FA5025 - Fashion Futures

You will be expected to actively participate in your learning by engaging in dynamic practical studio sessions and guided independent learning. Rather than compartmentalising theory and practice, this module will combine lectures and seminars with practical workshops. This approach aims to help you make clear links between theory and practice by directly applying what you learn and discuss in studio lectures and seminars to interactive demonstrations and practical sampling, supporting you to develop your research, academic and intellectual skills in an experiential learning environment.



Lectures and seminars will introduce and support your analysis of global consumer and design trends. You will also explore other workshops beyond pattern cutting and sewing. Through this, the module aims to expand your understanding and spark creative thinking around the possibilities of a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving. You will be encouraged to apply a curious and imaginative approach to projects, expand your research skills to develop creative concepts, explore your ideas and advance your technical skills through experimentation and sampling. Working in a supportive and collaborative studio alongside staff and peers, you will be encouraged to present and discuss your work, building your professional confidence and pitching skills. You should demonstrate self-knowledge and reflection by discussing personal development in relation to the design principles and related debates underpinning your concept for the future of fashion. 



Studio Sessions will combine lectures and seminar discussions with practical workshops, demonstrations and presentations. These may include, but are not limited to:

Sustainable pattern cutting, future fabrics, up-cycling, exploring responsible craft practices.

Digital workshops may include, but are not limited to:

Clo 3D, AI, Optitex digital pattern cutting/plotting, digital fabric printing, laser cutting, digital loom, 3D printing, VR/Metaverse, digital assets for fashion.

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. Analyse and debate contemporary design issues through the investigation of ethics and sustainability in the fashion industry.



2. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of consumer behaviour approaches and industry trends in the analysis of a fashion business.



Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:



3. Create fashion design and marketing concepts, proposals or solutions that appropriately respond to clearly identified needs or issues.



4. Show self-knowledge and reflection by discussing personal development in relation to design principles and related debates.



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



5. Professionally engage and evidence participation in demonstrations and workshops to explore and experiment with new and emerging craft skills.

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 two components:

Component 1: 50% Presentation

MLOs 1, 2, 4

A group presentation analysing a fashion business in relation to consumer behaviour theory and global industry trends.

Component 2: 50% Project Work

MLOs 3, 4, 5

2D/3D evidence of project work from the Fashion Futures workshops culminating in design development, illustration, and presentation of a design concept that demonstrates an application of new and emerging craft skills.

N/A

N/A

Fashion Futures is a dynamic module that combines research and theory with practical workshops and demonstrations to explore, discover and propose innovative concepts for fashion design and marketing. This module is designed to adapt and embed new technology, staff research and emerging design theory. Lectures and seminars introduce and support the analysis of global consumer and design trends; collaboratively, you will research and present a business report. To contextualise some of the themes explored, you will participate in practical workshops and demonstrations supported by the technical team to broaden your awareness and introduce you to new experimental make and digital skills to further enrich your practice as a designer for future markets. Students will relate their practical skills development and research to areas of potential personal interest in the industry, presenting or pitching a creative proposal of a fashion product or marketing concept that applies these principles supported by relevant sampling.