About the Apparel Design Program
The apparel design program equips students with all the skills needed to become an apparel or textile designer. Students learn technical and creative skills along with the industry knowledge required to launch a successful career. If you're interested in apparel design and product development, there are two options for you within our program:
Apparel Design Minor
Tack on an apparel design minor to your primary degree! Students must be pursuing an undergraduate degree at UW to declare this minor. Many of the apparel design classes are offered every other year, so make sure to speak with your academic advisor about which courses you can take and how long it will take to complete the minor.
Apparel Design and Product Development Concentration
Ready to dive deep into the world of fashion? Pursue an apparel design and product development concentration within our B.S. in Design, Merchandising and Textiles.
Apparel design is part of UW’s Design, Merchandising and Textiles program, which is accredited by the National Association for Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
What can you do with an apparel design degree?
Apparel design students are equipped to thrive in a variety of creative careers. Many of our students go into fashion design and product development, while others pursue marketing, communications, merchandising and other fields.
Here are some of the career paths our alumni pursue:
- Creative Apparel Design
- Technical Apparel Design
- Product Development
- Marketing
- Communications
- Buying
- Visual Merchandising
Here are some of the places our grads are getting creative:
- Sierra Nevada Corporation
- Kohl’s
- Atomic Provisions
- SMAO, LLC
- Albany County Tourism Board
An apparel designer creates clothing and accessories by blending artistic vision with practical design skills. They sketch concepts, choose fabrics and materials, create patterns and oversee the construction of garments to bring their ideas to life. Apparel designers consider not just aesthetics, but also functionality, fit, market trends, sustainability and consumer needs. They often work on everything from everyday wear and athletic clothing to formal wear and specialized costumes. Depending on their role, they might collaborate closely with pattern makers, textile specialists, merchandisers or manufacturers to produce collections for brands, boutiques or custom clients.
Apparel design and fashion design are closely related but differ in focus. Apparel design emphasizes creating functional, wearable clothing, with attention to fit, construction and everyday usability. Fashion design is broader and more trend-driven, prioritizing artistic expression, aesthetics and cultural influence.
Join Our Community
The apparel design program is a tight-knit community that thrives on collaboration and creativity. Our program equips students with the technology, collaborative workspace and knowledge you need to pursue your dream career in fashion.
