The New York School of Design (NYSD) has launched a revamped Fashion Design Certificate Program, which will start this month. NYSD provides an alternative to a conventional four-year university. As a fashion-focused technical design school, it provides affordable programs with intensive coursework and rigorous industry skills mastery.
Its new nine-month program will offer aspiring fashion designers a more in-depth curriculum with total immersion in the craft, from design development to construction. Students may also opt for an additional three months of coursework dedicated to specializations in Couture and Menswear Design.
Janet Tsong, president at NYSD, explains that the program differs from others by placing an equal emphasis on the technical aspects as well as development process of fashion design: “Our concise methods of instruction and innovative curriculum enable our students to see the large picture of what it takes to be a designer in a very short amount of time.”
“Our courses work in carefully thought out tiers, so the developmental design courses coincide with garment construction to ultimately be able to have a collection of at least three looks by the end of the nine-month program,” she adds.
For the upcoming program, the school also reduced the average class size to 15 students, allowing for a more personal learning environment, including more one-on-one time with professors, all of whom are industry professionals from institutions including FIT, Parsons, and Pratt.
During the first semester of the program, students will spend 45 class hours on design process, textiles and color application, fashion illustration, and construction, respectively. The second semester will explore design development, 120 hours of garment construction courses, and digital illustration. The third semester will include a capstone program and portfolio building, allowing students to gain industry experience before graduating.
The capstone program is unique within itself, offering three paths: 1) a traditional internship within the industry; 2) creation of a fashion line and business plan with the guidance of a mentor; 3) advanced study—students who would like to continue their fashion education will have assistance with their application and portfolio process. Post-capstone project students have the option of studying couture design or menswear tailoring.
Students will graduate with a certificate in Fashion Design along with a complete three-look collection from mood board to completed garments. Students will also have a digital portfolio and interview-ready resume upon graduation. NYSD prides itself in its ability to graduate real world ready designers, with a career coordinator also on site to assist students in job placement and to help them find their best fit in the industry.
“We feel very fortunate to have leaders from the industry come in on a monthly basis and pro provide lectures to our students and small group question and answer sessions,” says Tsong. “We also take part in New York Fashion Week every year, typically in September, which is an incredible opportunity for our students to present their collections. We also offer the experience of an editorial photoshoot which gives our students hands on knowledge of how if works and beautiful editorial shots for their portfolios.”
For more information about the new Fashion Design Program please visit https://www.nyschoolofdesign.com/fashion-design/.
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