Fashion Design B.A.

The major in Fashion Design is offered as a B.A. degree in the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design, part of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Fashion Design program educates students in the art, philosophy, theory, process, and product of fashion design in the 21st Century. The curriculum provides an aesthetic and intellectual environment founded on the design process, enhanced by the interplay of technique, function, technology, and individual creative expression. 

Coursework addresses the design process and its relationship to the retail cycle. Both involve a repetitive pattern of analysis and creativity. The program expands on the essential foundations of the liberal arts, encouraging students to be innovative, multidisciplinary thinkers and skilled communicators.

When pursuing a major in Fashion Design, you work with faculty who are experts in the field. They offer a comprehensive array of academic, historical, creative and practical learning experiences related to the construction and design of fashion apparel.

You learn about the materials used to make garments, gaining knowledge of fibers, weaves, and finishes. You also learn various techniques, functions, and technologies while developing your own original ideas and designs.

The minor in Fashion Design is offered for students majoring in other subjects. Many students who are earning the B.S. degree in Apparel Merchandising also earn the minor in Fashion Design.

Coursework

Getting started

Your starting point with the degree is SOAD-A 100, Pathways: Introduction to Art, Design & Merchandising. In this course you gain wide exposure to different studio art disciplines, design disciplines, and how creative work enters the marketplace.

Next, you take SOAD-F 203 Materials for Fashion Design and Merchandising and SOAD-F 202, the associated lab on Textile Science.

In addition, Fashion Design majors take two Studio Art courses and two Art History courses. They pick from a variety of topics such as drawing, color, textiles, or metalsmithing, and study different art historical movements ranging from the Renaissance and Baroque to Modern and Contemporary Art to non-Western arts and cultures.

Tracks and concentrations

Fashion Design courses are taught with a variety of methods, from lectures to labs to studios. Studio courses meet three hours twice a week to provide time for technical demonstrations and in-depth engagement with the design process. Students have access to classrooms and specialized equipment after hours to complete their creative projects.

All majors take 24 credit hours of core courses that focus on illustration, ideation, digital applications, and three levels of sewing and garment construction. Students also study the history of fashion to gain understanding of the evolution of dress in Western civilization and the emergence of haute couture. While there are no official tracks or concentrations in the major, students can explore individual interests through elective coursework. You take nine hours of Advanced Courses, including one course in Experimental Fashion Studio, one in Dress Studies, and a third course from either category.

Upper level coursework

Your upper level coursework in studio topics broadens your knowledge of pattern development and other construction techniques, including tailoring, draping, and working with special materials. You learn digital drawing and layout skills to develop a portfolio of creative work suited for the apparel and textiles industries. You also study the cultural, theoretical, and aesthetic aspects of fashion through coursework in Dress Studies.

Students have the opportunity to examine historic garments up close from the Sage Fashion Collection and learn about museum practices and collection management. It's also possible to participate in an industry field seminar, meeting with business professionals in New York City or other fashion capitals around the world.

The Fashion Design major culminates with the Spring Fashion Show, usually in the senior year. Students develop a collection of three to five original garments and present their looks in a formal runway setting. The highly-anticipated event often involves collaboration with other students studying Apparel Merchandising, Jewelry Design or Interior Design.

Commonly pursued majors, minors and certificates

Your coursework in the Fashion Design major represents about one-third of the credits needed for the degree. With the help of your academic advisor, you may be able to pursue several areas of interest through additional majors, minors, or certificates. Some related fields include Art History, Anthropology, Folklore and Ethnomusicology, and Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance.

Many Fashion Design majors choose to pursue a minor in Apparel Merchandising or Business. They may also consider a minor in the Eskenazi School in Illustration, Creative Technologies, Interior Design Studies, or Studio Art.

Check your bulletin for more information about these and other minors.

Enhance your major

Working with faculty

When pursuing a Fashion Design B.A. degree, you have the opportunity to work with faculty who have expertise in fields such as commercial design, product development, costume design, dress studies, and fashion history. Professors bring their knowledge from personal research and experience working for well-known theaters, apparel labels, and retail companies into the classroom.

Take advantage of office hours to talk with your instructors about your performance in class, the content of readings and assignments, and how the course helps you work toward your goals.

A limited number of Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) positions are available for junior or senior students to assist faculty in certain Fashion Design courses. Eligible students complete an application process and usually have excelled in these particular courses.

