What will I learn on this module?
In the open brief module, students are given the autonomy to self-direct their work . This is an opportunity to evidence and develop their interests within the fashion communication sector. Students will select a subject that has driven them towards the programme which represents an area of fashion that they are passionate about. They will then be tasked with fully immersing themselves in researching these subjects, gaining significant knowledge to disseminate across summative submissions.
The module will further focus on developing your communication and teamwork skills, considering subjects such as narrative structure, effective articulation of concepts and ideas, and delivering to an audience. Your submission will include an initial team presentation linked to an assigned topic/area reflected within contemporary fashion communication. This will seek to inspire your final portfolio piece, where you will document and disseminate a key area of the sector that is of interest to you, and which is relevant to the wider industry. This will also allos you to simultaneously make use of traditional and emerging methods and technologies of effective communication.
This module is taught alongside further modules which will chart specific and significant influences and shifts impacting Fashion design and Fashion Communication practices, and should provide a further basis for information and inspiration.
How will I learn on this module?
You will attend weekly sessions, where workshops will assist you in developing research methodologies and processes to be utilised in the development of your understanding around your chosen subject. Further sessions will introduce skills linked to effective communication. Technical delivery will also allow you to improve hard skills associated with communication and documentation. Workshops and tutorials will benefit from peer discussion, where best practice can be further identified for students to align their process and outcomes to.
Further support will assist you in producing a final portfolio piece which can utilise Audio/Visual (AV), Written and Visual information, Presentations and/or emerging technologies to document and demonstrate your awareness of your topic.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
An initial briefing will outline the goals of the module, alongside the structure of the sessions to follow. Workshops will be delivered by knowledgeable staff, often reflecting their own research interests linked to the Fashion Communication sector. Where applicable, technical skills will be delivered by expert staff, providing demonstrations and support for students across their process. Methods for effective communication (planning, writing and design) will be discussed within workshops, with tutorials aimed at further developing your final submission. Further group work in the form of practice and discussion will assist your development in terms of knowledge, understanding and communication skills.
Further support regarding academic writing will be provided via the University Library.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
Explain contextual issues linked to the principles of fashion communication that shape practice
Apply critical thinking to debate issues and/or develop work
Demonstrate the ability to conduct and disseminate research through a variety of methods; analyse information and begin to formulate independent judgements.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
Communicate concepts, proposals or solutions using appropriate media.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
Cooperate effectively with others to help discuss, deliver or present individual and joint outputs.
How will I be assessed?
FORMATIVE: Formative feedback will be delivered across the module. This can be verbal and/or textual and will be aligned to workshop activities.
SUMMATIVE
Group Presentation 20%
Short live presentation of group research and findings focused on a specific area of interest linked to fashion communication (LO5)
Portfolio 80%
A Final Portfolio evidencing use of visual, written, and AV techniques to enhance your documented narrative of the specific chosen subject. (LO1,2,3,4)
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
This ‘open brief’ allows students to uncover and discover aspects about fashion they are passionate about, igniting interests that will persist across their undergraduate degree. Students will self-direct significant elements of their work, choosing a relevant topic to explore that allows staff to gain an insight into their unique interests and perspectives. A group presentation will also allow an initial opportunity to explore and disseminate relevant areas of interest. Workshops will focus on hard and soft skill development, honing in on traditional methods of communication and emerging technologies that will assist students in documenting and disseminating their narrative exploring their chosen subject. Sessions will also outline methods of communication itself, from narrative and storytelling, to effective articulation of concepts. The core skills developed here will be used throughout your studies and beyond into professional life.
Course info
UCAS Code WP30
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department Northumbria School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries, Northumbria School of Design
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025 or September 2026
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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