About the Design, Merchandising and Textiles Degree Program
All design, merchandising and textiles students take a variety of core courses to
expose them to all sides of the design and textiles industries. Our students take
charge of organizing the annual Kaleidoscope fashion show, managing various aspects
like marketing, designer liaisons, facilities and music. They also actively engage
in external competitions and exhibitions, enriching their educational experience beyond
the campus boundaries.
Students additionally have the opportunity to choose between three concentrations:
apparel design and product development, interior design and merchandising. Each focus
provides students with hands-on learning experiences so they graduate ready to take
on their dream careers.
Learn more about UW's student-led and student-produced annual fashion show!
Every student gets to customize their degree by choosing one of the following concentrations:
- Apparel Design and Product Development: In this concentration, students learn the technical and creative skills needed to develop apparel from an early concept to the finished product.
- Merchandising: Students who choose this concentration learn the ins and outs of fashion and interior design business principles — including retailing, sourcing and marketing.
- Interior Design: This concentration prepares students to creatively, effectively and sustainably solve design problems in residential and commercial interior design.
All design, merchandising and textiles majors are required to complete a three-credit-hour
internship, international study tour or study abroad program.
A minor in entrepreneurship or professional selling is also recommended for the students in this major.
What Can You Do With a Design, Merchandising and Textiles Degree?
With a Design, Merchandising and Textiles degree, you can turn your creativity into a career you love! Explore roles in fashion design, visual merchandising, retail buying, product development, interior design and more. Whether you're into style, spaces or strategy, there's a path that's perfect for you.
- Director of Marketing
- Graphic Designer
- Visual Merchandising Manager
- Director of Sales and Merchandising
- Sample Process Manager
- Director of Global Apparel Product Management and Merchandising
- Fashion Designer
- Retail Buyer
- Product Developer
- Brand Manager
- Textile Designer
- E-commerce Merchandiser
- Interior Designer
- Costume Designer
- Store Planner
- Sustainable Fashion Specialist
- Stylist
- Forever 21
- Brooks Running Company
- Denver Biscuit Company
- Lululemon
- Ralph Lauren
- Lightsource Creative
- Born Footwear
- University of Wyoming
- and more!
Certainly! In addition to launching careers after graduation, some students choose to further their education at prestigious graduate programs. Recently, graduates have gone on to study at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles.
The three concentrations in the Design, Merchandising and Textiles program each focus on different aspects of the industry, providing students with specialized skills for diverse career paths.
- Apparel Design and Product Development teaches students how to design and create apparel from concept to finished product.
- Merchandising focuses on the business side, including retailing, sourcing, and marketing.
- Interior Design prepares students to solve design challenges creatively and sustainably for residential and commercial spaces.
“I will never get over the life-long relationships I've made with these people in my major as well as the professors. I feel like I belong in this tight-knit group of amazing and successful women. Treva has been the most amazing professor I have ever had and I will be so grateful for her for the rest of my life. Some of my favorite experiences include getting the Interior Design club up and running, spending late nights in the computer lab and getting together for drinks or dinner with the girls in design! I'll never forget the amazing moments I've had that truly shaped my college experience for the better."
- 2023 Graduate
