Apparel Design : Design and Human Environment (DHE)

Undergraduate Studies in Apparel Design

Apparel Design and Product Development professionals design sportswear, suits, dresses, coats, accessories, and just about everything else that people wear. Designers research color and style trends to create concepts and sketches for fashions one to two years in advance of the market. Some create new garment styles while others adapt styles from a previous season.

Pattern makers make designs a reality by working out proportions and exact details of style for production. Apparel design includes specializations in active sportswear, protective clothing for industry, functional apparel for people with physically challenging conditions and costuming for the theater. All of these careers are open to talented men and women with degrees in Apparel Design from OSU.

Major Requirements
Job Opportunities
Field Experience
Field Trips
Where Graduates Are Now
Student Designs

Major Requirements

In the Apparel Design program at OSU, you develop knowledge and skills in areas such as the interrelationship of fibers, fabric and garments; history of fashion; trend forecasting; market potential of apparel products; pattern making; global sourcing; and use of computer-aided design.

This major has a wireless laptop requirement.

For specific course requisites within the major, see the OSU General Catalog.

Job Opportunities

The demand for new apparel and accessories is continual. The competition for assistant-designer and designer level positions is strong in some locations. Being able to move to a city where job openings are plentiful increases your career opportunities. Preparing a strong portfolio will enhance your entry-level potential.

Professionals in this industry ride the ups and downs of the economy. They work within the limitations of budget, machinery, fabrics and market. They create ideas under the pressure of time and competition. Predicting what people want and being the first with an idea are important in this field.

Field Experience

The Apparel Design Field Experience is a cooperative program between the department of Design and Human Environment, apparel manufacturers, and qualified junior and senior students who are preparing for careers in apparel design and product development. It combines the study of principles of apparel design with on-the-job experience in companies where soft goods are manufactured.

There are two phases to the program which is offered once each year during summer term. Students submit applications during fall term. During Winter and Spring terms, students participate in DHE 400, "Field Experience Orientation" seminar.

This is followed by the "Field Experience" (DHE 410 section 3), employment off campus at a selected apparel manufacturer during the summer. Internship sites are determined by mutual agreement of company personnel manager, the university supervisor, and the student. A variety of tasks assigned by the company provides the student with on-the-job experience.

During the employment period, supervision is directed by personnel in the employing company. Contact between the student and university supervisor is maintained by weekly written reports and during the employment period by an on-site visit from the supervisor when the student is located in a city within reasonable travel distance of the university. A workbook in which the student gathers information about the organization and operation of the participating company is completed during the work period.

Evaluation of student performance is done by the supervising personnel in the company and by the university supervisor. This is discussed with the student as an aid in career development. This course is graded on A-F basis. Twelve credit hours are earned during the term of participation which requires a total of 300 hours of work during the internship.

The program is elective and qualified* juniors and seniors are eligible to apply for admission to the program. The application process begins during fall term of the year prior to summer participation.

To be accepted the student must:

Have attained junior or senior standing and acceptance into the Professional Apparel Design Program.
Have achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (student below a 2.5 at the time of application can be accepted provisionally subject to attainment of the 2.5 by the term of participation).
Have earned at least a C- grade for the following prerequisite courses: DHE 321, Fashion Illustration and Design.
It is highly recommended that students also have completed DHE 327, Flat Pattern Design; and DHE 370, Textile and Apparel Market Analysis.
Indicate long-range career plans and some understanding of the requirements for a career in apparel design.
Show evidence of ability to assume leadership and responsibility and make mature decisions in coursework, previous jobs, and/or extra-curricular activities.
Indicate willingness to carry out all on-the-job assignments in a professional manner and to use individual initiative during the on-the-job experience.
Show ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form.
Show evidence of ability and desire to represent the University and the Apparel Design Field Experience Program at a professional level.

Field Trips

See the OSU Fashion Organization area under Undergraduate Student Organizations.

Where Graduates Are Now

Apparel Design graduates design apparel for Target Corporation.

Showing off their apparel lines at the Target Flagship store in Minneapolis. On the left, Heather Lavell, '95, who designs baby and toddler apparel for Target, holds an active wear top designed by Mico Herrmann, '95, who stands on the right.

Positions 3 or Less Years after Graduation

Adidas, Beaverton, OR
Apparel Developer

BCBG, Los Angeles, CA
Assistant Designer

C.P. Shades, San Francisco, CA
Pattern Department Manger/Sample Coordinator

Columbia Sportswear, Portland, OR
Design Assistant
Designer

Eddie Bauer, Redmond, WA
Product Developer

INSPORT, Beaverton, OR
Technical Apparel Specialist
Specifications Coordinator

J.J. Rainbeau, San Francisco, CA
Specifications Coordinator

Lands’ End, Minneapolis, MN
Women’s knit products fit designer

Pendleton Woolen Mills, Portland, OR
Quality Assurance and Research

NIKE, Beaverton, OR
Textile Color Assistant, Apparel Lab
Computer Pattern Engineer
Product Developer
Assistant Fabric/Trim Coordinator

PT R.S.H. Marketing, Jakarta, Indonesia
Brand and Operation Manager

Pendleton, Portland, OR
Pattern Maker

ShedRain, Portland, OR
Design Assistant

SportHill, Eugene, OR
Designer