A career in the fashion designing has always been one of the most fascinated, attractive and appealing choices among students. India, being the most diverse country in the world, offers many types of fashions and costumes that are famous and followed across the globe. Owing to the globalisation, especially in recent times, the popularity of Indian fashion and culture has increased worldwide. Consequently, the current market size of the Indian fashion industry is US$100 billion and is expected to be double by the year 2020.
One of the massive e-commerce companies, Myntra confirmed that India’s current internet user base is approximately 450 million and the number is projected to escalate at least 60% by 2020. Furthermore, the current active internet users who access the internet at least once a month is slightly more than 300 million, which is expected to reach beyond 400 million by 2020.
Indian apparel industry is the second largest contributor right behind the food and grocery. Thanks to the technology-driven, growing economy, brand awareness and other relevant factors, today, Indians are no less concerned about their appearance and lifestyle. And, this upgraded lifestyle leads to a major shift in the Indian fashion industry and the consumer preference, which ultimately made the field of fashion more lucrative and vibrant.
Today the influence of the social media in students’ daily routine is increasing with each passing day, and hence, a large number of students are spellbound by the magic of the fashion and apparel industry. For those of you who are mesmerised and enthralled by the charm of fashion designing and are willing to make a career in this delightful field, I am providing a list of courses, which will help you penetrate in the world of fashion design.
Diploma in Apparel Design course makes you familiar with the fashion industry and helps you understand the fundamentals of the procedures and techniques followed for textile production and marketing. The course will basically give you a gist of the technical and design methodologies used in the fashion industry. Further, the Diploma course in the Apparel Design makes you aware of various parts and facets of the apparel industry right from the production, designing, management and marketing as well.
Diploma in Apparel Design course will teach you many elements of the fashion designing such as sewing, making patterns, designing various fashion accessories, working on different types of fabrics and textiles, and documenting the documents of the apparel export of the company. Moreover, you will also learn to test and classify various types of textiles, assuring the quality of the garments, identifying numerous kinds of yarns such as the threads, wools, cotton, and cord etc.
Usually, the course is of 3 academic years, however, the duration may differ as per the course structure and curriculum.
The basic eligibility to pursue Diploma in Apparel Design course is passing 10th. However, some institutes consider students with 10+2 certificate only. Hence, I would suggest you get in touch with the colleges individually.
A general knowledge of the fabrics and textiles is required. Anything beyond that is a blessing.
Diploma in Fashion Design helps you understand the complete role of a fashion designer. The course makes you familiar with the global fashion scenarios and teaches you how the fashion industry works and how you can find your fit within the industry. The Diploma course in Fashion Design provides you with an in-depth knowledge of various aspects of the fashion industry, identifies your potentials and strengths and polishes your skills and expertise.
Diploma in Fashion Design course will teach you about the fashion designing, textile technology, fashion merchandising, clothing product, and fashion marketing etc. The course will also make you familiar with various techniques and methods that are currently being used in the fashion industry. Other than that, you will also learn about the drawing and sketching techniques, colour palettes, fabrics, textile, patterns cutting and creating computer-aided designs etc.
The duration of the Diploma in Fashion Design course is between 1 to 3 academic years, based on the institute course prospectus.
You need to complete the 10th Standard from a recognised board in order to apply for the Diploma in Fashion Design course in India.
You must have the passion for fashion and have a creative and innovative mind as your job as a fashion designer requires to come up with different ideas and designs every day.
Diploma in Fashion Photography is an exciting and electrifying course a lot of students love to opt for. The course teaches the fundamentals of the photography, makes you familiar with various photography techniques and methods, introduces you to different kinds of cameras and lens etc. The Diploma course in Fashion Photography polishes your photography skills and makes you able to communicate through your photographs. Further, the course guides you to use your imaginations and creativity and create a masterpiece every time you hold your camera.
Diploma in Fashion Photography will teach you various aspects of fashion photography, lighting effects, filters, lens, apertures, portfolios, photo editing tools, depth of field and different techniques and practices to use your camera in the best possible ways to create something extraordinary. The course will also give you tips to handle cameras, take candid pictures and let you know about various shooting techniques.
Diploma in Fashion Photography is a specialised course in the field of photography that usually of 3 to 6 months.
You need to pass 10th Standard from a government recognised board.
