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Fashion and Apparel Design Program of Study

This is a general overview of a program of study. Each Program of Study is personalized based on the path you choose. Contact Academic Advising with questions about your program of study.

FYE: FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE  
Required Major Courses: Fall credits
FYE100: Systems of Drawing
3.0
FYE150: Digital 2D
3.0
Required Major Courses: Spring  
FYE199: IAS: FAD: Beginning Sewing
3.0
Required in fall or spring; completed in first year  
FYE110: Visual Language
3.0
FYE130: Fabrication
3.0
FYE121: RPC:
3.0
FYE151: Digital 4D
3.0
Critical Studies: FYE  
WRTG120: Processes of Inquiry
3.0
ARTH151: Intro to the Practice of Art & Design History
3.0
HUMT121: Intro to Humanities
3.0
Students complete 15 credits each semester first year to complete degree requirements in four years  
SOPHOMORE  
Required Major Courses: Fall credits
FAD260: Patternmaking & Construction I
3.0
FAD262: Process of Apparel Design & Illustration
3.0
FAD264: Survey of Global Textiles
3.0
Required Major Courses: Spring  
FAD261: Patternmaking & Construction II
3.0
FAD263: Digital Apparel Design
3.0
FAD265: Process of Apparel Industry
3.0
Studio Electives  
3cr Studio Elective
3.0
Critical Studies: Sophomore  
WRTG200: Critical and Creative Forms
3.0
NASC220: Patterns in Nature
3.0
ARTH217: History of Global Fashion
3.0
Students complete 15 credits each semester second year to complete degree requirements in four years  
JUNIOR  
Required Major Courses: Fall credits
FAD360: Patternmaking & Construction III
3.0
FAD362: Apparel Design Studio I
3.0
FAD364: Digital Patternmaking & Construction
3.0
Required Major Courses: Spring  
FAD363: Apparel Design Studio II
3.0
FAD365: Junior Apparel Seminar
3.0
FAD307: FAD elective
3.0
Critical Studies: Junior  
WRTG300: The Creative Professional in Context
3.0
NASC320/350/321: NS Elective
3.0
HUMT340: Topic in Humanities
3.0
HUMT380: Service Learning
3.0
Students complete 15 each semester third year to complete degree requirements  
SENIOR  
Required Major Courses: Fall credits
FAD460: Apparel Design Thesis I
3.0
FAD307: FAD elective
3.0
Required Major Courses: Spring  
FAD461: Apparel Design Thesis II
3.0
FAD307: FAD elective
3.0
Studio Electives  
3cr studio elective:
3.0
3cr studio elective
3.0
Critical Studies: Senior  
WRTG400: Senior Writing Seminar
3.0
ARTH318: AH Elect
3.0
ARTH318: AH Elect
3.0
HUMT340: Topic in Humanities
3.0
Students complete 15 credits each semester fourth year to complete degree requirements  
120 credits minimum required to complete degree  

News

Two MIAD alumni named Mary L. Nohl Fellows for 2025

Two alumni from the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) have received Emerging Artist fellowships from the 2025 Mary L. Nohl Fund for its 2025 cycle: Margaret Griffin ’23 (Fine Art + New Studio Practice) and Open Kitchen, co-founded by Rudy Medina ’12 (Integrated Studio Arts).

FYE Juried Media Arts Festival 2024 celebrates first-year student works

Seven students received awards at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design’s juried FYE Media Arts Festival – an in-house screening and celebration of video, animation and sound design works by current and former First-Year Experience (FYE) students held on November 26. The 56 entries were judged by multimedia and filmmaking professionals Emma B. Barany, Gabe Leistekow and Sara Sowell.

Independence First and MIAD students produce adaptive clothing

Students in a junior-level Fashion and Apparel Design class at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) collaborated with Independence First to design adaptive clothing. Two Independence First employees worked closely with MIAD students on customized outfits specific to their needs and preferences.

‘GQ Rebranded’ series is a hit for MIAD alum’s new studio

When Justin Thomas Kay ’04 (Communication Design) opened his own studio, JTK Studio, Inc., in New York City early this year, he hoped that his work “would contribute positively to helping to make things look nicer and more enjoyable and speak honestly to people broadly.” The new GQ Sports series “GQ Rebranded” turned out to be a good fit to do just that.