Fashion Communication/Design
Fashion
Degree Awarded: | Bachelor of Design (BDes) |
Administered by: | School of Fashion |
Program Format: | Full-time, four-year program. |
O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including Grade 12 U English.
Notes:
- ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English.
- A grade of 70 percent or higher will be required in Grade 12 U English.
- Admission to the School of Fashion is based on meeting the academic requirements determined by Undergraduate Admissions and on the portfolio guidelines set and evaluated by the School of Fashion.
- Applicants are required to submit a portfolio which provides evidence of creative versatility and ability, along with a statement that contextualizes their interest in Fashion. Applicants must visit the Fashion program page for details about the non-academic requirements.
- A non-academic assessment fee of $50 CAD (non-refundable and subject to change) is required.
- Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.
Although art and art history, fashion, design, or sewing classes are not academic prerequisites for entry into the Fashion program, it is strongly recommended that if courses in these areas are offered in the candidate's secondary school curriculum, it would be beneficial to pursue them.
The School of Fashion is launching a revised undergraduate curriculum for students admitted Fall 2020 and after. The revised curriculum provides students the flexibility to gain an understanding of the range of opportunities available within the interdisciplinary field of fashion. Students will have the ability to shape their individual curricular pathways, supported by academic advising, a foundation of core and fundamentals courses, and the option to choose increasingly advanced electives from a range of concentration areas (listed below).
Over the course of four years, students will be able to identify their areas of interest and develop specialized expertise in those areas all while establishing a breadth of knowledge in fashion theory and practice. Working closely with subject matter experts, students will develop creative, technical, and theoretical skills to advance in the interdisciplinary field of fashion.
The revised curriculum is structured as follows;
• Core courses form the backbone of the curriculum and bring together all fashion students throughout the four-year degree.
• Table I courses introduce skills and knowledge that form the foundation of increasingly advanced Table II and Table III electives.
• Liberal Studies courses and University Open electives ensure students gain breadth of knowledge and experiences and provide opportunities for students to pursue Minors.
• Table II and Table III electives are grouped into Concentrations.
Concentrations (for students admitted Fall 2020 and after)
Concentrations offer an opportunity for students to pursue a particular area in fashion. Concentrations are optional and not a degree requirement. Successful completion of 8 courses in a concentration area results in the concentration being listed on a student’s transcript.
Fashion Communication: Creative, technical and theoretical approaches of promoting fashion to audiences through multiple platforms.
Fashion Design: Creative and technical approaches to designing and producing clothing using both traditional and computer-aided design techniques.
Fashion Studies: Examining the broader social, cultural and economic implications of the production, promotion and consumption of fashion.
Design Leadership: Developing meaningful solutions to industry problems by ideating and producing innovative products and/or with tangible social, cultural and/or economic value.
Textiles and Material Practices: Engaging with methods and critical approaches to design and create original and innovative textiles and/or accessories while working in both digital and analogue environments.
Concentrations are offered continually and are not subject to availability. Courses for fulfilling a Concentration come from Table II and III, and while not every course may be running each year, there are sufficient alternatives to complete a Concentration, should you choose to.
Internship
Internships provide educational experiences in the workplace and opportunities for students to connect with employers. Between first and fourth year students’ complete 400 total hours of internship including a minimum of 250 hours of documented work experience related to the fashion and communication industries along with a series of University-led workshops.
Liberal Studies
Students must take three lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.
Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .
Table A - Lower Level Restrictions
Table B - Upper Level Restrictions
For students admitted Fall 2019 and prior:
IRL 500 is not available for credit. Students may take only two Sociology courses for credit.
Minors
Students may pursue any Minor offered by Toronto Met (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.
The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Certificates
Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window) for complete details.
1st & 2nd Semester
1st Semester
CORE ELECTIVE: One course from Table I (opens in new window)
LIBERAL STUDIES: One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies (opens in new window)
2nd Semester
CORE ELECTIVE:
Two courses from Table I (opens in new window)
3rd & 4th Semester
3rd Semester
REQUIRED:
- FSN 203 History of Design
CORE ELECTIVE:
Two courses from Table I (opens in new window)
Two courses from Table II or III (opens in new window) *
4th Semester
REQUIRED:
- FSN 303 Design Thinking, Process and Methods
CORE ELECTIVE:
Two courses from Table II or III (opens in new window) *
OPEN ELECTIVE:
One Open Elective (opens in new window)
LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies
(opens in new window)
*Students must complete 12 courses from Core Elective Table II and III, with a minimum of 3 courses from Table III.
5th & 6th Semester
5th Semester
REQUIRED:
- FSN 503 Critical Issues in Design
CORE ELECTIVE:
Two courses from Table II or Table III (opens in new window) *
OPEN ELECTIVE:
One Open Elective
LIBERAL STUDIES: One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies
6th Semester
REQUIRED:
- FSN 707 Research Methods in Fashion
CORE ELECTIVE:
Two courses from Table II or Table III (opens in new window) *
OPEN ELECTIVE:
One Open Elective
LIBERAL STUDIES: One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies (opens in new window)
*Students must complete 12 courses from Core Elective Table II and III, with a minimum of 3 courses from Table III.
7th & 8th Semester
Begins 2023-2024 for students admitted Fall 2020 and after.
7th Semester
CORE ELECTIVE:
Two courses from Table II or Table III (opens in new window) *
LIBERAL STUDIES: One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies (opens in new window)
8th Semester
REQUIRED:
- FSN 90A/B** Capstone
CORE ELECTIVE:
Two courses from Table II or Table III (opens in new window) *
OPEN ELECTIVE:
One Open Elective
LIBERAL STUDIES: One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies (opens in new window)
*Students must complete 12 courses from Core Elective Table II and III, with a minimum of 3 courses from Table III.
