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Bachelor of Design (Fashion & Technology)
Click on icon for the Fashion Design & Technology website
DESCRIPTION
As the only four-year program of its kind in western Canada, Kwantlen's Bachelor of Design (Fashion and Technology) program prepares students for careers in the global apparel economy in fashion design, production, marketing and computer technology. The program's curriculum is noted for its industry focus and on formulating design solutions that are both creative and marketable for the global apparel economy. Since 2005, over 90% of graduates have successfully entered the apparel industry with qualifications and experience which enable them to quickly progress to supervisory positions, technical specialties, and to move into leadership roles. This dynamic program features industry-based education and training using leading-edge technology, class projects facilitated by prominent apparel companies, and an extensive internship that results in employment.
The four-year selective-entry program is organized into eight semesters with a minimum of 120 credits in total. The program is taken on a full-time basis (a part-time option may be considered). Limitations apply to part-time studies. The diploma, which is the first two years of the degree program, consists of 62.5 credits in total.
The focus of the program is on education and training in areas of design, production, and marketing for the apparel industry. A typical fashion career requires analyzing market trends, the ability to design for a specific market, and knowledge of fabric, pattern drafting, fit, sewing, costing, logistics, import-export regulations, and working with in-house production people or contractors.
Considerable demands are placed on students to develop professional standards in critical thinking and technical skills. The program simulates a professional atmosphere by providing relevant equipment and by demanding punctuality and strict adherence to schedules. Garments designed throughout the program reflect market trends by balancing creativity with marketability and are produced in standard sizes using industrial drafting and garment construction techniques. Students enjoy the opportunity to study and learn about the role of a fashion designer through industry linked classroom projects in collaboration with local apparel companies.
General education and electives in English, marketing, business and courses from a wide range of offerings at Kwantlen, that students will take as part of the degree, will expose them to a breadth of study which enriches students as designers. Writing and making presentations are important elements of the program.
High quality production equipment includes: industrial straight sewing and specialty machines, sergers, steam irons, a vacuum press and a fusing machine. Classrooms are spacious and well lit. State-of-the-art computers and apparel industry software are used for designing, spec drawing, buyers' kits, media kits, costing, pattern manipulation, grading, marker making and digital portfolio development.
Certain courses are structured to simulate a workplace or job environment, requiring students to work extensively in groups to meet course objectives. In all courses, students are expected to demonstrate a satisfactory level of performance and rate of progress within the timelines set for various course activities.
The program includes an extensive internship in the third year. Visit www.kwantlen.ca/design/fashion.html for more details on all three of the Fashion programs.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The apparel industry, important because it is the fifth largest secondary industry in B.C., is changing to compete with global and domestic markets.
With over 300 apparel companies in the lower mainland, the well-established B.C. fashion industry offers many career choices. Graduates work in the design, marketing and production departments for vibrant lower mainland companies such as Arc'teryx, Aritzia, Arson/Orb, Gentle Fawn, lululemon, Mac & Jac, Mavi Jeans, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Off-The-Wall, Plenty and Sugoi Athletic Wear. Similar opportunities are available worldwide with graduates currently at Nike, Abercrombie & Fitch, Nordstrom, and Volcom in the U.S. and Chloe in Paris, France. Depending upon capabilities and interests, students work for large companies as members of design, production or marketing teams, or for smaller design houses where they are expected to work in all aspects of the business, or engage in entrepreneurial (examples include Allison Wonderland, Evan & Dean, Flaming Angels, Jolie Couture, and A-Z Collections running out of New York) or freelance endeavours. Retail management is another option. Similar opportunities are available worldwide. In all instances, graduates need to be well versed in all three areas (design, production and marketing) of the business to participate fully as team players. Emerging designers prosper best if they have a solid background and experience in production and marketing.
