FA4017 - Fashion Trend Forecasting

This practical module will be delivered in our fashion studios and digital labs. You will use your time in the studio to work towards the work requirements through presentations, discussions, and practical skills demonstrations. You will be introduced to market research methods to inform your trend predictions. PESTEL analysis (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental Legal) will be used to structure delivery and workshops to build your knowledge and understanding of responsible and sustainable practice. Experiential learning allows you to learn through doing. You will also be expected to continue to develop your project work during self-directed study, completing weekly tasks in preparation for workshops.



To contextualise your learning through practice, you will be encouraged to develop your skills in concept generation by creatively interpreting market intelligence to produce a directional fashion trend forecasting package. Through creative workshops supported by specialist staff, you will explore the formal design elements (colour, texture, pattern, shape, detail, etc.) and use photography, drawing and illustration skills, trend research, design development, creative writing, and graphic presentation to communicate your final trend package.

Your module tutors will be your main source of support for your academic development. Through a mix of lectures, seminar discussions, practical workshops, and tutorials, they will provide you with the support you need to pass and succeed in each module.



At the outset of your module, you will receive a module briefing that will explain all learning outcomes and requirements. Crucially, it will also include a detailed timetable explaining the planned delivery of the module, workshops, and opportunities for support, including tutorials. You will meet your module tutors on a weekly basis.



During your modules, you will be expected to present work for feedback through group discussion with your peers, tutors, external collaborators, or stakeholders. You will also receive more individualised tutorial feedback prior to your submission to help improve your work.

In addition to your module tutors, you will be supported by various others and university services:



The Faculty provides a wide range of technical expertise to support your study. Technicians aligned with your modules will be able to provide technical instruction and demonstration of equipment and software required to complete your project work.

Library staff will provide induction sessions to introduce you to essential study skills, IT skills and information retrieval skills.

On live projects with external collaborators (or stakeholders), you may receive specific project feedback and professional career advice.

Visiting lecturers and professionals will give you greater contextual awareness and inspire you.

Academic Language Skills modules are available to help students at the Northumbria Campuses whose first language is not English or who have no experience studying in English in the UK.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:



1. Apply design principles to propose fashion concepts for diverse future markets, demonstrating knowledge and understanding of global trends and consumer behaviour.



2. Demonstrate knowledge of responsible fashion practices through human and planet-centred design principles in researching and and proposing marketing strategies and fashion products.





Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:



3. Learn and apply fashion design research and development methodologies to appropriately communicate design work.



Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):



4. Create a Trend Forecasting package using established conventions and media practices.



5. Demonstrate commitment to your studies through engagement with tutors, applying feedback to set clear goals aligned to learning objectives and personal design interests.

Formative Assessment

You will have the opportunity of continuous formative assessment through verbal feedback in studio sessions, self-assessment, and peer reviews.

Formative assessment will indicate the level at which you are currently achieving the relevant MLOs and offer an opportunity to discuss progress and ensure the right support is in place to achieve your goals. Formative assessment allows you to apply the feedback to your existing work and improve your competencies before your final summative assessment.

Summative Assessment

During the assessment period in weeks 9 and 10 of this module, you will prepare, present and submit work for summative assessment. This module has one component. 

100% Portfolio

MLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

A process journal will evidence active participation in module activities and creative skills development, leading to the realisation of a fashion trend forecasting package using established conventions and media practices. Assessment of this component will be via a portfolio or work, presentation may be physical, digital, via exhibition or publication.

N/A

N/A

Creative and collaborative studio workshops will introduce the fundamental theories and methodologies of trend forecasting for the fashion industry. Students will explore and debate global trends, applying critical thinking to propose responsible fashion concepts for future markets. Students will also learn fashion design portfolio skills, including creating and communicating a fashion trend forecasting package using established conventions and media practices.