Fashion Design Major - Bachelor of Design
Study fashion design with us, and you’ll be encouraged to develop a strong conceptual design style and practical design skills – from drawing and pattern cutting to an understanding of the business of fashion.
Fashion marks time. It inspires change and responds to the cultural and political issues that underpin society. The Fashion Design major promotes originality in your chosen field of fashion, enabling you to create innovative work for a multifaceted global industry.
AUT fashion design alumni have gone on to work at prestigious fashion houses locally and internationally, like Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Karen Walker, Zambesi and Lonely Hearts.
This is part of the Bachelor of Design.
Start date: 2019
- Download Art & Design programme brochure [PDF, 3.1 MB]
You need to complete 120 points each year and 360 points for the entire degree. In each year you study core compulsory papers within your major and selected minor.
Year 1
You develop practical fashion skills including pattern cutting and drawing, and are introduced to creative design thinking and fashion theory.
You study the following papers
- FASD501 Fashion Design Studio I (30 points)
- FASD502 Fashion Design Studio II (30 points)
- FASD503 Fashion Design Theory I (15 points)
- FASD504 Fabric Interfaces (15 points)
- FASD505 Human View (15 points)
You also study one paper from your chosen minor.
Year 2
Your first-year skills are put into practice through a series of challenging industry-oriented projects that focus on developing design ideas across broad fashion areas - from streetwear to high fashion.
You study the following papers
- FASD601 Fashion Design Studio III (30 points)
- FASD602 Fashion Design Studio IV (30 points)
- FASD603 Fashion Design Theory II (15 points)
- FASD604 Industry Practice (15 points)
You also study two papers from your chosen minor.
Year 3
Through the final-year papers, you develop your own self-directed projects that cover the spectrum of fashion-related disciplines, resulting in a body of work that is selected for a professional presentation (runway or showroom) at the end of the year to the fashion media and industry.
You study the following papers
- FASD701 Fashion Design Studio V (30 points)
- FASD702 Fashion Design Studio VI (45 points)
- FASD703 Fashion Design Theory III (15 points)
- FASD704 Technologies for Design (15 points)
You also study one paper from your chosen minor.
Workplace experience
You complete 60 hours of workplace experience in the fashion design industry - a great opportunity to network, gain work experience and develop your CV and portfolio.
Recent placements included:
- Beverley Productions
- Bianca Lorrene
- Charles Parsons Textiles
- Cybele
- Kylee Davis
- Lothlorien Knitwear
- Northbeach Ltd
- Private Collection
- Standard Issue Knitwear
- The Textiles Collective
More details about papers in this programme
Detailed programme structure and paper outlines (Blackboard)
Search for a paper (Arion)
Email artbox@aut.ac.nz
Enrolment in papers is subject to meeting all requirements and availability of papers.
- Fashion designer
- Workroom assistant
- Fashion and textiles buyer or merchandiser
- Fashion marketing or public relations
- Production manager
- Fashion writer
Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.
Other majors in the Bachelor of Design
- Covers all aspects of the fashion industry
- Access to leading edge facilities
- Present your work to the media and industry
- Opportunity to showcase your collection at the AUT Rookie fashion show
- Having a strong grasp of design and style
- A creative problem-solver
- Visionary, with an eye for texture, shape and detail
- Interested in contemporary society
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.