Bachelor of Fashion (Design Technology)

The learning and teaching approach of this program emulates how you would work in a professional role in a commercial fashion enterprise. 

You will work in the state-of-the-art Fashion Design Studio, allowing you to study in a real fashion enterprise setting, and you will work on industry-standard machines and use computer applications such as Photoshop and Illustrator.

The program extends your understanding of fashion design in relation to the processes involved with research, design and product development realisation, market positioning and industry relevance of fashion concepts with alignments to ’real world’ scenarios.

This will give you the opportunity to design with a view to the long term market positioning and growth of a fashion brand and equip you to be a team player in a fashion organisation.

This program will equip you with the professional, design and management skills necessary to succeed in the challenging national and global fashion industry.

• An awareness of industry mechanisms and potential future opportunities.
• Relevant professional expertise in design presentation.
• Proficiency in 2D design processes and 3D and production skills with emphasis on technical product development.
• Professional and appropriate strategies for realising industry relevant propositions.
• An understanding of contemporary fashion systems and consumer-product interaction.
• An understanding of the broader context in which fashion ideas are situated.
• A grasp of innovative fashion product opportunities that are commercially viable.

You’ll study advanced patternmaking techniques marketing, computer-aided design (CAD), research, and management theory to complement the program's practical component related to fashion design with an industry context.

Through lectures, workshops, presentations and group discussions, you will learn from experienced staff that will treat you as though you are a fashion design professional. Academics are globally connected and are actively engaged in the fashion industry.

You will interact with leading industry figures on your major research project, as well as studying the local and international application of fashion product development associated to consumer demand and target market analysis. You will expand your knowledge and capabilities through applied work with patterncutting and manufacturing technology and build on your understanding of technology and computer systems.

Full-time students will attend approximately 16 hours of classes per week, combined with intensive self-directed extra study/research per week. There are often concentrated periods of out-of-class work when assessments are due.

You will be expected to attend public lectures and events outside of coursework hours as part of your learning. Class sizes are approximately 22 students per studio and 45 students per lecture.

Assessment will include a range of activities such as portfolio development, reports, written reflection, practical assignments, research and industry projects, oral and visual presentations and peer or industry review.

All programs are delivered in English. You can access the Learning Hub and other online and digital resources through the myRMIT student portal.

As part of your major project studies, you will undertake industry research and develop commercial industry briefs with major Australian companies. You will attend lectures and forums by industry professionals.

You will also connect with key industry figures from major Australian and international companies through exhibitions, industry events and special public lectures.

You will work with key industry figures on your major project, producing a collection that will be showcased at a graduate runway show to major players in the fashion and textiles industries.

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional practice.

This program is designed to provide you with high-level skills in industry relevant fashion design and expert skills in specialist patternmaking, managing design and product development.

After several years’ experience, you can be working as a designer or product developer or in a management position within a national or international fashion business.

Graduates of this program have found employment in leading organisations from the Australian and international fashion industry in the following areas:

• fashion design
• product development
• pattern design
• grading
• production management
• quality assurance and control
• offshore production management
• specification coordination
• garment technology.

Professional recognition and accreditation

The programs are recognised and supported by Manufacturing Skills Australia (MSA).

You will have the opportunity to participate in international study tours, work experience or exchanges, which range in duration from 2 weeks to 1 semester.

RMIT’s Global Mobility supports students to undertake an exchange or short term mobility activity with over 165 partner universities worldwide.