This module provides you with the opportunity for an in-depth exploration of a design topic of personal interest. You will select a research question and conduct a thorough investigation using a range of research methods to uncover key insights and present potential opportunities. By the end of the module, you will have developed a research-driven approach to addressing a design challenge that enables new perspectives and innovative ways of thinking. This may or may not relate to your Major Project.

The focus of this module is to build your workspace readiness through the development and production of a visually exciting Curated Portfolio-to-Go and complementary self promotion materials. Work produced for this module can be used to target ‘identified’ areas of prospective career opportunity and enhance your readiness to enter the workplace.

In this module you will engage with more sophisticated and authentic approaches to research, development, experimentation and playful design process, which will form a design basis to underpin your individual approach in Level 6 study.

Pre Collection invites you to explore authentic design concepts, which challenge and will stretch your aesthetic judgement and lead to creation of new and experimental approaches to innovative toile sampling.  The body of work produced will demonstrate your creative journey from concept through to prototype stages and document the judgement and selection needed to develop a professionally informed development process.

Initially, you will undertake deep dive research to investigate potential for innovative concepts and possible starting points for collection building.  You will then be expected to develop a range of experimental samples and design proposals to be refined in readiment for project realisation. Typically, these could include 2 and 3 dimensional prototypes, 3D printed prototypes and/or newly evolved approaches to sampling and garment realisation

The purpose of the module is to create a potential body of work that could be realistically move forward into the final collection production stage and demonstrate resourcefulness and entrepreneurial skills to support individual fashion practice.   This module will be a stepping stone to cement your understanding of the skills to approaches required for the fashion industry.

This module focuses on realising a final collection that showcases your vision and individual identity as a designer.  It encourages increased professional autonomy whilst sharpening your technical skills through the exploration of diverse manufacturing approaches, construction techniques, materials, and processes.

You will expand upon experimental ideas and prototypes developed during the pre-collection stage, further refining them into a cohesive collection of signature finished garments.

The module culminates in the production of a professional signature collection that creatively integrates your accumulated design knowledge with advanced technical and production values and skills.  You will continuously refine your design methods to ensure your creative vision aligns with your chosen industry market and target audience.

Throughout the construction process, you will document and reflect on the fit, form, silhouette, and function of your garments.

'Brand Me' - Shaping the Fashion Industry: A Unique Perspective

This module focuses on evaluating your individual design identity and producing a strategic body of work to support your intended career pathway. You will reflect on your identity as a designer, analyse your unique perspective, and create marketing materials that establishes and elevates your brand. This will help you identify and apply for roles within the graduate market, effectively promoting yourself as an individual (Brand Me).

In the competitive fashion industry, a distinct brand identity and connection with your target market are paramount.  To this end, you will develop work that identifies and establishes your unique selling proposition (USP) or signature style. This will challenge you to move beyond honing your creative skills and design vision, and instead create professional packages that position you as a commercial design asset.

Throughout the module, you will demonstrate resourcefulness and entrepreneurial skills to support your own fashion practice and showcase your professional role as a designer within the wider fashion industry.

The aim of the module is to develop a cohesive body of branding materials that showcases your identity, skills, and design aesthetic. This work should promote your creative capabilities, reflect target market and support your future employability in the fashion design industry and affiliated sectors.

You will be assessed on your capability to the successful create key items, such as:  professional lookbook/s, promotional campaign materials, possible fashion films, sample designs, brand proposal report and business plan (if pursuing entrepreneurship).  You may also wish to add and expand your collection range to enhance content for editorial photoshoots or for possible fashion show opportunities as you build you 'Brand Me package'.