2022/23 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue
BA Fashion Design (Industrial)
Programme code: | BA-TEXT/FD4 | UCAS code: | |
---|---|---|---|
Duration: | 4 Years | Method of Attendance: | Full Time |
Programme manager: | Ms Elaine Evans | Contact address: | e.l.evans@leeds.ac.uk |
Total credits: 480
Entry requirements:
In accordance with the School of Design admissions policy: please see our website (www.design.leeds.ac.uk)
School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme:
School of Design
Examination board through which the programme will be considered:
School of Design Examinations Board
Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:
Art and Design
Programme specification:
BA Fashion Design aspires to provide a broad conception of fashion that encompasses clothes, adornment and physical appearance. While it aims to equip the students with the ability of creating fashion, it also aims to acquaint them with a critical understanding of the range of theories and methods that inform fashion research, as well as fashion's relationship to historical context, cultural practices, social trends and values, and ideological assumptions.
Currently the programmes challenging scheme of study provides an emphasis on key specialisms each requiring independent enquiry, reflective practice and an academic understanding of global fashion design for the 21st Century. Central to the programme of study is learning through practical involvement, industrial relevance and commercial practice. Students are encouraged to pursue their personal design philosophy, and, where possible, to enter live competitions.
The programme comprises of two specialisms:
- Womenswear
- Menswear
At level one, all students take part in a year of common study and this will encompass elements of each specialisms. Contextual subjects examining the history and theory of art and design, the development of visual culture and the fundamentals of digital imaging are studied; these encourage students to develop awareness and judgement in relation to their studio practice and personal development. Where relevant, studio sessions are supported by practical demonstrations and formal lectures. Approaching the end of level one, students, in consultation with staff, will choose their specialism which will commence at level two.
Womenswear Specialism
Students will focus on the research, analysis, design and development of womenswear. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of cut, construction and fabric selection in all aspects of womenswear design. The Design Development & Portfolio module challenges students to develop a clear understanding of design processes involved in womenswear and related products at different market levels. Through the Garment Technology module students will gain a clear insight into the specific methods of pattern cutting for the development and production of womenswear sample garments. Moulage and tailoring will also be investigated. Students will be encouraged to visit international trade shows such as Premiere Vision and reference industry publications to further develop their understanding of the womenswear market. Historical and theoretical optional modules further support this pathway.
Menswear Specialism
Students will focus on the research, analysis, design and development of menswear. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of cut, construction and fabric selection in all aspects of menswear design. The Design Development & Portfolio module challenges students to develop a clear understanding of design processes involved in menswear and related products at different and evolving market levels. Through the Garment Technology module students will gain a clear insight into the specific methods of pattern cutting with particular reference to tailoring and sportswear, for the development and production of menswear sample garments. Innovative manufacturing techniques will also be investigated. Students will be encouraged to visit international trade shows such as Premiere Vision and Bread & Butter as well as referencing industry publications to further develop their understanding of the menswear market. Historical and theoretical optional modules further support this pathway.
Historical and theoretical optional modules further support this pathway.
In addition, level two students continue to engage in complementary studies in colour and digital imaging, design theory and design management and marketing. At level three the students follow a programme of practical and theoretical self directed study. This includes a written investigation into a subject of their choice and of relevance to the a subject of their choice and of relevance to the a subject of their choice and of relevance to the study of fashion, and the opportunity to negotiate their final design project in consultation with a member of the academic staff. This will be within their specialist pathway and will lead to the production of a final design portfolio; students who have gained a suitable level of technical proficiency may opt to manufacture garments they have designed.
At each level students may choose to study subjects from a range optional modules from within the School or (at levels 1 or 2) elective modules offered by other departments in the University. This allows students to tailor their academic study to their own interests and strengths, develop useful complementary skills such as languages, or gain knowledge that helps make them unique as graduates.
Industrial Year
Subject to satisfactory academic performance in levels 1 and 2, students will be given the opportunity to gain an additional one year placement at following level two. This UK or International work placement enables the student to gain a broad experience and insight into the fashion and garment industry. Recent placements have included Stella McCartney, River Island, Per Una, Amanda Wakeley, Hobbs and Adams Childrenswear. The industrial variant of the programme will allow students to enhance their personal development and learning experience within a real life situation in preparation for their chosen career.
