DE7010 - Fashion Product Lifecycle

What will I learn on this module?

During Fashion Product Lifecycle (DE7010) students will have the opportunity to explore the environmental and social impact of fashion products within the context of the global supply chain. From fibre to consumer, the garment lifecycle is a complex and integrated system requiring extensive knowledge and understanding before innovative, more responsible solutions can be proposed. It is with this depth and rigour that this module begins to investigate alternative business models and lifecycles reflective of contemporary challenges in fashion including the circular, second-hand and sharing economy methodologies.

Students will critically examine existing paradigms in fashion through their creative process, implementing transferable skills such as research principles and creative thinking methods in a move towards becoming a reflective practitioner. Analysing the three key stages of the product lifecycle: design, manufacture and use, opportunities for change will be explored utilsing appropriate design tools and methods.

This module reflects the changing landscape of the fashion industry, moving forward from dated linear models of production and consumption, towards the adoption of principles to address ethical and sustainable challenges within a fashion context. Long associated with negative environmental and social impact, this module facilitates students in their exploration of alternative innovation models, emerging technologies and progressive system solutions.

How will I learn on this module?

In Fashion Product Lifecycle (DE7010) students will learn through a bricolage of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials and tutor guided independent learning. Acting as design researchers, students will work closely with academics and peers in their subject area to build a co-operative partnership in driving forward knowledge innovation. Situated within a postgraduate design research community, students will push boundaries in approach, process and execution to make a difference to both people and the environment.

Utilising the theoretical tools adopted during Design Thinking (DE7001), students will begin to map and frame a self-directed relevant problem space within the fashion supply chain, collating and recording an extensive body of research to evidence the contextual relevance from a fashion perspective. This will begin to form the basis of a project proposal to be taken forward for further development in Responsible Design (DE7011) in semester 2 and executed in semester 3 in Project/Thesis (DE7003).

Throughout this module, students will be encouraged to develop a design manifesto which will reflect their personal values and philosophy in the development of their ideas. This methodology will be developed and recorded in a reflective Personal Development Plan (PDP) utilised to evidence the knowledge, skills and understanding attained from the learning in this module.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Working within a design community, research excellence is positioned at the forefront of the support available, enabling students to work alongside academic leaders within their field who will disrupt thinking and facilitate debate amongst the postgraduate community. Students will be encouraged to pose questions and challenge norms to drive forward academic quality and aid in the development of innovative propositions.

During discussions in both one to one tutorials and group critiques, students will be provided with verbal formative feedback providing the opportunity for improvement and revision prior to submission. Written summative feedback will be provided along with the opportunity for further verbal discussion to facilitate reflection and evaluation.

Where appropriate, students will be supported in developing relationships with external communities to further which may include fashion brands, consumer groups, non-governmental organisations and charities.

Further formal academic support is provided via information posted on E-Learning Portal. Where appropriate, students may also be directed to engage with Study Skills +, or other resources offered through the University Student Support Services such as Dyslexia Support. The Library is open 24 hours a day and E-Learning Portal houses all your module documents including your timetable. These services can be accessed on a range of devices

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 (KU):

1. Demonstrate scholarship in masters level research through a comprehensive literature review in the fields of creative thinking, contemporary influences on design and research methods
2. Develop your personal interpretation of theory and develop personal insights relevant to your field of practice.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities (IPSA):

1) Demonstrate the application of knowledge/theory/methods (as described in KU) in the context of your creative practice

3. Analyse complex issues to acertain multifaceted problems in order to realise possible solutions.



Personal Values Attributes (PVA):

4. Reflect on your own processes and practice to advance your knowledge and understanding of your research.

How will I be assessed?

Summative Assessment 100%

An extensive body of contextual research will be evidenced using methods appropriate to the individual (process journal, annotated bibliography etc.) demonstrating an in-depth investigation through appropriate secondary resources. As an on-going record of process, formative feedback and peer review will be used to allow for further development.

The research process will be concluded through the development of a detailed project proposal indicating the area of inquiry for the following semester. A Personal Development Plan will accompany this body of work evidencing personal reflection and values as a creative change-maker.

Verbal formative assessment will be given throughout the semester through peer and tutor feedback in seminars and tutorial support

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

Fashion Product Lifecycle (DE7010) allows you to consider fashion from a new perspective, addressing ethical and sustainable challenges pertinent to the global fashion market. Through the interrogation of existing systems, you will research and discover new approaches to the design, manufacture and use of fashion products during their lifecycle. Emerging alternative consumption models will encourage you to work with relevant external communities, understanding and exploring the proposed problem-space from a multi-stakeholder perspective.

Positioned within a research-rich learning community, you will work cross-disciplinary to conceptualise, theorise and undertake research which addresses complex contemporary issues and contributes to the advancement of innovative solutions. Through the development of specialist knowledge and skills, you are becoming a hybrid fashion professional, future-proofing your career by fusing discipline specific skills with the knowledge to lead the way to a more responsible fashion system.

Course info

Credits 30

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 1 year full-time

Department Northumbria School of Design

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2024

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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