Since the course primarily focuses on the photography skills only, there is no need to have the knowledge of the fashion industry. However, you need to have a zeal for photography and must be familiar with using the camera.
Diploma in Fashion Technology course makes you familiar with the technological part of the fashion industry. The course teaches you different technologies and tools that are being used in the fashion world. The Diploma course in the Fashion Technology helps you understand various designing theory and concepts. Furthermore, the course also teaches you about the history and art of the Indian as well as western fashion. Along with it, Diploma in Fashion Technology course teaches you various photo-editing tools such as the Corel Draw, Photoshop and Illustrator etc.
You will learn about the basic aspects of designing, colour theory, garment sewing, draping techniques, pattern making, sketching fashion models, fashion and photography related courses. Besides, you will also be given various designing projects where you will need to design shirts, skirts, blouses, kids wear, portfolio, and presentation techniques. The course will also make you familiar with the advanced pattern techniques, garments construction, figure illustrations and various types of fashion and clothing materials.
Diploma in Fashion Technology course is a 3 years long, which usually is divided into 6 semesters. However, the course structure may vary from institute to institute.
You need to complete the 10th Standard from a recognised board. Few prominent institutes conduct the entrance examination in order to provide admission to their Diploma in Fashion Technology program where you may require to answer several fashion-designing and technology related questions. Such exams evaluate students’ knowledge and understanding of the fashion industry and their proficiency in technology.
You are expected to be familiar with the fashion related computer software, photo-editing tools, and the understanding of the fashion industry.
Diploma in Jewellery Design is another specialised programme on this list. The course makes you aware of various tools and techniques that are used to design the jewellery. The Diploma in Jewellery Design course also gives you the knowledge about the current market trends in the jewellery and accessories design. The Diploma course in Jewellery Design makes you familiar with the jewellery creation, rendering, materials that can be used to design jewellery, various designing and manufacturing processes.
In Diploma in Jewellery Design course, you will learn to design various types of jewellery and accessories such as the bracelets, earrings, necklaces, pendants, and rings etc. You will also learn some special skills including colour rendering, colouring metals, engraving stones, polishing jewellery, stone cutting, and analysing the quality of numerous types of gems, metals and stones. The course will also help you understand the types of diamonds and will teach you to classify and differentiate diamonds and stones.
Usually, the duration of the Diploma in Jewellery Design course is from 6 months to 1 academic year.
The basic eligibility for Diploma in Jewellery Design course in most of the colleges is to pass 10th Standard from a government recognised board. However, some institutes provide admission to only those students who have passed 10+2.
Apart from having interest in the jewellery designing, you will have a great concentration power and the eye for details. You must a good eye vision and persistence.
The leather industry is one of the most significant areas that is directly associated with other countries around the globe. The industry has employed more than 20 million people and is the fourth largest earner in the goods export. Seeing the importance of the industry, tons of institutes in India offer certificate, diploma and degree courses in leather technology. The Diploma course in Leather Technology provides you with the knowledge of various types of leathers and helps you understand the production and refining of the leather. Further, the course also makes you familiar with the current trends in the fashion and leather industry.
Diploma in Leather Technology course will teach you the three-tiered designing, computer-aided designing, and leather manufacturing process etc. You will also learn organic chemistry, material testing, leather and garment technology, footwear technology, and leather quality management as well. The course will also make you understand the technologies used to manufacture and design leather goods. The course will also teach you the process to handle the leather machinery and equipment.
Generally, the duration of the Diploma in Leather Technology course is 3 academic years. You may, then, opt for the lateral entry in the B.Tech degree programme in the same field viz. Leather Technology and polish your skills and expertise to the advanced level.
You will need to complete the 10th Standard from a government recognised board. However, some institutes consider students who have passed 10+2 Standard for their Diploma in Leather Technology course.
A little knowledge of the fashion industry and changing trends is essential. Besides, you must a good eye-sight and concentration level.
Diploma in Retail Merchandising course teaches you the fundamentals of the retail marketing, sales, principles, market condition, pricing strategies, and market trends etc. Besides, the course makes you familiar with the process of distribution and sale of the products. The course makes you understand the consumer behaviour and helps you teaches you to modify the marketing strategies accordingly. The Diploma course in Retail Merchandising provides you with the knowledge of handling the inventories, organising employees and other workers and analysing profit & loss and demand & supply scenarios as well.
