Published: August 9, 2025
The Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague (UMPRUM) continues to push the boundaries of creative education through its FashionTEX project, with the Digital Visualization course equipping students with the skills to design, simulate, and animate garments in a fully digital environment. Led by main lecturer Kateřina Škarabelová, the course blends technical proficiency with creative experimentation, giving students the ability to integrate digital fashion into their own design processes.
At UMPRUM’s Department of Fashion Design, the winter semester introduces students to the basics of 3D garment creation, sewing, simulation, and rendering, while the summer semester builds advanced skills in animation and add-on development. “The priority is for students to work independently, applying the software as an effective tool in the parts of the design process where it brings the most value,” Škarabelová explained.
Students have increasingly used class time to explore their own project development, often integrating digital fashion into design and prototyping stages. While not all participants applied the technology to their projects, those who did reported greater creativity and a reduced fear of experimentation. “Some students took their learning further by studying online tutorials beyond course requirements,” said Škarabelová. “It’s exciting to see them using these tools to expand their design thinking.”
This academic year marked the first time the course was taught in a 1.5-hour, once-a-week format. While this allowed for in-depth discussion, it also created challenges in maintaining continuity between sessions. To address this, the team plans to introduce more homework-based learning and shorter assignments next year, ensuring students can reinforce skills between classes. “The length and frequency meant we sometimes had to revisit previous topics,” Škarabelová noted. “Homework will help bridge that gap and strengthen practical application.”
A graduate in Fashion Design from VIA University College in Denmark (2017), Škarabelová has worked with international brands such as Matthew Miller London and NEHERA, and currently runs püree studio in Prague. Since 2024, she has been applying 3D pattern development techniques for a Czech outdoor clothing brand while continuing to teach and promote digital fashion education.
Source: Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague (UMPRUM)
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