Kwantlen has an agreement with UBC whereby Fashion students interested in a career as a high school clothing and textiles teacher may be eligible for entry to UBC's Bachelor of Education program in Home Economics upon completion of Kwantlen's fashion degree, including 6 credits in English and 18 credits in Family Studies courses. Family Studies courses may be taken at UBC as either a visiting student at UBC while completing Kwantlen's fashion program (Family Studies courses can be used as elective credit for Kwantlen's fashion degree) or as a UBC student following graduation from Kwantlen's fashion program.
The fashion program offers a successful informal job placement service due to its extensive ties to industry.
STUDENT PROFILE
Most people who apply to the program have a passionate lifelong interest in fashion. They may come directly from high school, transfer from other institutions, are mature individuals returning to the profession or making a career change, or industry personnel seeking upgrading. Applicants have a desire to undertake the depth of study that a degree program offers.
Applicants with experience in the fashion industry may gain credits through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). Graduates from a two-year fashion program who wish to pursue a degree will be assessed on an individual basis.
Kwantlen has a student exchange agreement with a fashion school in Helsinki, Finland, Taipei and Tainan in Taiwan and is developing further exchange opportunities.
Students may challenge segments of the program for course work taken elsewhere and gain advanced standing at various levels.
Industry personnel who wish to take a specific course or courses on a part-time basis to complement their job skills may do so with permission of the Program Coordinator. Some course prerequisites may be waived based on work experience. Contact the Program Coordinator for further information.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
In early April, applicants will receive an invitation to the required Orientation and Portfolio Review session to take place in late April or early May.
Alternative portfolio review arrangements are possible for students who live outside the Greater Vancouver Region and who cannot attend in person. It is, however, in the best interest of applicants to make every effort to attend in person.
Successful applicants to the selective-entry program, both full and part-time, must meet general Kwantlen admission requirements (see section on General Information – Admission) as well as the following additional requirements specific to the Fashion program.
First and Second Year Applicants must have one of the following:
- English 12 with a minimum B
- C or higher in any one of the following (or equivalent): ENGL 1100 or ENGQ 1099 or ABEE 0091 or ABEE 0092
- B or higher in ELST 0381 and ELST 0383
- Kwantlen English Placement Test, with a recommendation to ENGL 1100
- LPI with an Essay score of 30 or higher
Applicants currently in high school must submit interim grades by March 31st, with proof of final grades required as soon as they become available.
For applicants who are currently taking English preparatory courses, interim grades must be submitted by March 31st, with proof of final grades required by April 30th.
For applicants currently attending another post-secondary institution, you must submit a final official transcript and a Request for Transfer Credit form before April 30th..
For all other applicants, proof of having met the program's English proficiency requirement must be provided within two weeks of the application date.
Any applicant who has not submitted proof of the English requirement by the specified dates will be removed from the list of eligible applicants.
Fashion and Other Related Skills
- A minimum B in Textile Studies Grade 11 & 12 or Clothing and Textiles 12A or extensive sewing experience.
- Demonstrated skills in art and design, computer keyboarding skills, basic mathematical skills, and an awareness of the fashion profession. These qualifications will be assessed at an Orientation and Portfolio Review Session by the program faculty. A simple math test and questionnaire on awareness of the fashion industry and team work skills will be part of the orientation.
Portfolio Review
Submission of the portfolio, at the Orientation and Portfolio Review session, must include the following original work in sufficient number and variety to demonstrate the applicant's ability:
- Transcripts from high school and any post secondary institutions attended (Note: transcripts sent with your application are not available for faculty – you must include a copy in your portfolio)
- Resume, one-page statement of interest in the fashion program and the fashion industry, and a minimum of 3 letters of reference from teachers, instructors, coaches or employers
- Art and design work to include each of the following:
- 1 – 2 sketchbooks of current work (date your work)
- 2 examples of art or design work with a brief, written analysis of why you included these particular pieces and
- along with your invitation to the Orientation and Portfolio Review session you will receive instructions for a design exercise to be included in your portfolio.
