Narmada College of Fine Arts, Music & Design

Affiliated to Raja Mansingh Tomar Music & Arts University, Gwalior

B. DESIGN (FASHION) | 4 Years

YEAR I – THEORY

Paper 1: Basics of Fashion

Elements of Design
Covers the fundamentals of Line, Form, Colour, Tone, Texture, Space, and Composition, focusing on their definitions, types, effects, symbolism, and role in fashion design.
 
Principles of Design
Explores Unity, Harmony, Balance, Dominance, Rhythm, Proportion, along with painting mediums, and techniques in Drawing & Rendering.
 
Fashion Fundamentals
Introduces the Language of Fashion, Fashion as Art vs. Commerce, Key Terminology, and Intangibles such as change, demand, and acceptance.
 
Fashion Theories & Movements
Discusses the Origin of Clothing (Protection, Modesty, Adornment), Fashion Adoption Theories (Trickle-down, Trickle-up, Mass Spread), and Fashion Cycles & Influencers.

Paper 2: History of Fashion – Ancient & Modern India

Ancient Civilizations
Study of clothing and lifestyle in Indus Valley, Aryan, Vedic, Mauryan, Sunga, Satavahana, and Kushan periods.
 
Medieval to Mughal Era
Detailed analysis of Gupta and Mughal fashion, court costumes, headgear, textiles, and trade influences.
 
Traditional Indian Fashion
State-wise traditional attire of East, West, Central, North, and South India, including regional weaves, styles, headgear, and footwear.

Paper 3: Introduction to Textiles

Fibre to Fabric
Covers fibre classification, identification methods, and characteristics of natural, man-made, mineral, and regenerated fibres.
 
Yarns & Spinning
Explains yarn types and processes like blending, carding, spinning, and yarn numbering.
 
Fabric Formation
Detailed study of weaving, knitting, non-woven methods, types of weaves (Plain, Twill, Jacquard, etc.), and fabric properties.
 
Textile Industry Overview
Insights into traditional and modern looms, industry trends, and SWOT analysis of the Indian textile sector.
 
Traditional Indian Textiles
Focus on iconic Indian sarees, tie & dye techniques, and yarn-dyed fabrics.

YEAR I – PRACTICAL

PRACTICAL 1: Drawing & Composition
Still Life studies in pencil & color – objects, drapery, nature forms
Perspective Drawing – 1-point & 2-point
Figure Drawing – Humans, animals, birds
Line & Shape Studies – Movement, strips, checks, positive & negative space
Color Theory & Composition – Color schemes, harmonies, textures using various art media
 
PRACTICAL 2: Introduction to Fashion Illustration
Fashion Croquis – 9-head male & female figures (front, side, back, ¾ view)
Body & Face Detailing – Eyes, nose, lips, hairstyles, arms, legs, multiple poses
Garment Component Illustration – Collars, sleeves, necklines, pleats, yokes, drapes etc
Traditional Wear Illustration – Indian outfits (saree, lehenga, kurti, salwar) and ancient Indian era costumes with accessories
Rendering – Poster colours, pencil colours, pastels
Tie & Dye Fashion Illustration
 
PRACTICAL 3: Pattern Making & Garment Construction
Tools & Techniques – Tailoring vs. apparel industry methods
Measurements – Men & women (Indian garments)
Pattern Drafting & Tailoring
Women’s: Basic, A-line & Anarkali kurta, salwars, blouse, lehnga & choli
Men’s: Kurta & Paijama
Tie & Dye Fabric Prep – Learning traditional dyeing methods for garment making
 
PRACTICAL 4: Sewing Techniques
Tool Handling – Measuring, marking, cutting, sewing, finishing tools
Sewing Machines – Types, attachments, maintenance, troubleshooting
Sewing Components
Stitches – Hand & machine
Seams – Plain, French, Flat fell, Welt, etc
Details – Gathers, piping, pleats, darts, tucks, fasteners, plackets, pockets
Industrial Sewing Basics – Quality control, seam types (Classes 1–6), defect management

Year II – Theory

Paper 1: History of Fashion – Ancient to Western

Explore the evolution of global fashion from ancient to modern eras:
 
Ancient Civilizations
Costumes, grooming, jewelry & cultural attire of Egypt, Greece & Rome
Byzantine Era
Luxurious textiles, costume details, grooming, and adornments
Renaissance to Victorian Era
Major style shifts, the Industrial Revolution, and cultural influences
20th Century Fashion
Key fashion highlights from the 1920s to the 1980s through illustrations

Paper 2: Dyeing & Printing Industry

Understand the science and art behind textile dyeing and printing:
 
