Fashion Design BA (Hons) module details

Year one (Level 4)

Block 1: Inquire: Creative Contexts and Fundamental Technologies

This module introduces you to essential skills relevant to fashion design which will equip and allow for further development throughout the course. The module will be broken down into various subject areas, each of these being supported by taught 'workshop' activities and studio-based learning. It will introduce you to the exploration of concept development, research methodologies and two-dimensional design development processes.

You will have the opportunity and ability to explore, understand and develop sufficient relevant technical skills in pattern cutting, garment construction and knit to enable realisation of personal concepts and design ideas. The module explores fundamental methods of communication through the use of sketchbooks as a tool for documenting and communicating concept research and design methods.

Assessment: 60% portfolio and 40% coursework.

Block 2: Connect: Application and Communication

This module will be broken down into subject areas, each of these being supported by taught 'workshop' activities and studio-based learning. The module explores fundamental methods of communication through the introduction of drawing skills, Adobe Photoshop and the use of portfolios to showcase work. Focussing on 3D production you will be encouraged to solve design and technical problems whilst critically reviewing the appropriateness of relevant personal outcomes for design.

Assessment: 60% portfolio and 40% coursework.

Block 3: Product: Creative Design and Technologies

The module will be broken down into subject areas, each of these being supported by taught 'workshop' activities and studio-based learning. The module explores concept development, research methodologies and two-dimensional design development processes for specific garment types.

You will develop their methods of communication through the use of sketchbooks as a tool for documenting and communicating concept research and design methods. Focussing on specific garment types you will explore, understand and develop sufficient relevant technical skills in pattern cutting and garment construction to enable future realisation of personal concepts and design ideas.

Assessment: 60% portfolio and 40% coursework.

Block 4: Define: Digital Abilities and Design Cultures

This module introduces you to essential skills relevant to fashion design which will equip and allow for further development throughout the course. The module will be broken down into various subject areas, each of these being supported by Lectures, seminars, taught 'workshop' activities and studio-based learning. These studies will involve an introductory understanding of digital software widely used in the fashion industry. The module will expose students to 2D and 3D digital pattern cutting software and CAD skills for Illustrator.

The inclusion of professional and promotional skills will focus on CV and cover letter writing in preparation for opportunities available via the optional placement year and holiday work experience opportunities.The practical content is further underpinned by theoretical content delivered by the Design Cultures department to contextualise current practice within an historical framework. You will consider origins and influences - how traditions develop and evolve in response to social and political - as well as research methods, visual literacy and the skills for academic writing.

Assessment: 50% course work and 50% 1500-word written assignment.

Year two (Level 5)

Block 1: Enhancing Expertise

This module affords students the opportunity to enhance existing design, technical and practical skills which have begun to be explored at level 4. Allowing for further development of more advanced techniques and processes before contextualising them into applications for design and production projects in more specialist disciplines for fashion design.

The module will be broken down into various subject areas, each of these being supported by taught 'workshop' activities and studio-based learning. Projects will focus on the subject area of outerwear, research and design development will be supported by specialist practical workshops in pattern cutting and garment construction.

Students will have the option to focus on either womenswear or menswear.

Assessment: 60% portfolio and 40% coursework.

Block 2: Cultural Contexts and Realisation for Outerwear

The module will be broken down into various subject areas, each of these being supported by taught 'workshop' activities and studio-based learning. Focussing on 3D production you will be encouraged to solve design and technical problems whilst critically reviewing the appropriateness of relevant personal outcomes for design.

The curriculum will enable the development of visual communication skills through advanced CAD workshops. Design Cultures contextual teaching is included in this module. You will engage with issues and debates including sustainability, gender, and cross-cultural awareness. Students will research and explore relevant historical, theoretical, critical, and global concepts to underpin your understanding of contemporary issues in the fashion industry.

Assessment: 50% coursework and 50% 2500-word written assignment.

Block 3: Creative Collaborations

This module provides you the opportunity to experience focused study in specialist areas of the fashion industry. You will have the opportunity to select between a project based around either woven, knit or digital outcomes. The project brief will focus on group work where individuals creatively collaborate to manage and deliver a range of industry targeted and professional outcomes.

Each discipline will be supported by taught 'workshop' activities and studio-based learning. Options will focus on research, design, communication, 3D development and 3D resolution outcomes. You will have the opportunity and ability to explore, understand and develop sufficient relevant technical skills in your chosen discipline to enable realisation of personal concepts and design ideas.

Assessment: 80% coursework and 20% portfolio.

Block 4: Surface Application and Promotion

This module provided you the opportunity to experience the demands of operating within the divergent challenges of a fashion design studio and continue developing specific practice appropriate skills. You will build and progress skills delivered in Block 3 and be introduced to and encouraged to experiment with textile embellishment techniques to enhance personal design skills and opportunities.

Projects will be supported by taught 'workshop' activities and studio-based learning, focusing on research, design, communication, 3D development and 3D resolution outcomes. The inclusion of professional and promotional skills will focus on CV and cover letter writing, skills audit, and digital portfolio creation.

The module explores fundamental methods of communication through the use of sketchbooks as a tool for documenting and communicating concept research and design methods.

Assessment: 70% coursework and 30% portfolio.

Year three (Level 6)

Block 1: Innovation and Investigation

This module focuses your skills and allows for the strengthening of portfolio work and design to 3D resolution skills. The module contains project briefs of varying complexity and will be supported by taught 'workshop' activities and studio-based learning, focusing on research, design, and communication.

Project briefs will include relevant national and international fashion design competitions. Briefs will be focused towards your own individual interests as well as enhancing design, graphic and visual presentation skills. You will have the opportunity and ability to explore, understand and develop sufficient relevant technical skills in pattern cutting, garment construction and knit to enable realisation of designs with a particular focus on their atheistic.

You will be offered appropriate project brief choices whenever available and will have the option to focus on womenswear, menswear, and knitwear within your choice of projects in this module.

Assessment: 60% coursework and 40% portfolio.

Block 2: Pre-Collection

The 'pre-collection' will prove you the opportunity to work on and experience the processes relating to building a personal collection before addressing the final collection as required in the major project module. The brief will include the research, design development, fabric selection and range building of a collection of outfits. Garments from this range will be taken through to pattern cutting, toile stage and final manufacture.

The project brief will be supported by studio and workshop-based learning, focusing on research, design, communication and 2D to 3D development. You will have the opportunity and ability to explore, understand and develop sufficient relevant technical skills in pattern cutting, garment construction and knit to enable realisation of own design ideas.

You will be offered appropriate project brief choices whenever available and will have the option to focus on womenswear, menswear, and knitwear within your choice of projects in this module.

Assessment: 60% coursework and 40% portfolio.

Block 3 and Block 4: Major Project with Design Cultures

The module will include research into theme and market for the application of the design development process, from concept to final product. You will work to an individual negotiated programme of study which is formulated by you and will map out the exact content and direction, in which you aspire to demonstrate your skills.

Key areas to be covered will include the selection and research into concept and marketplace, idea generation, design development and fabric selection, leading through to the final selection of a range of outfits for pattern cutting and production. You will have options, womenswear, menswear, and knitwear within their choice of projects in this module.

For Design Cultures, you will consolidate your skills of research, organization, critical analysis, and communication in order to develop and agree a self-directed title for an extended essay or alternative assessment. A link between the written assignment and the studio projects is encouraged to demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between theory and practise.

Assessment: 75% coursework and 25% 4000-word written assignment.