Project-based Learning: Integrating “Real Life” Context and Technology into the Fashion Curriculum at San Diego Mesa College Susan Lazear, Fashion Professor at San Diego Mesa College, makes learning relevant, exciting, and challenging for her fashion students through project-based learning. Project-based learning is an in-depth student investigation of a real world topic or project. Through the completion of real world projects, students develop skill sets that can be marketed to employers for an internship or a job.

Susan Lazear is a professor, a designer, a software developer for the fashion industry, and an owner of the fashion company, Cochenille. Susan’s many experiences in the fashion industry have made her aware of the importance of developing curriculum that integrates project-based learning.

The following are Susan’s comments about several fashion projects offered to students:

Tell me about your fashion show project?
Our students offer a fashion show, The Golden Scissors Show, to local industry, family and the community. The students apply for various positions for the event, and they must submit a cover letter and resume.

The students run the show as an entrepreneurial event. The event is a $10,000 deal, and students hustle to sell tickets and organize a Silent Auction to raise funds. The students develop committees and interface with other departments as they develop the event.

Postcards and invitations are professionally printed through the Fashion Portfolio and Publishing class. The Multi-media department creates the visual presentations and the department live-streams the fashion show. The Music Department’s students create the music at the silent auction, and the Dance Department has presented dance productions various years, between the show sets.

Employers critique the show and give feedback to the students. This project helps students develop skills for living in a knowledge-based, technological society.

What other project-based learning do you offer?
In our Adobe Illustrator Fashion class, the students’ final fashion project is a collaborative project between the students and a local employer in the fashion industry. An employer presents a project, similar to a typical project within the company, for the students to complete.

Do you have a problem finding companies willing to work with the students?
I’ve never had a company turn me down. Recently, I have worked with Brigitt Couture (Resort Bathing Suit), International Male, Girls Love Dirt and Patagonia West.

What are the steps you take for the project?

1. I contact the company and discuss the project.
2. The employer attends a class meeting and gives information about the company and the company’s design concepts. The employer presents a design project and gives the students the design direction, client information, sample fabrics, fit speculation and other specifics. The students have a timeline of two weeks to complete the project.
3. Students work independently, and jointly to design various parts of the project. Typically, there is fabric design and garment design. All work is completed on the computer using Adobe Illustrator.
4. The students present their designs to the employer and the employer critiques the students.

How close would this simulate a project that would be given in the workplace?
This project simulates the work world very closely. Time is limited, expectations are high, and the students rise to the occasion.

What are some of the positive outcomes to these projects?
Students realize how their training has prepared them to present their ideas in a professional and technologically current manner. Students receive direct feedback from a company in the manufacturing industry. These projects can be highlighted in the students’ portfolio for future internships or jobs.

For more information, please call or email Susan Lazear
Fashion Professor, San Diego Mesa College
Phone: 619.388.2205
Email: slazear@sdccd.edu