2025-2026 Academic Catalog

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Fashion Merchandising & Design (FMD)

FMD 1204 - Clothing and People (3 credits)

The study of the influence of culture and society on dress and dress practices, similarities and differences in the dress among groups and individuals, and the role of dress in reflecting and shaping intra- and inter-cultural interactions. The analysis of the construction and communication of personal and social identity (based on age, physical disability, gender, sex, sexual identity, race, ethnicity, religion, cultural and group/subcultural affiliations, etc.) through dress (clothing, accessories, body modifications) using fashion and social science theories and the intersection of various identities and positions in shaping human experience related to dress and appearance. Examination of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice issues and solutions related to dress and appearance within the United States and the global fashion industry.

Pathway Concept Area(s): 3 Reasoning in Social Sciences, 7 Identity & Equity in U.S., 11 Intercultural&Global Aware.

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

FMD 1224 - Introduction to the Fashion Industry (3 credits)

Development, structure and operations of textile and apparel manufacturers, marketers and retailers in the fashion industry and the product types including menswear, womenswear, childrenswear and accessories. Identification of fashion careers and major fashion markets and vendors both domestic and international. Basic processes and principles governing forecasting fashion acceptance, movement and change as influenced by economic, sociological, psychological, political and technological factors. Sources of industry information such as trade journals, industry websites and company publications.

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

FMD 2014 - Digital Drawing (3 credits)

Basic principles and methods for digital drawing with consideration toward diverse populations in the global marketplace. Practice and skill development using a variety of computer tools to express design ideas via digital rendering by targeting diverse populations and understanding current global challenges. Hands-on experience via design projects.

Pathway Concept Area(s): 6D Critique & Prac in Design, 11 Intercultural&Global Aware.

Instructional Contact Hours: (2 Lec, 3 Lab, 3 Crd)

FMD 2204 - Introduction to Textiles (3 credits)

Structure, properties and basic production of textiles and textile components: natural and manufactured fibers; yarns; woven, knit, nonwoven fabrics; mechanical and chemical finishes; colorants and coloration methods. Influence on performance of apparel and interior textile products. Sophomore standing and one semester of Pathways Concept 4 (Reasoning in the Natural Sciences) is required.

Corequisite(s): FMD 2214

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

FMD 2214 - Apparel Textiles Laboratory (1 credit)

Identification and characterization of textiles and textile components including: fabrics, finishes and coloration. Influence of these structural parameters on performance of apparel textiles. Sophomore standing and one semester of Pathways concept 4 (Reasoning in the Natural Sciences).

Corequisite(s): FMD 2204

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lab, 1 Crd)

FMD 2224 - Fashion Presentation Techniques (3 credits)

Basic principles and methods for executing fashion illustrations, proportions of the fashion figure, design details, portfolio development, identifying target markets and fabric renderings with consideration toward diverse populations in the global marketplace. Exploration and practice in color with work in pencil, color pencil, pastel, and watercolor. Practice and skill development using a variety of manual and computer tools to illustrate construction details and create technical flats. Emphasis placed on the use of correct industry terminology.

Prerequisite(s): AHRM 1014

Pathway Concept Area(s): 6D Critique & Prac in Design, 11 Intercultural&Global Aware.

Instructional Contact Hours: (2 Lec, 3 Lab, 3 Crd)

FMD 2264 - Apparel Product Development (3 credits)

Study of the pre-production stage of product development in the apparel industry, including planning a line based on market, consumer, and product research, forecasting trends in color, style and materials, developing and selecting designs and styles, and wholesale marketing of a line to retail buyers. Also includes the use of diverse inspiration sources for creating a design, application of computer-aided design to design and style development, and identification of career opportunities and qualifications for professional positions in the industry. Sophomore Standing required.

