express your passion
advanced diploma of fashion design & textiles NTIS No. 90913NSW
duration: 4 semesters full-time
The fashion industry pivots on the ever changing, high-energy profile and excitement of the international design world. The brightest and best fashion designers rise to become global brand names, media personalities, business leaders or, ultimately, celebrated creative icons symbolising the unique look, feel and attitudes of their era. Fashion designers influence and respond to social change by setting trends in visual culture and global commerce.
Fashion design is about expressing a passion for line, shape, texture, colour, drape and fabric, underpinned with a sensitive and astute understanding of design history viewed through the lens of contemporary culture.
Designing for fashion is about creating innovative and inspiring garments that enhance the body, personality and character of individuals. Fashion also expresses the identity of different generations, groups and market segments within the diverse and vibrant society of today. Fashion designers travel extensively building global product knowledge and seeking cultural stimulation, while adapting the latest and greatest into every signature range they design and produce.
Fashion students enter a stimulating environment where creative subjects such as fashion design, fashion drawing, textile design and colour are balanced with a thorough knowledge of pattern making and garment construction and fashion-specific computer aided design.
Students perfect their visual communication and design skills on paper through drawing, then use their technical knowledge to create exciting, innovative and accurate fashion garments in fabric for showcasing in the two Whitehouse fashion parades held annually.
The Advanced Diploma of Fashion Design and Textiles prepares you to work in a professional design capacity in fashion design and related design industries.
As you progress in your learning, you will develop your own creative garment designs from concept to fruition, including construction, merchandising and marketing.
The assessment methods used in the program are engaging and complementary, including practical and written assignments, portfolio preparation, critiques, presentations, practical and written examinations, exhibitions, role-play and simulation.
On successful completion, you will graduate with an essential range of creative skills and industry knowledge required to actively pursue your design ambitions both locally and overseas.
stage 1
Whitehouse programs are 'hands on' from day one. At the start of the program, you will be introduced to the fundamental principles and practices of design.
Learning throughout Stage 1 develops from a strong foundation through subjects such as Design Throughout History, Cultural History and Colour Theory and Applications.
This is complemented by increasing emphasis on practical outcomes in subjects that introduce Fashion and Textile Design, Drawing, Design Computing, Patternmaking and Garment Construction, along with Trade Design and Professional Practice Fundamentals.
semester 1 subjects:
- Introductory Design for Fashion
- Introduction to Figure Drawing for Fashion
- Flat Patternmaking Fundamentals
- Garment Construction Fundamentals
- Trade Design
- Technical Drawing Fundamentals for Fashion
- Textile Design Fundamentals
- Colour Theory and Applications
- Design Throughout History
semester 2 subjects:
- Fashion Design and Adaptation
- Fashion Drawing
- Applied Patternmaking 1
- Garment Construction 1
- Custom Textile Design
- Design Computing Fundamentals
- Professional Practice Fundamentals
- Cultural History 1
- Vocational Work Experience (optional)
stage 2
In Stage 2 of the program, you will be expected to demonstrate increasing design sophistication and technical competence.
The development and refinement of practical skills continues, with students designing and constructing increasingly complex fashion pieces while progressively developing their digital design and computer drafting skills.
The emphasis in the second stage of the program is on professional practice in a variety of contexts - for example, working with others or freelancing.
You will also participate in two industry placements where you apply your learning in a practical workplace context, and begin to establish your design industry network.
At the successful completion of the program, you will step out into the workforce with an extensive design portfolio, quality skills and industry experience that demonstrate your creative and practical capabilities and professionalism to potential employers, locally and overseas.
semester 3 subjects:
- Fashion Design and Identity
- Fashion Illustration
- Textile Design Applications and Extensions
- Applied Patternmaking 2
- Garment Construction 2
- Computer Illustration 1
- Business Communication
- Applied Professional Practice
- CADD Patternmaking Fundamentals
- Cultural History 2
- Industry Placement 1
semester 4 subjects:
- Contemporary Fashion Design
- Fashion Sketching and Rendering
- Concept Development
- Millinery
- Light Tailoring and Grading
- Garment Construction 3
- Computer Illustration2
- Applied CADD
- Patternmaking
- Project Management
- Industry Placement 2