Fashion Design

This module introduces the basic skills and knowledge required as part of the fashion design process. It aims to provide the essential foundation upon which your understanding and awareness of the conceptual processes are underpinned by your technical and creative responses. It also aims to generate a sense of confidence and encourage you to think and explore in an open and expansive manner, allowing you a period of exploration within which more personal and creative responses can be generated via 2D and 3D solutions.

This module is delivered through a series of lectures, seminars, supervision sessions and practical workshops involving the development and research of fashion thinking via short exercises and focused projects. The sessions also incorporate individual and group tutorials to discuss student development and encourage an exchange of ideas and approaches to learning. Students have a series of lectures which will introduce them to topics surrounding the fashion industry. Typically, students will produce a book as a summary of everything they have learned in the lectures written along with visuals. Continuous formative feedback will be available in the form of tutor and peer-led group and individual crits. Students will give a presentation both visual and verbal.

The module is taught through a variety of complementary teaching methods and formats including lectures, tutorials and projects. These various methods and formats will use our virtual learning environment (VLE) to encourage your participation in research, study skills and interpretation of teaching material. The two assessed components encourage you to explore, consider and reflect on a range of perspectives in the field of creative practice, especially in the context of your own practice. Sessions focus on issues affecting visual culture in relation to fashion and visual culture. Connected visits may be arranged.

A skill based module taught mainly in the workshop/studio through a series of demonstrations and lectures. You will be introduced to materials, workshop machinery and studio equipment through a series of demonstration and exercises. Assessment will be through a project that will typically include a body of work demonstrating understanding and application of techniques, materials and practical skills. Typically, this would be in the form of a project file built throughout the module.

This module is created to challenge you to engage with diverse approaches to fashion communication. The learning is achieved through workshops including practical drawing for fashion and the use of computer software appropriate to the fashion industry.

In the three-dimensional module you will gain an understanding of research concepts and methodologies for fashion design. You will demonstrate awareness of design principles that could lead to innovative three-dimensional fashion outcomes. You will build on your skills in creative pattern cutting methods and production techniques.

In semester two, this module also features a mentoring experience where you are partnered with final year students according to your interest in either design or styling. You will work closely with them as they develop their final major project. The final year students will complete an evaluation form that assesses the experience with you, and at the same time you will maintain and submit a visual/written journal/blog as part of your experience and overall project work.

This fashion design 1 module aims to provide you with the opportunity to develop your understanding of fashion design and give you a solid foundation of knowledge for future modules. You will develop the technical skills necessary for the effective realisation of concepts within this discipline this will include research, design development, garment construction, fashion illustration and Computer Aided Design (CAD). The module deals with professional strategies and approaches that are necessary to gain practical yet creative outcomes important to the understanding of design and its application.

The module is taught through a variety of complementary teaching methods and formats, including lectures, tutorials and projects. These various methods and formats will use the VLE to encourage you to participate in research, study skills and interpretation of teaching material. Connected visits may be arranged. Sessions focus on issues affecting visual culture in relation to design and visual culture and on an appreciation of contextual influences. In addition, you will be challenged to develop an informed view of the programme’s disciplines, the relationships between these disciplines, and the wider relationships that can be made to other forms of visual, creative and cultural expression. The assessed component challenges you to investigate and test your position in relation to creative and cultural communities, relevant to your practice.

In the Fashion design 2 module you will gain experience in producing an edited or abridged collection of garments that captures and communicates the key themes and influences representative of their design direction. An understanding of marketing, trend and business issues will give you direction in the design, sampling and production of a collection. Enhanced and improved pattern cutting/production skills enable you to design more effectively and creatively in order to meet the needs of different markets. Throughout this module you will be entering a more personal journey and initiating your personal direction in preparation for your final year.

Placements within industry not only add to your knowledge and appreciation of your chosen discipline but can also enhance future employment prospects. This module encourages a liaison between you and the industry – allowing you to apply and develop your knowledge and skills gained on the course while gaining an understanding of the relevant working procedures of industry and the professional activities of design. You will be supported to identify a placement that supports your chosen design field and future career aspirations.

This research-based module is a project that promotes and develops a systematic and critical enquiry into the professional and industrial aspects of the fashion business and evaluate its key facets in a professional, coherent and comprehensive way. You will be encouraged to identify a fashion company and after developing a creative and analytical research, you will have the opportunity to apply an individual and contemporary design solution.

This first design module is a project that encourages you to be aware and appreciate the 'reality' of the fashion industry and prepare you to engage in a professional way, within the constraints of an external brief.

This module intends to enhance your creative research skills, and subsequent design development into final realisation of garments. Here you will be asked to respond to several shorter projects whilst adopting experiential approaches to your design process, this module challenges you to think and act quickly, whilst developing a professional and cohesive body of work.

This module aims to challenge you to reflect critically on your personal skills and to exploit your individual creativity in promoting your own work. You will use the experiences and approaches to specialised research as a platform for your Final Major Project work.

Negotiated Studies as the final major project, is designed to allow you to synthesise your experiences on the course through the definition, negotiation and implementation of a self-directed programme of design investigation, research and development, leading to the presentation of a major design project. You are encouraged to identify an issue or set of issues around which to focus your design investigation. The primary responsibility for the implementation of the project lies with you, and you will be assessed on your capacity to undertake a detailed examination of the territory you have identified. Effectively, this negotiated study provides a framework through which you are able to demonstrate a capacity to practice your understanding of the particular contextual circumstances in which you operate.