The one of its kind programme in the country, Accessory Design has well defined curriculum for 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. A strong industry orientation is reflected in its credo ‘Design for Business’ with the most successful industry education interface in student learning.

The programme 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.

Each NIFT center is expected to provide national leadership in the area of its specialization. This will enhance the intensity and the depth of each category of specialization and will address design, management, marketing and technological issues, within specific product category.

Product range: Luxury products for Home in Personal and Interactive spaces using rich materials and techniques; Fashion Accessories enhancing the body using new age materials, Costume Accessoriation for Performing Arts, Theatre, Cinema, etc.

Content

Year 1
Common Foundation Programme in Design: To meet the dynamics of fashion education, a Foundation Programme is designed to orient and sensitise students towards understanding of fundamentals of fashion business namely design, technology and management in the right socio-cultural perspective. The programme will focus on building the base for future learning of the design and technology function in the subsequent years.

Objectives

• To provide an overview and orientation of the fashion industry.
• To introduce the context and academic structure of the design and technology curriculum: its focus and contents.
• To provide for an enhanced environment for thinking, learning and gestation.
• To ensure a fundamental and common approach for fashion industry in consonance with the emerging challenges and needs of the industry and the overall vision and goal of NIFT.
• To provide uniform basic knowledge and skill competencies generic to the disciplines of Design and Technology.

Year 2
Orientation to programme specialization familiarity, appreciation and insight of various accessory types. Development of skills and basic understanding of of materials and processes, construction principles, anthropometrics, principles of sizes and proportions, 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 with a business context. Develop broad based approach towards specific design capability and application to multi product and multi materials in areas of perspective and potential in the industry mind set. Comprehensive application and demonstration of professional competence for integrating design in business.

Careers
The programme 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 within the specialization offered at different centers.