FA6027 - Live or Competition Brief

What will I learn on this module?

In this module you will engage with a live and/or competition brief, as you continue to build a diverse portfolio of contemporary work that demonstrates your capabilities as a Fashion Communication professional. Examples of briefs could include D&AD, Creative Conscience, industry partner live projects and beyond.





You will have the opportunity to explore techniques and methods of creative execution, through workshops with academic and technical staff. Such practice could incorporate digital media, graphics, photographic, written, social and film media.





You will evidence your critical thinking, consideration of ethical, social and responsible issues, and understanding of current industry practice across your project from initial brief, through research, ideation and execution. You will utilise your previous knowledge and development of your skillset to direct the work, refining your practice to present industry standard work that demonstrates your skills and capabilities to a potential employer.

How will I learn on this module?

You will attend weekly scheduled sessions, each aimed at progressing and developing your work in parallel to the brief. You will actively participate in learning, both in these sessions and autonomously, exploring and integrating academic and practical knowledge, each informing the other. Your final work must reflect the brief but also industry and societal expectations, further pushing you to explore the various facets of the communication sector.

You will attend tutorials with staff and peers, each supporting the development of your work and, more holistically, you as a Fashion Communication professional. Lecturers and Technicians will assist with practice and execution of concepts, while encouraging you to explore your own interests to develop your skillset inside and outside of sessions.

Your research and development file will be integral in demonstrating your engagement with the areas of practice and wider agendas linked to your project and your own professional development.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Studio tutorials with module tutors provide advice on the direction of your work and ensure you are meeting module learning outcomes. These normally take place during timetabled sessions, in the studio and will help you to progress your ideas. Lecturers and technicians will guide you through the module, developing your understanding of industry standard practice. The eLP includes all relevant documentation e.g. module guides, lecture material, reading lists together with discussion boards and notices. Initial project briefs are normally introduced via a ‘briefing session’, where the aims of the module will be fully explained and discussed by both staff and students. Where possible, visiting professionals will support relevant and current practice, facilitating further conceptual development. 

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:

Show expertise in the skilled use of applications, tools, methods and processes to a professional standard.



Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

Develop innovative communication centred solutions through the synthesis of observation, investigation, speculative inquiry, visualisation and making.



Exhibit judgment and strategy in the selection and application of appropriate design/communication approaches, research and development methods throughout all stages of your process.



Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

Anticipate and accommodate change, value curiosity, and work within contexts of ambiguity, uncertainty and unfamiliarity to provide innovative responses to briefs.



Be able to think independently and recognise the need to consider, acknowledge and respect diverse opinions and the social, cultural and ideological positions from which they arise throughout your professional engagement with the module.

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

Final Portfolio

inc. Pitch Deck and relevant assets (e.g. Film, Photography, Imagery, Copy, Promotional Materials, etc.) in accordance with the deliverable requirements of the client / stakeholder Students must also include a Research and Development File demonstrating engagement and process.

(LO1,2,3,4,5)

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This is an exciting module aimed at building your professional understanding of the Fashion Communication industry, as well as offering the opportunity to further build your final portfolio of work. The module will enable you to create conceptual portfolio projects contextualised by live industry briefs and/or internationally recognised competitions. You will be encouraged to develop your own individual professional and creative practice by incorporating elements of digital media, graphics, photographic, written, social and film media. 
 
These projects will contribute to a dynamic portfolio of work, presenting your skills and abilities to a potential employer, highlighting employability and flexibility through your individual project outcomes. Your in-depth research skills will translate into polished final outputs, equipping you with industry-standard knowledge of contemporary practice, technological insight and a professional and employable skill set. Engagement with live projects and competitions such as D&AD, Arts Thread and Creative Conscience will be encouraged in order to further develop your professional portfolio and enhance employability.

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

Fee Information

Module Information

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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