Fashion Merchandising and Design
Mission, Goals and Overview of Fashion Merchandising and Design Program
The mission of the Fashion Merchandising and Design program is to prepare women to succeed in the fashion industry. The program is interdisciplinary, incorporating aspects of art, psychology, sociology, business, history, and science. It is founded in the liberal arts which values freedom and openness in the pursuit of truth and knowledge. The goal of the Fashion Merchandising and Design program is to provide both a structured, research- based and experiential learning process to help students discover the concepts and challenges of today’s fashion industry and prepare them academically and professionally to become successful in this field.
Student Learning Outcomes of the Fashion Merchandising and Design Program
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Identify different aspects of the fashion industry;
- Synthesize knowledge gained from other disciplines and apply that to the field of fashion merchandising and/or design;
- Demonstrate necessary skills in retail buying and management for the merchandising concentration or skills in apparel design and pattern making for the design concentration; Demonstrate necessary skills in visualmerchandising, brand development, wholesaling, and product development;
- Solve problems creatively by using experiential learning both in the classroom and within the industry as well as through education travel programs and internships;
- Utilize current technology available within the fashion industry; and
- Demonstrate effective communication, research, and critical thinking skills.
Degrees and Certificates
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Fashion Merchandising and Design, Bachelor of Science -
Fashion Design, Minor -
Fashion Merchandising, Minor
Courses
FMD-114: Apparel Merchandising
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
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-188: Special Topics in Fashion Merchandising and Design
Special topics course offered in response to student and faculty interest.
Prerequisites vary with topic studied.
May be repeated for credit.
FMD-212: Visual Merchandising
A study of promotional techniques used in successful retail operations. Emphasis is placed on merchandise display, fashion show production, and floor space layout.
Studio fee assessed.
FMD-213: Clothing and Society
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-227: Flat Pattern
Basic principles and methods used in garment structure and design with emphasis on flat pattern.
FMD-115 with a C or better
Studio fee assessed.
FMD-288: Special Topics in Fashion Merchandising and Design
Special topics course offered in response to student and faculty interest.
Prerequisites vary with topic studied.
May be repeated for credit.
FMD-299: Introduction to Research in FMD
In conjunction with a faculty mentor, the student will participate in a research or creative project investigating issues and problems in clothing and fashion merchandising. This course will provide an introduction to the methods and techniques of the discipline. The research experience will culminate in a paper and presentation. A research proposal form completed by the student and faculty mentor is required for registration.
FMD-114
Freshmen and Sophomore Fashion Merchandising and Design majors and others by permission of the instructor.
May be repeated for a total of six credit hours.
Completed and signed Research Study Forms must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.
FMD-314: Retail Merchandising
A study of retail operations including store management, buying procedures, retail organization, and merchandising mathematics.
FMD-315: History of Costume
A study of the history of European and American costume in relation to religious, political, technological, and artistic movements from the Egyptian period [2700 B.C.] to the 20th century.
Also offered as ART-315.
FMD-318: Apparel Design Development
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 seasonal collections.
FMD-319: Fashion Forecasting
The study of gathering, analyzing, interpreting and diffusing information for the purpose of increasing the competitive advantage for the textile and apparel branches of the fashion industry.
FMD-325: Draping
A study of the principles of apparel design using the draping method. Emphasis on fit, design, appropriateness, and construction techniques.
FMD-115 with a C or better
Studio fee assessed.
FMD-327: Fashion Sketching and Portfolio Development
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.
FMD-388: Special Topics in Fashion Merchandising and Design
Special topics course offered in response to student and faculty interest.
Prerequisites vary with topic studied.
May be repeated for credit.
FMD-418: Textiles
A study of textile products from raw materials through manufacturing and finishing of fabrics. Emphasis on selection and care of textiles.
FMD-419: Professional Practices
This course will be a culminating experience for fashion majors. It will examine career opportunities in the fashion industry with specific emphasis on qualifications for each different job. It will examine professional etiquette, professional behavior, and best practices in the field. It will provide instruction for and the opportunity to compile a portfolio for the design OR merchandising student.
FMD-426: Tailoring
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.
Studio fee assessed.
FMD-428: CAD Apparel Design
Applications of apparel design techniques utilizing the computer to facilitate the design process. Emphasis will be placed on original garment and textile designs.
Students must have computer experience.
Studio fee assessed.
FMD-442: Retail Buying
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.
FMD-443: Retail Case Studies
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.
FMD-446: Multi-Channel Retailing
A study of retailing as it embraces multichannel distribution. Course content includes the evolution, components, and strategies used in multichannel retailing, as well as legal, technological, and ethical issues. Customer services, consumer behavior, social media strategies, business intelligence, and supply chain issues will also be studied as they relate to alternative channels of distribution.
FMD-488: Special Topics in Fashion Merchandising and Design
Special topics course offered in response to student and faculty interest.
Prerequisites vary with topic studied.
May be repeated for credit.
FMD-495: Senior Exhibition
As a group, senior design students will prepare and install an exhibit of their work or produce a fashion show featuring their own designs. 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.
Studio fee assessed.
FMD-498: Honors Thesis in FMD
In conjunction with a faculty mentor, the student will formulate and execute a research project at an advanced level of complexity that will culminate in a paper and a presentation. The project must meet Honors Program thesis requirements as well as the expectations of the clothing and fashion merchandising faculty. A research proposal form completed by the student, faculty mentor, and Honors Program director is required for registration.
Senior Standing, Fashion Merchandising and Design majors who are members of the Honors and/or Teaching Scholars Programs.
Completed and signed Research Study Forms must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.
FMD-499: Research in Fashion Merchandising & Design
In conjunction with a faculty mentor, the student will develop and conduct a research or creative project exploring issues and problems in Fashion Merchandising and Design. The research experience will culminate in a paper and presentation. A research proposal form completed by the student and faculty mentor is required for registration.
May be repeated for credit for a total of six credit hours.
Completed and signed Research Study Forms must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.