What is a Diploma of Branded Fashion Design?
A Diploma of Branded Fashion Design is an introductory qualification, generally over one year of full-time study, that builds a foundation to understanding the business of what we wear and how they're made. It covers the creation of inspiring designs, developing and producing them for market with an emphasis on finding creative, strategic, sustainable and cost-effective solutions.
Learning outcomes
- Master technical drawing skills to bring your ideas to life.
- Develop a commercial awareness of how to build and sustain a brand.
- Learn the importance of shape and form.
- Experiment with a range of styles, fabrics and patterns.
DIA-recognised course
This course is recognised by the Design Institute of Australia, giving you confidence that your education is of the highest industry standard.
Vogue Australia partnership
We’ve partnered with industry leaders including Vogue Australia, to offer you internship, mentoring and scholarship opportunities.
Free Adobe Creative Cloud Pro licence
You'll receive a free Adobe Creative Cloud Pro licence for the entire time you're studying Design with us.
This is an AQF Level 5 course delivered by Torrens University Australia Ltd T/A Billy Blue College of Design.
* For more details on international student study options.
Career opportunities
Career paths
- Production
- Retail
- Stylist
- Garment Technician
- Print Developer
- Fashion Illustrator
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Career paths
- Marketing Assistant
- Business start-up
- Production/Sourcing Assistant
- Operations Assistant
Subjects and units
Each subject involves 10 hours of study per week, comprising 3 hours of facilitated study and 7 hours self-directed study.
International students must not enrol in more than one-third (33%) of online subjects over their course, and must study at least one face-to-face subject each study period. Please note that due to COVID-19, authorities have provided exceptions to the usual face-to-face learning requirements. For more information, visit Study in Australia.
International students on a student visa are required to study full time (i.e. must complete a minimum of 1.0 EFTSL of study per year). For the latest information on study locations, please check the entry requirements flyer.
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Design Context | DCX101Design Context is a foundational subject that introduces students to the designed world and their place within it. Students are encouraged to explore the interconnected nature of design and its capacity to inspire change, drive progress and navigate complex challenges. Through observation, research and iterative approach students will develop a series of creative responses that demonstrate an awareness of the value of design and its ability to create meaningful interactions for people, communities and their environments.
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Fashion Illustration | FA101AFashion Illustration introduces students to the skill of visual representation and communication through the art of drawing. It acknowledges drawing as a fundamental skill of the designer, and its importance in communicating design ideas. Students will cultivate an understanding of balance, proportion, and shape through observational drawing skills. Through visual rendering techniques of various surfaces, fabrics and structures, students gain insight into the manner in which different materials and fabrics drape, shape and change on the human body. This subject underpins the development of fundamental principles of fashion design as well as the capacity of the student to visually communicate their designs.
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Introduction to Branded Fashion Technical Drawing | FA104AFashion Technical Drawing and CAD provides a solid foundation for students to develop the hand drawing and computer drawing skills which will be used throughout their course and their career. Students establish hand-drawing skills to depict and explore technical and construction details for garments. Building upon these hand drawing skills, students are introduced to Computer Aided Design (CAD) methods and folio layouts specific for branded fashion. Students produce a series of digital folios that demonstrate their understanding of garment construction through both hand and digital drawing techniques.
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Design Studio 1 | DSO102This subject explores the relationship between materials and storytelling. It introduces students to the attributes of materiality and encourages them to re-imagine the possibilities of creating through making. Students will explore the art of paper folding, developing skills and taking creative risks. These results will be captured digitally and altered using the appropriate software. Individual tasks allow students to develop an understanding and appreciation of materials, their many varied uses, properties, and the sustainable manufacturing processes related to them. Students will progress towards determining suitable materials in which to construct their final model with its form and function contextualised and supported by a documented process journal. Their final submission will be a model that reminds us that stories which fill our lives are not only spoken and written but sometimes are best told through craft.
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Introduction to Shape and Form (Co-requisite FA108A) | FA107AThrough the exploration of a variety of cutting, sewing and finishing techniques, students are introduced to the importance of shape, form, line, and volume in garment construction. Industry terminology is defined through the execution of a variety of sewing samples and methods. Students familiarise themselves with the various components that make up a garment and the interrelationships between those components. Applying this knowledge, students execute and assemble a self-designed garment and will make decisions about the most appropriate construction techniques for that garment. Throughout their time in the sewing workroom, students will apply Work Health and Safety (WHS) practices in their workroom practice. Students participate in a Sewing Skills program – a series of additional sewing workshops that run concurrently with their formal study. These two-hour workshops provide students with an opportunity to further develop their garment construction skills.
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Fashion Studio Practice (Pre-requisite FA107A) | FA108AIn Fashion Studio 2, students develop foundational design studio practice skills and knowledge. Through idea generation, fabric manipulation and draping students’ progress their ideas and translate these into a commercial garment design. Students gain a deeper understanding of design elements and principles as key design concepts by conceptualising and producing 2D and 3D design outcomes. These design outcomes inform the student’s final garment production in Fashion Studio 1: Sewing and Construction.
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Design Studio 2 | DSO103Design Studio 2 offers an introduction to the building blocks of creating and developing brands and is designed to give students a broad understanding of the stages and methodologies adopted in the brand development process. The subject draws on the theory and practice that sits behind brand creation. It covers the broad spectrum of brand development, values, trends and branding techniques, as well as fundamentals such as brand positioning and brand architecture. The subject also explores the relationship between branding and audiences, cross-cultural influences and shifts in consumer behaviour. Students must first understand and apply the fundamentals of branding and then go on to use that knowledge as the basis for developing and progressing a brand. This theoretical and practical subject will equip students with the knowledge and insight with which to build their own branding expertise.
