FA4002 - Fashion Illustration & Trend Research

What will I learn on this module?

In this Fashion Illustration & Trend Research module you will learn essential intellectual, creative and technical skills to prepare you for working in the fashion industry. You will be introduced to the fundamentals of Trend Forecasting in the Fashion industry, a highly creative and inspirational field grounded in the practicalities of the business by a team of experienced, specialist tutors. Through fashion research and the exploration of trend and market analysis, you will explore your own creative concepts in order to produce a directional Fashion Forecasting package communicated through illustrative, photographic and graphic practices. Through observation and practical exercises, you will learn fashion- related visual communication skills by exploring different types of hand-rendered and digital drawing, for a range of purposes using a variety of media techniques and experimentation.

To prepare you for the rigours of Higher Education study, you will engage in a series tasks in preparation to guide your own learning, evaluate your own progress, and build your confidence and capabilities, independently and as a part of a team. You will take part in the following projects and activities:


Fashion Illustration & Trend Research

This year long module is split into two components; Part 1 and Part 2. The first revolves around understanding how the Trend Forecasting industry underpins fashion design and market research. You will be encouraged to develop your skills in concept generation by creatively interpreting market intelligence to produce your own directional trend packages. The second part asks you to apply these trend packages in a hypothetical industry context to help you explore the application of trend research through design practice for different market levels. You will explore the formal elements of design (colour, texture, pattern, shape, detail, etc.) and learn skills in photography, drawing and illustration, trend research, design development and graphic presentation.

How will I learn on this module?

Northumbria X-Studio (Extended Studio):

Learning and teaching strategies on Fashion Design & Marketing encourage you to acquire a flexible and imaginative approach to creative problem solving through enquiry-based learning. You will become an active participant in your learning, integrating creative practice with academic and intellectual skills.

The School of Design operates an extended studio approach (X-Studio) that embraces our physical studios and making workshops as well as our virtual spaces to create a flexible and rich environment that is responsive to our learners’ needs.

This dedicated approach has been developed over many years of continuous teaching innovation, research and industry collaboration. It has created a supportive extended studio culture that encourages our students to learn flexibly, dynamically blending their learning and University experience between physical and digital interactions both in real-time and online at their own pace.

We believe that this extended studio culture not only helps our students to become more confident autonomous learners but also prepares them for a dynamic design industry in which an extended studio philosophy is current practice.

This module introduces you to a number of key skills and techniques to prepare you for engagement with project-based learning and to build intellectual and practical competencies in preparation for Industrial
Placement in Level 5:
• Through an introduction to key research methodologies, you will learn how to develop your own creative practice from a theoretical knowledge of the fashion design and wider industries, and to be aware of current issues and debates.
• You will use studio and workshop time to develop a knowledge of industry- standard and professional creative practices. Hands-on activities during these timetabled sessions gives you the acquisition of technical skills in the use of materials and processes in order to fulfil the module requirements
• Working in groups, you develop your Personal Value Attributes by learning to work effectively with others in multi-cultural teams, to have an awareness of ethical/responsible considerations in your practice and to develop the ability to be flexible and collaborative.
• Small group and individual tutorials encourage active participation and dialogue around your own enquiry, as well as providing an opportunity to discuss and clarify learning and assessment. A seminar group introduces you to examples of previous student work which is discussed and critiqued in small groups to help you understand the format and professional standards required in the project work, and to clarify the meaning of ‘good performance’ in relation to the Module Learning Outcomes.
• You will use your Creative Process Journal (CPJ), not only to demonstrate the development of your creative work, but also as a vehicle to build and reflect on your personal and educational development. This also involves clearly identifying your goals and planning the steps you need?to take to accomplish them.
• You will be asked to self-assess your work at submission as part of your acknowledgment of current learning as well as identifying future learning needs.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Specialist, experienced module staff will guide and support you through the stages of the project learning by means of; lectures, seminars, group and individual tutorials, supervised studio and workshop activities in; Fashion Trend Research; Design Development; Photography; Drawing and Illustration, Digital Visual Communication skills.
Module contact time provides the opportunity for you to receive on-going tutor and peer feedback and to use the views of others in the development or enhancement of your work. This is also an opportunity to clarify issues and discuss assessment criteria.
Tutor Guided Independent Learning/Student Independent Learning will help you start to make constructive use of feedback received in class, and to take responsibility to direct your own learning needs. Such learning may include a range of activities such as; Shop Reports; software skills and techniques; traditional media experimentation; photographic practice; practical skills-based learning.
There are 2 summative assessment points in the module,1 at the end of Semester 1 and 1 at the end of Semester2 with formal feedback throughout the year to promote personal responsibility in managing your workload. This also provides you with the opportunity to apply feedback and improve your competencies before your final summative assessments.


Northumbria University student support also includes;
? If you are an International student, you will receive extra support via weekly ESAP (English for Specific Academic Purposes) sessions.
? SASC (Student Advice & Support Centre) provide specialist support with personal issues including; DSSR (Disabled Student Support Recommendations) statements; PECs (Personal Extenuating Circumstances) and LAs (Late Approved submission) processes.
? The eLP (eLearning Portal) will include all relevant module documentation e.g. module guides, lecture material, video-captures and reading lists and any notices relevant to the running of the module.
? IT Helpline, Timetabling, Ask4help, Student Law Office, Careers and Employment Service and 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?

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

3. Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of Trend Forecasting research methodologies and evidenced through project research and investigation.

6. Evidence your elementary knowledge of materials, methodologies/processes and standards of the fashion industry through creative project development work.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
9. Evidence the ability to effectively use; observational drawing/ technical drawing /illustration/ colour/ texture/ materials in the realisation of your Fashion Illustration & Trend Research project work.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
2. Demonstrate elementary employability skills including; meeting obligations to others (staff; peers; colleagues), planning and organisational skills, problem solving through engagement in the Fashion Illustration & Trend Research project activities.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment will be conducted through;

Formative feedback received from tutors and peers during studio and workshop engagement.

Summative assessment
By collecting a variety of evidence/outputs from you via coursework, observations, presentations, etc., tutors will assess your overall performance at the end of semester 1 and the end of semester 2

Semester 1 Summative assessment for Fashion Illustration and Trend Research Part 1:
Semester 1 is worth 50% of the module. There will be formative assessment points throughout the module during taught sessions where verbal feedback indicates the level at which you are currently achieving the MLOs. This provides you with the opportunity to apply the feedback to your existing work and improve your competencies before your final summative assessment at the end of the semester.

Your summative assessment point at semester 1 addresses 5 MLOs.

a. Media techniques, drawing and illustration. KU 6, IPSA 9 & PVA 2
b. Design research and 2D design realisation; KU 6 & IPSA 9
c. Trend research mood, colour and fabrication; KU 3, KU 6 & PVA 2

Semester 2 Summative assessment for Part 2 Fashion Illustration and Trend Research is worth the remaining 50% of the module There will be formative assessment points throughout the module during taught sessions where verbal feedback indicates the level at which you are currently achieving the MLOs. This provides you with the opportunity to apply the feedback to your existing work and improve your competencies before your final summative assessment at the end of the semester.

Your summative assessment point at semester 2 addresses 5 MLOs.

a. Media techniques, drawing and illustration. KU 6, IPSA 9 & PVA 2
b. Design research and 2D design realisation; KU 6 & IPSA 9
c. Trend research mood, colour and fabrication; KU 3, KU 6 & PVA 2

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

Please find details of this module in the other sections provided.

Course info

UCAS Code W231

Credits 40

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 4 years with placement

Department Northumbria School of Design

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2024 or 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.

 

Your Learning Experience

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints