Dominican University

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Apparel Design & Merchandising

Courses | Employment

Majors/Minors

The mission of the apparel design and merchandising department is to provide students with an environment in which they can develop and nurture creativity, gain aesthetic, intellectual and professional competence in both the knowledge and skills of the apparel field and cultivate a humanistic and ethical understanding of apparel as a business and as an art form.

The apparel program has two areas of concentration. Students can major or minor in Apparel Design or Apparel Merchandising and many of our students choose to double major in Apparel Design and Apparel Merchandising.   

APPAREL DESIGN
Major Requirements

  • Apparel Design and Merchandising 150, 151, 200, 256, 320, 322, 360, 361, 380, 440 or 442, 445 and 446;
  • Two Apparel Design and Merchandising courses chosen from 207, 220, 365, 366, 368 or 400; Art 105, 201, 208.

A minimum of fifteen semester hours in the major field must be completed at Dominican.

Minor Requirements

  • Apparel and Design Merchandising 150, 151, 256, 320, 322 and 445.

A minimum of nine hours in the minor field must be completed at Dominican.

APPAREL MERCHANDISING
Major Requirements

  • Apparel Design and Merchandising 150, 170, 200, 256, 360, 361, 440 or 442, 446 and 455
  • Two Apparel Design and Merchandising courses chosen from 271, 370, 371
  • Business Administration 250, 255, 345
  • Economics 190 and 191
  • Art 208
  • Recommended: Business Administration 275.

A minimum of fifteen semester hours in the major field must be completed at Dominican.

Minor Requirements

  • Apparel Design and Merchandising 170, 256;
  • Two Apparel Design and Merchandising courses chosen from 271, 370, 371
  • Business Administration 245 and 250.

A minimum of nine hours in the minor field must be completed at Dominican.
It is advisable for interested freshmen to consult with an advisor in the department prior to registration.

Internships
Students are expected to complete an internship in their field of interest. Internships provide an avenue for students to gain hands-on experience and academic credit by working for professionals in the apparel field. During their internships, students apply concepts learned in the classroom to real-world settings. Apparel students at Dominican have completed internships at:

  • Nordstrom        
  • Lancôme
  • Neiman Marcus
  • Estee Lauder
  • Cynthia Steffe Designs           
  • Benetton
  • Penney Textile Arts
  • Frank Lloyd Wright Historic Center         
  • Oilily
  • Heirloom Textiles

Courses


150. APPAREL STRUCTURE AND DESIGN I (3)
Application of techniques of basic apparel assembly with emphasis on quality analysis of the finished product; introduction to the elements and principles of design as applied to apparel.

151. APPAREL STRUCTURE AND DESIGN II (3)
In-depth study of the process and product of creative design in clothing; application of advanced techniques of apparel assembly; development of basic slopers.
Prerequisite: Apparel Design and Merchandising 150 or consent of instructor

170. INTRODUCTION TO THE FASHION WORLD (3)
Overview of the fashion business structure. Topics include the origin of apparel design through manufacturing, marketing, merchandising and retailing process. Career opportunities are highlighted.
$35 course fee

200. CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES IN DRESS (3)
Analysis of dress as an expression of material artifact, behavior, and ideology in selected cultures. Emphasis on non-Western traditions and aesthetics.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing
This course will satisfy the multicultural core requirement.

207. SURFACE DESIGN OF FABRICS (3)
Survey of special topics, such as coloration, embellishment, and fabric construction processes, with an emphasis on ethnographic techniques and cultural heritage.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.

220. UNDERSTANDING CREATIVITY (3)
What is creativity? Can creativity be learned? How can I enhance my creativity? This course explores creativity theories and the creative process. Topics include factors that influence creativity, evaluating creativity, and case studies of eminent creative people.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.

256. TEXTILE SCIENCE (3)
Survey of textile fibers, fabrics, and finishes with application to appearance, performance, and maintenance of apparel products.

