Fashion Design (BFA)
Mission
The Department of Fashion Design is committed to the development of students’ unique creative voices as evidenced by articulate expression, effective visuals, esthetic sophistication, and innovative design. The integrated innovate learning systems taught by fashion professionals applies directly to industry requirements. A strong grasp, deep understanding of fashion history, theory and the cultural relevance of clothing generates work inspired by personal vision and research, rather than trends. Graduates, having mastered an array of technical, collaborative and problem-solving skills will be resilient and ethical force in this competitive and rapidly changing global industry.
Additional Learning Opportunities
Internship/Work Experience
Prior to graduation, students must complete 120 hours of internship or work experience in the fashion, costume, or apparel industries. The internship placement is approved by the department chair as well as the student’s advisor. It is recommended that each student have passed the Progress Portfolio review and be, at minimum, in junior standing before interning. This may be paid or unpaid internship. Students are responsible for completing an internship contract with the sponsor company and the chair of the department, and maintaining a written journal, which may include art detailing the experience, how they met the learning objectives, and what professional skills they gained from the internship. At the completion of the internship, the host company must complete an evaluation of the student’s work, including a statement of number of hours completed. This signed evaluation will be submitted to the chair of the department to complete the requirements of the internship.
Professional assessment, conducted by internship host companies, demonstrates each student’s preparedness for real-world design environments.
Lecture Series and Special Workshops
Students are required to attend lectures, panel discussions, and workshops by industry professionals, often as part of their course syllabus. Lecturers include designers, business owners, historians, and other practitioners. Special workshops vary depending on the design direction of key projects.
Fashion Student Organization
Fashion Design Students have an active organization, Behind the Seams, which puts on fundraisers and other special events. Students also are encouraged to join professional organizations, such as Fashion Group International of Los Angeles (FGILA), the California Fashion Association (CFA), and the Costume Society of America. They also are taught the skills needed to participate in social media networking and blogs.
Technology and Computer Requirements
The Fashion Design Department requires its graduates to be literate in the current media of fashion and costume design as demonstrated by the following:
- Proficiency in digital applications using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, and in executing creative concepts in fashion using CAD
- Proficiency in computer-based programs to create presentation boards, technical flats, tech packs, and finished design groups
- Proficiency in word processing, document formatting, and file management for creating specification sheets, pattern cards, and cost sheets. Bibliographic documentation of database use and citation of web-based sources are required for all Fashion Design courses
- Proficiency in internet research, library research using online search engines and online fashion market predictive services
- Students are responsible for email, printing, and network log-on accounts
The Fashion Design Department does not require a laptop computer, but recommends that each student have one.
Program Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
Program Goal 1: History and Theory
PLO 1.1 Develop foundational knowledge of the history of fashion design, including the influences of works and ideas on the evolution of fashion design study and practice over time and across cultures.
Program Goal 2: Research and Inquiry
PLO 2.1 Develop designs for various markets in consideration of the characteristics and organization of those markets.
PLO 2.2 Determine design priorities and alternatives; research, define and evaluate criteria and requirements.
PLO 2.3 Coordinate project elements throughout the design process and understand communications to professionals.
Program Goal 3: Design process
PLO 3.1 Understanding of how design elements, including color, texture, and pattern, contribute to the aesthetic, illusionistic, and practical functions of three-dimensional forms.
PLO 3.2 Develop industry quality portfolio including mood boards, illustrations and flats, customer profiles, trend analysis, and garment photographs.
PLO 3.3 Apply functional knowledge of human form and function, including sketching, life drawing, rendering. FDES Program Review 2022.
Program Goal 4: Construction
PLO 4.1 Develop knowledge and skills in the use of basic tools, techniques, and processes sufficient to produce work from draft or specifications to finished product.
PLO 4.2 Develop skills in draping the human body and construction of garments.
Program Goal 5: Technology
PLO 5.1 Develop working knowledge of equipment and techniques to produce industry quality garments.
PLO 5.2 Understand and apply industry standard software including 2D and 3D CAD applications and digital design software.
Program Goal 6: Professional Practice
PLO 6.1 Understand professional design practices and processes, including professional and ethical behaviors and intellectual property issues such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
PLO 6.2 Understand business practices including marketing, entrepreneurship, accounting, manufacturing, ethics, intellectual property, labor issues, and decisions associated with ecological and social responsibility and sustainability.
PLO 6.3 Develop collaborative skills and the ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams including understanding of the profession’s connection with other design fields.
PLO 6.4 Demonstrate verbal and visual presentation techniques, including articulation of design concepts and solutions.
PLO 6.5 Demonstrate understanding of Tech Pack and specs writing.
Assessment Process
Portfolio Requirements
Placement Portfolio Review for Transfer Students
Formative Assessment Experiences
Fashion Design student performance is evaluated systemically throughout the program in five areas of study: design, visual skills, construction, research/ critical thinking, and professional practice.
- Students are assessed in every class at semester’s end by the chair and relevant faculty members.
- Milestone assessment occurs via the Sophomore Progress Portfolio review at the end of the second year of study. This process documents student progress and a passing evaluation is required for entrance into upper-division studios.
