Assessment 1- Portfolio (60%) (Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
A portfolio of evidence in response to a range of project briefs, comprising:
• Contextual research, including annotated visual reference to industry practitioners and sector practice
• Concept and design development (e.g. sketches, samples)
• Ongoing critical reflection and forward planning
• Final outcomes

Assessment 2 - Report (40%) (Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 5)
An illustrated report on a topic associated with fashion design practice in context (1,500 words)

This module aims to equip you with a broad understanding of how the fashion industry works, on which you can build as you progress through your degree course. It will explore fashion markets from avant-garde, haute couture and ready-to-wear, and how these are diffused and disseminated to the high street. This contextual understanding of fashion design practice will inform the work you undertake in your visualisation and technical processes modules. Similarly, the learning that takes place in other modules will provide a creative and technical toolkit that will enable you to link theory to practice.

You will have two assessments: a practical portfolio and an essay. The combination of practical and academic study will allow you to develop your skills in time management, critical reflection, and problem solving, whilst increasing your vocabulary and communication skills. This will build your confidence to tackle project briefs and to justify your choices to peers and tutors - and in the future, employers. Additionally, it will establish fundamental skills associated with academic writing, including academic referencing.

Through research activities (primary and secondary) you will investigate how fashion ideas are communicated across all sectors of the industry: from the leading design houses through to low-cost high-street and online brands. You will become increasingly aware of industry trends, key players in the fashion sector, and current working practice. This will enable you to select a focussed topic of particular relevance and personal interest on which to base your essay.

A significant amount of the module will involve practical design work in response to a range of briefs, each placed in a specific fashion industry context. This will require the development of concepts informed by your increasing awareness of the fashion industry and how designers respond to the changing working context, and will culminate in the production of fashion outcomes. You will work as part of a team to accomplish some tasks, and will continually reflect on processes and products, what you have learnt from your experience and how you can further improve your skills.

1. Demonstrate an increasing awareness of the fashion industry and how designers respond to the changing working context
Knowledge and Understanding

2. Present, evaluate and interpret information, showing an awareness of key principles of fashion design in context
Enquiry

3. Evaluate and interpret fashion design briefs, breaking down requirements to plan a logical response Analysis

4. Demonstrate skills in critical evaluation to inform and improve future practice
Reflection

5. Express ideas through verbal, visual and written means, when working independently and as part of a team
Communication
Working with Others

You will learn how to develop a meaningful portfolio through studio work that is both tutor-led and managed by you. This will be complemented by the development of skills of formal written approaches to discussing the context in which you are working. Your Module Handbook will include a week-by-week summary of activities.

As such, the learning strategies will include, but are not limited to:
• Studio workshops – portfolio development, presentation, practical work
• Short set briefs and challenges
• Tutor-led discussions
• Peer evaluation and critiques
• Essay writing guidance
• Guidance on how to annotate work as a means to explore ideas and reflect on own and other’s work
• Time-management planning

Specialist industrial sewing and pattern cutting equipment
Other workshops in the school
Adobe Design suite
University Library
Word-processing facilities
Internet
Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment will support this module where relevant.

Online resources
http://showstudio.com/
https://www.businessoffashion.com/

ANGEL, S.(2013) Fashion Designer's Resource. London: Bloomsbury
BARARD, M.(2014) Fashion theory: An Introduction. Oxon: Routledge
CORNER, F. (2014) Why Fashion Matters. London: Thames & Hudson
DIRIX, D.(2016) High Fashion: The 20th Century Decade by Decade. London: Thames & Hudson
MBONU, E.(2014) Fashion Design Research. London: Laurence King
SORGER, R & UDALE, J.(2017) The Fundamentals of Fashion Design. 3rd Ed. Switzerland: AVA Publishing