271. RETAIL PROMOTION AND VISUAL MERCHANDISING (3)
Promotional strategies used in merchandising. Topics include identifying target markets and interpreting consumer demand; visual merchandising and store design; advertising strategies for retail.
Prerequisite: Apparel Design and Merchandising 170 or consent of instructor

320. FLAT PATTERN DESIGN AND DRAPING (3)
Theory and fundamentals of flat pattern drafting
and draping.
Prerequisite: Apparel Design and Merchandising 151

322. APPAREL DESIGN I (3)
Utilization of the creative process and knowledge of pattern making and clothing construction to develop original clothing designs. Emphasis on concept development, fabrication and aesthetics.
Prerequisite: Apparel Design and Merchandising 320

360. HISTORY OF DRESS I (3)
Survey of European and North American dress from ancient civilizations through the seventeenth century with emphasis on dress as an expression of social, cultural, economic, and technological change in the Western world.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.

361. HISTORY OF DRESS II (3)
Survey of European and North American dress from the eighteenth century to the present with emphasis on dress as an expression of social, cultural, economic, and technological change in the Western world. Includes work of major fashion designers.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.

365. FASHION ILLUSTRATION (3)
Problems and exercises intended to stimulate design perception and creativity in sketching and rendering used by the fashion designer. Illustration and composition techniques used in the creation of a professional portfolio.
Prerequisite: Art 201 or consent of instructor
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.

366. COUTURE TAILORING (3)
The principles and application of advanced techniques used in couture custom tailoring.
Prerequisite: Apparel Design and Merchandising 151 or consent of instructor


368. ADVANCED APPAREL DESIGN (3)
Advanced study of apparel design using flat pattern and draping techniques; application of marker making and grading processes. Emphasis on problem solving and industry standards.
Prerequisite: Apparel Design and Merchandising 322

370. ANALYSIS OF READY-TO-WEAR APPAREL (3)
An examination of the product development process and the interrelationship of allied industries, with perspectives on consumer, manufacturer, retailer and the international market.
Prerequisite: Apparel Design and Merchandising 170

371. RETAIL BUYING (3)
Application of effective strategies in retail buying; includes budgeting, merchandise planning and inventory management.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 130 or 150

380. COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN (3)
Design of apparel through the use of computer using PAD Systems technology.
Prerequisite: Apparel Design and Merchandising 320

400. ADVANCED COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN (3)
Utilization of the computer for the advanced study of flat pattern, marker making, grading and virtual fashion design. Exploration of computer-aided
textile design.
Prerequisites: Apparel Design and Merchandising 380 and Art 208

440. SPECIALTY MARKETS (3)
Research of social, economic and demographic aspects of a target market instrumental in the design of a speciality market line. Emphasis on the product development process from design through implementation.
Prerequisites: Apparel Design and Merchandising 320 and junior standing

442. FASHION MARKETS (3)
Research of social, economic and demographic
aspects of target market instrumental in the development of a retail outlet. This project-based class includes creating and planning a retail store from concept to implementation.
Prerequisites: Apparel Design and Merchandising 271, Art 208 and junior standing

445. SENIOR COLLECTION (3)
Fashion forecasting; development and presentation of a cohesive collection of original designs.
Prerequisites: Apparel Design and Merchandising 322 and senior standing


446. APPAREL DESIGN AND MERCHANDISING SEMINAR (3)
Developing the major production of the department; study of professional practices and management in the business of apparel design and merchandising; preparation and presentation of resume and portfolio.
Prerequisite: Senior standing

450. INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-4)
Content and credit tailored to the individual needs of the student.

455. INTERNSHIP (2-8)
Training in a business establishment for a designated number of hours a week under the supervision of faculty member and the manager of the business establishment.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH OR CREATIVE INVESTIGATION (1-3)
Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced, Senior Thesis Independent Research or Creative Investigation is a course in which students collaborate with faculty
mentors on an ongoing faculty research project or conduct an independent project under the guidance of a faculty member. This directed undergraduate research or creative investigation culminates in a conference presentation, journal article or other creative/scholarly project.

Employment

Nurture your creativity and deepen your understanding of aesthetics as you develop the professional skills needed in the apparel field.  You’ll gain an intellectual base and professional competence in the knowledge and skills of the fashion field, and a humanistic and ethical understanding of apparel as a business and as an art form.

Choose a major in
  • Apparel Design
  • Apparel Merchandising 
Employment
  • Fashion designer
  • Fashion Show Coordinator
  • Fashion Artist
  • Boutique Owner
  • Department Store Buyer
  • Visual Merchandiser
  • Fashion Editor
  • Pattern Designer
  • Fabric Analyst
  • Illustrator
  • Salesperson
  • Teacher
Employers
  • Stores
  • Media
  • Clothing Manufacturer
  • Colleges and Universities