Dye Basics
Types, processes & pre-treatment methods (singeing, bleaching, mercerization, etc.)
Dye Selection & Application
Based on fabric type; cross & union dyeing methods
Printing Techniques
Direct, resist & discharge; styles like block, stencil, screen, roller, batik, tie-dye
Finishes & Fabric Quality
Fabric defects, textile testing, care labeling & industry standards
Practical Dyeing
Techniques for cotton, silk; resist printing like batik & stencil methods

Paper 3: Principles of Management

Develop a foundation in managing fashion-related businesses and teams:
 
Management Fundamentals
Concepts, evolution, ethics, social responsibility
Planning & Strategy
Characteristics, types, benefits, SWOT analysis
Motivation & Delegation
Financial/non-financial motivators; theories and types of delegation
Leadership & Department Structuring
Roles of leadership, team structuring, activity assignment
Communication & Control
Essentials of communication, effective control systems, limitations
Finance Basics
Functions, sources, break-even analysis, and profitability insights

Year II – Practical

Practical 1: Advanced Fashion Illustration
Master advanced rendering techniques for fabrics, garments, and accessories:
 
Fabric Rendering: Silk, denim, lace, velvet, fur, and more using poster colors, watercolors, ink, and sketch pens
Accessory Illustration: Bags, belts, buttons, eyewear, and zippers
Western Wear Illustration: Formal, casual, and sportswear for men and women—shirts, trousers, skirts, dresses, jackets, etc
Design Boards: Create professional inspiration and mood boards with fabric swatches
 
Practical 2: Pattern Making & Garment Construction
Learn the foundations of Westernwear garment construction:
 
Blocks & Patterns: Skirts, bodices, trousers, sleeves, collars, cowls, and bias cuts
Silhouette Creation: A-line, princess, sheath, shift, and more through dart manipulation
Sleeve Variations: Puff, kimono, raglan, cap, petal, and others
Draping Basics: Introduction to tools, techniques, and dummy preparation
 
Practical 3: Surface Design
Explore creative and traditional surface techniques:
 
Motif Development: From natural to abstract; theme-based design boards
Embroidery Techniques: Learn 15+ basic and decorative stitches, mirror work, patchwork, beads, and stones
Traditional Indian Embroidery: Kashida, Kantha, Kasuti, Phulkari, Chikankari, and more
Textile Printing: Hands-on with batik, block, screen, roller, stencil, and flock printing
 
Practical 4: Computer Applications
Design digitally using industry-standard tools:
 
Part A: CorelDRAW / Illustrator
Create croquis, motifs, mood boards, and vector illustrations
Apply textures, prints, fills, and effects to fashion illustrations
Design garments and accessories with layout and special effects tools
 
Part B: Adobe Photoshop
Render and edit fashion sketches, illustrations, and scanned artwork
Apply textures, watercolors, patterns, and fabric effects
Create posters, logos, patchworks, mood boards, and design layouts

Year III – Theory

Paper I – Knitwear Design Technology

Explore knitted fabric structures, differences from woven fabrics, and evolution of the Indian knitting industry
 
Understand weft & warp knitting, yarns used (cotton, wool, spandex, etc.), and knit fabric properties
Study major knitting structures: jersey, rib, interlock, jacquard, fleece, velour, etc
Learn about knitting machines: circular, flatbed, jacquard, pile knitting, and defects in knitted fabrics
Classification of knitted garments and seam types; latest trends like seamless construction and surface embellishment
Quality control in knitted garments and introduction to non-woven fabrics

Paper II – Fashion Forecasting

Understand the fashion forecasting process and how trends evolve—fads, classics, and innovations
 
Learn about color forecasting, consumer psychology, and trend cycles
Analyze runway trends, street fashion, and iconic design styles from the 1950s to present
Explore textile development, fabric fairs, customer profiling, and consumer research
Get insights into real-time marketing, sales forecasting methods, and presenting trend reports creatively

Paper III – Retail & Visual Merchandising

Understand the role and responsibilities of a merchandiser in various retail settings
 
Learn the significance of visual merchandising, window displays, store layouts, and lighting design
Explore store planning, use of props, mannequins, fixtures, and trade show displays
Introduction to retail formats, branding, customer behavior, loyalty, and value creation
Study purchasing methods, supplier selection, budgeting, and integration with other managerial functions
Dive into supply chain management, logistics, and operations for efficient retail functioning

Year III – Practical

Practical I – Knitwear Design: Sportswear, Loungewear & Uniform Design
Design various knitwear categories:
 
Create your design line of T-shirts, shorts, track suits, gym wear, yoga pants, beachwear, swimwear, loungewear, school and team uniforms
Create professional design documentation: mood boards, fabric & inspiration boards, flats, spec sheets, and technical drawings
Present complete collections to simulated clients
 
Practical II – Pattern Making & Garment Construction III
Master advanced garment construction for both men and women:
 
Men: formal, casual, party & uniform shirts; trousers, bermudas, shorts
Women: shorts, culottes, capris, sarongs, yoga pants, corsets, strapless garments, bikinis
 
Practical III – Visual Merchandising
Design retail floor plans and layouts using sketches, elevations, and 3D visuals.
 
