The idea to create an official NDSU tartan started in the fall of 2010.   The university was starting a new branding effort and the department wanted to be a part of this campaign. Additionally, the department was looking for a project in which students from all three majors could have an active role, enhance their educational learning opportunities, and raise money for student scholarships and faculty research.  A plan was developed and presented to President Dean Bresciani in January 2011, including the purpose, process and anticipated outcomes for students, faculty and NDSU of undertaking the NDSU Tartan Project.  President Bresciani enthusiastically approved the plan.  From these beginnings, the NDSU Tartan Project was born.

A tartan design competition was held in February 2011.   All students majoring or minoring in the Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Interior Design and Hospitality Management were given opportunity to submit designs and potentially win the contest.  Seventy-six students submitted original tartan designs for the competition.  The departmental faculty tartan committee selected the top ten best designs.  These ten designs were narrowed down to three by a committee made up of President Bresciani, Director of Athletics Gene Taylor, and representatives from several sectors of the university to ensure that faculty, staff, students and alumni were represented.