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Fashion vs Clothing | FA106AIn this subject, students are introduced to various social, political and design influences that have defined historical fashion periods. Examination of several case studies of fashion occurrences will inform students of the issues, attitudes and foundations that may lead up to the formation of a fashion, the role of the designer in that process and its effect on general dress behaviour as a result. Students will analyse and apply knowledge of the history of fashion to reflect on the fashion design process and the development of their own design handwriting whilst extending technical drawing and illustration skills. Students continue to develop their technical proficiency and ability to accurately communicate their design outcomes as they are introduced to specialist software applications and techniques.
Industry partners and work placements
Why study with us?
With dynamic, cutting-edge courses, Billy Blue College of Design at Torrens University Australia fosters the next generation of innovative, independent thinkers. Our passionate experts equip you with the tools to thrive and prepare you for the creative industry. Thanks to our partnerships, you will collaborate with some of the most influential brands in the world, building a portfolio that will help you secure your dream career.
Connected to industry
Industry professionals and entrepreneurs founded Billy Blue, and today it remains an active creative hub where friendly lecturers teach and mentor students. Our strong relationships with the design industry means you will work on live projects with real industry clients.
Students and graduates are strongly recognised and constantly sought out by the design and creative tech industries. Work-ready, incredibly talented and always prepared to push the boundaries, they are creative problem-solvers.
Are you a Domestic or International student?
Choose your student type for fees, scholarships & entry requirements
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Domestic
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International
Fees: Domestic students
Scholarships: Domestic students
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Scholarship types
Admissions criteria and pathways: Domestic students
Guaranteed pathway and Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have already completed a qualification you may be able to credit this against your degree with us, even if it’s from another institution. This is called Recognition of Prior Learning. We also offer pathway opportunities to further your learning.How to apply: Domestic students
Get started
Read through the admissions criteria and ensure you meet the entry requirements.
Apply
It’s easy! Apply online below or contact us and we can help on 1300 575 803.
Offer
We’ll contact you shortly after to confirm your details and help you through the rest of the process.
Fees: International students
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International fees
Check the International Course Fee Schedule for the cost of your course. Onshore international students requiring a student visa should choose campus-based / blended options.
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Fee payment
Course fees can be paid across three study periods. Each instalment to be paid before the beginning of the academic stage census date.
Scholarships: International students
We want you to have the best possible chance to succeed, which is why we offer a range of financial scholarships to support our international students during their study journey.
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Scholarship types
Admissions criteria and pathways: International students
Before you begin your course application, check you meet all the requirements listed below
Guaranteed pathway and Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have already completed a qualification you may be able to credit this against your degree with us, even if it’s from another institution. This is called Recognition of Prior Learning. We also offer pathway opportunities to further your learning. Learn more about study pathways.How to Apply: International students
Get started
Read through the admissions criteria and ensure you meet the entry requirements.
Apply
It’s easy! You can apply online below or contact our International team on 1300 575 803.
Offer
We’ll contact you shortly after to confirm your details and help you through the rest of the process.
Frequently asked questions
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What does admissions criteria mean?
Admissions criteria is a set of criteria that must be met to be eligible to apply for a chosen course.
To gain entry to an accredited undergraduate course at Torrens University Australia, applicants must both satisfy general admissions criteria and meet any additional course requirements where specified.
All admissions criteria and course-specific requirements apply consistently across campus locations and study modes. To find out more, visit admissions criteria.
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What if I don’t meet the entry criteria for a degree?
Torrens University Australia has recognised pathways to help you gain entry into our bachelor degrees based on different criteria.
To find out more, visit Study pathways or contact one of our knowledgeable Course and Careers Advisors.
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What are Torrens University Australia’s courses’ ATAR requirements?Torrens University Australia no longer considers ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) as our primary entry requirement. We have removed ATAR as the key admissions criteria for applicants aiming to study at Torrens University Australia. We strongly believed an alternative to the ATAR system should be found, which more broadly assesses students, especially when soft skills are emerging as important employability attributes. So, students with a recent secondary school education are now considered for admission if they have a Year 12 (Australian secondary school) certificate.
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Can I get course credit for previous experience?
Yes, course credit is available upon application and academic approval.
If you have already completed a qualification or have relevant work experience, you may be able to receive credits towards your degree. This credit can take the form of credit transfer, block credit or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Our Program Directors will carefully review the learning gained from your previous qualification and/or experience to ensure we provide you with credit towards our degrees whenever appropriate. Review our course credits page or chat to one of Course and Careers Advisors.
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What are course credits?
Course credits are credits that can be applied to your course based on your prior experience or qualifications. To find out more, visit course credits
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Am I a domestic or an international student?
Domestic students are Australian and Permanent Residents. International students are those who hold citizenship or Permanent Resident status of all other countries.
International students from countries whose first official language is one other than English need to provide evidence of English Language Proficiency.
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How do Torrens University Australia fees charge?
Torrens University Australia is a full-fee paying institution. To find out more, visit Tuition Fees.
Domestic students may be eligible for FEE-HELP. For more information on FEE-HELP, please visit: https://www.studyassist.gov.au/.
Please note we do not currently offer any full fee waivers for international students. We do not offer stipends or living allowances.
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