FA5011 - Fashion Design Project 1

In this module you will learn through engaging in creative practice in response to a Fashion Design brief, which will encourage enquiry-based learning, as evidenced in sketchbook-based research and portfolio outcomes that form the content of the FA5010 screen-based portfolio for your placement applications

Blended teaching and learning strategies in Fashion Design encourage you to acquire a flexible and imaginative approach to creative problem solving: to think divergently and to develop your ability to articulate concepts and ideas through research-rich enquiry based learning. Students become active participants through project-based coursework, integrating design practice, academic and intellectual skills.

The School of Design operates an extended studio approach (X-Studio) that embraces our physical studios and making workshops as well as our virtual spaces to create a flexible and rich environment that is responsive to our learners’ needs. This dedicated approach has been developed over many years of continuous teaching innovation, research and industry collaboration. It has created a supportive extended studio culture that encourages our students to learn flexibly, dynamically blending their learning and University experience between physical and digital interactions both in real-time and online at their own pace. This extended studio culture not only helps our students to become more confident autonomous learners but also prepares them for a dynamic design industry in which an extended studio philosophy is current practice. The extended studio and workshop environment is integral to this process encouraging individual intellectual freedom, a creative collaborative community, and collegiate exchange. This approach emphasises creativity and experiential enquiry, enabling the generation of ideas through active participation in observation, recording and making through design practice. Project based learning engenders an enquiring, analytical and creative approach to the progressively interrelated nature of practical and intellectual skills. Analytical and adductive thinking, experimentation trial and error, are characteristics of the creative process and are embedded and supported throughout the module.

Hands on participation enables students to display evidence of creative thinking through exploration and communication of a design concept/artefact that has a purposeful outcome. This type of experiential activity engages the learner in self-initiated research, encouraging independent judgement and critical self-awareness through practice.

There is a focus on the acquisition and development of technical skills and the use of materials and processes in identifying and solving problems.

Traditional, new and emerging technologies are used in curriculum delivery, supporting students’ autonomy, and the realisation of the work requirements in 2D, 3D and 4D.

The project is introduced at a briefing session, where it is fully explained and explored by both staff and students.
• A named lead Module Tutor manages the module including arranging potential collaboration with industry partners, organising any visiting professionals, procuring yarns and cloth for the production of garments and sample collections.
• The lead Module Tutor and the academic teaching team direct the studio based practice through presentations and tutorials and are available to answer queries in relation to the module during timetabled studio sessions.
• Tutorials provide feedback on your project work and your progression on the module and offer direction on how to develop your work further, including guidance for student-led independent learning.
• A formal formative feedback stage is included in the module, when you will receive academic feedback on your progress.
• In addition to academic support this module also has specialist Fashion technical support including practical demonstrations and exercises. The module will develop your technical knowledge and understanding established in level 4 providing greater autonomy and the ability to work independently in specialist workshops.
• Learning materials for this module are available on the university eLearning Portal, including the module documentation, announcements, presentations, assessment, study skills, online resources, reading list and timetable. The technical elements of the module are supported via a technical resource in Blackboard (ADS0053)
• Support for Academic Language Skills (ALS) is available for international students.
• Students requiring additional support are advised to contact their Guidance Tutor for advice, who will be able to refer them to the relevant university services for specialist support regarding their personal circumstances.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

8. Apply detailed knowledge of materials, skills and processes in the realisation of the Fashion project.

9. Understand the relationship between creative and commercial requirements through considered design and realisation.

10. Demonstrate your advanced understanding of design methods and practical theories through the development of a sketchbook or portfolio and garment/sampling package.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
8. Produce and communicate a Fashion artefact or creative solution with distinguishable skill, application and presentation.

9. Demonstrate your understanding of functional, aesthetic, commercial or creative qualities in the creation of the sketchbook, portfolio and garment/sampling package, as specified on the creative brief.

Personal Value Attributes:
3. Show a professional approach to your studies via your engagement with module staff and peer interactivity.

Assessment will be conducted through:

Formative feedback received from tutors and peers during seminar, virtual, studio and workshop engagement.

Formal formative feedback
Tutorials will be scheduled at key points of the learning programme, to provide feedback and informally record academic progress.

Summative assessment
By collecting a variety of evidence/outputs from the learner via multiple dimensions (coursework, observations, presentations, etc.) tutors will assess the your overall performance holistically with a single grade from 2 components at the end of semester 2.

Student self-assessment
Students are encouraged to be reflective learners through scheduled self-assessment opportunities.

Verbal feedback will be provided from peers
and academic staff.

Assessment
Component 1: Design Portfolio – sketchbook and portfolio sheets
KU 09; KU 10; IPSA 08; IPSA 09; PVA 03

Component 2: Garment or body of sampling work
KU 08; KU 10; IPSA 08; IPSA 09; PVA 03


Other
Additional forms of assessment practice may take place within projects in the form of peer assessment/self-assessment which may contribute to the overall module outcome.

N/A

N/A

This ’Fashion Design Project 1’ has an industry focus, designing for a specific market level or brand, potentially a collaborative live project with a Fashion company; this professional focus supports preparation for the industrial or enterprise-based placement experience in semester two.

Whilst developing an understanding of the creative and commercial aspects of contemporary Fashion design, students compile a Fashion design portfolio, suitable for industrial placement application and interview.

Students have the option to design for a specified fashion genre, and can choose to specialise in garment construction (pattern cutting and construction) printed textile design or constructed knitwear design. All students design a range of garments in response to a set brief. Students specialising in garment construction show their knowledge and understanding in the production of a sample garment or finished toiles, and illustrated conclusion. Students specialising in knitwear or printed textile design produce a range of associated printed textile or knitwear samples, and illustrated conclusion showing context of application. The module concludes with a Fashion presentation to our collaborative partners.