B-DES in Fashion Design at Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Udupi, Karnataka
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About the Specialization
What is Fashion Design at Manipal Academy of Higher Education Udupi?
This Fashion Design program at Manipal Academy of Higher Education focuses on nurturing creative talent with a strong foundation in design principles, technical skills, and industry practices. It prepares students to innovate and lead in the dynamic Indian fashion industry, covering aspects from traditional crafts to modern design technologies and sustainable practices, making it highly relevant to local and global market demands.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for aspiring fashion designers, creative individuals with a passion for textiles, apparel, and styling, and those seeking a comprehensive understanding of the fashion ecosystem. It welcomes fresh graduates from diverse academic backgrounds with a flair for design, as well as those looking to channel their artistic inclination into a professional career in the vibrant fashion domain.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue diverse India-specific career paths such as fashion designers, merchandisers, stylists, textile designers, and entrepreneurs. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3-5 LPA, growing significantly with experience. Career growth trajectories often involve leadership roles in design studios, export houses, retail chains, or establishing their own labels within the burgeoning Indian market.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Design Principles and Visual Language- (Semester 1-2)
Focus intensively on understanding the fundamental elements and principles of design, color theory, drawing techniques, and art history. Regularly practice freehand sketching, visual composition, and material exploration through studio assignments. Join peer study groups to discuss and critique design concepts.
Tools & Resources
Sketchbooks, Art supplies, Design theory textbooks, Online tutorials on drawing fundamentals, MAHE library resources
Career Connection
A strong foundation in aesthetics and visual communication is crucial for developing a unique design identity and effectively articulating ideas to future employers or clients.
Develop Digital Proficiency and Conceptual Thinking- (Semester 1-2)
Build strong skills in essential design software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Actively participate in design thinking workshops to cultivate problem-solving abilities and innovative approaches to design challenges. Apply conceptual thinking to all projects, exploring different solutions.
Tools & Resources
Adobe Creative Suite, Online design thinking resources (IDEO U, Coursera), MAHE computer labs
Career Connection
Digital literacy is non-negotiable in modern design, while strong conceptualization differentiates designers and prepares them for diverse roles requiring creative solutions.
Engage Actively in Collaborative Projects and Critiques- (Semester 1-2)
Collaborate with classmates on group projects to foster teamwork and learn from diverse perspectives. Embrace feedback during critiques as an opportunity for growth, learning to articulate design choices and defend concepts effectively. Attend all workshops and guest lectures.
Tools & Resources
Project management tools (Trello, Asana), Presentation software, Active listening skills
Career Connection
Collaboration and effective communication are vital soft skills sought by employers. Handling constructive criticism prepares students for professional interactions and continuous improvement.
Intermediate Stage
Specialize in Fashion Technical Skills- (Semester 3-5)
Dedicate significant effort to mastering core fashion technical skills: pattern making, garment construction, and fashion illustration. Regularly practice draping techniques, utilize CAD for fashion software, and experiment with different textile embellishments. Seek out extra workshops for specialized techniques.
Tools & Resources
Sewing machines, Pattern drafting tools, Dress forms, CAD software (e.g., CLO3D), Textile samples
Career Connection
Strong technical proficiency is essential for translating design concepts into wearable garments and makes students highly employable in design studios and apparel manufacturing.
Immerse in Fashion Industry Exposure- (Semester 3-5)
Actively follow fashion news, trends, and market reports, especially focusing on the Indian fashion landscape. Visit local textile markets, craft clusters, and fashion exhibitions. Network with faculty, alumni, and industry professionals. Seek short-term internships or shadow opportunities during breaks.
Tools & Resources
Fashion magazines, WGSN, Online fashion blogs, LinkedIn, Industry events calendars
Career Connection
Understanding industry dynamics, consumer behavior, and networking are critical for identifying career opportunities and building a professional trajectory.
Build a Strong and Diverse Portfolio- (Semester 3-5)
Curate all projects from studio courses, ensuring high-quality documentation and presentation. Start developing a digital portfolio showcasing diverse skills from illustration to garment construction. Regularly update and refine the portfolio based on feedback from mentors.
Tools & Resources
Behance, Adobe Portfolio, Personal website builders, Professional photography for garments
Career Connection
A well-crafted portfolio is the primary tool for showcasing talent and securing internships and job placements in the competitive fashion industry.
