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| Studying Fashion Design to Get to the Runway |
| by Amanda Fornecker |
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The latest episode on Project Runway has you begging for the next. Oh, the drama, the competition, the fashion! But it's more than just the drama and backstabbing for you isn't it? You hang on every design and stitch and live vicariously through the fashion designers. So maybe it's time to check out what you can learn about fashion design in an educational setting.
The International Academy of Design and Technology (IADT) has many different campuses scattered throughout the country and Canada, giving many the opportunity to earn a fashion design degree. IADT's Toronto campus can teach you everything about fashion design in an intensive two-year program. The first year of the fashion design curriculum has students learning about the basics of designing and using textiles. The second year is more about putting that knowledge into practice and using the sewing machine.
IADT Orlando offers a bachelor of fine arts gegree in fashion design and merchandising. Similary, the bachelor of fine arts degree in fashion design and marketing at IADT Sacramento offers information on styling, textiles, illustration and more. Along with the principles of fashion design, the fashion design degree programs are packed with lessons in fundamentals like sales and business. And there's always the general education coursework that gives one an understanding of other things than just their specialized study. These things combined will provide a well-rounded fashion design education.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that fashion designers held about 17,000 jobs in 2004 and most were concentrated in either New York or California. Many of these were self-employed. According to the BLS, the amount of available jobs will grow slower than the average by 2014. In May 2004, the median yearly salary for fashion designers was $55,840. Those with either a two- or four-year degree are of course more likely to land the more sought-after jobs, specifically those that are more high profile.
As a fashion designer, one can go in a few directions. First, you might become a freelancer, who essentially employs one's self. This consists mostly of creating a style and pitching it to a fashion design company. You can also choose to work for a company that already exists or create your own company. Each has its positives and negatives, along with its obstacles to success. No matter what road you choose, be sure to have a fashion design degree in order to give you the best chances at success. And begin your path to the Runway, minus the drama.
About the author:
http://www.collegesurfing.com/content
Amanda Fornecker is a staff writer at The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.
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| QUICK FACTS |
| More than half of all photographers are self-employed, a much higher proportion than for most occupations. |
| Freelance and portrait photographers need technical proficiency, gained through either a degree program, vocational training, or extensive photography experience. |
| Growth of Internet versions of magazines, journals, and newspapers will require increasing numbers of commercial photographers to provide digital images. |
| (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Photographers) |
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| Find out more about the International Academy of Design & Technology today! |
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