Diploma
- Study Option
- Live Online
- Course Location
- Online
- Course Level
- Comparable to level 5 on the NFQ
- Entry Requirements
- 18 years old or over
- Assessment
- 10 practical assignments
- Recognition
- The Fashion Design Academy of Ireland is recognised by the International Approval and Registrations Centre (IARC).
Completing this course will enable you to launch a career in the fashion design industry by developing your skills to create and present your first fashion collection.
Designed around 10 practical assignments, you will incrementally develop the techniques and an understanding of the industry that you need to succeed as a fashion designer.
As a Live Online student, you will attend tutor-led classes online taught by industry professionals. You will also have full access to the Online Learning Centre, which contains course material created by industry experts including instructional videos, written content and assignments.
Our tutors provide all the support, knowledge and in-depth feedback you need to progress through your course and are always contactable through the Online Learning Centre.
On average a student studying around 15 hours per week can complete the course in 12 months, a student studying around 30 hours a week can complete the course in 6 months*.
*Completion time is based on the approximate time it has taken past students to complete the course. Students have up to 36 months to complete the course.
Class Schedule
View the schedule for the evening classes and the weekend classes in Live Online.
Topics
The list below provides an overview of the topics covered in this course.
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Fundamental Techniques in Fashion Design
Learn the core skills needed to create innovative designs season after season. Explore creative techniques, master flat pattern drafting and pattern manipulation to create new designs. Use this knowledge to create a garment for a customer attending an event. Learn how to:
- Create and use a sketchbook
- Generate ideas
- Create and use a mini mannequin for draping
- Use flat pattern techniques
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Working with Materials
Develop your skills to create a three outfit, ready to wear collection. Experiment with materials to understand their properties and use manipulation techniques to create new fabrics. Learn about:
- Choosing and examining fabrics
- Manipulating materials
- Sewing techniques
- Swatch books
- Presentation boards and presenting your work professionally
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Cultural Movements in Fashion Design
Examine how society, history, technology, economics and culture influence fashion design practice. Complete a research project to learn about key historical movements in fashion design. Learn how to:
- Use research methods
- Analyse key movements in history
- Develop key insights about contemporary design influences
- Present research findings professionally
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Creating a Garment
Build the technical skills needed to turn a design into a finished outfit. Improve accuracy in pattern drafting and design interpretation by creating a basic garment. Learn how to:
- Measure a person for a pattern
- Create specification sheets
- Research, source and test fabrics
- Draft patterns
- Create toiles and examine fitting
- Cut patterns and sew a finished garment
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Designing Collections for a Brand
Examine market trends to identify customer needs and design a six outfit fashion collection. Learn how to:
- Examine current and future trends
- Create a strategy for creating a fashion collection
- Develop designs and brand logos
- Create line-ups and technical drawings
- Examine fabric quality
Tutors
All our tutors are fashion design professionals working in the industry.
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Naomi
FaughnanCourse Tutor
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Marie
McElheronCourse Tutor
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Patricia
GomesCourse Tutor
The course shows videos on doing the assignments. They also recommended books to help the student with design trends.
The course has the right blend of theoretical and practical knowledge. I am really enjoying it and I feel I have learnt so much.
I am pleased with the course - I can fit it in around my schedule. The feedback from my tutor is helpful and informative.
The Fashion Design Academy of Ireland
Our philosophy at the Fashion Design Academy of Ireland is to make high-quality education accessible to all by empowering people to do what they love. Through the power of online and blended learning, our students are able to harness their creativity and practically apply it to succeed in their chosen careers.
Pursue your ambition - because the future is today!
Learn more