Prerequisite(s): FMD 2224

Instructional Contact Hours: (2 Lec, 2 Lab, 3 Crd)

FMD 2964 - Field Work/Practicum (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

FMD 2974 - Independent Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

FMD 2974H - Independent Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

FMD 2984 - Special Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

FMD 3024 - History of Costume (3 credits)

Study of the evolution and development of Western costume for adults and children from ancient times to the present with a focus on historical, socio-cultural, political, economic, and psychological factors/influences on changes in fashion and design style features. Use of terminology to describe each period’s fashion and clothing design style features. Evaluation of similarities and differences between fashion and clothing design style features of different time periods. Discussion of theories of fashion change and fashion revival theories that explain the revival/reoccurrence of features of historic costume styles in contemporary fashion and design.

Prerequisite(s): FMD 1204 and FMD 2204

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

FMD 3034 - Historic Costume and Textile Collection Management (3 credits)

An active learning approach to managing and digitizing historic costume and textile collections; conserving historic textiles; and designing and curating historic costume and textile exhibitions. Researching, documenting, interpreting, handling and storing artifacts. Mounting and displaying a professional costume and textile exhibit appropriate for general public viewings and sharing via oral or poster presentations. Community-engagement methods. Design Lab/Studio

Instructional Contact Hours: (2 Lec, 2 Lab, 3 Crd)

FMD 3104 - Fashion Retailing Concepts (3 credits)

Detailed investigation and analysis of the fundamentals of fashion merchandising concepts emphasizing problem solving at the retail level. Prerequisite: one semester of Pathways Concept 5 (Quantitative and Computational Thinking) required. Pre: Junior Standing.

Prerequisite(s): FMD 1224

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

FMD 3204 - Introduction to Textile Evaluation (3 credits)

Analysis of the performance properties of fabrics. Importance of evaluation to product development, quality control, and specification of care requirements.

Prerequisite(s): FMD 2204 and FMD 2214

Instructional Contact Hours: (2 Lec, 3 Lab, 3 Crd)

FMD 3224 - Apparel Assembly (3 credits)

Systematizing and assembling garment applications for the apparel industry. Conceptual study of simple to complex apparel construction techniques, stitch and seam types, cost-effective measures, applications with manual manipulation, computers, tools, and equipment.

Instructional Contact Hours: (2 Lec, 3 Lab, 3 Crd)

FMD 3234 - Pattern Drafting for Apparel (3 credits)

Apparel product development using basic and advanced flat pattern drafting techniques and skills. Concepts and application of specifications, flat pattern drafting techniques, garment fit and alteration, pattern grading, and marker layout principles used in apparel engineering, product development, and production, along with the development of skill in using a variety of related manual and computer tools.

Prerequisite(s): FMD 3224

Instructional Contact Hours: (2 Lec, 3 Lab, 3 Crd)

FMD 3264 - Draping (3 credits)

Study and application of basic and advanced draping techniques for patternmaking in the apparel industry, including darts in skirts and bodices, princess lines in bodices, yokes, pleats and gores in skirts, and asymmetrical structures for whole garments; selection of fabrics appropriate for garment styles; evaluation of garment fit, design and construction. Includes students design and construction of garments suitable for juried design competitions or exhibitions. Design Lab/Studio. Pre: Junior Standing

Prerequisite(s): FMD 3224

Instructional Contact Hours: (5 Lab, 3 Crd)

FMD 3954 - Study Abroad (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

FMD 4014 - 3D Digital Apparel Design (3 credits)

Implement design solutions using technologically advanced software to create styling on avatars with photorealistic 3D rendering. Transform skills acquired in digital illustration and flat pattern drafting courses into comprehensive tools to create real-life simulated garments. Manipulate or create digital assets (flat patterns, fabric, stitching, trim, etc.) to produce an original style for digital portfolio. Design Lab/Studio (2H, 2L,3C)

Prerequisite(s): FMD 2264 and FMD 3234

Instructional Contact Hours: (2 Lec, 2 Lab, 3 Crd)

FMD 4024 - Portfolio (3 credits)

The development and production of a professional apparel portfolio in both paper and ePortfolio format. Pre: Senior Standing required; 3234 or permission of the instructor.

