CURRICULUM + REQUIREMENTS

The AD&D AAS degree program is made up of six quarters and 95 credits that are completed over two years. Our curriculum includes specialized training in apparel design and development. Content interwoven in our courses provides a strong foundation in general college requirements and a fashion industry focus.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTERING THE SCHOOL OF AD&D:

  • COMPLETION OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT COURSES

    Three-Part Series 096, 098 & 099 or Summer Intensive 100 - 6 Total Credits

    Careers are built on having the right tools to succeed. Our series of skill development courses are especially designed to get you ready to enroll in the School of Apparel Design & Development with strong construction and patternmaking skills under your belt.

SKILL DEVELOPMENT COURSES

  • This course is designed for beginners with little or no experience in sewing or patternmaking. It provides an introduction to sewing terminology, commercial and production pattern development, layout and cutting techniques, as well as the operation of industrial sewing machines. Students will learn professional construction techniques for creating basic garments and samples.

  • The course covers production pattern drafting, along with labeling and editing, providing a deeper understanding of the technical aspects of garment creation. Students will expand on their patternmaking and construction skills by creating sample garments using more advanced techniques.

  • This course is intended for students who have completed APPRL 096 & 098 or have prior sewing and patternmaking experience. It focuses on developing production patterns and utilizing industrial equipment to sew more advanced samples and garments.

OR

  • This course is best for those who have previous experience with sewing techniques and strong time management skills. This intensive course will allow you to accomplish the Skill Development sequence in one quarter and is an alternative to the 096/098/100 series. APPRL 099 must be completed in 8 weeks over summer. Each class is 5 hours and held 3 days a week.

SCHOOL OF AD&D AAS DEGREE

FIRST QUARTER - 15 CREDITS

  • Covers professional techniques and methods to construct samples and garments to professional industry standards. Emphasis on accuracy, use of industrial sewing and pressing equipment, and developing technical specification packages.

  • Development of basic production patterns using flat pattern and drafting methods. Focus on fundamental patternmaking practices including cutting, labeling and approaches for pattern manipulations.

  • Survey of the apparel manufacturing business cycle. Includes materials acquisition, production, scheduling, product costing, machine processes and industry standards.

  • Covers basic design principles of repetition, rhythm, emphasis, harmony, balance, scale and proportion as they relate to garment design.

  • Develop Excel, Illustrator and Photoshop skills for use in the apparel design field. Includes specification development, technical drawing and image editing

SECOND QUARTER - 16 CREDITS

  • Build on skills from APPRL 101 by producing samples and garments using intermediate construction techniques and meeting industry quality standards. Emphasis on industrial equipment use and proficiency, and enhanced specification package development.

  • Pattern development using draping techniques to generate basic slopers. Combines draping with basic flat pattern manipulations to create patterns for garment designs.

  • Examines aspects of conducting business in fashion including industry practices, job categories, professional development and business communications.

  • Analyze how fibers, yarns, fabric structure and finish affect fabric characteristics. Studies include textile history, independent research and visual presentation.

  • Continues building computer skills, terminology and procedure. Gain proficiency in graphics programs commonly used in industry to produce technical drawings and visual presentations.

THIRD QUARTER - 15 CREDITS

  • Presents techniques and methods using factory processes to construct garments for manufacturing. Blends skills in pattern design for target markets and construction for mass production. Continuation of specification development and industrial equipment use.

  • Continues development of flat pattern and draping techniques from APPRL 111 and 112. Use fitting methods, production pattern blocks and pattern modifications to create more complicated garment designs.

  • Focuses on evaluating and achieving good fit through fit analysis and pattern adjustment and alteration techniques for common body variations.

  • Survey of key clothing items from major historical periods. Gain tools for communicating clothing concepts and understand current fashion trends. Explores social influences and cultural ideals that impact fashion.

  • Investigates color design trends and their application in the apparel market. Explore hues, values and saturation to gain an understanding of basic color theory.

FOURTH QUARTER - 16 CREDITS

  • Construction methods with focus on ready-to-wear and tailored garments. Coordinates with APPRL 211 to execute pattern designs for specific target markets.

  • Advanced pattern design for ready-to-wear and tailored garments.  Patterns are produced from blocks, measurements, magazine tears and line drawings.

  • Addresses apparel industry standards and guidelines for garment sizing. Develop size runs for a variety of garment patterns using grid and shift methods for grading. Build and customize avatars according to brand sizing specifications. Introduction to 3D CAD.

  • Development of surface designs for fabrics and garment silhouettes. Focus on design methodology, textile pattern and print technology, Photoshop techniques and apparel industry practices.

FIFTH QUARTER - 16 CREDITS

  • Construction methods for sportswear and outerwear using garment industry techniques. Produce more complex and advanced garments made from patterns developed in APPRL 212.

  • Patternmaking for active sportswear and outerwear. Develop patterns from samples and sketches to industry standards and for functionality. Pattern designs are constructed in APPRL 202.

  • Explore apparel industry standards and guidelines for pattern sizing using computer aided technology including 3D CAD.

  • Explore elements of designing a line of clothing to industry standards. Focus on development of boards for line presentations and design of a clothing line for production in APPRL 270.

SIXTH QUARTER - 12 CREDITS

  • Produce a professional-quality portfolio and resume. Survey of job search and interviewing strategies.

  • Capstone course to produce the line of clothing designed in APPRL 242. Includes pattern development, materials sourcing, final garment construction with technical specification documentation.  Collaboratively produce the annual portfolio show where final collections are displayed and viewed by industry professionals and the public.

ADDITIONAL CURRICULUM COURSEWORK - 5 CREDITS

  • Earn relevant work experience and practical hands-on skills through completion of an internship in the apparel design and development field. Five work experience credits are accumulated throughout the 2-year curriculum prior to the sixth quarter.

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