BA (Hons) in Fashion Design

In this core design module, learners develop drawing skills and appropriate design research methods to develop original concepts to inspire personal creative ideas to drive collections. Project briefs introduce various stages of design, including research, concept, design development, selection, and presentation skills. As learners start to understand the process necessary to create an original design, they gain confidence in their design, selection, and presentation skills. Selected designs are realised in Garment Construction 1. 

In this module, learners acquire skills to translate their designs from a specification sheet to a final complete garment using industry-standard pattern drafting and basic garment production techniques. 

The module advances learners' skills in three design communication tools and printing. The learning outcomes of this module underpin a lot of the learning to be applied in other modules and so contribute to most of the intended programme learning outcomes. 

This module gives the learner a broad understanding of how the fashion industry operates by looking at the sectors in the fashion industry, from couture to mass production, the schedule, processes, and roles involved. Learners gain an understanding of the social and environmental impact of the fashion industry, the problems and challenges. The module highlights how ethical and circular design is now a driving force for most brands. 

This module traces the evolution of historical fashion in the social, economic, and political contexts from the mid-nineteenth century up to the present time. It focuses on the most important couturiers that were active from c. 1850, describing how their key innovations were made and worn and their contribution to the history of haute couture. The module introduces academic referencing, essay research, structure, and writing skills, enabling learners to establish their own voice in an academic environment. 

In this core fashion design module, learners work through project briefs that embed much of the design theory and drawing skills explored in semester 1 and understand the process necessary to create original design. Learners gain confidence in design development through drape and presentation skill-builds. Learners acquire creative awareness, select designs, and define design detail to translate to specification sheets for realisation in Garment Construction 2. 

In this module, learners achieve competency and confidence to create creative patterns and assemble garments using appropriate industry sewing techniques and materials. Learners acquire skills to create garments using production techniques, demonstrating readiness to progress to tailoring. 

This module teaches the learner a variety of advanced bitmap and vector graphics editing skills and how to apply practical desktop publishing solutions. It also teaches the learner to creatively apply and communicate effectively graphic techniques employing the use of a grid and typography, apply the technical skills for print production, and format a design and layout project or digital drawing for print. 

This module provides the learner with a broad understanding of the theory and application of textiles to garment design. Both practice and theory are explored so learners advance their ability to identify fibres and fabrics and understand the importance of the application of appropriate materials to design 

The module gives learners a broad understanding of historical, cultural, social, and political contexts in which modern and postmodern design evolved. The learning outcomes of this module underpin some of the learning to be applied in other modules (Visual Culture and Theory; Design Futures; Dissertation) and so contribute to some of the intended programme learning outcomes. 

In this core fashion design module, learners gain specialist knowledge of sectors within the fashion industry and design two collections. Learner’s practice advanced and creative 2D and 3D design development draping on the stand to achieve a higher level of creativity and fluent silhouette development. Projects involve authentic learning to equip learners with knowledge of fashion industry sectors to facilitate future employment opportunities. Learners translate detailed design to specification with appropriate material considerations and identify production techniques for realisation in Garment Construction 3 and 4. 

In this module, learners build on the basic pattern drafting skills introduced in the first year and acquire more advanced technical tailoring pattern drafting and sewing skills required to support Fashion Design 3 and 4 projects. The curriculum is also structured to advance exploration of creative drapes and sustainable design solutions. Draping on the stand builds confidence and fluency of design, moving toward experimentation with more advanced pattern drafting. 

Fashion illustration enables the learner to further develop their freehand fashion drawing skills and gain digital fashion drawing skills, learning to effectively communicate design and meaning. Learners produce a digital vector library of technical flat garment drawings, symbols, and brushes for design details; developing a portfolio of both freehand and digital fashion figure poses and art forum fashion illustrations. 

The Design Futures module provides learners with a broad understanding of theoretical contexts of major movements in art, design, and visual culture—both historical and contemporary. This module provides crucial context for creative activity, working in tandem with practical modules by exposing learners to major concepts, structures, thinkers and practitioners 

This module addresses key factors to be considered when starting a small business: entrepreneurial theories, business concepts through planning a feasibility project, a lean start-up style canvas, and customer analysis. 

This core fashion design module builds a high level of creative awareness, design fluency, and industry processes and broadens the learner’s design experience and skill set by introducing areas of specialist knowledge with workshops that involve trend research, planning and forecasting, knit and print design, and fashion illustration. These areas require industry-specific research, advanced design, new illustration techniques, and visual presentation skills appropriate to the trend forecasting sector expectations. Learners must achieve fluent design competencies and a portfolio demonstrating visual literacy, industry expertise, and readiness to progress to the final stage of the level 8 programme. 

In this module, learners create their Mini Collection, as designed in Fashion Design 3, and explore advanced creative pattern drafting techniques required to create their designs. Sewing workshop demonstration: using industry equipment, learners develop a range of advanced sewing and finishing skills with confidence. Learners are prepared to progress to employment or to the final stage of the level 8 programme when advanced pattern drafting and garment construction are required to execute a degree collection meeting industry standards. 

