Associate in Science, Fashion Design

The Associate in Science Degree, Fashion Design focuses on fundamental design principles and technical skills preparing students for an entry-level position in the field of fashion design, textile design, and trend forecasting.  This foundational course of study introduces design principles and provides students with technical, practical and conceptual development skills. The degree introduces technology throughout the design process and prepares students to apply aesthetic principles and technical skills to execute a design from concept to finished garment.  The degree may provide undergraduate requirements necessary for students wishing to transfer to a college or university in fashion design or related majors.

• Develop and facilitate critical thinking, creativity, teamwork, soft skills, multicultural and global awareness that provides career opportunities in fashion.

• Analyze fashion trends and textiles, apply design principles and develop technical skills for apparel production.

The department expects 6 students to complete each year.

The Fashion Design program is an interdisciplinary program that builds on fundamental design principles and technical skills preparing students for an entry-level position in the field of fashion design, textile design, and trend forecasting. Fashion is the second largest share of creative industry jobs in L.A. County, contributing nearly 1 in 5 jobs of the creative industries’ total employment in the County. LBCC’s location between Los Angeles and Orange County gives our students meaningful opportunities for employment.  L.A. county is the “denim capital” of the United States known for its finishing and detailing methods.  An emphasis is placed on learning to collaborate across multiple disciplines and creating a balance between creative and technical skills.  

Los Angeles County’s creative industries generate 864,958 jobs, $77.9 billion in labor income, and $207.8 billion in annual output.  Of the 864,958 total jobs, 414,945 are workers directly employed in the creative industries and 450,013 are jobs indirectly generated by the industry.  In total, both the direct employment generated by the County’s creative industries and the indirect employment they create through multiplier effects constitute 19.7% of Los Angeles County’s total employment.  Apparel Wholesalers jobs increased 5,124 jobs between 2010-2017.  In the last 5 years, there has been a notable uptick in brands showing their lines in Los Angeles County.  The Fashion Design program prepares students for entry-level jobs within the design and manufacturing sector.  Creative occupations often require high levels of education or skills training, so an Associate degree or Certificate in Design is an important part of making our students market-ready. Students can begin a career in the field of apparel and accessory design, technical design, costume design, wardrobe planning, styling, custom design, patternmaking, sample making, textiles, production planning, and manufacturing.

The LBCC Fashion program provides a learning environment that promotes critical thinking, creativity, multicultural awareness, sustainable practices, hands-on learning, work experience and industry networking opportunities. Our students learn from faculty who have worked in the fashion industry and bring their experience and industry connections to the classroom.  Located in one of the country’s largest fashion hubs, the LBCC Fashion program prepares its diverse community of students for careers in fashion and offers specialty classes such as swimwear construction and textile surface design. 

 

There are no requested faculty or facilities for this program, as the program already exists. The LBCC Fashion program serves to meet the labor market and educational needs of students and professionals seeking employment in the fashion industry. Our program is vetted by an Advisory Board comprising experts in the field of apparel design, buying, merchandising, styling, product development, technical design, and marketing, which allows us to tap into the needs of the local labor force, and align our Fashion Program to sync with industry needs.

Requirements	Course	Course Title	Units	Sequence
Required Core
	FD 3	Intro to Careers in Design/Merchandising	2	Yr 2 Fall
	FD 5	Product Development	2	Yr 2 Fall
	FD 9	Clothing Selection	3	Yr 1 Fall
	FD 10	Textile Fibers and Fabrics	3	Yr 1 Fall
	FD 20	Introduction to the Fashion Industry	3	Yr 1 Spring
	FD 21	Quick Sketch Croquis Drawing	2	Yr 1 Fall
	OR
	FD 215	Fashion Sketching I	2	Yr 1 Fall
	FD 24	Fundamentals of Apparel Construction	3	Yr 1 Fall
	FD 25	Intermediate Apparel Construction	3	Yr 1 Spring
	FD 36	Flat Pattern Drafting	3	Yr 1 Fall
	FD 37	Pattern Draping	3	Yr 1 Spring
	FD 38A	Fashion Design I	3	Yr 2 Fall
	FD 38B	Fashion Design II	3	Yr 2 Spring
	FD 45	Digital Fashion Illustration	3	Yr 1 Spring
	FD 46	Advanced Digital Fashion Illustration	1.5	Yr 2 Fall
		Subtotal	37.5
Choose (3.5-4) units from the following:
	FD 27	Production Sewing	1.5	Yr 2 Fall
	FD 32	History of Fashion	3	Yr 2 Spring
	FD 41	Fashion Promotion	2.5	Yr 2 Spring
	FD 200	Trend Forecasting	1	Yr 2 Spring
	FD 216	Fashion Portfolio Development	2	Yr 2 Spring
	FD 271WE	Work Experience - Fashion Design	1-4	Yr 2 Spring
		Subtotal	3.5-4
		Total	41-41.5

There are similar programs at LBCC: Certificate of Achievement, Fashion Design.

There are similar programs at neighboring community colleges, including Santa Ana College, Orange Coast College, Saddleback College, Santa Monica College, El Camino, Fullerton College, Mt San Antonio College and Pasadena City College.

150-200