicating design ideas, and gaining an understanding of the domestic and global apparel industry. The program incorporates custom design and industry production approaches and trains designers to create products that effectively address both fashion and function. The program focuses on a research-based design process used by many design industries, and courses incorporate industry-sponsored projects and community service projects. Studio courses replicate the professional working methods of apparel designers. In addition to providing a strong liberal arts curriculum, courses offer essential background in fashion history, trends, consumer behavior, and social and cultural meanings of apparel. A required internship and mentor experience provides students with professional experience. A capstone project presents students' achievements to the professional community.

Graduates of the program work in various settings, including entrepreneurship, product development and quality assurance for large retail companies, product design for small and large manufacturers, protective clothing and wearable technology design, theater and film design, and custom design.