You can get involved in research as early as your first year. Many incoming first-year students apply to the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Experience (ASURE) program. ASURE students experience project-based learning enhanced by a community of supportive faculty and peers. Choose an ASURE path in the arts and humanities, social and historical studies, or natural and mathematical sciences. Consider joining one that will deepen your skills and knowledge in an area related to your major or a different one to become a more well-rounded thinker. 

Honors

High-achieving students may be recognized for Academic Excellence in the College of Arts and Sciences, or be eligible for admission to the Hutton Honors College.

Undergraduate scholarships and awards

Current students can compete for Eskenazi School scholarships and awards based on high-achievement in their major courses. The deadline to apply for these awards is in October each year.

Fashion Design majors often participate in national scholarship competitions and case studies sponsored by organizations such as the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund and the National Retail Federation Foundation.

The College of Arts and Sciences offers additional scholarships and awards.

Internships

Internships offer you a chance to develop both technical and transferable skills while making vital professional contacts with others in your field. Many students begin exploring internship opportunities as early as their freshman year, though employers often prefer students who are juniors or seniors.

Learn more about internships, including the possiblity of receiving credit, through the Walter Center for Career Achievement. Additionally, Eskenazi alumni alert students to opportunities in their companies and organizations. Previous Fashion Design students have worked or interned for retailers and designer brands such as:

Fashion Design students have also interned at Newfields, including the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and the Monroe County History Center.

Qualified students may earn credit for an internship by enrolling in SOAD-X 373 Internship in Professional Practice, available during the summer. Students should consult with their academic advisor to learn more about this opportunity.

Foreign language study

As one of the premier institutions in the U.S. for the study of languages, IU Bloomington offers courses and resources in over 80 languages.

Below is a sampling of language study resources available to students at IU Bloomington.

Overseas study

Study abroad can be an enriching part of your undergraduate education in an increasingly globalized world. Fashion Design majors often pursue summer or semester-long coursework through the following overseas study programs:

Eskenazi faculty often lead summer overseas study programs in locations such as Guatemala, Italy, and Japan.

The College of Arts + Sciences also directly hosts a variety of study abroad programs, some even featuring IU faculty, that might be right for you. Learn more about study abroad opportunities and locations through conversation with Fashion Design faculty, your academic advisor, and through the Office of Overseas Study.

Scholarships for study abroad are available from the following sources:

Student groups

With more than 400 members, the Eskenazi School's Retail Studies Organization (RSO) is among the largest student organizations at Indiana University. RSO members have access to professional development events, industry field seminars, leadership opportunities, and networking with leading apparel industry executives.

Explore beINvolved to connect with any of the 750+ student organizations that already exist on campus, or to start a new one.

Volunteer opportunities

There are numerous opportunities for volunteer engagement, allowing you to give back to the local community while developing useful job skills. The organizations below can help you connect with others from the university and beyond:

Fashion Design students often submit designs or participate in the annual Trashion Refashion Runway Show in downtown Bloomington.

Sign up to receive weekly emails from the Bloomington Volunteer Network to learn about other local opportunities and organizations.

Professional organizations

The following professional organizations are of particular interest to students pursuing the Fashion Design B.A. degree:

You can use the Indiana University Library system to search Associations Unlimited, an online directory of associations, professional societies, and nonprofit organizations.

Build your skills

Through the major

The major in Fashion Design provides you with a set of skills and qualities that are relevant and transferrable to many areas of study and work. These include:

  • The ability to communicate clearly in written, oral, and visual formats
  • A working knowledge of typical business practices within art and design markets, including merchandising through various channels, product development, sourcing, branding, and consumer engagement
  • The ability to work productively in teams that include artists and designers
  • A thorough understanding of the skills needed to solve both quantitative and qualitative problems within the merchandising industry
  • Knowledge of and facility with extant and emergent technologies
  • A deep appreciation for the physical, cognitive, cultural, and social factors that influence consumer behavior, particularly within art and design markets
  • The ability to respect, understand, and critically evaluate work in a variety of disciplines within art, design, and merchandising

Through a College of Arts and Sciences degree

Your coursework provides many opportunities to develop the following five foundational skills that will serve you well in every career path:  

  • Question critically
  • Think logically
  • Communicate clearly
  • Act creatively
  • Live ethically

These foundational skills will aid you in landing your first job and advancing professionally throughout your working life. Not only are these the skills that employers say they value most in the workplace, they provide the best preparation for lifelong success in a world of complexity, uncertainty, and change.

Skills desired by employers

Each year, the National Association of Colleges and Employers asks employers what key skills and qualities they are looking for in recent college graduates.

