Master of Arts (MA) in Fashion Art Direction
- San Francisco, USA
- Online
MA
DURATION
4 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 1,615 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus
* per unit for international students / USD 1,407 per unit for domestic students
Key Summary
The MA in Fashion Art Direction program will train students to think critically and create an industry-standard visual portfolio relevant to interview as Fashion Art Directors, Creative Directors, Visual Merchandisers, etc. Students who graduate from the program will be proficient in fashion styling, visual merchandising, graphic design, art direction, photo and video production.
Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
Art Direction
- Demonstrate the application of project-related research to creative vision in sketchbooks and mood boards
- Style models in outfits appropriate for the given concept or market
- Style off-figure outfits appropriate for the given concept or market
- Create 3D installations for visual merchandising and set design
- Effectively produce fashion photo shoots
- Effectively produce fashion videos
- Art direct 2D and 3D cohesive visual communication strategies
Technical Skills
- Work effectively with styling kit and set design tools
Visual Communication & Digital Tools
- Apply graphic and web design principles to creative work
- Create custom branding, typography, and layouts for case study brands
- Work effectively with industry-standard software
Verbal & Written Communication
- Effectively pitch ideas
- Clearly convey ideas and concepts using specific fashion industry language
Collaborative Skills
- Collaborate creatively to produce creative projects
Professional Practices
- Create a relevant and original portfolio and collateral materials, which can be used to market themselves to the industry
Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:
- Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
- Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
- Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
- Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
- Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
- Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
- Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
Academy of Art University offers some of the best training and hands-on experience to help accelerate your career. We pride ourselves in doing an exceptional job preparing you to excel in your future fashion careers. Our degree programs are designed to equip aspiring fashion professionals with a comprehensive toolbox of marketable skills that lead to success in the fashion industry.
Design Director
Oversee trends, color, and fabric direction for upcoming seasons across all product lines as a design director for a fashion label. You will manage design teams, oversee manufacturing and marketing, and set the direction for a brand voice to create the future of fashion.
Executive Editor
Responsible for overseeing, planning, and directing all editorial content, the executive editor is the voice of any fashion publication. You will develop budgets, manage staff and contractors, oversee quality control, and innovate in the print and digital spaces in this fast-paced industry.
Fashion Editor
Supervise the process of creating, developing, and presenting content for a fashion magazine as a fashion editor. You will supervise teams, conceptualize and style photo shoots, curate photography, research industry trends, and choose items for publication in this fast-paced and exciting career.
Visual Merchandising Director
As a visual merchandising director, you will help promote the image, products, and services of retail and wholesale businesses. You’ll create eye-catching displays using visual and graphic elements, and organize brand-related special events.
Unit Requirements
| Major | 33 |
|---|---|
| Graduate Liberal Arts | 3 |
| Total | 36 |
Degree Requirements
- Successful completion of Final Portfolio Review
- A minimum grade of C in all required 36 units
- Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and the following Academic Study requirements:
- 1 Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic course
Curriculum
Semester 1
- FSH 629: Fashion Styling (Major)
- FSH 643: Digital Techniques for Fashion (Major)
- GLA 613: Fashion, Arts, and Influence (Graduate Liberal Arts)
Semester 2
- COM 602: Visual Storytelling: Editing for Short-Form Video Content (Major)
- FSH 675: Visual Merchandising: Image & Brand (Major)
- PH 600: Digital Photography Concepts & Techniques (Major)
Semester 3
- FSH 644: Fashion Photo Shoot and Video Production (Major)
- FSH 647: Creative Fashion Product Styling and Typography (Major)
- IXD 605: Visual Design & Typography 1 (Major)
Semester 4
- FSH 700: Professional Practices & Portfolio for Fashion (Major)
- FSH 729: Fashion Art Direction (Major)
- FSH 744: Visual Curation and Branding (Major)
Certify your English proficiency with PTE. The faster, fairer, simpler English test, accepted by thousands of universities around the world. PTE, Do it worry-free!