On completion of the programme graduates principally, but not exclusively, pursue careers in fashion design and related areas of retail and manufacture. Graduates have been successful in national and international competitions and find jobs with sought-after employers in the sector. The programme's emphasis on gaining academic and transferable skills equips students for a broad range of prestigious employment, enterprise or postgraduate opportunities.
Year1 - View timetable
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
Students must study 120 credits in total (a mixture of compulsory and optional or discovery modules). To pass the year they must pass 100 credits including all modules flagged as ’PFP’
Compulsory modules:
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
DESN1847 | Design History, Design Futures | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Optional modules:
Candidates will be required to study 0-20 credits from the following options modules:
DESN1248 | Sustainable Fashion | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
DESN1415 | Introduction to Photography (Digital) | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun), Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
DESN1633 | Colour and the Design Process | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan), Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
DESN1707 | Drawing beyond itself | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Students may also study 0-20 credits of Discovery Modules.
The optional modules listed are indicative of those available. The School reserves the right to withdraw and introduce new optional modules in line with the annual review and development of teaching within the School. It may also be necessary on occasion to withdraw modules due to staff absence or very low enrolment numbers.
Students should note that they are not permitted to study the same module more than once.
Discovery modules:
Candidates may study up to 20 credits of Discovery Modules.
Year2 - View timetable
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
Students must study 120 credits in total (a mixture of compulsory and optional or discovery modules). To pass the year they must pass 100 credits including all modules flagged as ’PFP’
Compulsory modules:
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
DESN2287 | Research Methods | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
DESN2350 | Marketing Creativity and Innovation | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
DESN2667 | Fashion Product Realisation | 30 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
DESN2668 | Fashion Research & Design Portfolio | 30 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Optional modules:
Candidates will be required to study 0-20 credits from the following options modules:
CSER2206 | Developing Your Professional Identity: Preparing for a Career in Within The Arts, Heritage and Creative Industries | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
DESN2175 | Design for Sustainability | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
DESN2377 | Introduction to consumer behaviour and neuromarketing | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
DESN2416 | Photography | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan), Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
DESN2633 | Colour: Art and Science | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
DESN2657 | 20th Century Fashion History | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Students may also study 0-20 credits of Discovery Modules.
The optional modules listed are indicative of those available. The School reserves the right to withdraw and introduce new optional modules in line with the annual review and development of teaching within the School. It may also be necessary on occasion to withdraw modules due to staff absence or very low enrolment numbers.
Students should note that they are not permitted to study the same module more than once.
Discovery modules:
Candidates may study up to 20 credits of Discovery Modules
Year3 - View timetable
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
Compulsory modules:
Candidates will be enrolled on the following module:
DESN8004 | Year in Industry | 120 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Year4 - View timetable
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
Students must study 120 credits in total (a mixture of compulsory and optional or discovery modules). To pass the year they must pass 100 credits including all modules flagged as ’PFP’
Compulsory modules:
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
DESN3573 | Portfolio: Research and Analysis | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
DESN3574 | Portfolio: Design & Content | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
DESN3578 | Fashion Innovation, Research and Analysis (Negotiated Project) | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
DESN3660 | Independent Study (Dissertation) | 40 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Students should note that the module DESN3563 Portfolio: Research & Analysis must be passed before work begins for DESN3564 Portfolio: Design and Content.
Optional modules:
Candidates will be required to study 0-20 credits from the following optional modules:
DESN3445 | Time and the Image in Contemporary Art | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
DESN3579 | Fashion Innovation, Product (Negotiated Project) | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
DESN3582 | Fashion Styling and Photography | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan), Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
DESN3585 | Collaborative Marketing and Promotion | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
DESN3765 | Brand Communications | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
DESN3770 | Contemporary Advertising | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan), Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Students may also study 0-20 credits of Discovery Modules.
The optional modules listed are indicative of those available. The School reserves the right to withdraw and introduce new optional modules in line with the annual review and development of teaching within the School. It may also be necessary on occasion to withdraw modules due to staff absence or very low enrolment numbers.
Students should note that they are not permitted to study the same module more than once.
Discovery modules:
Students may choose 0-20 credits of discovery modules. These must be at level 2 or level 3 unless they are special skills Discovery modules.
Last updated: 14/11/2022 10:22:38
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