Fashion Merchandising and Design Courses
All candidates for the fashion merchandising and design major must complete a total of 124 hours of course work, which includes all general education requirements. All fashion merchandising and design degree candidates must complete the prescribed core below. Within the fashion merchandising and design program, students may choose from two plans of study with further course requirements:
CORE REQUIREMENTS for both programs include:
FMD 114 APPAREL MERCHANDISING 3 hours
A study of the operations involved in the production and merchandising of apparel including fashion dynamics and product life cycle.
FMD 115 PRINCIPLES OF CLOTHING CONSTRUCTION 3 hours
The practical application of basic construction techniques including pattern alterations and analysis of quality construction in ready-to-wear. Two lectures and four hours of laboratory each week.
FMD 212 VISUAL MERCHANDISING 3 hours
A study of promotional techniques used in successful retail operations. Emphasis is placed on merchandise display, fashion show production and floor space layout.
FMD 213 CLOTHING AND SOCIETY 3 hours
The study of the social and psychological aspects of clothing in our society today. The meaning of clothes in specific social situations, cultural contexts of dress, clothing as a form of nonverbal communications, and individual thought processes about clothing and appearance are studied.
FMD 315 HISTORY OF COSTUME 3 hours
A study of the history of European and American costume in relation to religious, political, technological and artistic movements from the Egyptian period (2700 BC) to the 20th century. Also, offered as ART 315.
FMD 318 APPAREL DESIGN DEVELOPMENT 2 hours
The application of technical, creative, and analytical skills in developing seasonal apparel lines. Emphasis will be placed on targeting market identification, selecting fabric and trimmings in relation to price determination, developing operation sheets, and budgeting season collections.
Prerequisites: FMD 114, FMD 115.
FMD 418 TEXTILES 3 hours
A study of textile products from raw materials through manufacturing and finishing of fabrics. Emphasis on selection and care of textiles.
FCS 290 FOUNDATIONS IN FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES 1 hour
Historical and theoretical perspectives, and current trends in various disciplines in Human Environmental Sciences are explored. Students will be provided with the foundation to apply human systems theory and life course development to their area of specialization in Child Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, Fashion Merchandising and Design, and Interior Design.
ECO 101 PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS 3 hours
A study of market structures, profit maximization, consumer demand, resource demand and pricing, resource allocation and consumer responsiveness to price changes.
BUS 360 PRINCIPLES OF MARKETING 3 hours
An introduction to the principles, institutions and techniques associated with the distribution of goods and services from the producer to the consumer. Not open to freshmen.
BUS 467 ADVERTISING AND SALES PROMOTION 3 hours
An examination of the creative process, from strategy to execution, of advertising and promotional materials. Students will be required to develop the strategies, media plans and draft executions of advertising and promotion materials. Prerequisite: BUS 360.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DESIGN CONCENTRATION
FMD 227 Flat Pattern 3 Hours
Basic principles and methods used in garment structure and design with emphasis on flat pattern. Prerequisite: FMD115 with C grade or better.
FMD 325 DRAPING 3 hours
A study of the principles of apparel design using the draping method. Emphasis on fit, design, appropriateness and construction techniques. May be taken without prerequisite courses with permission of instructor. Prerequisites: FMD 115 with a grade of C or better.
FMD 327 Fashion Sketching and Portfolio Development 3 Hours
Exploration of basic proportions of the various fashion figures with an emphasis on female market segment. Introduction of fashion sketching techniques using various media and professional materials to communicate original design ideas. Prerequisite: ART 101 with a grade of C or better; FMD 115 with a grade or C or better; and FMD 227 or FMD 325.
FMD 344 RETAIL MERCHANDISING 4 hours
A study of retail operations including store management, buying procedures, retail organization, and merchandising mathematics. Includes laboratory application of retail functions.
FMD 426 TAILORING 3 hours
Advanced techniques in garment selection, fitting and construction. Analysis of custom and fusible methods of tailoring. One lecture and five hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisites: FMD 115 with a grade C or better, FMD 227, and FMD 325.
FMD 428 CAD APPAREL DESIGN 3 hours
Applications of apparel design techniques utilizing the computer to facilitate the design process. Emphasis will be placed on original garments and textile designs. Students must have computer experience. Prerequisites: FMD 115 with a grade of C or better and FMD 227 or FMD 325.
FMD 495 SENIOR PROJECT 3 hours
As a group, senior design students will prepare and install an exhibit of their work or produce a fashion show featuring their own design. Students are responsible for all aspects of their project including the promotion of the show or exhibit, labeling of items, securing models and/or dress forms, staging or set-up and hospitality arrangements. Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FMD 227, 325, 327, 426, ART 101 and ART 110.
ART 101 DRAWING I 3 hours
A study of basic drawing techniques and fundamental concepts and relationships within the pictorial composition. Studio fee assessed.
ART 110 2D Design Concepts, Color and Composition 3 hours
An exploratory study of the basic elements and principles of two-dimensional design through creative image generate using a variety of media and the study of the theory of color and light as perceived by the human eye. Color prosperities, systems, mixing, symbolism, and psychology are studied through experimentation with materials and visual elements used by the artist and designer. Studio fee assessed.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MERCHANDISING CONCENTRATION
FMD 344 RETAIL MERCHANDISING 4 hours
A study of retail operations including store management, buying procedures, retail organization, and merchandising mathematics. Includes laboratory application of retail functions.
FMD 442 RETAIL BUYING 3 hours
This course applies retail strategy and merchandising principles to the day-to-day activities and responsibilities of a retail buyer. Emphasis on customer identification, sales forecasting, merchandise budgeting, assortment planning, merchandise procurement, and vendor analysis. Prerequisite: FMD 344.
FMD 443 SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN RETAILING 2 hours
An in-depth study of problems which retailers are currently facing. Business environments are simulated for students to analyze, evaluate and select alternative solutions which would best suit each firm studied. Recommendations will be submitted in the form of oral and written reports.
Prerequisite: FMD 344.
BUS 300 PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT 3 hours
An introduction to the theory and application of management principles, skills and functions in the achievement of organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Not open to freshmen.
BUS 361 CONSUMER BEHAVIOR 3 hours
A study of the impact of such factors as personality, motivation, perception, learning, attitudes, cultural and social influences, and life-style changes on buying behavior. A review of sociological, psychological and economic models of behavior will be included. Prerequisites: BUS 360.
*For a listing of general education requirements for all majors, see the Meredith College Course Catalog.