Diploma in Retail Merchandising will help you the techniques and practices that should be followed in order to increase the sales of the products. You will also learn about the store operations, classifications of the products, product-specific marketing strategies, and analyse the profit margins etc. The course will also make you understand different policies to target audience and prepare you for the everyday operations that a retail manager needs to take care of in a retail store.
How long is the course?
The course is usually for 6 months. However, depending on the course curriculum, the course duration may vary.
You need to have a 10th certificate from a recognised board in India in order to be eligible to apply for the Diploma in Retail Merchandising Course.
You must have good verbal and written skill. Besides, you must possess a good personality and the ability to interact with the consumers and staff members.
The textile industry in India plays a significant role in providing employment to over 40 million people, making profits from the textile exports and contributing to the country’s economy. The Diploma course in Textile Designing provides the fundamental knowledge of the textile and apparel designing, production and merchandising of the products. The course polishes your skills and knowledge and helps you generate different ideas and concepts that can add value to the final products. Diploma in Textile Design course also makes you able to handle various machinery and equipment used in the textile industry.
You will learn about the classification of different colours, patterns, yarn, sketching and drawing, and fabrics etc. You will also learn the basic concepts of designing, printing, illustration, entrepreneurship skills, and computer-aided textile designing. The course will also teach you about the machine knitting, textile crafting, dyeing and apparel manufacturing. You will also acquire the knowledge of various production process and techniques used in the textile design.
Diploma in Textile Design course is from 6 months to 1 academic year. The course duration depends on the course curriculum and structure mostly.
Some institutes ask for 10th Standard to provide admission to the Diploma in Textile Design programme while few colleges require students to pass 10+2 from a recognised board.
You must have an artistic mind and have a good eye for colours, patterns and textures. Along with it, you should have a basic understanding of the fashion and textile industry.
Diploma in Visual Merchandising is the first step to enter the fashion and merchandising world. The course makes you familiar with the various strategies and visual concepts basis which you can promote your products and services. The course provides you with the knowledge of the current and future market trends, negotiating skills and communicating with other associated teams. Furthermore, the course polishes a number of skills you would need to apply while you are at work such as planning, maintaining the budget, conducting research, pricing, and analysing consumer behaviour etc.
Diploma in Visual Merchandising course will teach you the different ways to do branding and marketing of your goods and services. The course will also help you identify different kinds of fabrics, visual materials, and patterns etc. You will also learn a number of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software including AutoCAD and Adobe Creative Suite. Along with it, you will learn about sales strategies, marketing campaigns and follow different visual guidelines as per the products and market scenarios.
The duration of the Diploma in Visual Merchandising course is 3 academic years.
You must have a strong hold over the communication and negotiation skills. Besides, you should have an interest in the fashion and industry. You must have a creative mind and a problem-solving attitude as well.
Diploma in Garment Fabrication Technology course makes you familiar with various aspects of garment, textile and fashion industry. The course provides you with the knowledge of garment construction, design management, and computer-aided designing etc. The Diploma course in Garment Fabrication Technology polishes your practical skills and knowledge about the industry and prepares you to work for large fashion houses and garment corporations. Furthermore, the course also makes you aware of the different kinds of apparel designing such as men’s apparels, women’s apparels and children’s’ apparels as well.
Diploma in Garment Fabrication Technology course will teach you about the sewing technology, basic and advanced patternmaking, quality control management, preparing layouts, and garment production etc. You will also learn the fashion marketing and merchandising skills. Besides, the course will teach you sketching, making the illustration, understanding the colour palettes and classification of different types of fabrics.
Usually, the duration of the Diploma in Garment Fabrication Technology course is between 1 to 3 academic years. The course duration is based on the course curriculum and structure.
You need to complete the 10th Standard to apply for the Diploma in Garment Fabrication Technology course in most of the colleges. However, several colleges offer this course to only those students who have completed their 10+2 Standard from a recognised board.
You should have a good eye for colours and patterns. Besides, you must have an interest in the fashion and textile industry.
Other than these top 15 fashion designing courses after 10th, I have compiled a list of more courses that you can pursue after 10th. Let us take a look at them:
Hope this article helps all the aspirants, willing to make a concrete career in the fashion and textile industry, make a wise decision. I have tried to mention almost all the courses related to fashion and other associated fields in this post. In case you come across any other courses that have not been listed here, comment below and help me update this list.
