Fashion Communication BA (Hons)
UCAS Code: WP29 BA/FC

The module gives you the opportunity to identify, investigate and plan a self-determined, critical research project, culminating in a 5000-word written report.

With consideration of the key issues that will inform and shape the fashion industry in years to come, you will identify and propose a challenging Fashion Communication research project that is a mature, realistic response to the contemporary design world. You will demonstrate a contextual understanding of personal practice in relation to broader cultural socio-economic and political contexts.

Establishing a relevant field and question that relates to the wider fashion industry, you will undertake in-depth research using primary and secondary methodologies to inform a written research report that evidences your critical and cultural subject awareness. You will display evidence of critical thinking in the development of arguments, analysis and debate, expressed through oral and written communication.

Your research topic may reflect your career goals and ambitions, and will be agreed through regular supervision, formative critiques and presentations, personal project plans and peer discussions.

In this module you will continue to build a diverse portfolio of contemporary work that demonstrates your capabilities as a professional fashion communicator. You will be encouraged and supported to further develop your own individual style in order to support your professional and creative practice by incorporating elements of digital media, graphics, photographic, written, social and film media.

You are required to show evidence of critical thinking in the development of your own specialist practice, making use of the visual and written skills accumulated throughout the programme in a series of creative self-directed projects.

You will continue to develop content for a comprehensive, relevant and dynamic exit portfolio of work that presents 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.

Research and investigation of current practice is at the core of the module. Your work will reflect current contemporary practice in Fashion Communication while taking an approach of curiosity, creativity and experimentation, showing understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the fashion communicator through the use of still and moving image, styling and creative writing.

Engagement with live projects set by industry and competitions such as D&AD Arts Thread and Creative Conscience will be undertaken in order to further develop your professional portfolio and enhance employability. These additions to your portfolio will show your work to be relevant to the needs of industry and your context as an emerging design and communications practitioner.

The module gives you the opportunity to research, conceptualise and realise a self-determined Fashion Communication project, building on the skills, knowledge and understanding that you have gathered throughout the programme.

You will undertake in-depth research on a subject area of your own choosing, collating evidence of critical and cultural subject awareness. This research will culminate in the development of an original and creative Fashion Communication project that answers an identified need and is supported by thorough promotional, strategic and logistical planning.

Semester one focuses on research and concept development. You will investigate contemporary practice, and realise self-directed creative outputs, taking an approach of curiosity, creativity and experimentation. You will develop and demonstrate your capabilities as a professional fashion communicator through the use of still and moving image, graphic layout, typography, art direction, styling and creative writing.

This lays the foundation for semester two when you will develop and realise final major project outcomes determined by your career goals and ambitions, and agreed through regular supervision, formative critiques and presentations and personal project plans. Semester Two projects will be situated in a commercial context, underpinned by strategic and promotional planning that would support the launch of your concept. You are encouraged to demonstrate an independent, experimental and open-minded approach, while considering the requirements of your chosen target audience. Outcomes could include a combination of films, publications, digital platforms, experience designs, PR campaign documents, exhibitions, brand strategies or a combination of the above. They can be a development of your work in Semester One or take a new direction, and they will evidence your acquisition of sophisticated subject knowledge and understanding. You will be expected to defend your work and its relevance through critical self-evaluation addressing your own performance and opportunities for further development.

Consideration of criteria and preparation for national awards allow you to gain recognition and develop your professional skills and understanding. You will be encouraged to develop your own live project briefs where appropriate, through negotiation with industry partners.

This Professional Practice and Portfolio module allows you the opportunity to frame your learning in an industry context. With employability at its core, this module provides career workshops focusing on developing an effective CV application and covering letter in response to advertised industry opportunities. Tutorials, seminars with guest speakers and self-branding sessions will help you practice your interview and networking techniques and develop an understanding of personal branding, self-promotion and professional practice necessary for an aspiring Fashion Communication graduate.

Your Personal Development Plan (PLP) will be created through discussion and negotiation with your lecturers and mentors. This will place your work and skills in a professional context and outline your ongoing career aims and ambitions, informing you of the direction, environment and competencies required to effectively exploit and move on available opportunities. PDP planning will map your critical steps into your next stage, whether further academic study, industry position or establishing your own business. This module provides career workshops focusing on developing an effective CV application and covering letter in response to advertised industry opportunities. Tutorials, seminars with guest speakers and self-branding sessions will help you practice your interview and networking techniques and develop an understanding of personal branding, self-promotion and professional practice necessary for an aspiring Fashion Communication graduate.

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.