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RMIT University

  • 45% international / 55% domestic

Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Technology

  • Associate Degree

Unlock your creative potential and pursue a career in fashion design. Work closely with the fashion industry and develop your skills.

Key details

Degree Type
Associate Degree
Duration
2 years full-time
Course Code
AD014, 074685J
Study Mode
In person
Intake Months
Feb, Jul
International Fees
$31,680 per year / $63,360 total

About this course

Your journey starts here. You will develop creative and technical skills while working closely with the fashion industry. Study design, pattern making and cutting-edge technology to produce everything from ready-to-wear through to made-to-measure fashion.

You'll learn to blend theory with practice through a series of industry-driven and live international projects and activities.

Through your studies you will gain the skills required to be industry-ready, developing the knowledge and know-how to secure jobs in the fashion industry - especially in computer-aided design (CAD) and the global supply chains.

You will develop a broad range of skills and study the underpinning theory of the design process, including fashion range development, trend research, specification development, design and production management, and pattern and garment construction skills.

In your studies you will learn:

  • fashion design and drawing
  • computer-aided design
  • patternmaking and grading
  • computer-aided patternmaking and grading
  • fashion trend research
  • production planning
  • specifications
  • garment construction
  • supply chain management
  • sustainability

You will also work on design briefs from local and international companies such as Alpha60, Cotton On, Denimsmith, Etal, Bizwear and Nobody Denim, working to specifications relating to demographic, colour, fabric, trends and budget.

These experiences will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to work locally or internationally as part of a design team or to start your own business.

This program will unlock your creative potential, enabling you to pursue a career in fashion design or start your own fashion business.

Graduate successes
  • Brian Khoo
    Owner "Brian Khoo", Malaysia
    (previously Design Assistant for Christian Dior Couture, Paris)

  • Linden Blick
    Designer, Cotton On
  • Jodie Hayes
    Co-creator and designer of indie ocean activewear label U&I
  • Paul Cordero
    Draper and patternmaker at Chloe, Paris

Study locations

Brunswick

Career pathways

This program provides you with high-level skills in fashion design and expert skills in specialist pattern making, managing design and product development.

With experience, you can be working as a designer or product developer, or in management positions within international fashion businesses.

Graduates of this program have found employment with leading fashion organisations in Australia and overseas as designers, pattern makers and graders, product developers, specification technicians, quality assurance officers, production controllers, illustrators and small fashion business owner/operators.

Graduates of this program can apply to complete one additional year of study to gain the Bachelor of Fashion (Design Technology).

As a fashion designer your work activities may include:

  • researching emerging trends in fashion, fabrics, colours and shapes
  • creating design concepts and presenting them using hand-drawn or computer-aided design sketches
  • developing fashion ranges
  • working within a team to develop patterns or adapt existing patterns and designs for either boutique or large scale production
  • overseeing production
  • liaising with design teams, buyers and forecasters
  • sourcing, selecting and buying fabrics, trims, fastenings and embellishments
  • developing sample garments

Credit for prior study or work

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience. Find out if you might be eligible.