Overview

Technical designers are in demand across the fashion industry — and have some of the highest-paying jobs — because they’re key to a company’s bottom line.

They’re the linchpin between designers and patternmakers, many of whom are overseas, ensuring that garments fit and function in every size, that every design detail is correct, and industry standards are met.

Technical designers teach tech design exactly as it’s practiced in the industry, immersing you in every step of the production process, from pattern to finished garment. You’ll master current equipment and software, work with live models and 3D avatars to understand fit, and learn to incorporate technology into clothing.

Key Features

In the Technical Design program from Fashion Institute of Technology SUNY, you’ll learn every phase of product development, including hands-on patternmaking, specification review and technical sketching, live model fittings, PLM, Accumark computerized pattern making, 3D fit, and production.

A third semester internship can be taken, and as a senior, you will participate in the capstone presentation, developing and creating an innovative garment using technology, sustainability, problem-solving innovations, new innovative fabrications, and 3D technology.

Careers

Students have interned at Polo Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Victoria’s Secret, Club Monaco, G-III, and PVH. Graduates are prepared for careers as technical designers in design, manufacturing, and retail companies, and they may also become fashion designers, fit engineers, patternmakers, specifications technicians, and technical assistants to product developers.

As a bonus, technical design skills are in high demand across industries, from apparel manufacturing to accessories to home products, which means starting salaries are among the highest in the creative economy.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Production Pattern Development

Computerized Pattern Development

Manufacturing Process Analysis

Advanced Textiles for Technical Design

Strategies of Business Communication

Mathematical Modeling for Business Applications

General Psychology

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-08-31 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-01 00:00:00

More details

Priority deadlines.

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

110

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Manhattan, United States

Disciplines

Design Fashion Design View 158 other Bachelors in Fashion Design in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

110

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Admissions Essay: After receiving the initial confirmation from FIT, you will receive a second email providing an individualized link to submit your essay, and, if you are a transfer student, a list of your in-progress courses.

School Transcripts.

English Proficiency.

SAT and ACT Scores.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

21692 USD / year

≈ 21692 USD / year
Out-of-State

21692 USD / year

≈ 21692 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

7170 USD / year

≈ 7170 USD / year

Living costs

Manhattan

United States

900 - 1400 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Technical Design.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Key Features

Careers

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Manhattan

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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