Diploma in Fashion Design: Course Overview and Career Opportunities
Published by Shikha Kumari on May 06, 2025
A Diploma in Fashion Design is a one-year course that helps candidates learn and understand fashion design concepts. This enables them to construct and draft patterns, replicate design ideas, and create garments by designing patterns for different outfits. In this blog, we are going to discuss the course structure overview, recommend books, and explore the career opportunities after completing a diploma in fashion design.
Course Structure
As recommended by the DJP, the entire structure of the course follows a professional scale. It focuses on professional skills, industry knowledge, and modern employability standards. This framework is to be followed by various institutions offering diplomas in fashion design. While professional skills help candidates gain hands-on, practical experience, professional knowledge deepens their understanding of the core principles, values, and intricacies of fashion design.
| S No. | Course Element | Notional Training Hours |
| 1 | Professional Skill (Trade Practical) | 840 |
| 2 | Professional Knowledge (Trade Theory) | 240 |
| 3 | Employability Skills | 120 |
| Total | 1200 | |
| On-the-Job Training (OJT) / Group Project | 150 | |
Diploma in Fashion Designing: Course Overview
The Diploma in Fashion Design typically lasts for one year. In this blog, we’re referring to the syllabus offered by Mumbai University. As per the syllabus, the first semester focuses on building a strong foundation in fashion design. Candidates can learn the fundamentals of design, clothing illustration, and fashion sketching. They can also get to understand the use of computer applications for design simulation, along with basic communication skills and design perspective.
| Semester 1 Fashion Design Diploma Subjects | ||
| Unit | Subjects | Credits |
| 1 | Basic Textiles (THEORY) | 3 |
| 2 | Fundamentals of Design and Communication Skills (THEORY) | 3 |
| 3 | Pattern Drafting and Clothing for Children’s Wear (PRACTICAL) | 3 |
| 4 | Basic Illustration and Stitch Art (PRACTICAL) | 3 |
| 5 | Computer Applications | 3 |
In the second semester, the program dives deeper into design perspective and advanced communication skills. This semester focuses on refining the candidate’s ability to structure design concepts more professionally.
| Semester 2 Fashion Design Diploma Subjects | ||
| Unit | Subjects | Credits |
| 1 | Indian Embroideries and Traditional Textiles (THEORY) | 3 |
| 2 | Design Perspectives and Communication Skills (THEORY) | 3 |
| 3 | Pattern Making / Drafting and Clothing for Adult Wear (PRACTICAL) | 3 |
| 4 | Basic Illustration and Stitch Art (PRACTICAL) | 3 |
| 5 | Computer Applications | 3 |
Books Recommended for Diploma in Fashion Design
Some of the best books recommended for a Diploma in Fashion Design come from publishers such as Fairchild Publications, Pepin Press, and ABC Media Incorporation. These publishers, along with well-known authors like McKelvey, Patrick John, and Seaman, have presented topics like fashion illustration, draping for apparel design, and fashion sketchbooks in a concise and easy-to-understand format.
| S No. | Book Title | Author(s) | Publisher |
| 1 | Fashion Illustration – Basic Techniques | Seaman, J. | B.T. Batsford Ltd. |
| 2 | Figure Drawing For Fashion | Drudi, Elisabetta & Paci, Tiziana | Pepin Press |
| 3 | Fashion Source Book – The 1960’s | Peacock, John | Thames And Hudson Ltd. |
| 4 | Fashion Sketchbook | Abling, Bina | Fairchild Publications Inc. |
| 5 | Draping For Apparel Design | Armstrong, Helen Joseph | Fairchild Publications Inc. |
| 6 | Fashion Source Book | McKelvey, Kathryn | Blackwell Publishing |
| 7 | Fashion Design Illustration: Children | Ireland, Patric John | B.T. Batsford Ltd. |
| 8 | Fashion Production Terms | Gioello, Debbie Ann & Berke, Beverly | Fairchild Publication/ABC Media Inc. |
| 9 | Figure Templates For Fashion Illustration | Ireland, Patric John | B.T. Batsford Ltd. |
| 10 | Elements Of Fashion And Apparel Design | Sumathi, G.J. | New Age International (P) Ltd. |
Career Opportunities after a Diploma in Fashion Design
A Diploma in Fashion Design offers a way to quickly get into the job market. These roles include fashion designer, fashion stylist, and garment technologist. Due to the ever-growing demand for fashion designers, a diploma in fashion design after the 12th can help candidates start with entry-level jobs. Some of the jobs are mentioned below:
| Fashion Designer | Fashion Stylist | Garment Technologist |
| Fashion Illustrator | Fashion Merchandiser | Textile Designer |
| Pattern Maker | Accessory Designer | Boutique Owner |
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