General Information

Overview

The future of the fashion industry is evolving at a rapid pace. The Bachelor of Design (Fashion) integrates fashion design with the themes of fashion futures including; new technologies, advanced manufacturing and sustainable design and production methods. It prioritises a critical and experimental fashion design methodology with a focus on creating tangible fashion outcomes such as technology-enabled wearable garments and products. This is situated at the intersection of technology, functionality, and aesthetics, and empowers students to both create positive change and redefine the trajectory of future fashion industries.

Study structure

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Design (Fashion) requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Fashion Design Practice 1: Techniques and Prototyping
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD10010
Product Visualisation 1: Hand Sketching
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DID10001
Introductory Design Studio
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD10006
Twentieth Century Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD10001
Textile and Material Inspiration
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD10011
Fashion Communication and Expression
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD10012
Contemporary Design Issues
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD20004
Fashion Design Practice 2: Pattern and Garment Construction
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD20038
Units of study Unit code
Global Fashion Context and Culture
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD20041
Emerging Technologies in Fashion & Textile Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD20039
Sustainable Fashion Design Studio
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD20040
Wearable Technology Design Studio
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD30051
Professional Fashion Practice
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD30054
Fashion Branding & Management
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DBE30005
Fashion Design Capstone
Major unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD30053

Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 100 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).

Advanced minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points in a field of study which builds upon your first major. Advanced minors can only be taken in conjunction with specific majors.

  • 3D Modelling and Animation Advanced
  • Visual Effects Advanced
 

Minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points and may be chosen from any field of study.

  • Industrial Design
  • Branded Environments
  • UX Interaction Design
  • Design Principles Practices
  • Innovation
  • Entrepeunership
  • Photomedia
  • Communication Design
  • Interior Architecture
  • Motion Design
  • Digital Marketing
  • Advertising
  • Social Media
  • Management
  • Engineering
  • Ethics and Tech
  • Creative Writing
  • Games and Interactivity
  • Film and Tv
  • Animation
  • Immersive Media

View minor units

These recommended elective units can deepen your understanding of your chosen major or an area of interest. A full list of available elective units can be found upon enrolment.

  • COM10007 Professional Communication Practice
  • DCO10001 Concepts and Narratives
  • DCO10002 Digital Design
  • DCO10004 Photography for Design
  • DCO20001 Brand and Identity Design
  • DBE20001 Branded Environment Design Studio 1
  • DCO10005 Typography 
  • DCO10007 Visual Communication Studio
  • DES20057 Toolbox for Prototyping and Interdisciplinary Collaboration
  • DID10004 User Centered Design
  • DID10006 Materials, Finishes and Form 
  • DID20007 Product Visualisation 2: Digital Sketching 
  • DPD20001 Digital Modelling
  • DID20002 Materials and Processes
  • DCO20004 Web Design
  • DCO10003 Packaging Design
  • ART20002 Experimental Image-Making Processes
  • DDM20003 Digital Video Camera Techniques
  • DDM10005 Imaging for Narrative and Storyboards
  • DDM10006 Typography for Screen and Motion
  • MKT10009 Marketing and the Consumer Experience
  • MKT20025 Consumer Behaviour
  • MDA10006 Innovation Cultures: Perspectives On Science and Technology
  • MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies
  • MDA10008 Global Media Industries
  • MDA20001 Business of Media
  • PWR10002 Editing for Writers
  • SOC10005 Environment and Society: Problems and Solutions
  • SOC10012 Global Perspectives on Modernity
  • SOC20013 Race, Ethnicity and Migration
  • SOC30013 Global Perspectives on Gender and Sexuality
  • GAM10002 Principles of Game Design
  • GAM20001 Introduction to Games Production
Find more detail about elective units

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this Course students will be able to:

  • apply critical and creative thinking to solve design problems independently and collaboratively, in diverse contexts within the evolving fashion design industry
  • implement technical and practical skills as well as a broad understanding of the key concepts in fashion design to generate design outcomes at a professional standard
  • develop design solutions that incorporate ethical and socio-ecological frameworks, demonstrating respect and inclusivity towards diverse audiences and Indigenous principles and practices
  • evaluate the social and ethical implications of technology and fashion, considering factors such as sustainability, advanced manufacturing processes and consumer needs
  • generate complex design projects to develop viable and human-centred design propositions utilising design research methods, peer and industry collaboration, and other stakeholders

Career opportunities

Graduates may embark on career paths such as; fashion designer, wearable technology product designer, product developer, garment technician, creative pattern maker, fashion brand stylist, fashion buyer and merchandiser, fashion brand strategist, fashion entrepreneur, and sustainable fashion consultant.

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Design (Fashion) students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:

  • eight [8] core units (100 credit points)
  • eight [8] units of study in the Fashion Design Major (100 credit points)
  • eight [8] units of other studies (100 credit points) comprising of a co-major, minor/s, or electives

Students also have an opportunity to undertake a WIL Professional Placement.

Professional placements

Professional Placements are subject to a competitive selection process. International students may be eligible for a Professional Placement where a relevant Professional degree exists. International students who successfu gain a placement through the selection process will be required to change courses to the relevant Professional degree, in order to complete a placement and should consider any visa and extended study duration implications prior to applying.

Students who undertake a 12 month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 375 credit points comprising:

  • eight [8] Core Units of Study (100 credit points);
  • eight [8] units of study in the Fashion Design major (100 credit points);
  • four [4] units of study of the Professional Placement Co-Major (100 credit points); and
  • six [6] units of study comprising a minor or electives (75 credit points)

Students who elect to undertake a 6 month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 337.5 credit points comprising:

  • eight [8] Core Units of Study (100 credit points);
  • eight [8] units of study in the Fashion Design major (100 credit points);
  • two [2] units of study of the Professional Placement Minor (50 credit points); and
  • seven [7] units of study comprising a minor or electives (87.5 credit points).

Volume of Learning

The Bachelor of Design (Fashion) consists of 300 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points. A standard annual full-time load comprises 100 credit points and a part-time load comprises 50 credit points. 

The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Design (Fashion) is typically 3 years.

For students who complete a Professional Placement, the Bachelor of Design (Fashion) consists of 325-375 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points with placement units carrying 25 credit points each. A standard annual full-time student load comprises 100 credit points, and a standard part-time load comprises 50 credit points.

The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Design (Fashion) with a 6 month placement is typically 3.5 years.

The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Design (Fashion) with a 12 month placement is typically 4 years.

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Design (Fashion) is 150 credit points (normally 12 units).

Admission criteria

Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.

Interested in the Bachelor of Design (Fashion)?

From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.

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