Credit Points: 15
Study Time: 150 Hours

This unit focuses on the design. During the initial stages of this unit you will be introduced to information retrieval, academic conventions and good academic practice. It introduces you to the business of fashion and all its component parts. It is primarily concerned with womenswear and menswear. It is studio based and takes an experimental, practical approach whilst integrating design principles, research skills and CAD technology in order to achieve each student's creative potential. Work is undertaken in answer to a series of briefs linked to workshops which may include areas such as: draping, illustration, deconstruction and embellishment - always allowing for individual character, style and interpretation.

Outline syllabus
An indicative guide to the content covered by this unit. 

• Study skills, use of the internet 
• Acquisition of research skills using the library 
• What is fashion design?
• How designers and buyers meet the needs of internal and external customers
• Research and development of ideas/themes/concepts through experimentations and sampling. What makes a collection/range work or not
• Design development and interpretation 
• Presentation of design work
• Setting and achieving quality standard

Method of delivery
Lectures, tutorials, studio and production workshops, educational visits, group and individual self- evaluation.

Aims

A1 To give an understanding of the basic design process in fashion and develop research work through methods of sourcing information and gathering relevant reference materials.
A2 To encourage the development of experimenting with various media in addition to applying innovative techniques and processes to original ideas.
A3 To develop skills in using CAD software for research, design and presentation work.
A4 To develop research and design work with consideration of a specific textile/fashion market and consumer trends.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit you will be able to:

LO1 Carry out the design process through original investigative work, and be able to develop and formulate original research work using appropriate methods.
LO2 Demonstrate the use of creatively applying relevant materials related to projects and individual aims.
LO3 Demonstrate the basic use of CAD skills, either exclusively or as part of integrated project work.
LO4 Demonstrate an awareness of basic consumer and market trends in fashion.

Recommended
McKelvey, K. (1996). Fashion source book. Oxford: Blackwell Science.
Morris, B. (2006). Fashion illustrator. London: Laurence King.
Richard, Martin (1989). Fashion and surrealism. London: Thames and Hudson.
Tucker, Andrew (1998). The London fashion book. London: Thames and Hudson.

Journals
Drapers
Peclers (current titles: Fashion Update; Futur(s); Inspirations; Woman Fashion; Womenswear Update)
International Colour Authority
International Textiles
Textile View
View on colour

Websites

AMICO - The Art Museum Image Consortium
(online collection of digital images which includes fashion)
Fashion Institute of Technology New York
Style.com - Fashion shows
Worth Global Style Network (WGSN)

Do you want to include Education Image Gallery and Art Museum Image Gallery which have fashion images? Both accessible via databases list on library pages.

Databases
Design and Applied Arts Index
ProQuest