Fashion Design Vocational Schools
Two-year programs are available to students that attend fashion design vocational schools. Students will earn certificates or Associate of Arts degrees in their chosen field once they have completed courses that cover the basics of fashion design. Some industry leaders think that vocational training schools provide better preparation than four-year institutions because the fact of the matter is they have closer alliances with the garment industry.
Vocational schools usually award an Associate of Arts degree in conjunction with a two level certificate program. For those who want to start working in design as soon as possible, the school often offers a first-level certificate of proficiency. With this short certificate, individuals will be prepared to work as Design Room Assistants. Working in a busy design room will involve many interesting duties.
Any student wanting to work as an Assistant Designer will need to spend more time gaining their education, and complete the 2nd level certificate of proficiency. As an assistant designer, one usually drafts flat sketches of the garments and is expected to include details for production. Assistant designers are also trained on each type of fabric, and how it corresponds with various stitching etcetera, and the assistant designer will be in charge of placing the fabric and trim orders. They must be flexible and responsible; as they will be called on to do many jobs around the design room.