- Six to ten self-sewn garments made from commercial patterns, draping or applicant's own drafts that demonstrate a range of skills. Provide at least 4 different types of garments, i.e. skirts, pants, tops, dresses, jackets in different types of fabrics. Garments should include each of the following garment components: darts, two different types of zippers, two different types of pockets, set-in sleeves, collars, cuffs, buttons and buttonholes. At least one garment must be lined. Photographs not accepted.
- Written evidence to include a journal of fashion industry-related reading and information about Vancouver-based design/manufacturing companies
- Transcripts or certificates of life-skills courses
- Self-generated computer work (i.e., your resume, copies of spreadsheets, drawings) listing programs used and hard copy examples of computer work
- Evidence of leadership and community involvement such as team skills, personal management, problem solving and organizational skills, and stress management
Faculty will review the eligibility of candidates at the conclusion of the Orientation and Portfolio Review sessions.
All students entering the first or second year of the Fashion Design and Technology program will be considered degree program students. Students will have the option to exit with a diploma after year 2 and must identify themselves by submitting a Graduation Credential Application during their last semester of the diploma program. Students pursuing a degree will be able to continue to the 3rd year after year 2 (see process for continuing students – years 3 and 4).
Applicants who are not accepted into the program for September may work toward degree credits by taking Fashion Marketing Certificate courses, Interdisciplinary Design Studies courses and other Fashion program courses that are available to Fashion Marketing Certificate students (Note: not all courses taken in these programs are eligible for credit toward the fashion degree).
Continuing students – years 3 and 4:
Students continuing from year 2 into year 3 will be required to pay a commitment fee (in lieu of their Fall registration deposit) by mid-May to secure their seat for the fall semester.
Students continuing into year 3 of the degree program must have completed all requirements for years 1 and 2 with an average cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher with a final grade of B- or greater in FASN 2200 (Design Drawing II) and FASN 2220 (Drafting and Sewing IV).
Third year applicants transferring from another program:
Third year applicants who graduated from Kwantlen's Fashion diploma program prior to year 2000 or from a fashion program from a post secondary institution other than Kwantlen must have:
- Completion of a fashion design diploma or equivalent with a minimum of two years of study from a recognized college or university with a minimum of 60 credits and an average cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher with a final grade of B- or greater in FASN 2200 and FASN 2220 or equivalent courses.
- Students must apply to enter the 3rd year of the Bachelor of Design (Fashion and Technology) and Diploma in Fashion Design and Technology degree program by March 31st for the following September. Be sure to state on your application that you are applying to year 3 of the program. In early April you will receive an invitation to an Orientation and Portfolio Review session to 3rd year to take place in late April or early May.
Additional requirements
Proof of having met the English Requirement for first year must accompany the application.
Evidence of design, CAD, pattern drafting and industrial sewing knowledge and skills equivalent to Kwantlen's Fashion Design & Technology diploma program via a portfolio review are required. Applicants who have not studied the same pattern drafting system used at Kwantlen may be required to do a self-study unit (materials available) prior to beginning the third year. For a detailed description of portfolio requirements, download an information package from www.kwantlen.ca/fashion.
- reference letters (at least 2, 3 at most)
- high school and all post secondary transcripts
- current resume
- letter of intent
- one page report on what you know about the Vancouver fashion industry.
Applicants must have completed the following 4 bridging courses or equivalent prior to entering 3rd year.
- CMNS 1140 Introduction to Professional Communications (or any 1st year, post secondary, 3 credit business communications course)
- ENGL 1100Writing, Reading and Thinking: An Introduction (or any 1st year, post secondary, 3-credit English course)
- FASN 1205 Applications for Fashion (or courses in Adobe Illustrator® & Microsoft Office®)
- MRKT 1199 Introduction to Marketing (or any 1st year post secondary, 3 credit marketing course)
Some credits from Kwantlen's diploma program (FASN 1115 The Apparel Industry, FASN 1150 Fashion Retail Work Experience, FASN 2130 Technical Fashion Drawing, FASN 2240 Computer-based Pattern Drafting) may be taken in the third year, based on availability. Some credits from courses taken elsewhere may be used to fulfill the elective requirements in the third and fourth years. Transfer credits will be assessed on an individual basis.