Advanced Stage
Engage in Advanced Collection Design and Production- (Semester 6-8)
Focus on developing cohesive and innovative collections, from conceptualization to final production. Pay meticulous attention to design details, fabric selection, fit, and finishing. Seek out industry mentors for guidance on collection development and production challenges.
Tools & Resources
Advanced CAD tools, Production planning software, Vendor contacts for materials and manufacturing
Career Connection
The ability to design and execute a full collection demonstrates readiness for lead design roles or launching an independent brand.
Master Professional Practices and Business Acumen- (Semester 6-8)
Actively participate in workshops on fashion marketing, retail management, brand building, and intellectual property rights. Understand the business side of fashion, including costing, pricing, and supply chain. Develop strong communication and presentation skills for pitches.
Tools & Resources
Business plan templates, Market research tools, Legal advice resources for creatives
Career Connection
A solid understanding of business and professional ethics is vital for entrepreneurship, management roles, and effective collaboration within the industry.
Strategize for Placements and Career Launch- (Semester 6-8)
Refine your professional portfolio and resume to target specific job roles or entrepreneurial ventures. Prepare for interviews and aptitude tests, practicing presentation and communication skills. Actively engage with the college''''s placement cell for opportunities and guidance.
Tools & Resources
Career services department, Mock interview platforms, Professional networking events
Career Connection
Focused preparation ensures successful transition from academia to a professional career, maximizing opportunities for impactful entry into the fashion industry.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Pass in 10+2 or A Level or IB or equivalent examination with minimum of 45% marks in aggregate. Valid NATA/UCEED/JEE (Main) Paper II/any recognized Design Aptitude Test score/Manipal University Entrance Test (MET) score.
Duration: 4 years / 8 semesters
Credits: 160 Credits
Assessment: Internal: Varies by subject, typically 50-100% for studio/practical subjects, External: Varies by subject, typically 0-50%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEI 1011 | History of Art and Design | Core | 2 | Prehistoric to Renaissance art, Modern art movements, Indian art and design history, Evolution of design forms, Cultural influences on design |
| DEI 1012 | Principles of Design | Core | 2 | Elements of design (line, shape, form), Principles of design (balance, rhythm, emphasis), Composition and aesthetics, Visual hierarchy, Design application |
| DEI 1013 | Introduction to Visual Arts | Core | 2 | Drawing and sketching, Painting techniques, Sculpture and 3D forms, Photography basics, Digital art introduction |
| DEI 1014 | Elements of Drawing | Core | 4 | Line quality and expression, Shape and form studies, Tone and texture rendering, Perspective drawing, Still life compositions |
| DEI 1015 | Basic Design Studio | Core | 6 | Form exploration in 2D and 3D, Color theory application, Material studies and manipulation, Design exercises and projects, Spatial relationships |
| DEI 1016 | Materials and Processes | Core | 2 | Properties of various materials, Basic manufacturing processes, Sustainable material alternatives, Material selection criteria, Impact of materials on design |
| DEC 1017 | Communication Skills | Core | 2 | Public speaking and presentations, Report writing and documentation, Group discussions and debates, Professional correspondence, Interpersonal communication |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEI 1021 | Design Thinking and Process | Core | 2 | Empathize and define problem, Ideation and brainstorming, Prototyping and testing, User-centered design approach, Iterative design cycles |
| DEI 1022 | Ergonomics and Anthropometry | Core | 2 | Human factors in design, Body measurements and data, Comfort and usability, Workspace and product design, Accessibility considerations |
| DEI 1023 | Digital Graphics 1 (Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator) | Core | 4 | Image editing and manipulation, Vector graphics creation, Layout design principles, Digital painting techniques, Typography and text effects |
| DEI 1024 | Contextual Studies | Core | 2 | Cultural and social influences, Economic and political factors, Environmental impact of design, Global and local design trends, Ethical considerations in design |
| DEI 1025 | Freehand Drawing | Core | 4 | Sketching techniques for observation, Life drawing fundamentals, Object and still life drawing, Perspective drawing, Expressive drawing styles |
| DEI 1026 | Model Making | Core | 6 | Prototyping methods, Material exploration for models, Scale modeling techniques, Rapid prototyping basics, Presentation models |
