BA (Hons) Fashion Design with Foundation Year Bachelor's degree at the University of Salford

This module introduces you to the foundational principles of fashion design, focusing on the development of personal and innovative concepts in response to design briefs. Throughout the module, you will investigate and apply a diverse range of media and construction methods, enhancing your technical skills and understanding of contemporary fashion practices. The module emphasises the importance of research methodologies to guide and inform design decisions, encouraging you to apply your findings

This module introduces you to the primary principles of the 2D fashion design process. Through a series of short lectures, you will engage in discussions around the fundamentals of fashion practices and their application within the industry context. These lectures will provide a theoretical foundation, covering key concepts and methodologies essential for understanding the fashion design process. Workshops and mini projects are integrated into the module to support these topics, allowing you to

The Fashion Contexts module develops your knowledge and understanding of the wider contexts surrounding fashion design and will develop your skills in critical thinking, visual analysis, research, communication and professional practice. You will join a range of lectures, workshops and seminar sessions to support your individual exploration of the critical, ethical, cultural, political and/or commercial issues which shape contemporary fashion and wider visual culture. Field trips, independent an

This skill-based module is primarily conducted within the workshop or studio environment through a series of demonstrations and lectures. You will be introduced to various materials, workshop machinery, and studio equipment via structured demonstrations and practical exercises. Assessment will be project-based, typically requiring you to compile a body of work that demonstrates your understanding and application of techniques, materials, and practical skills. This body of work is generally prese

Assessment: Project-based

This module is designed to immerse you in various approaches to fashion communication, with a particular focus on drawing and sketching. Emphasis is placed on both digital and hand-drawn methods of fashion design. Learning is facilitated through workshops that include practical drawing for fashion and the use of industry-relevant computer software.

In this module, you will develop an understanding of research concepts and methodologies pertinent to fashion design. You will demonstrate an awareness of design principles that can lead to innovative three-dimensional fashion outcomes. Additionally, you will begin to expand your foundational skills in creative pattern-cutting methods and production techniques.

In semester two, this module also features a mentoring experience where you are partnered with final year students according to your interest in either design or styling. You will work closely with them as they develop their final major project. The final year students will complete an evaluation form that assesses the experience with you, and at the same time you will maintain and submit a visual/written journal/blog as part of your experience and overall project work.

This module builds upon the foundational skills acquired in Year 1, with a heightened focus on Adobe Illustrator and an introduction to digital design. You will enhance your proficiency in both digital and hand-drawn methods. Teaching will focus on and emphasise advanced techniques in Adobe Illustrator, alongside practical drawing sessions and the use of cutting-edge digital design tools relevant to the fashion industry. This comprehensive approach ensures you are well-equipped with the skills n

Fashion Design: Specialism will enable you to develop and realise your personal direction within the fashion industry and allow exploration of specific skills and techniques. Through developing a personally derived concept and/or narrative, you will consider how your individual creativity and aesthetic expression can be applied to the fashion design process. Through a succinct merging of 2D and 3D design principles you will produce a body of work which will support your progression into the fina

The purpose of this module is to place fashion design practice; particularly pattern cutting and production techniques, within a business context. An understanding of marketing and business issues will give you direction in the design, sampling and production of a collection. Enhanced and improved pattern cutting/production skills enable you to design more effectively and creatively in order to meet the needs of different markets.

Critical Dialogues asks you to investigate and share an informed critical perspective on a selected topic in fashion, clothing and their wider contexts. Taught content introduces the ethical and theoretical considerations facing the 21st Century fashion designer to support you in identifying your unique position and establishing an independent enquiry into an area relevant to your emerging creative and/or professional practice. Workshop, seminar sessions and formative review points support you t

'Capsule' is produced within the fashion industry to communicate the essence of a much larger or complete fashion collection. You will gain experience in producing an edited or abridged collection of garments that captures and communicates the key themes and influences representative of your design direction. Throughout this module you will be entering a more personal journey and initiating your personal direction in preparation for your final year.

Placements within industry not only add to your knowledge and appreciation of your chosen discipline but can also enhance future employment prospects. This module encourages a liaison between you and the industry – allowing you to apply and develop your knowledge and skills gained on the course while gaining an understanding of the relevant working procedures of industry and the professional activities of design. You will be supported to identify a placement that supports your chosen design fiel

This module is designed to bridge the gap between traditional fashion design and the digital future, ensuring you are well-prepared to lead and innovate in the fashion industry. It aims to equip you with the knowledge and practical skills, understanding and proficiency in digital fashion design. You will explore digital design-based software, 3D modelling, virtual garment creation, and digital pattern making. Emphasis will be placed on sustainability, innovation, and the ability to adapt to the

This module offers you the opportunity, to develop a comprehensive body of creative work that reflects a deep understanding of the contemporary fashion industry's realities and expectations. It's designed to prepare you for professional engagement by responding effectively to the constraints and demands of an external brief. It also aims to foster an appreciation of the fashion industry's current trends, challenges, and opportunities. This includes understanding market demands, consumer behaviou

You will develop an understanding of creative cutting, explore the full potential of the creative design interpretation and consider pattern cutting as a creative process.

Portfolio module is an opportunity to consolidate learning from the entire degree to compile a professional portfolio of your strongest work. This diverse portfolio will include both edited existing projects alongside new, additional and refined 2D work that will act as an industry-ready, printed and digital portfolio. We expect work within this module to be considerate of professional and contemporary presentation conventions. Your portfolio will define the overall direction you wish to take in

The emphasis in this module is on independent research, exploration and investigation. You will participate in a mixture of one-to-one and small group tutorials throughout the module. These tutorials will be supported by lectures, seminars and library skills sessions. In addition the VLE will act as a space for you to actively engage with and participate in research, study skills and interpretation of teaching material. Formative feedback, appropriate to the project - for example, rehearsal, dra

Negotiated major project, is structured to integrate and synthesise cumulative learning experiences acquired throughout the course. Students are encouraged to identify a specific issue or set of issues to focus their design investigation. This project involves the definition, negotiation, and execution of a self-directed program of independent design investigation, research, and development, culminating in the presentation of a comprehensive collection of garments.

This module is designed to allow you to bring together all your prior learning from the previous modules. It gives you the opportunity to propose and create your own brief based on a theme, topic, or issue that you are passionate about. Within this module you'll be supported by tutors who will guide you in creating a meaningful body of work that demonstrates confidence in your chosen area. Your work will be exhibited in the Salford School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology's end of year Degr

This module allows you to explore the creative industries and its career opportunities. You'll learn about a range of subjects including responsible design and future trends within your chosen area of art and design. It will allow you to build on the technical skills that you gained in the first semester to produce a creative publication.