Transferring students should consider taking a bridging year to complete all eight of the above as these courses are crucial foundation courses for success in the 3rd and 4th years of the program.
CONTENT
The first year introduces students to the various facets of the fashion industry, elements and principles of fashion design, drawing, pattern drafting and industrial sewing and includes important support courses in English, computer applications for fashion and marketing. The second year is more focused on fashion discipline-based knowledge and skill development and includes designing for industry linked projects in collaboration with local apparel companies such as Lululemon, Plenty, Sugoi, The Bay Canadian by Design division and Ms. Coquette.
The third and fourth years feature opportunities to apply previous studies to real world applications. Students design for both mass and niche markets, combining creativity with marketability and practice production planning from both a local and global perspective. An Internship with a local design company will increase students' knowledge of industry practices and develop contacts in the industry. The final semester culminates in a fashion show presented to an audience of over 2,000 people. Most electives are taken in the senior years, but students may take electives in the order that best suits their schedules.
Students may want to take non-fashion courses such as English, marketing, communications and electives during the summer semester to lighten the regular semesters' workload.
Computer software used in the fashion program includes:- CS3® (Adobe Illustrator®, Photoshop® and Indesign®), Microsoft Word®, Power Point® and Excel® for flats, specification sheets, buyers' kits, costing and digital portfolio development
- Gerber Garment Technology®, and CADterns® for pattern development, grading and marker making
- Pending for Fall 2010: The Fashion Design program will be delivered in an e-mobile environment which includes laptops, computers, software and support. Students need to include "fee for service" costs of the laptop and requisite course software for the duration of the 4 year degree program (approximately $1,250 each year).
Successful applicants may take their general education and non discipline specifics courses prior to entering the program and/or during the summer semester in order to lighten their workload during the term. Courses such as ENGL 1100, MRKT 1199 and others are usually offered during the summer semester.
Industry personnel may contact the Program Coordinator to access individual courses of interest without applying for the complete program. Access is determined by permission of the Coordinator and on availability of space.
DIPLOMA AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Refer to timetables as course offerings may change year to year
(based on full-time attendance)- Semester 1
- MRKT 1199 * Introduction to Marketing (or any 1st year post secondary, 3 credit marketing course),
- ENGL 1100 * Writing, Reading and Thinking: An Introduction (or any 1st year, post secondary, 3-credit English course),
- FASN 1100 Fundamentals of Fashion Design
- FASN 1115 * The Apparel Industry (previously FASN 1210)
- FASN 1120 Drafting & Sewing I
- FASN 1150 * Fashion Retail Work Experience (may be taken over 12 months in year 1 or 2)
- Semester 2
*Note – MRKT 1199 may be required to advance to Kwantlen's upper level Marketing courses.
- Semester 3
- Semester 4
GRADUATION
Upon successful completion of year 2, with a minimum of 62.5 credits, students may apply for a Diploma in Fashion Design and Technology.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS CONTINUED:
- Semester 5
- Semester 6
- Semester 7
- Semester 8
Electives to include:
- Minimum of two general education courses: (recommend one at the 3rd year level) courses from non-fashion areas of study that develop a breadth of knowledge and integrate with learning acquired in the program
- Minimum of one Business or Marketing related course
- Minimum of two Other Electives from any area of study such as business, marketing and fashion courses (such as FASN 4250)
Additional FASN Courses
The following course is required for the Fashion Marketing Certificate and offered once a year in the spring semester. It is not eligible for elective credits for the degree.
- FASN 2250 * The Business of Fashion
The following course is an elective course for 4th year students wanting to study an area of fashion in more depth – subject to instructor approval.
- FASN 4250 Self-Directed Study
*Note: Courses available to Fashion Marketing students. Industry personnel may contact the Program Coordinator to access other courses.
GRADUATION
Upon successful completion of this program, students are awarded a Bachelor of Design (Fashion & Technology).