| DEC 1027 | Environmental Studies | Core | 2 | Ecology and ecosystems, Biodiversity and conservation, Pollution types and control, Renewable energy sources, Sustainable practices and ethics |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEF 2031 | Fashion Illustration | Core | 4 | Figure drawing for fashion, Garment rendering techniques, Croquis development and stylization, Fabric drape and texture representation, Digital fashion illustration |
| DEF 2032 | Pattern Making & Garment Construction I | Core | 6 | Basic block development, Dart manipulation, Seam finishes and techniques, Pleats, gathers, tucks, Construction of basic garments |
| DEF 2033 | Textile Science | Core | 3 | Natural and man-made fibers, Yarn production and types, Fabric construction methods, Textile finishes and treatments, Fabric properties and characteristics |
| DEF 2034 | History of Fashion | Core | 2 | Ancient to 20th century Western fashion, Evolution of Indian traditional attire, Key fashion movements and styles, Influential designers and their impact, Sociocultural aspects of fashion |
| DEF 2035 | Surface Embellishment | Core | 3 | Embroidery techniques (hand & machine), Printing methods (block, screen, digital), Dyeing processes and resist techniques, Appliqué and patchwork, Beading and sequin work |
| DEF 2036 | Digital Fashion Design | Core | 4 | CAD software for fashion design, 2D pattern development using software, 3D garment visualization and simulation, Digital textile print design, Creation of technical flats and tech packs |
| DEL O301 | Basic Photography | Open Elective | 2 | Camera functions and settings, Principles of composition, Lighting techniques, Digital image processing basics, Portraiture and product photography |
| DEL O302 | Introduction to UI/UX | Open Elective | 2 | User research and persona development, Wireframing and prototyping, Usability testing methods, Information architecture, Visual design for user interfaces |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEF 2041 | Fashion Communication | Core | 3 | Fashion journalism and writing, Public relations in fashion, Social media marketing for brands, Visual merchandising basics, Fashion styling and editorial |
| DEF 2042 | Pattern Making & Garment Construction II | Core | 6 | Advanced pattern drafting techniques, Fit analysis and alterations, Tailoring and couture construction, Garment production sequencing, Specialized garment construction |
| DEF 2043 | Fashion Merchandising | Core | 3 | Product development lifecycle, Sourcing and procurement, Supply chain management, Inventory control strategies, Retail buying and planning |
| DEF 2044 | Apparel Production Technology | Core | 3 | Industrial sewing machinery, Apparel production processes, Quality control and assurance, Garment finishing and pressing, Factory layout and efficiency |
| DEF 2045 | Draping | Core | 4 | Draping on dress form, Fabric manipulation techniques, Developing original designs through draping, Creating various silhouettes, Muslin prototype development |
| DEF 2046 | Sustainable Fashion | Core | 2 | Ethical sourcing and labor practices, Eco-friendly materials and textiles, Upcycling and recycling in fashion, Circular fashion economy, Social responsibility in fashion |
| DEL O401 | Interior Design Fundamentals | Open Elective | 2 | Space planning and functional layouts, Color schemes and psychology, Furniture arrangement principles, Material selection for interiors, Lighting design basics |
| DEL O402 | Product Design Principles | Open Elective | 2 | Form and aesthetics in product design, Functionality and usability, Material considerations, Manufacturing processes overview, Design for lifecycle |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEF 3051 | Fashion Styling | Core | 4 | Personal styling and image consulting, Editorial and commercial styling, Wardrobe planning and consultation, Trend analysis for styling, Styling for different body types |
| DEF 3052 | Portfolio Development I | Core | 4 | Concept generation and mood boards, Design development process, Visual presentation skills, Project documentation, Storytelling through design |
| DEF 3053 | Fashion Marketing | Core | 3 | Fashion brand management, Consumer behavior in fashion, Digital marketing strategies, Retail promotions and campaigns, Market research and analysis |
| DEF 3054 | CAD for Fashion | Core | 4 | Advanced 3D modeling for garments, Pattern manipulation software, Virtual prototyping and fitting, Textile simulation and rendering, Creating technical flat drawings |
| DEF 3055 | Traditional Indian Textiles | Core | 2 | Regional weaves of India, Indian embroidery traditions, Traditional dyeing techniques, Craft clusters and their heritage, Cultural significance of Indian textiles |
| DEF E501 | Accessory Design | Elective I | 2 | Footwear design and construction, Bag design and prototyping, Jewelry design principles, Material exploration for accessories, Accessory market trends |
| DEF E502 | Fashion Journalism | Elective I | 2 | Fashion article writing, Interviewing techniques for fashion, Trend reporting and analysis, Editorial content creation, Digital publishing and blogging |
