Fashion Design with a Foundation Year - BA (Hons)

In this module you will explore the connections between the creative fashion and textile industries in the past, and how this informs present and future trends. You will be introduced to the way individuals have influenced culture, freedom of expression and experimentation, and how this pushes boundaries and explores identity.

Through reflection you will analyse your research and the connections that you discover, developing core skills and communicating your findings and ideas through the use of industry-standard software.

Shared content is delivered via blended learning, this is underpinned by your course-specific content which is delivered on campus.

During this module you will unleash your creativity and explore the vibrant role of fashion designer. You will undertake a multidisciplinary journey where you will craft and design garments with the intent to hone and develop your own set of specialist skills to inform your artistic vision. You will be tasked to create original concepts and to play with 2D and 3D forms, sourcing fabrics, and sketching mixed media illustrations.

The Fashion design technology module will require you to explore the rich heritage of traditional flat pattern cutting techniques, guided by seasoned pattern cutting experts. Engage in a dynamic series of introductory workshops and seminars that will take you from the art of drafting patterns to the construction of physical toiles. You will acquire core skills in flat pattern cutting, draping, stand manipulation, and the cutting-edge Lectra technology processes. You will develop a solid foundation in pattern cutting that is crucial for becoming a well-rounded fashion designer.

You will be introduced to systems thinking to create designs that not only look incredible but also make a statement and drive an impact for change. Connect the dots between conceptual design and garment functionality to understand the bigger role of fashion designer and the Fashion supply chain. You will be encouraged to explore the fashion archives, delve into historical garments, research contemporary fashion designers and current global trends to shape your innovative design approach.

AI Integration will form part of your approach to problem-Solving: To kickstart the creative process, you will design something using AI on the first day of the module. You will receive a half-designed technical drawing and be tasked with solving a problem, sparking innovative thinking from the outset. Workshops, skill seminars, and technical sessions will then empower you to develop samples that will be included in your rudimentary design pack.

This level 5 undergraduate module is designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge necessary for a successful transition into the industry work placement and beyond. The module focuses on cultivating a deep understanding of professional practices, industry expectations, and personal development strategies.

Through a combination of theoretical knowledge, practical exercises, case studies, and industry guest lectures, this module provides students with a solid foundation for their future careers empowering them to thrive in a competitive and dynamic industry landscape.

Tailoring serves as the backbone for honing your understanding of form and silhouette manipulation.

You will learn traditional bespoke techniques from menswear tailoring such as padding, pitch, fit, function, hand and pad stitch, moulding and building shape into fabric, and sewing and pressing techniques. These traditional technical skills will serve as tools for your artistic innovation. They will enable you to not only meet industry standards but also push creative boundaries. Traditional tailoring techniques are not just methods; they become the language through which your unique design voice will be articulated.

In this experimental fashion design module, you will aim to create a body of work that will form the essential skills and knowledge needed to create a work placement portfolio that showcases your creativity but also reflects a commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. The focus will be on merging cutting-edge digital design skills, advanced technical expertise, an understanding of fabric properties, and a thoughtful approach to design that minimises environmental impact and engages with a community output.

The purpose of the work placement module is to enable you to develop professional attributes and subject skills through experience in the work place, and to critically reflect upon your learning in that context. You will normally be expected to arrange your own placement, with support from academic staff and BCU Careers.

This module provides an opportunity for you to apply your knowledge and skills to an external, professional brief. The brief will be set by or in discussion with an external client/agency/community and could be a ‘real life’ problem to be solved, or a simulation. The resulting project should consider sustainability and address relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals as a key aspect of contemporary creative industries work. The module provides an opportunity for you to engage in a responsive, imaginative and professional manner with an aspect of your subject area, which contributes to the development of employability skills within the supportive infrastructure of the University. You will collaborate with students, and where relevant with other stakeholders, and will be supported to approach the project with curiosity, openness, critical thinking, innovation and practical and technical skills, in order to produce project outcomes and/or solutions which meet the required brief.

Creative careers can take people to a wide variety of, sometimes, unexpected destinations. Learning to see and exploit opportunities can be the key to a rewarding portfolio career making good use of your creative skills whilst earning a living from doing what you love, whether it's producing creative artefacts, performing, offering a service or consultancy. Learning to promote and ‘pitch’ those ideas to others is core to developing a successful independent, creative and entrepreneurial career. This module will build your skillset to enable you to talk confidently about you and your work. It will also help you to find or create opportunities, some may even come as a surprise to you!

This Level 6 undergraduate module is designed to further develop your research and inquiry skills within the context of the fashion and textile industry.

You will undertake a range of research methods on a topic of personal interest. You will investigate and critically analyse the findings. You will be applying a reflective comment to the evidence to deepen your understanding of your field and considering real-world challenges in the industry.

You will present conclusions and recommendations in a proposal that feed into an independent project.

Your pre-collection module will ask you to focus your previous learning and provide you, the designer, with the opportunity to unleash your creativity, implement your acquired technical skills, and showcase a personalised design methodology that reflects your unique perspective. The module emphasises negotiation with your tutor to explore diverse outcomes in the realms of digital design, material selection, and garment creation, fostering an environment where your ideas flourish and push the boundaries of conventional fashion.

During your Collection Construction Module, you will embark on an advanced journey, seamlessly integrating your accumulated design knowledge into the meticulous construction of a signature collection and or body of negotiated work. You will be required to refine your design methodologies through close collaboration and negotiation with tutors, ensuring that creative visions align with industry standards, and sustainable ethical practice. You will be required to document the fit, form, silhouette, and function of your garments, as you reflect on the development during construction of your collection and how those garments interact with the human and/or 3D forms.

You will immerse yourself in a comprehensive exploration of your creative abilities, culminating in a multifaceted showcase of your skills. You will have the opportunity to direct and create your own Lookbook photoshoot, where you conceptualise and execute a visually compelling documentation of your previous collection outcomes, Recording your proficiency in design, styling, and storytelling. Additionally, emphasis is placed on the art of presentation and curation, where you learn to articulate your design concepts effectively and curate a cohesive narrative during an internal platform or external showcase. You will refine your communication skills and enhances your ability to engage new audiences with your work.