**FSN90A/B is a two-term course (Fall and Winter)
Concentrations, selected from Core Elective Table II and Core Elective Table III, are optional.
Students may declare a concentration beginning in the 4th Semester. If a student chooses to pursue a concentration they must declare a concentration before applying to graduate. Successful completion will mean that the concentration will be listed on the student’s transcript.
Courses used to fulfil the requirements of a concentration cannot be used to fulfil the requirements of a minor.
Concentration in Fashion Communication
Students must complete eight (8) of the following:
CORE ELECTIVE TABLE II
- CMN 450 Participatory Media and Communication
- FCD 817 Live Event Supercourse I
- FCD 827 Live Event Supercourse II
- FDL 340 Strategic Communications in Fashion
- FFC 200 Fashion Photography
- FFC 224 Illustration: The Fashioned Body
- FFC 324 Lifestyle and Product Illustration
- FFC 403 Communication Design II
- FFC 405 Web Design
- FFC 552 Typography and Graphic Design
- FSN 304 Fashion Journalism and Copy Writing
- FSN 703 Visual Merchandising and Display
- FSN 715 Fashion Illustration and Diversity
- FSN 720 Illustration and Fashion Activism
CORE ELECTIVE TABLE III
- FFC 300 Art Direction for Fashion
- FFC 301 Packaging Design
- FFC 400 Communication and Emerging Media
- FFC 603 Advertising Design
- FFC 605 Product Development
- FFC 652 Digital Publication Design
- FFC 620 Special Topics in Communication
- FFC 705 Interdisciplinary Image Making
- FFC 750 Collaborative Studio
- FSN 700 Advanced Illustration
- FSN 710 Human Centred Design
Concentration in Fashion Design
Students must complete eight (8) of the following:
CORE ELECTIVE TABLE II
- FFD 213 Fashion Design II
- FFD 300 Digital Patternmaking for Fashion Design
- FFD 303 Digital Illustration for Fashion
- FFD 324 Illustration for Fashion Design
- FFD 405 Grading Techniques
- FFD 410 Draping I
- FFD 501 Contour Design
- FFD 503 Knitwear Design
- FFD 504 Block Development I
- FFD 520 Block Development II
- FFD 617 Collection Creative Direction
CORE ELECTIVE TABLE III
- FSN 507 Digital Product Management
- FSN 710 Human Centred Design
- FFD 400 3D Digital Fashion
- FFD 513 Advanced Fashion Design I
- FFD 610 Draping II
- FFD 613 Advanced Fashion Design III
- FFD 620 Special Topics in Fashion Design
- FFD 650 Responsible Fashion Design
- FFD 780 Couture Traditions
- FFD 790 Bespoke Tailoring
Concentration in Fashion Studies
Students must complete eight (8) of the following:
CORE ELECTIVE TABLE II
- FFS 200 Textile Histories
- FSN 302 Fashion Histories: Ancient to Pre-modern
- FSN 504 Fashioning Feminism
- FFS 402 Fashion and Modernity
- FFS 511 Fashion and Material Culture
- FSN 510 Fashion Film, Cinema and New Media
- FSN 520 Land and Fashion
- FSN 620 Black Fashion
- FSN 631 Fashion and Popular Culture in East Asia
Concentration in Design Leadership
Students must complete eight (8) of the following:
CORE ELECTIVE TABLE II
- FCD 815 Design Solutions Supercourse
- FCD 817 Live Event Supercourse I
- FCD 827 Live Event Supercourse II
- FDL 240 New Fashion Business Models
- FDL 340 Strategic Communications in Fashion
- FDL 610 Ethical and Sustainable Fashion Leadership
- FSN 600 Design Justice
- FSN 706 Fashion Event Planning
- MKT 100 Principles of Marketing
- MKT 300 Marketing Metrics and Analysis
- MKT 400 Understanding Consumers and the New Media
- MKT 504 Effective Persuasion
- ZON 100 Zone Learning Project I
Concentration in Textiles and Material Practices
Students must complete eight (8) of the following:
CORE ELECTIVE TABLE II
- FFD 502 Fur Design
- FFS 200 Textile Histories
- FMF 230 Creative Process: Motif to Textile
- FMF 235 Jewellery Design
- FMF 240 Indigenous Craft Practices
- FMF 330 Prototyping and Modelling
- FMF 545 Natural Dye Workshop
- FMF 335 Millinery Design
- FSN 209 Digital Textile Design
- FSN 502 Small Goods: Leather and Fur Design
- FSN 506 Surface Design
- FSN 520 Land and Fashion
- FSN 660 Compassion Couture
A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).
Jill Andrew
Co-Founder
Body Confidence Canada
Jeanne Beker
Host/Segment Producer
"FT-Fashion Television" &
"Fashion Television Channel"
Laurie Belzak
Sector Development Officer
Fashion, Apparel & Design
Strategic Growth & Sector Development
Economics Development & Culture
City of Toronto
Nina Boccra
Director of Programs
Design Exchange
Izzy Camilleri
Fashion Designer
Izzy Camilleri
Candice Chan
Creative Director and Partner
Candice & Alison Incorporated
Aisha Fairclough
Co-Founder
Body Confidence Canada
Lynda Friendly
Lynda Friendly & Associates Incorporated
Krishna Nikhil
Chief Merchandising Officer
SSENSE
Anjli Patel
Fashion Lawyer and Trademark Agent
Sage Paul
Artistic Director
Indigenous Toronto Fashion Week
Brian Richards A.
Event Producer
The Collections
Heidi Ruggier
President
Matte PR
Mary Turner
Chief Merchandising Officer
Town Shoes Limited