Course Description
An overview of forecasting in the apparel, textiles, and home interiors industries at the design and merchandising level. Students critically analyze color, fabric, and trend forecasting, and design and research concepts using multi-media and observational primary research.
Athena Title
Trend Analysis and Forecasting
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. Learn to recognize and analyze predictive lifestyle and business trends that affect fashion design, retail merchandising and marketing decisions. 2. Gain factual understanding and knowledge of today's fashion forecasting business via industry case studies and guest speakers. 3. Identify and understand global and national current events in order to predict future trends and the consumer groups who will adopt them. 4. Identify, understand and execute fashion forecasting for upcoming season; analyzing fashion, political, economic, social, environmental, religious, artistic and cultural influences. 5. Discover and utilize media sources for inspiration, creativity and research. 6. Develop presentation skills in both a verbal and written format in the academic setting in preparation for the professional workforce. 7. Hone presentation skills via trend boards, blogs and trend portfolios emphasizing concept development, visualization and design presentation. 8. Identify and discuss current functions in fashion forecasting, relevant forecasting companies and careers in fashion forecasting.
Topical Outline
1. Fashion Forecasting Process 2. Forecasting Frameworks: a. Introducing Innovation b. Direction of Fashion Change c. Cultural Indicators 3. Fashion Dynamics a. Color Forecasting b. Textile Development c. The Look: Design Concepts and Style Directions 4. Marketplace Dynamics a. Consumer Research b. Sales Forecasting 5. Forecasting at Work a. Competitive Analysis b. Presenting the Forecast
Syllabus