Friday, 6 July 2012

What is Accessory Design?



What is Accessory Design?
Accessory Design means developing integrated expertise in design methodology, materials and production process, consumer behavior and market dynamics, trends and forecast interpretations, business practices and project management in the field of fashion and lifestyle accessories. The program has gradually evolved to address the entire spectrum of accessories and lifestyle products, precious and costume jewellery, leather goods, footwear, watches, giftware, tableware, silverware, crystal ware/office furniture, consumer interface design and retail environment design. NIFT has also introduced Leather Design and Knitwear Design as off shoots of the Accessory Design program.

About Accessory Design Programs at UG Level

Accessory Design UG programs generally have the following content:

Year 1: Common design foundation program (Basic design skills and processes leading to conceptual skills and ideation for creative mobilization of processes and strategies for innovation). 

Year 2: Orientation to program specialization, familiarity, appreciation and insight of various accessory types. Development of skills and basic understanding of materials and processes, construction principles, anthropometrics, principles of size and proportion, with broad orientation to socio-cultural and historical context of the sector. Orientation to Indian as well as global in the context of fashion, trends, consumer and market. Application of learning through basic design projects.

Year 3: Development of core competence and knowledge through research and applied experiences.  Capability to develop realistic design approach within limited constraints inherent in accessory products. Ability to evolve strategy of design, which integrates technical complexities and fashion influences. Ability to generate systems thinking towards range development and design collection in relation to fashion identity and prevailing fashion trends. Develop competence in handling marketing and retail environment, product merchandising, and consumer interface issues within design context, integrating finer aspects of technology, materials and processes as well as various levels of production from precision oriented to vendor based manufacturing.

Year 4: Consolidation and real life application of holistic professional competence. Professional capabilities and values to realize and execute design development projects within a business context. Develop broad based approach towards specific design capability and application to multiproduct and multi-materials in areas of fashion accessories and lifestyle products. Develop capabilities to induce design perspective and potential in the industry mindset. Comprehensive application and demonstration of professional competence for integrating design in business. The Programs for Leather Design and Knitwear Designfollow similar structure in respective specialization.

Careers in Accessory Design

The program prepares students for careers as Designers, Brand Managers, Visual Merchandisers, Product Managers and Entrepreneurs in the broad areas of precious and costume jewellery, leather goods, giftware, tableware, watches, footwear, handicrafts and lifestyle products.
Most schools have made summer internships / projects with Companies mandatory for their students. The companies upon completion of the students’ programs employ them full time. Moreover, almost all design schools have placement cells, which arrange for on campus placement. Companies which generally recruit aspiring accessory designers are: Godrej, Matti Design, United Color of Benetton, Pantaloon, Westside, Adidas, Episode, Reliance Retail, Charbon, Swarovski, Tiffany, Michael Aram, Li & Fung, D’damas, Liberty Shoes Ltd. Gitanjali Jewellery Pvt. Ltd, VIP luggage, Tanishq, Titan, ITC Wills Lifestyle Ravisaant etc.

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