Fashion Accessories Design (Pre-College)

Course Description

This hands-on course challenges students to explore traditional and non-traditional approaches to accessories design and making. Students engage in various phases of the design process, including primary and secondary research, trend explorations, concept development, design ideation, and experimental making and prototyping. Students learn the fundamentals of concept-driven research, creative drawing/collage interpretations of design ideas, and rapid prototyping for product development of fashion accessories such as handbags, footwear, sunglasses, and small goods. Drawing and sketching are introduced as an integral part of the design process, allowing students to develop concepts in 2D before they begin making in 3D. Students explore surface treatment and embellishment techniques to create visual and tactile elements as part of the creative process for mock-ups and final designs. The design process includes experimentation with traditional and non-traditional materials to explore creative paths for hardware development and making final products. Students participate in group and individual critiques, culminating in a final design presentation as a curated exhibit space.

NOTE: This course requires students to bring a modern computer laptop to class to complete course assignments. The New School provides all degree and credit-seeking students (enrolled in the current term) with subscriptions for the full Adobe Creative Cloud suite of applications.

Learner Outcomes

• Demonstrate an understanding of the hands-on studio environment and practice by participating in activities including lectures, demos, and discussions; individual and collaborative exercises and projects; and self and peer critiques.
• Gain a deeper understanding of the practice and application of primary and secondary research and its impact on creative and technical processes considering historical context, target markets, trends, materiality, artisanry, new technologies, and themes derived from observing and interpreting world events, social issues, and personal experiences
• Demonstrate an understanding of human-centered design in the context of fashion and fashion products by designing in response to a target audience's experiences, needs, and desires
• Explore the iterative creative process by maintaining process journals/sketchbooks to document research, ideation studies, resolved designs, commentary, and self-reflection
• Create using basic analog and digital drawing, imaging, and visual communication practices to explore and express different phases of the fashion accessories design process, including concept, color story, design sketching, flats, pattern drafting, textile and surface design, and presentation
• Demonstrate an understanding of making as a generative tool by experimenting with traditional and non-traditional materials and rapid prototyping techniques to interpret multiple iterations of original ideas for fashion accessories and products. 2D to 3D making studies include paper prototypes, handcraft manipulations, and hand or machine-sewn basics constructed mock-ups (canvas/muslin samples)
• Acquire the skills to create and curate a cohesive body of design work, including exploratory studies and finished products that communicate a creative point of view and establish an individual and evolving design identity

Additional Information