MA/PgDip Fashion Innovation: Communication

All modules are core to all course awards and allow for award specialist practice and learning outcomes to be pursued in an award-specific mode.  

The course is delivered with a blended learning approach to allow flexibility for a wide range of students. Each module will incorporate an intensive face-to-face learning period where students and staff will come together in one location. The remainder of the module will be experienced through web-based and other distance learning channels and further face-to-face contact where appropriate and possible. Before the course formally commences, and in its early stages, you will be provided with guidance, and subsequent support, on the use and application of e-learning and its related technologies.  

Within the intensive learning period teaching and learning formats include seminars, workshops, tutorials, situated learning and independent learning. Group critique of student work will feature at this time in order to provide formative feedback. You will be encouraged to develop your own opportunities for ‘live’ engagement and to work in collaboration with staff to develop placement opportunities. The course aims to develop an environment that allows you to progressively take ownership and direction of your learning so that you may develop as independent, life-long learner. The notion of self direction is at the core of each module to ensure you continually negotiate your learning and assessment requirements.  

Through regular group learning experiences (virtual and face-to-face) you will be able to develop and advance your knowledge and skills in a multidisciplinary learning environment. This will foster a developing community of learners, where you take charge of your individual learning, supported by your peers and under the guidance of specialised staff who will act as facilitators within the learning process. Regular formative feedback will be provided through online/virtual means which will focus on tutor-student dialogue and peer-to-peer feedback.  

With the broad subject coverage of the modules, the course aims to develop a learning environment that encourages interaction among students with different approaches to fashion. This allows you to learn from your peers and to further develop inter- and multidisciplinary projects appropriate to your career interests.

Assessment

• Self-directed research project – this may be entirely written or practical or a combination of these approaches (75%)
  
• Presentation (25%)

Staff Profile

Bashir Aswat

Areas of expertise: conceptual development of design ideas and creative pattern cutting and draping  

Bashir is an experienced lecturer and fashion designer. He has worked in several countries as a professional practitioner and continues to work on his own design label selling to clients in the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan and Australia.  

Bashir has been teaching fashion students in the UK for the last 12 years. He joined Salford in 2006 and has established an excellent reputation for the undergraduate fashion course. Under his direction the course has won:

• WGSN British Fashion Council Digital Portfolio Award (2009)
• British Fashion Council Portfolio Award (2010)
• British Fashion Council Portfolio Award (2011)
• British Fashion Council Warehouse Fashion Design and Photography awards (2012)  

Other successes included winning the River Island competitions at Graduate Fashion Week and the Royal Society of Arts Fashion Design award. Under Bashir’s leadership students have found success in employment with many graduates working for established brands and others starting their own businesses.   

Bashir has led the development of several international projects including working with textile companies in Southern China where Salford students have pioneered the use of an innovative milk-substance jersey fabric in a design context. Other projects have included digital collaborations with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia.