Bachelor of Design (Fashion Design)

The Bachelor of Design, Fashion Design, is for students who want to pursue careers as innovative designers. It sets out to deliver a clear understanding and experience of generating, developing and realising a variety of creative womenswear, menswear and accessory  design to a professional standard.

Students are encouraged to develop their personal design vision within the context of an existing and expanding fashion market, incorporating both classic and innovative design concepts. The diversity of the fashion industry is conveyed through a varied curriculum, targeted projects and the guidance of established and visiting lecturers who are specialists in this sector. 

Essential skills you will learn include: design research methods, flat pattern cutting, modelling on the stand, garment construction, tailoring processes and finishing, technical specification, illustration and presentation, textile exploration, print making, marketing & branding.

We proudly deliver an exceptional 1,728* hours over two years and we encourage you to compare.

You won't find another degree like it in Australia.

Course Structure

Design Contexts

In year one, students will be immersed in the foundation elements of design context that look at the historical, cultural and social influences that impact on contemporary design practices. Students relate their research to their chosen specialisation and how the relationship of culture, history and marketplace informs design and designers today. In the second and final year, design context students investigate the relationship between design and marketing, how to integrate design with industry business models and how design integrates with the professional world.

Digital Design

Focuses on visual communication through print and digital media. This area of study examines the principles of communication realised through effective and innovative visual outcomes. Students use the following programs: Adobe Creative Cloud and Style CAD for Pattern making.

Illustration for Design

Focuses on communication techniques relevant to the specialisation of choice.  A diverse range of media is investigated, used and mastered to successfully communicate design intent through illustration.

Design Methods

Delves into the question of What is Design? This subject investigates and interrogates design innovation in Fashion Design. Methods has a strong focus on putting your ideas into practice and preparing for industry

Design Workshop

Supports students through the realisation of their 2D design to a 3D prototype. This area of study provides students with the opportunity to integrate and apply their skills and knowledge from all other subject areas. Students learn basic to advanced pattern making techniques and construction techniques using a variety of machinery for construction to create a reference portfolio of all technical and design work.

Campus & Facilities

With design-centric campuses in Melbourne and Sydney, Whitehouse students are provided with state-of-the-art facilities within each of their subjects. Exclusive access to digital resources, online trend-forecasting services, a specialist design library, student rooftop garden and fully-equipped photography studio.