Create theme-based window displays, lighting plans, and mannequin styling
Conduct case studies of top Indian and international fashion stores to understand branding and merchandising strategies
 
Practical IV – Accessory Design
Manually and digitally sketch and render fashion accessories:
 
Belts, Hats, Caps, Turbans
Handbags, Footwear, Neckwear
Jewellery: Rings, Earrings, Tiaras, Cufflinks, Anklets, etc
Gloves, Sunglasses, Fashion Eyewear
 
Design Research & Case Studies
Conduct brand research on global and Indian fashion houses
Study origin stories, product evolution, design heads, branding, lifestyle fit, pricing, and advertising strategies
Present case studies of 6 brands from a given list and 2 brands of your choice

Year IV – Theory

Paper 1: Fashion Communication & Brand Management

Explore the dynamic world of fashion media, advertising, branding and communication
 
Fashion Communication: Types of writing — from creative to technical, business and academic
Fashion Journalism: Reporting styles, story writing, interviews, reviews, blogging & PR
Fashion Advertising: Target audience, copywriting, layout, media planning, campaign development
Brand Management: Brand concepts, personality, positioning, strategy & consumer perception
Fashion Branding: International vs national brands, licensing models, brand identity & image

Paper 2: Apparel Production & Quality Control

Understand the backbone of the apparel industry — from manufacturing to quality control
 
Apparel Industry: Types of producers, price segments, structure of garment units
Departments: Design, sampling, marketing, purchase, finance & store functions
Pre-Production: Order planning, marker making, cutting room operations, production system
Production Planning: Batch & syncro systems, capacity planning, productivity & WIP analysis
Quality Control: Inspection systems, TQM, audits, labeling, defect management & QC in sewing, washing, packaging

Paper 3: Costing

Master the financial planning behind fashion production
 
Cost Accounting: Direct vs indirect cost, depreciation, inventory valuation, job costing
Overheads & Break-even: Standard costing, cost centers, break-even charts & margin of safety
Marginal Costing: Fixed, variable & semi-variable costs, variance analysis, ABC method
Budgeting: Capital investments, flexible budgeting, zero-based budgeting, pricing strategies
Product Costing: Pre-costing to post-production costing — includes fabric, trims, labor, logistics, tariffs

Year IV – Practical

Practical 1: Pattern Making & Garment Construction – IV
Theme: Kidswear Design & Development
 
Designing sketches, flats & renders for: Infants, Children, Teens, Schoolwear, Activewear & Partywear
Pattern Making: Sizing, drafting & sewing of kidswear garments like creepers, rompers, jumpsuits, frocks, skirts, etc
Final Project: Industry Report on Kidswear Segment
 
Practical 2: Bridal Fashion
Introduction to Indian bridal fashion for men & women
 
Bridal garment anatomy, history, silhouettes, accessories & embellishments
Fabric selection, tools, and surface ornamentation
Case Studies: Top 10 Indian Bridal Designers
Design Development: Full bridal look from head to toe
 
Practical 3: Industry Research & Internship
Industry Research
 
Research on chosen area (e.g., menswear, kidswear, handloom, printing, etc.)
Includes: Scope, questionnaire, industry interviews, PPT (150 slides) or Report (80 pages)
Format: Cover, Declaration, Index, Case Studies, References
 
Internship
3-month full-time / 5-month part-time internship
 
 
Final submission includes:
 
Internship completion letter
Detailed report of industry and student’s contribution
Project simulation for setting up a similar unit
 
Practical 4: Graduation Fashion Show Collection
Final Collection: Minimum 10 garments (Men, Women, or Kidswear)
 
Collection types: Formal, Casual, Party, Wedding
 
Steps include:
Design Development (50–80 sketches, 3 themes)
Boards: Inspiration, Mood, Color, Fabric, Accessory, Story
Final Renders, Flats, Spec Sheets & Estimation Sheet
Jury Approval: HOD + Mentor + Industry Expert