Technical Apparel Design: Post Baccalaureate Diploma
Description
Internationally renowned for their quality and innovation, BC’s technical apparel industries are poised for growth and are looking for talented, trained designers who can generate new ideas and further technological advances in their field. Technical apparel is defined as apparel designed and manufactured primarily for their technical and performance properties for specific end-uses such as sports, recreation, protection, survival, health and well-being, and military. KPU has the unique opportunity of being in the centre of a dynamic hub of more than three dozen technical apparel businesses in greater Vancouver that are serving markets created by a population focused on health, recreation, and outdoor activities.
Students in the Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Technical Apparel Design will pursue advanced studies in new methodologies in technical textiles, human factors in design contexts, production, and global business strategies. Developed through extensive collaboration with KPU alumni, Vancouver-based companies such as Arc’teryx, Global Collective, Lululemon, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Mustang Survival, and Sugoi, along with researchers and academics across Canada and internationally, it connects research, education, and business to support, inspire, and create innovative approaches to apparel design.
Students will build on their undergraduate education to further develop their ability to uncover market needs and opportunities from a global perspective. Through a wide variety of innovative learning activities that allow for exploration, experimentation, examination, and evaluation, students will develop a more in-depth understanding of the properties of technical textiles that influence the performance of functional apparel design. Students will practice working within a short timeline to design and produce prototypes using an iterative process to test products based on their purpose, fit, and functionality, culminating in a capstone project to present a business case, design, prototype and test a solution to an identified problem.
Students will also have close interactions with local and global industries through special topics guest speakers, symposiums, field studies, workshops, and mentorships. The Chip and Shannon Wilson School of Design creates partnerships that enable students to interact with technical apparel companies and university research and testing centres.
Graduates feed directly into the talent pipeline that demands highly-trained designers for this expanding industry in BC and internationally. In a recent survey of BC’s technical apparel companies, 64% of respondents reported employment growth in the last two years with nearly 25% reporting growth of greater than 20%. Overall, technical apparel employment is expected to increase by 23% in the next two years. Of the polled respondents, 81% believe that products with technical characteristics are unique and pose training challenges for certain positions (BC Technical Apparel Sector Study, October 2012). Graduates from this program will be prepared to meet these demands.
The Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Technical Apparel Design is a 12 month, selective entry, cohort program consisting of 30 credits of course work organized into three semesters. Starting January 2015, courses offered through a compressed schedule will enable those currently employed in industry to attend.
Note: Students in this program may have opportunities, but will not be required, to travel to interact with partners at universities or technical apparel companies in other provinces and the United States. Travel expenses are not funded through tuition fees. Similar opportunities may be provided locally.
Student Profile
To be successful in the business of design, industry needs creative innovators who are willing to take risks, technologists who can strategize, and leaders who can manage the continuing shifts in today’s economy. It also needs critical thinkers who challenge the existing framework and will elevate the industry.
The Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Technical Apparel Design is aimed at an independent learner who is driven to explore in a creative learning environment that allows unexpected, surprising, and delightful ideas to emerge.
The program will attract graduates from a wide range of disciplines that include fashion, textile design, product design, industrial design, interior design, engineering, business or kinesiology. It will also appeal to professionals working in areas of design, health and well-being, engineering, sport, and ergonomics. These professionals are drawn to furthering their design education in order to keep up with today’s global economy and innovative technologies, along with cultural and environmental sustainability issues. The program attracts students from BC, Canada, USA, and around the world.
Great designers come from a range of places, life experiences and educational settings. They will have an inquiring mind, professional skills, leadership potential, ambition and a passion for design and innovation. For entrance, it is expected they will demonstrate the general dimensions of learning outcomes commonly identified with an undergraduate education.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this advanced baccalaureate program will be the next generation of design innovators, strategic technologists and transformative leaders, with the increased ability to drive change and create progress in the technical apparel industry.
Graduates of the program will not only access new design and technical knowledge but will also develop competencies for design thinking with the end-user in mind, leadership, and global business skills. They will be prepared to work in a number of areas in apparel and product design and production, with emphasis on technical and high performance materials. Graduates may also be interested in industrial design, the health-care industry, business development and manufacturing.
As students complete their capstone project, they may be inspired to pursue graduate studies to further their applied research interests.
Program Admission Requirements
In addition to KPU's General university admission requirements, including the undergraduate-level English Proficiency Requirement, the following program admission requirements apply:
- A design-related* baccalaureate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with:
- a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- 3 credits of post-secondary level English (or equivalent)
- Letter of Interest
- Interview
For further details about the letter of interest and interview process, including submission specifics, visit the department's website at: kpu.ca/technicalapparel .
During the portfolio and interview process, faculty members evaluate each applicant for suitability for admission.
* Undergraduate degrees from relevant disciplines will be considered, including Fashion, Product Design, Interior Design, Kinesiology (Human Factors/Ergonomics), Architecture, Visual and Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Textile Design, Industrial Design, Engineering and Business. Students outside of these disciplines should contact the department for more information about the consideration of their degrees.
Effective Spring 2015
In addition to KPU's General university admission requirements, including the undergraduate-level English Proficiency Requirement, the following program admission requirements apply:
- A design-related* baccalaureate degree or equivalent** from a recognized post-secondary institution with:
- a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.67 in the final 60 credits of study
- English 12 with a minimum grade of B, or equivalent
- Letter of Interest package (attached)
- Interview
For further details about the letter of interest package and interview process, including submission specifics, visit the department's website at: kpu.ca/technicalapparel.
During the portfolio and interview process, faculty members evaluate each applicant for suitability for admission.
Notes:
* Undergraduate degrees from relevant disciplines will be considered, including Fashion, Product Design, Interior Design, Kinesiology (Human Factors/Ergonomics), Architecture, Visual and Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Textile Design, Industrial Design, Engineering, Science and Business. Students outside of these disciplines should contact the department for more information about the consideration of their degrees.
** An example of equivalency may be a diploma in a related discipline and at least 5 years industry or design related experience.
Program Requirements
This program requires students to complete a total of 30 credits including a 9-credit capstone project. Students are required to study full time (12 credits) in their first semester, and part-time for the next two semesters. Intakes generally start in the January semester.
Note: DETA courses numbered 5000 or higher are assessed $525/credit for tuition, $36.75/credit for Student Fees, plus Kwantlen Student Association fees for a Selective Entry program. Rates apply to all students.
Semester One
Identification & Inspiration
All of: |
|||
| DETA 5110 | Technical Apparel in Context | 3 credits | |
| DETA 5120 | Technical Textile Technologies | 3 credits | |
| DETA 5130 | Creative Innovation | 3 credits | |
| DETA 5140 | Advances in Apparel Production | 3 credits | |
Semester Two
Conceptualization & Exploration
All of: |
|||
| DETA 5200 | Global Business Strategies for Technical Apparel | 3 credits | |
| DETA 5210 | User Experience | 3 credits | |
| DETA 5230 | Strategic Design Direction | 3 credits | |
Semester Three
Synthesis & Dissemination
All of: |
|||
| DETA 5300 | Capstone Project | 9 credits | |
Other Information
Students should be prepared to spend approximately $1000 on books, supplies, and fabric over the three semesters.
Credential Awarded
Upon successful completion of this program, students are eligible to receive a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Technical Apparel Design.