This module enables the learner to develop skills in the use of the digital camera for photography and video and explore industry standards in this area. It introduces the basic principles of photography and video, with the emphasis being on images within their design studio practice. 

This module covers the nature and role of marketing in a design business. They learn to identify the environmental variables, segmentation, targeting and positioning, marketing mix for a creative brand, and create a marketing plan. 

In support of Fashion Design 4, the learner creates digital textile design, repeats textile pattern for print, colourways, and applies fabric rendering techniques, digitally drawn fashion figure illustration, and technical flats with rendering. This Digital Fashion Portfolio module enables the learner to further develop effective visual communication skills, working across digital platforms to create a digital online and printed portfolio to showcase their Mini Collections for the end-of year showcase. 

This is the core capstone module running over 2 semesters. The main project brief requires learners to design and make a Major Collection, while other projects completed include briefs for: Design for Diversity, an Industry Design, and a Professional Practice and Portfolio that reflect career aspirations and can be used to present at an interview for future work. Topics covered are portfolio layout, video, CVs and interview techniques, collection branding and marketing material, photoshoot direction and styling, graduate showcase presentations, press packs, and oral presentation techniques. The Major Collection is a 12-outfit graduate collection (4 of which are made in the Garment Construction Projects and 3D Digital Design modules). These demonstrate the learner’s proficiency in design, innovation, and professional practice and that they can maintain a sustained involvement in the proficient management and resolution of their work. The work culminates in the end-of year showcase.

In completing this module, new approaches to pattern cutting are presented, and projects include a pre-collection Design for Diversity brief to design for alternative body shapes/genders/ages/needs selecting customers from the college campus. The module’s group project advances the understanding of grading and experimental pattern-cutting techniques to develop fit, proportions, and design to meet the needs of customer diversity. This project is followed with tech packs and costings workshops to advance learners' understanding in the key areas of fashion clothing production and to support advanced specification and costings. Creative pattern workshops inspire learners to explore design ideas preparing for collection development in support of their Major Fashion Project, which enables learners to create a personal collection.

This core module is the culmination of the learner’s study. Through research and writing of their dissertation, learners will explore subjects deemed worthy of academic investigation, or the expansion and development of new ideas through practice. On completion of the module, the learner may select to present an academic dissertation or a dissertation by practice. 

This module introduces the tools and techniques of the latest 3D Digital Design software, the fashion design software program, to create virtual 3D true-to-life garment visualisation with simulation technology for the clothing manufacturing industry. This module provides the opportunity for learners to experience industry practice, to virtually fit and adjust patterns, and to create a 3D representation of design with realistic texture and animation to realise design.

Design is a complex creative field, encompassing a range of ways of working and patterns of professional engagement. This module prepares learners for entry to the workplace or higher study through experience of professional portfolio development and related promotional activities. It helps learners to assess not only their position within the design industry but also to define their individual creative strengths and present work to a high professional standard.

Irish/EU applicants who are under 23 years of age on January 1st of the year of intake must apply through the CAO. Please consult the CAO website for information on important application dates. 

Students will need a minimum of 2 H5 and 4 O6/H7 grades, to include a language (English, Irish or another language) and either Art or Maths. 

CAO Course Code - GC494

Applicants over the age of 23 years on or before the 1st of January of the year of intake must apply as a mature student directly on our website. Mature students will be asked for a copy of their photo ID (driver’s license or passport). 

The admissions team will contact applicants directly.

To apply to Griffith College as an international student, please complete an online application form (click Apply Now below), provide proof of ID, academic transcripts, and demonstrate English language proficiency if applicable. 

If English is not a first language, proof of English proficiency is required. For more information, please visit here. 

Level 5 holders: 

Candidates with a Level 5 qualification in a cognate area who obtain 3 distinctions and 5 passes (plus a portfolio) may be eligible for entry into year 1 of this course. Candidates under 23 years of age still need to apply through the CAO. Mature students can apply directly here. 

Level 6 holders: 

Applicants with a Level 6 qualification in a related discipline may be eligible for advanced entry into this course. Candidates will be asked to provide relevant transcripts and a portfolio of work in support of their application. Pending the strength of the portfolio, candidates may be eligible for entry into year 1 or year 2 of this programme. 

All candidates with a Level 6 qualification, regardless of age, will need to apply directly here. 

*Please note, advanced entry applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis and offers are made at the discretion of the faculty. 

Study Mode: Full-Time

Dublin: EUR 6,850.00

Study Mode: Full-Time

Please refer to the Irish/EU Living Abroad Fees section.

Study Mode: Full-Time

Dublin 

Non-EU living in Ireland or abroad: Please refer to our Non-EU Tuition Fees section.

Non-EU students: a Student Services and Administration fee of EUR200 is payable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below.