Course Overview
The Fashion Design Creative Process course is an summer program for High School students. It is a three-week noncredit program that aims to provide insight into the multi-faceted world of fashion and digital fashion presentation. The emphasis is on how fashion design evolves, where are ideas generated, how a designer create a collection and the workings of the fashion industry as well as in depth experience in photoshop.
Students will study the origins of the fashion industry from the glamour of Parisian haute couture to the designers such as marc Jacobs and Jason Wu currently working on 7th avenue in New York City. London, Milan and Tokyo will also be explored along with Paris and New York through fashion shows, projects and an exciting final presentation that will feature student designs! The emphasis will be threefold; fashion collection development, digital fashion illustration using photoshop and portfolio development.
Working closely with the professors each day the fashion students will be sketching ideas and generating computer images. The course will culminate in an online fashion presentation to showcase the student designs in an exciting new format.
All students who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion and have the opportunity to request a Syracuse University noncredit transcript.
Learning Objectives
- Develop your design portfolio
- Explore the history of fashion design
- Design and create fashion accessory pieces
- Gain insight into the careers available in fashion design
Course Information
Course Prefix and Number: SCN 055
Format: Online
Eligibility: Students must be of rising high school sophomore, junior, or senior status – or a 2024 high school graduate.
Credit: Noncredit
Grading: Pass/Fail
Cost: $1,995
Program rates are subject to change and will be approved by the board of trustees. Discounts and scholarships are also available.
Program Information
Summer College – Online: Explore college life before stepping foot on campus! High school students can enroll in a college-level course, pursue their academic interests, and meet likeminded students in daily virtual events and activities.
“Before the start of my Summer College Fashion Design course at Syracuse University, I was excited to learn about the fashion industry in a multifaceted way. I was immediately immersed in the course and looked forward to the creative projects. Professors Mayer and Conover did an excellent job in teaching over ZOOM. I’ve never felt more passion and excitement regarding the fashion industry. My creativity skyrocketed throughout the innovative projects. Looking back at my time at Syracuse Summer College – Online, I’m very proud of everything I accomplished.”
— Sasha W., Summer College – Online Fashion Design Student, 2020
Course Dates and Details
| Program | Course Dates | Class Time (Eastern Time) | Credit/Noncredit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer College – Online | 3-Week Online Session I: Monday, July 8 – Thursday, July 25, 2024 | MTWTh; 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (with Faculty); 3 – 4:30 p.m. (with TA) | Noncredit | Closed |
Course Requirements
Required Textbook
- Fashionpedia; The Visual Dictionary of Fashion Design by Fashionpedia, 2016.
Instructions on how to order the textbook can be found here.
Required Supplies
- Students should budget for purchasing a supply kit. Additional details coming soon!
Typical Day
Tentative Schedule
During the course of the program, students will start to develop an understanding of the American and European fashion industry, design research methodology, inspirational development as connected with collection building, basic drawing skills, presentation skills, industry specific photoshop skills as well as critique participation and discussion. In the span of our three weeks together, students will produce Portfolio building pieces that will be shown at our exciting closing online exhibition for family and friends on July 25th from 1-2:30 pm on a Zoom platform.
When class is over, and on weekends, students can look forward to various Summer College virtual activities to meet and connect with other students across the world. Check out our Virtual Campus Experience page for more information!
Faculty Bios
Jeffrey Mayer, Co-Director
School of Design, Professor Fashion Design
Program Coordinator for the Fashion Design program, Curator of the Syracuse University Sue Ann Genet Costume Collection and author of ‘Vintage Details; a Fashion Sourcebook’ which features vintage garments from the collection, and co-author with co-director Todd Conover ‘500 Patterns’ which showcases 500 historic and vintage textile prints.
His teaching within the program varies from hands-on design in the area of Construction, Flat Pattern, Draping and Illustration to Textiles and the History of Fashion.
Jeffrey holds an advanced degree from University of Connecticut and along with co-designer Todd Conover designed high-end evening wear under the label Conover Mayer from 1994-2006 which sold at such retailers as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
Todd Conover, Co-Director
School of Design, Associate Professor Fashion Design
Senior faculty in the Fashion Design Program and is responsible for the senior level capstone course and annual Syracuse University Fashion Show. As a professional graphic designer he also teaches Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator for the fashion industry.
His teaching has included every facet of the program and as an internationally known metal smith and jewelry designer Todd has an especially strong background in accessory design and jewelry creation. Currently In publication he is co-author of ‘500 Patterns’ documenting textile design prints.
Todd has a degree in Fashion Design from Syracuse University and was co-designer with Jeffrey Mayer in their business Conover Mayer, 1994-2006. Currently he is a member of the Society of Illustrators and the Society of North American Goldsmiths.