Fashion Design

BA (Hons)

Intermediate award(s): CertHE, DipHE
Full-Time

This course is available in Clearing, call us on 0845 271 3333 for more information

In the most recent National Student Survey (2012), our BA (Hons) Fashion Design course achieved a score of 93% for 'overall student satisfaction' and over 90% for 'the teaching on my course', 'academic support' and 'organisation and management'.
Our students take part in an number of fashion shows throughout their degree, culminating in their end of degree collection launch.

Course overview

British fashion education is now regarded as among the best in the world, and Cambridge School of Art offers a creative and dynamic learning environment where you will be encouraged to develop your own creative path, supported by our highly experienced teaching staff. Our degree will introduce you to fashion design, together with a range of related disciplines.

Our course aims to give you an understanding of the materials, processes and techniques involved in design, with a particular focus on the methods used within the industry. In your final year you will have the opportunity to exhibit the extent of your skills through your final collection. The focus is on contemporary professional practice. Our course offers an excellent opportunity to get closer to the contemporary issues and challenges in modern design in terms of process, production and communication of ideas. There is a focus on the practical elements of fashion design used within industry and the promotion of your work, including: traditional and creative pattern cutting and draping techniques, styling, applied decoration, hand and digital media led visual communication (illustration, technical drawing and portfolio), fashion trends, consumer lifestyle, brand and market awareness, marketing and enterprise. The development of your visual and oral communication skills, networking and collaboration with other students from other courses, (e.g. photography), along with contextualisation of your practise, means you will be well equipped with the kind of skills much valued by potential employers.

Additional course information

Level 1 (Year 1)
Through a series of projects, you will be introduced to the design process and key skills: primary research, translation techniques, design development (2D/3D), illustration techniques, Digital Media (Photoshop and Illustrator), pattern cutting, traditional and creative draping techniques, toiling, manufacturing techniques, technical drawing, styling, surface textiles and contextual studies. Teaching will comprise of formal lectures, informal seminars, workshop sessions and one-to-one tutorials according to your individual project work. Introduction to Pattern Cutting emphasises the importance of manufacture and technical aspects of industry demand and the Introduction to Surface Textiles module enables you to experiment creating fabrics in an exploratory manner.

Level 2 (Year 2)
Level 2 builds and develops skills taught at Level 1. Conceptual lifestyle, brand and market factors, marketing, and trend analysis will be a key focus for level 2, along with professional portfolio development. You will be encouraged to interact effectively within a team, for both fashion and costume and manage your time and learning resources in a professional manner. Geared towards the industry, the two Pattern Cutting modules will provide significant technical expertise in garment creation and manufacture and industry practise. Surface textile techniques will also be developed and realised further within the context of the industry. Contextual elements will be integrated into studio work (presentations, reports, or critical reviews). Other designate practise based modules, e.g. Time Based Media (film making skills), Installation Practise and Surface Textiles will develop your practical skills further and can be used to feed into your design process, production and styling/marketing skills.

Collaboration with other pathways is encouraged e.g. photography, film and graphic design, to assist you in a highly collaborative-led industry.

Level 3 (Year 3)
The focus of Level 3 is planning for your future, whether it be having your own business, working in industry or post-graduate research. Building on your awareness of fashion brand and market design, the Specialised Practise, Research Project and Research in Practise modules in semester 1 allow you to focus and test a particular idea/research and market within a specialism such as womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, and a category such as eveningwear or casual wear. Following on from this work, in semester 2, the Major Project module provides the opportunity to create a final collection for a fashion show and supporting portfolio; along with a 'portfolio collection' focused on a different market/category, to demonstrate your versatility as a designer.

Module guide

Year one core modules
  • 3D Design History and Theory

    This module is an introduction to the study of 3D materials and technologies effecting fashion design, interior design and film television and theatre design. The module is specifically designed to present the history and theory of 3D elements used within these disciplines. The module will explore the material within the context of a practice-based degree. Particular emphasis will be placed upon visual analysis and the examination of both the creative and technical in all three areas. Analysis of examples will enable you to examine how design elements contribute towards the final images and objects produced. The examination of the visual language of 3D design will enable you to compare developments and to explore the ways in which early practices have been absorbed and adapted.

  • Introduction to Fashion Design

    The module is intended to introduce creative and practical awareness of the design process and techniques applicable to fashion and costume with both 2D and 3D interpretation. A design and visual communication project will introduce design elements and principles for 3D creation, design development, visual communication techniques (by hand). A shape project will introduce fabric awareness, creative and traditional shape development on the mannequin, toile making and pattern cutting, and basic manufacture/construction techniques. Practical interactive lectures will explore contemporary and historical issues based on the context of the research and design process undertaken in the studio. Project briefs, workshops, seminars and crits will address practical application, process and outcomes either individually or in small groups.

