The purpose of this module is to assess the industry-based practice that you have been engaged in alongside other modules throughout the course, thus providing a formal mechanism for gaining real credit for your professional fashion practice.

Through this module you will learn how to critically appraise the work you have undertaken, and evaluate the experience you have gained. Additionally, you will be able to demonstrate your understanding of the business operations of organisations and /or clients you have been involved with, including an awareness of the factors which are important to commercial success.

The module requires you to compile and present a portfolio of evidence about your engagement with the fashion and/or related industries, and is your opportunity to reflect on and illustrate how you have developed your knowledge, skills and professional values. The evidence you provide for assessment in this module may have been generated during a sandwich year placement, shorter term projects during semester breaks (for example summer work), or regular part-time work. It is not expected that the evidence you provide will have been assessed in any other module, though your portfolio may contain some work that is an extension of projects produced elsewhere in the course. It is likely that the work will be varied: tailored to your individual needs and career aspirations, whilst also satisfying the requirements of your employer. You might, for example, wish to provide evidence of practical work produced individually and/or as part of a team, client feedback, placement manager or industry supervisor reports. This will be determined by the types of practice you have undertaken.

A structured portfolio presentation will be an opportunity to reflect on your professional fashion practice and share your insights, including how the work you have undertaken has contributed commercially, as well as impacting on your own professional developments and employability potential.

Assessment 1: Portfolio (60%) (Learning outcomes 1 & 2)
An individual portfolio of work you completed whilst undertaking industry-based practice, illustrating your understanding of its value in personal and commercial contexts.

Assessment 2: Presentation 12-15 mins (40%) (Learning outcomes 3 & 4)
The presentation of your portfolio to a panel, to include a structured verbal reflective discussion for the purpose of bringing to life your portfolio and illustrating your understanding of your professional practice in both personal and commercial contexts.

Attendance at seminars throughout the module will allow for:
¿ an introduction to the module requirements
¿ portfolio planning activities
¿ portfolio presentation skills recap
¿ reflective practice recap
¿ preparation for the formal presentation and reflective discussion

Due to the individual nature of the portfolio development, much of this module will require student-led practical work, supported by 1:1 discussions and progress reviews. The module will culminate in individually scheduled presentations to a panel, including a structure question and answer session.

1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the identified and agreed work requirements within industry-based practice, and their impact in a commercial context.
Knowledge & Understanding

2. Demonstrate your ability to deploy your skills and knowledge effectively in order to make positive contributions to team projects in a professional environment.
Working with Others

3. Show how you have identified a range of solutions and used decision-making in response to complex and unpredictable challenges arising from professional fashion practice briefs.
Problem Solving

4. Reflect critically on the work you have undertaken, in order to evaluate and discuss its impact on your personal development and professional values, and future action plans.
Reflection

Seminar space
Studio space with facilities for portfolio creation
Tutorial space
Presentation facilities for formal presentation
University Library
IT facilities
Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment will support this module where relevant.

Online Resources
http://www.artsthread.com/
http://www.fashionworkie.com/internships-work-placements/
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/

Information pack for industry-based practice.

For this module you will determine your own reading list appropriate to your area of interest. However, the following books may be helpful:

ANGEL, S.(2013) Fashion Designer's Resource. London: Bloomsbury
COTTERELL. S., 2011. Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument. 2nd Ed. London: Palgrave.
DIEFFENBACHER, F.(2013) Fashion Thinking: Creative Approaches to the Design Process. London: AVA Academia
PAULINS, V, A and HILLERY, J, L.(2016) Guide to Fashion Career Planning. London: Bloomsbury