In your head, you put together the perfect outfit with only hand-me-downs and thrift store finds. When you walk past someone on the street, you immediately think of the accessory that would complete their outfit. A career in fashion design could be in the future for you! Fashion design schools in Indiana can help you get a good sense of style, fabrics, upcoming trends, and the fashion industry.
Thanks to Indiana’s many large cities and universities, it is a fairly important state in the American fashion design industry. The Indiana Daily Student reports on Indiana designers who give back by creating charities, while the Elkhart Times reports on a local student’s successful fashion line. If you’re willing to spend long hours in the design studio, tweak your designs to meet industry standards, and improve your understanding of this booming industry, you could be the perfect fit for an Indiana fashion design program. Our school listings make it easy to find the right school for you!
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School Accreditation
You must attend a school that is approved by your state to provide training in the discipline you want to practice. Check with the school and the state board to be sure that your program of study will prepare you for any applicable state licensure.
Fashion Design Courses & Training
There are several degree options you can look into as a prospective fashion design student in Indiana. If you attend a two-year school in Indiana, you may be able to earn a certificate or diploma in about one year. You may also want to look into earning a two-year Associate’s degree. Four-year schools in Indiana may give you the opportunity to earn a Bachelor’s degree in fashion design.
Some of the core fashion design courses you may take as you start your education include Design Essentials, Drawing Essentials, Fashion Design Research, and Figure Drawing. These courses tackle a variety of objectives. They help you develop your art skills in a way that’s appropriate for the fashion design field. These courses may also help you understand how the industry works and what you need to do to work in it.
As you move into more advanced fashion design courses, you may learn specific design and drawing techniques that will be required by major designers. Commonly required courses include Garment Structures, Pattern Development I, and History of Costumes & Textiles.
You may put your new design skills to the test in a practical learning experience. Many schools require an internship or practicum, during which you may work with a local design company to gain real experience in the industry. You may be able to choose a practicum experience that lines up with your personal career goals, like designing clothes for a specific demographic group or activity.
Career Outlook for Indiana Fashion Designers
Indiana can be a promising state for those who want to settle into the fashion industry. From 2012 to 2022, O*Net anticipates a 14% increase in fashion design jobs in Indiana. This far exceeds the -3% growth expected across the country (O*Net, 2012).
Fashion designers in Indiana earn a wide range of salaries, depending on which type of fashion design they do and where in the state they work. O*Net reports salaries ranging from $27,100 to $81,700 per year, so the salary range is slightly lower than the national average. The average salary for an Indiana fashion designer is $51,800 per year (O*Net, 2013).
If you’re willing to travel to Indiana’s large cities, there may be many networking events that you can take advantage of as a fashion designer. The Fashion Arts Society is part of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Members can attend fashion events, go to educational lectures, and meet other designers. Another local event is Midwest Fashion Week, which happens on an annual basis.
Ready to take the next step in your fashion career? Use the school listings provided by BeautySchools.com to find a school near you and get started!