Prerequisite(s): FMD 3234 or FMD 3264

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

FMD 4034 - Historic Costume and Textile Collection Management (3 credits)

An active and experiential learning approach to historic costume and textile collection management, including describing collection scope, policies, and organizational systems, selecting appropriate basic preservation and conservation techniques used for the care of historic clothing and textiles related to controlling the environment, handling and storage, and cleaning, using standard museum practices when accessioning, dating, labeling, cataloging, mounting/mannequin dressing, and photographing textile artifacts, developing methods for community engagement, and designing and installing historic dress exhibitions. Design Lab Studio.

Instructional Contact Hours: (2 Lec, 2 Lab, 3 Crd)

FMD 4124 - Clothing Behavior Patterns (3 credits)

Study of clothing behavior of individuals in relationship to their needs, values, attitudes, interests, and self-concepts. Overview of principles and theories related to individuals emotional, mental, and physical activities when obtaining, using, maintaining, and disposing of apparel products so as to satisfy their needs and desires. Application of principles and theories related to clothing behavior to the analysis of consumer and the development of effective merchandising strategies.

Prerequisite(s): FMD 3104 and (PSYC 1004 or SOC 1004)

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

FMD 4134 - Fashion E-Tailing (3 credits)

Analysis of technologies, consumer trends, and strategies in fashion e-tailing. Identification of merchandising models, major features, challenges, and trends in fashion e-tailing, including big data, virtual and augmented technologies, and mobile- and social-commerce. Development of a strategic plan for an online fashion venture.

Prerequisite(s): FMD 3104

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

FMD 4224 - Fashion Analysis and Communication (3 credits)

Functions of fashion analysis, promotions, forecasting, media, and communications in the fashion industry. Assessment of effective promotional activities based on consumer, market, and trend research of fashion products. Development of fashion promotion, forecasting, and communication plans. Pre: Senior standing.

Prerequisite(s): FMD 2264

Instructional Contact Hours: (2 Lec, 1 Lab, 3 Crd)

FMD 4234 - Apparel Quality Evaluation (3 credits)

Study of quality of ready-to-wear apparel and factors that influence variations in the aesthetic and functional performance of the end product, including consumer perceptions and expectations, manufacturing processes and trends, and the physical components of the end product.

Prerequisite(s): FMD 3204 and FMD 3224

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

FMD 4244 - New York Fashion Study Tour (3 credits)

Integrative study of methods of operating at all levels within the fashion industry. Special emphasis on design, merchandising, and promotional activities. Seminars on campus and at pre-arranged appointments during a five-day stay in New York. AHRM major; Junior standing. Twelve hours of AHRM/FMD courses required.

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

FMD 4264 - Fashion Merchandising and Design Strategies (3 credits)

Analysis of consumer characteristics as part of a forecast/market study to prepare new fashion merchandise lines based on key findings from forecasts. Formulate a financial merchandise plan using measures of profitability and pricing and devise financially beneficial marketing communications. Compare and contrast career choices through self-evaluation within the fashion apparel industry.

Prerequisite(s): FMD 3104 and FMD 3204 and FMD 3224 and FMD 4224

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

FMD 4274 - International Sourcing of Apparel Products (3 credits)

Study of international sourcing of apparel products through a simulation of the sourcing production to illustrate the procedures and factors needed to source apparel abroad and interrelationships among suppliers, retailers and consumers in the global apparel supply chain. Examination of social, economic, political, cultural, ethical, and environmental factors, law and trade barriers that influence a sourcing decision of apparel products abroad.

Prerequisite(s): FMD 3104

Instructional Contact Hours: (3 Lec, 3 Crd)

FMD 4964 - Field Work/Practicum (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

FMD 4964H - Field Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

FMD 4974 - Independent Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

FMD 4974H - Independent Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

FMD 4984 - Special Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

FMD 4984H - Special Study (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

FMD 4994 - Undergraduate Research (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course

FMD 4994H - Undergraduate Research (1-19 credits)

Instructional Contact Hours: Variable credit course