| DEL S501 | Knitwear Design Studio | Studio Elective | 4 | Yarn selection and properties, Hand knitting techniques, Machine knitting basics, Knit garment construction, Knitwear design development |
| DEL S502 | Denim Design Studio | Studio Elective | 4 | History and evolution of denim, Denim fabric properties and types, Garment construction for denim, Washes, finishes, and distressing, Sustainable denim practices |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEF 3061 | Collection Design I (Ready-to-Wear) | Core | 6 | Theme development and concept articulation, Range planning and collection strategy, Garment specifications and tech packs, Design development for ready-to-wear, Presentation of mini-collection |
| DEF 3062 | Fashion Photography & Videography | Core | 4 | Fashion editorials and lookbook creation, Studio lighting techniques, Location scouting and shoot planning, Post-production and editing, Fashion film and video basics |
| DEF 3063 | Fashion Retail Management | Core | 3 | Store operations and management, Visual merchandising strategies, Customer service and sales techniques, Retail analytics and performance, E-commerce in fashion retail |
| DEF 3064 | Portfolio Development II | Core | 4 | Refining design concepts, Professional presentation techniques, Digital portfolio creation, Personal branding for designers, Networking and career preparation |
| DEF E601 | Costume Design | Elective II | 2 | Character analysis for costume, Historical costume research, Costume for theatre and film, Material selection and construction, Budgeting and production management |
| DEF E602 | Fashion Entrepreneurship | Elective II | 2 | Developing a fashion business plan, Funding and investment strategies, Brand building and identity, Legal aspects of fashion business, Marketing and distribution for startups |
| DEL S601 | Sportswear Design Studio | Studio Elective | 4 | Performance fabrics and innovations, Ergonomics in activewear design, Functional design for sports, Activewear trends and markets, Technical garment construction |
| DEL S602 | Haute Couture Studio | Studio Elective | 4 | Bespoke tailoring and construction, Luxury materials and embellishment, Hand finishing techniques, Made-to-measure principles, Couture design philosophy |
| DEF 3067 | Internship | Core | 6 | Industry work exposure, Application of academic learning, Professional skill development, Project implementation in real-world, Report writing and documentation |
Semester 7
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEF 4071 | Collection Design II (Advanced) | Core | 8 | Advanced conceptualization and research, Niche market collection development, Sustainable design integration, Prototype development and refinement, Final collection realization |
| DEF 4072 | Textile Design | Core | 4 | Weaving and knit design, Advanced printing techniques, Innovative dyeing methods, Surface manipulation and embellishment, Digital textile design and software |
| DEF 4073 | Visual Merchandising | Core | 3 | Store layout and design, Window and in-store displays, Fixture selection and usage, Signage and graphics, Customer journey mapping |
| DEF 4074 | Project Management for Design | Core | 2 | Project planning and scheduling, Budgeting and resource allocation, Team management and collaboration, Risk assessment and mitigation, Client communication and negotiation |
| DEF 4075 | Global Fashion Trends & Forecasting | Core | 2 | Fashion trend analysis, Consumer insights and market research, Fashion cycles and lifecycles, Predictive analytics in fashion, Global influences on fashion |
| DEF 4076 | Design Research Methodology | Core | 2 | Formulating research questions, Data collection methods, Qualitative and quantitative analysis, Interpretation of findings, Academic writing and ethical considerations |
| DEF 4077 | Internship Report & Viva | Core | 4 | Documentation of internship experience, Analysis of learning outcomes, Industry insights gained, Presentation of internship work, Viva voce and Q&A session |
Semester 8
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEF 4081 | Degree Project / Final Collection | Core | 16 | Independent design research, Advanced concept development, Full collection realization, Prototyping and final production, Exhibition and presentation |
| DEF 4082 | Professional Practice & Ethics | Core | 2 | Intellectual property rights in design, Contracts and legal aspects, Freelancing and business setup, Ethical considerations in fashion, Industry standards and best practices |
| DEF E801 | Luxury Brand Management | Elective III | 2 | Building luxury brand identity, Marketing strategies for luxury, Consumer psychology in luxury, Global luxury markets, Retail experience in luxury |
| DEF E802 | Experiential Fashion | Elective III | 2 | Immersive fashion experiences, Interactive displays and installations, Fashion technology integration, Event design and production, Pop-up activations and brand experiences |
| DEF 4084 | Viva Voce | Core | 4 | Defense of degree project, Presentation of design process, Q&A session with jury, Critical evaluation and reflection, Articulating design rationale |