UC To Offer Design Courses

In June, the College of Management will launch three new textile design courses to give students a more in-depth perspective on fashion and the garment industry. 

"If the students want to work in the fashion industry, even if they don't want to become designers, it is very useful to learn what jobs people do in the industry," said Anneliese Helmy, the course instructor who spent more than 15 years working in the Australian fashion industry. "If students are going to work as managers, they will find they are able to manage their people better if they understand the job responsibilities of the people they are managing. 

Helmy has worked on mainstream labels with large production runs as well as in bridal couture, giving her a wide range of expertise in the fashion and garment industry. The three courses she will be teaching focus on fashion illustration, fashion design and range design. In the fashion illustration course, students will learn the basics of illustration and presentation and have the opportunity to begin a portfolio. The fashion design course, students will take a look at the history of fashion and learn basic elements for clothing design. Finally, the range coordination course will give students an understanding of range cohesion, presentation and production when creating a clothing line. 

"I designed the courses to try to give students a taste of what the fashion industry is about," Helmy said. "There are many different areas of fashion and these courses give a taste of the design areas."

According to Gina Lopez, Associate Dean in the College of Management, the courses will be offered to UC students as well as the public and require no prerequisites to register. As of right now, the courses will be offered only during Term 3 of the 2008-09 academic year, which starts June 22, 2009, but could be offered again in the future pending student interest.