The following are some of the most commonly desired attributes across many employment sectors:

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Written and verbal communication skills
  • Leadership skills
  • Strong work ethic
  • Analytical and quantitative skills
  • Ability to take initiative
  • Being detail oriented
  • Demonstrating adaptability
  • Technical skills relevant to the field
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Computer skills
  • Organizational ability

As you explore various career fields, pay attention to specific job descriptions and requirements. If there are areas where your skills or knowledge are lacking, talk with your academic advisor and career coach about how you can develop in those areas while you are at Indiana University.

Your academic advisor and career coach can also help you find ways to strengthen and deepen the knowledge you already have, becoming more prepared for whatever path you select after College.

Launch your career

Plan your search

A good starting point for exploring your career options is an appointment with a career coach. Fashion Design majors have a dedicated career coach in art and design who assists with internship and career planning.

The Walter Center for Career Achievement offers job search resources, career courses, job fairs, information about internships and full-time jobs, and help with social media networking through professional organizations. Get advice about how to write your resume, ask for letters of recommendation from faculty and workplace supervisors, and prepare for job interviews, too.

Explore and enroll in Career Communities to learn more about industries relevant to your interests. These offer unique information about each field, including alumni spotlights, opportunities and resources, and in-person events.

You might want to take a career course to help you maximize your time at IU. Art, design, and merchandising students may take ASCS-Q296 College to Career II: Navigate Your Arts and Sciences Experience. This course provides the opportunity for students to explore the relationship between their chosen field of study and life after graduation while developing a career and academic development plan for post-collegiate success.

The job market

The employment outlook is positive for students with a B.A. in Fashion Design. Designers are always needed in the mass market for everyday wear. Now more than ever, due to the evolving world of fabric technology, fashion designers are needed to keep up with the demand for fashion and accessories made from new, alternative fabrics.

Fashion Design majors take their education in many directions, with most graduates moving directly into full-time entry-level positions. In addition to opportunities at corporate offices and with independent designers, opportunities are available with internet-based companies and design firms. Recent graduates have worked in the areas of technical design, product development, pattern making, and merchandising. Students have also used the Fashion Design degree to transition into careers in costume design, wardrobe management, journalism, public relations, sales, and other related fields.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics offers career information about hundreds of occupations, including those in the art and design fields.

Want to see where your fellow majors go right after graduating from IU? Check out the Walter Center’s First Destinations survey!

Talk with faculty, your academic advisor, career coach and other students to gain insights into the career paths taken by graduates with this degree.

Post-graduate short-term experiences

After graduation, a short-term work experience or internship can help you make connections, further develop your design portfolio, and assess your interest in future careers. Talk with your career coach and use resources such as these to find opportunities that fit with your goals:

Fellowships for post-graduate study

Fellowships are temporary post-graduate opportunities to conduct research, work in a field, or fund your education. Most opportunities can be found through universities, non-profit, and government organizations.

Good resources for finding fellowship opportunities include:

Graduate and professional study

When applying to graduate or professional schools, you'll need letters of recommendation from faculty members who are familiar with your creative work. Make a practice of attending office hours early in your academic career, to get to know your professors and discuss your options for advanced study in the field.

Some Fashion Design majors have pursued advanced degrees in fashion design, costume studies, or museum studies. Use these and other resources to research master programs related to fashion design:

You might consider these Indiana University graduate opportunities:

Alumni connections

The IU College of Arts + Sciences has thousands of active alumni. Check out the College Luminaries program, which connects students with the College's most influential, successful, and inspiring alumni.

Join the Walter Center Success Network to remain in touch, network directly with College of Arts + Sciences Alumni, and let others know where your path takes you.


Is it for you?

The Fashion Design B.A. degree attracts students from a variety of backgrounds and interests. They typically possess some of the following qualities:

  • Artistic ability in areas such as sewing, drawing, painting, textiles, ceramics or jewelry design
  • Creative thinking and a gift for expressing the vision of their designs
  • An interest in developing computer skills, including computer-aided design (CAD) programs and graphics editing software
  • Organizational and decision-making skills, as well as the ability to work well with others
  • Product development skills, to understand how to build a clothing line from start to finish
  • Ability to adapt to fast-changing circumstances and work environments

If you are creative and detail-oriented, enjoy working with your hands, and have an aptitude for learning new technical and digital skills, the Fashion Design degree may be a good fit for you.

Learn more

Contact the Fashion Design academic advisor and schedule an appointment to explore your options. Complete information about the requirements of the major can be found in the College of Arts and Sciences Bulletin.

Department website
Advisor email address
fashadv@iu.edu