Progress Portfolio Review
At the end of the sophomore year, students are required to submit a comprehensive portfolio of work from their major’s first- and second-level studio courses. The portfolio should demonstrate sufficient development of the knowledge and skills in the five areas of study for the student to be successful in upper- level coursework. The goal of the review is to assess student progress, strengths and challenges, and the ability to integrate technical skills into creative projects. The presentation process also allows faculty to gauge the development of each student’s oral and written communication skills as well as those of self-assessment. A reflective essay addresses each student’s learning process and helps to set goals for the next level of the program. A panel of fashion design faculty members and the department chair review the portfolios. Passing the Progress Portfolio review is a pre-requisite for upper- level fashion design classes. Students who fail must make appropriate remediation and resubmit their portfolio for review. Portfolio requirements can be found on the Fashion Design website.
Summative Assessment Experiences
Summative assessment takes place at the senior level through the capstone project.
Capstone Courses
To demonstrate proficiency in research, creative problem solving, project management, and entrepreneurial thinking, seniors must successfully pass final capstone courses: FDES 410, Senior Design; FDES 431, Senior Collection 1; FDES 432, Senior Collection 2; FDES 411 Fashion Portfolio; and FDES 400, Professional Practice. A successful Senior Collection demonstrates the student’s design mastery and the development of a strong aesthetic voice. Industry professionals will critique the collections in a formal design review, and the final looks are showcased at the annual runway event. A professional portfolio completes the senior thesis.
Program Specific Academic Standards
Fashion Show
Woodbury’s annual fashion shows bring together fashion design students to showcase their talents. A fashion show is the most important marketing tool of the industry. These highly anticipated events provide an opportunity for senior students to create a complete capstone collection and send it down the runway. The annual fashion show is a tradition and rite of passage for Fashion Design seniors.
Senior designers gain an experience working with professional runway models, photographers, hairstyling, and make-up team.
Each spring, a Senior Design Review is held before the fashion show in which all graduating students showcase their collections to guests of honor and industry professionals. This gives all senior student designers an opportunity to receive critique from industry professionals and to engage in face-to-face conversations about future employment.
Woodbury’s fashion shows include the work from the second- and third-year Fashion Design classes. Sophomore and junior Fashion Design students have an opportunity to showcase their collections in a runway show, followed by faculty review or juried by industry professionals.
The shows come with a reputation of hard work, innovation, and dedication creating an experience unlike any other. It presents an opportunity for the students to be a part of the production. Freshman, sophomore, and junior Fashion Design students are required to assist backstage with Woodbury’s fashion shows as dressers, while senior student designers oversee and manage their collections backstage at show time. Working backstage provides hands-on experience in styling and team cooperation to stage a successful fashion show.
Curriculum Summary
Program Major Curriculum
| Unit Type (UT) |
Number of Units (U) |
| Major (MA) |
74 |
| General Education (GE) |
46 |
| Unrestricted Electives (UE) |
6 |
| Minimum Total Units Required |
126 |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
First Year
Fall Semester
| FDES 100 | Sewing Machine Technology | 1 |
| FDES 105 | Digital Fashion Design 1 | 3 |
| FDES 125 | Technical Studio 1 | 3 |
| FOUN 105 | Introduction to Figure Drawing | 3 |
| WRIT 113 | First-Year Academic Writing | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Unrestricted Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring Semester
Second Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
| FDES 201 | Fundamentals of the Fashion Industry | 2 |
| FDES 232 | Swimwear and Activewear | 4 |
| FDES 245 | Progress Portfolio | 0 |
| FDES 261 | History of Fashion 2 | 3 |
| FDES 203 | CAD in the Fashion Industry | 3 |
| INDS ___ | Interdisciplinary Core Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Art History Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Third Year
Fall Semester
| FDES 310 | Design and Illustration 3 | 3 |
| FDES 331 | Advanced Draping and Tailoring | 3 |
| FDES 320 | Research and Methodology | 2 |
| FDES 330 | Textile Arts | 3 |
| ____ 2__ | Mathematics Elective | 3 |
| ENVT 220 | Environmental Studies | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Spring Semester
| FDES 332 | Junior Collections | 3 |
| FDES 363 | Digital Fashion Design 3 | 3 |
| FDES ___ | Fashion Design Studio Elective | 2 |
| PSYC 150 | General Psychology | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Natural Science with Lab Elective | 3 |
| ____ 3__ | Upper Division Interdisciplinary Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Work Experience | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Type:
FDES 332, FDES 363, and FDES (Fashion Design Studio Elective): MA.
PSYC 150, Natural Science with Lab Elective, and Upper Division Interdisciplinary Elective: GE.
Work Experience: WE.
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
| FDES 400 | Professional Practice | 2 |
| FDES 410 | Senior Design | 2 |
| FDES 431 | Senior Collection 1 | 3 |
| ____ 3__ | Upper Division Art History Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Humanities Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Spring Semester
| FDES 411 | Fashion Portfolio | 2 |
| FDES 432 | Senior Collection 2 | 4 |
| ____ 3__ | Upper Division General Ed. Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Unrestricted Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Type:
FDES 411 and FDES 432: MA.
Upper Division General Ed. Elective: GE.
Unrestricted Elective: UE.
Program Minor Curriculum
Fashion Design
FDES 125: Students must take this course.
FDES 126, FDES 226, FDES (Fashion Design Studio Elective), and FDES 100: Students must take one or two courses (total 3 units).
FDES 105, FDES 120, FDES 202, FDES 203, FDES 130, FDES 330, FDES 260, and FDES 261: Students must take three of these courses.
Costume Design
Students must consult with the department chair before adding the Costume Design Minor.