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Fashion Design using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator

  • Level(s) of Study: Professional / Short course
  • Course Fee:

    This course is available at no cost to eligible participants.

  • Start Date(s): 1 October 2024.
  • Duration: 1 October - 3 December 2024, Tuesdays 6-8.30pm, ten weeks
  • Study Mode(s): Short course
  • Campus:
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information

Introduction:

Please note: This course is delivered through the Enterprising Ashfield project, which is funded by the Government's Towns Fund. Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is pleased to offer free (fully funded) places on this course to support individuals and employees of businesses that are based in the towns of Kirkby-in-Ashfield and Sutton-in-Ashfield.

The standard fee would normally be £745.

If you are not eligible for the Enterprising Ashfield project take a look at our professional short courses - CAD for Textiles and Fashion Print Design and CAD for Textile and Fashion Print Design Intensive

Textile and fashion businesses can benefit significantly from Computer Aided Design (CAD) skills; learning how to create digital designs and patterns can help reduce the time and costs associated with traditional design processes.

This course provides a solid foundation in top industry-standard software tools essential for fashion design professionals, using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

By learning these skills, employees can improve their job prospects and career development opportunities, whilst employers can enhance the overall efficiency and profitability of their businesses.

Whether you are an aspiring fashion designer or someone interested in learning digital design skills for the fashion industry, this course is your gateway to success.

On this course you’ll explore the basics of the software and learn how to apply these tools specifically to fashion design.

You’ll learn how to create and edit digital designs, add colour and texture to your designs and learn how to work with different file formats, prepare designs for printing and create technical specifications and production-ready files.

You’ll produce industry-standard working drawings and production sketches, whilst learning the essential functions of the software that will make your life as a designer simpler and more efficient.

Here's what our previous attendees said:

"It was an amazing adventure; on the first day I didn't know anything about Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop and by the end I have gained so much useful knowledge. We did so many practical tasks and a larger final project, I could have carried on longer!"

"I learnt so much! Lots of new skills and ideas for projects. The handouts and projects to further support my learning and designs outside of the sessions was great. I got a real insight into the fashion industry and the creative / fashion design process, and how to create packs to send to suppliers and factories. I most enjoyed learning how to design and create prints and patterns using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and then applying these to fashion garments that I had drawn in Illustrator. Meeting our tutor Laura and the rest of the group of creative people was brilliant too. I developed my skills and explored digital fashion designs to support a possible career change. Thank you!"

"I took my imagination and turned them into digital designs to help my small business. I learnt how to make patterns, fashion drawings and so many other digital skills."                                                                      

"Everything was spot on. I wanted to learn new skills that are part of my hobby, and learn how to draw flats and design clothes, as well as create my own patterns. From doing the course I understand the basics of how to draw patterns, create flats and mood boards. I understand how to use the tools having never used Adobe Illustrator before, so it was good practice. I will definitely use it in future projects now."

What you’ll study

What you'll study:

During the course you’ll learn how to create digital designs and patterns using Adobe software.

You will be guided through a series of hands-on projects and exercises, allowing you to develop skills in designing, illustrating and manipulating digital fashion creations.

It’s tailored specifically for textile and fashion businesses and enthusiasts looking to gain the essential skills and knowledge required to create digital textile and fashion designs.

During this course you will:

    Introduction to Adobe Illustrator

    • User Interface: Navigating the Illustrator interface and understanding the tools.
    • Manipulating Shapes: Creating and manipulating basic shapes, lines, and paths.
    • Swatches: Understanding colour modes, working with swatches, and applying fills, strokes, and gradients to enhance your designs.
    • Layers: Working with layers and arranging your workspace effectively.
    • Digital Mood Boards: Creating inspirational digital mood boards.

    Fashion Illustration Techniques:

    • Flats/ CAD’s and Illustrations: Learn how to create proportional digital representations of your designs and tips and tricks to improve your illustrations.
    • Details & Textures: Use digital tools to create texture, print and details.

    Digital Design & Editing with Adobe Photoshop:

    • User Interface: Understanding Photoshops interface and essential tools for fashion design.
    • Editing and Retouching: Learn how to edit and retouch illustrations, prints and photography.
    • Print Manipulation: How to manipulate and enhance patterns and prints.
    • Exporting: Optimising your designs for web & print.

    Fashion Design Projects:

    • Create mood boards and colour palettes for fashion collections.
    • Design fashion illustrations and technical flats using digital tools.
    • Developing textile patterns and prints for garments and accessories.
    • Construct digital fashion look books and promotional materials.
    • Showcase your fashion designs through digital presentations.

What you'll gain

By the end of the course you’ll have the practical skills required for creating accurate and high-quality textile and fashion designs using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

You’ll leave with an overview of Adobe software packages and understand how you can implement the software in the future.

You’ll also receive a certificate of attendance when you complete the course, which is a great way to enhance your CV.

How you’re taught

In-person from the Summit Centre in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.

Contact hours

1 October - 3 December 2024, Tuesdays 6-8.30pm, ten weeks

Tutor profile: Laura Fish

Laura is a fashion designer who has worked with clients including Ann Summers, Dunnes, Claires Accessories, Debenhams, George, Matalan, Peacocks, Primark, Sainsburys, Smyths and Tesco.

Laura received her Fashion Design with Marketing and Production degree from the University of Huddersfield in 2014.

Her interest in teaching and love for 3D design was further developed while pursuing a Masters in International Fashion Design Management in 2020.

Laura is a tutor at Doncaster College in Digital Fashion Design with extensive teaching experience and a solid foundation in design, pattern cutting, and digital CAD 3D software, she possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to foster students’ growth and development.

Her industry experience in Design and Product Development further enhances her ability to provide her students with technical insights and real-world applications.

Entry requirements

No previous experience with Adobe software is required.

You are expected to have a basic understanding of computers and design principles and should be confident in saving files and simple computer functions.

To be eligible for a place, you must live or work in the towns of Kirkby-in-Ashfield or Sutton-in-Ashfield. To check if your home or work postcode is eligible visit the Enterprising Ashfield postcode checker page.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

Fees and funding

This course is available at no cost to eligible participants.

If you are not eligible for the Enterprising Ashfield project take a look at our professional short courses - CAD for Textiles and Fashion Print Design and CAD for Textile and Fashion Print Design Intensive

How to apply

Click to here apply

If you have any questions about this course, you can email EnterprisingAshfield@ntu.ac.uk or call us at +44 (0)115 848 2813.