  • Introduction to Pattern Cutting

    The module provides an introduction to pattern cutting. Christopher Kelly of menswear brand T d l M will guide you through the module and equip you with the technical techniques necessary for pattern cutting and manufacturing your designs, and a working knowledge of some basic and industry-standard manufacturing processes. The classic shirt project is designed to explore and demonstrate an understanding of sizing, block creation, pattern cutting techniques, manufacturing techniques and application. You will be taught classic men's shirting techniques and apply them to a women's block. Professional fashion software used for pattern cutting will be introduced. Workshop sessions/seminars containing block creation and pattern-cutting techniques will be taught and discussed leading up to the creation of a final pattern and a basic toile for project. Workshop sessions will also take you through the technical process involved in traditional manufacturing processes. You will be able to practice techniques in the sewing resource area. The production of a technical reference file will form the basis of the portfolio for assessment, with supporting samples, development work and toile?s. Individual tutorials with the module tutor and feedback for formative assessment will occur throughout module

  • Digital Media 1

    Digital Media 1 is a core foundational design skill where you focus on 2D professional digital communication tools. You undertaking this module will be introduced to key digital communication tools. Your skills will be built and developed through a variety of discipline specific projects, briefs and by undertaking specific workshops. You will be encouraged to explore image manipulation, image making and visual communication techniques that will contribute to their studio practice modules while discovering the capabilities of the selected programs. Assessment will be based upon a portfolio of work presented at the end of the semester. The portfolio will contain a selection of digital images or drawings, a learning log and a critical review of group and individual working practices.

Year two core modules
  • Development in Fashion Design
  • Pattern Cutting, Draping and Construction
  • Pattern Construction
Year three core modules
  • Major Project
  • Research Project
  • Specialised Practice in Fashion Design

Assessment

Assessment will be through a combination of written and practical work.
Our fashion design studio

Facilities

The facilities open to students undertaking our Pathway include a variety of industrial sewing and finishing machines and surface textile facilities. Together with these facilities, our department offers life drawing, sculpture workshops, photography labs, and suites of computers for Photoshop Illustrator, and film making.

Libraries
Our campus libraries offer a wide range of publications and a variety of study facilities, including open-access computers, areas for quiet or group study and bookable rooms. We also have an extensive Digital Library providing on and off-site access to e-books, e-journals and databases.

We endeavour to make our libraries as accessible as possible for all our students. During Semester time, they open 24 hours a day from Monday to Thursday, until midnight on Friday and Saturday and for 12 hours on Sunday.


IT Resources
Our open access computer facilities provide free access to the internet, email, messaging services and the full Microsoft Office suite. A high speed wireless service is also available in all key areas on campus. If you are away from campus or a distant learner, our student desktop and its many applications can be accessed remotely using the internet. Your personal student email account provides free document storage, calendar facilities and social networking opportunities.

Throughout your studies you will have access to our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), providing course notes, reading materials and multi-media content to support your learning, while our e-vision system gives you instant access to your academic record and your timetable.


Special features

In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise for Art and Design, 70% of our research work was 'internationally recognised', 'internationally excellent' and, in some cases, 'world-leading'. As a result, our income from the RAE to support our research is double our 2002 allocation.

Course Leader

Dr Wendy Moody

Sarah Graham

BA (Hons) Fashion Design
Sarah Graham

“I was a mature student and graduated from Anglia Ruskin University in 2010 with a 1st class honours degree in Fashion Design.

During the course we learnt the principles of design and pattern cutting and were encouraged to develop our ideas and not restrict or limit our expectations. Projects were set that were time sensitive in preparation for the tight deadlines imposed within industry. We were supported throughout with regular tutorials. Our presentation skills using Photoshop and illustrator were developed throughout the course, which were essential in portraying our ideas, using mood boards, schematics, illustrations and styled photographs. We were encouraged to collaborate with students from other pathways - such as photography - using their expertise to produce a strong visual impact. We were also encouraged to produce collections suitable to different markets so that we did not limit our opportunities in this competitive industry. All of this helped me to produce a strong visual portfolio of work. My portfolio has been an essential tool to present my work to prospective employers.

During our final year we were able to specialise within our chosen field, this gave me the opportunity to develop my interest in lingerie design. The degree Fashion Show was an excellent opportunity to showcase my final lingerie inspired womens-wear collection 'The Dolls House'. We were involved in the entire process of planning the show, which gave us an amazing insight into the work involved in putting together a Catwalk show of this scale.

We were given every opportunity to apply for work experience placements to develop our CV and to prepare us for future employment. During my time at University I attended a summer placement in Turkey for Aster Textiles - a large design house in Istanbul that works with high street names in the UK.

Upon graduation I commenced a work experience placement with lingerie designer Gilda and Pearl. During this placement I worked at The Lingerie Collective - the leading industry trade show. It was a great opportunity to network with other lingerie designers and I secured an interview with London-based lingerie designer, Ayten Gasson.

My present employment includes a part-time Design Assistant role at Ayten Gasson. My role includes press and PR, liaising with buyers at major retail outlets including Topshop, plus sales, design, pattern cutting and production of the finished garment. I undertake additional part-time work at Anglia Ruskin University as the Fashion Design Studio Supervisor, which involves mentoring fashion design students. I am really enjoying being back in the studio and working with students. I can offer another level of support, as they know that I have been through what they are working towards at the moment.

I now work on a freelance basis for Ayten Gasson. I am now also in the process of setting up my own lingerie label - Matilda Darling. I am working on my business plan at the moment and trying to secure funding. I plan to launch the label to retailers at The Lingerie Collective in 2013, showcasing Matilda Darling's S/S14 collection.”

Links with industry and professional recognition

Alongside a core staff of permanent lecturers, Cambridge School of Art further consolidates its relationship with industry through the regular contribution of part-time lecturers with national reputations as practitioners.

Associated careers

You will work on building practical and conceptual skills while developing your visual communication in preparation for industry. Although our course is of particular value to anyone wishing to pursue a career in fashion design, it will also provide good preparation for entry into a number of roles within the field of art and design: fashion designer, styling, buying, pattern cutting, illustration, trend forecasting. You may also wish to pursue a career in teaching and postgraduate research, or open your own business.

Students have participated in fashion shows (these can happen in every year group ), commercial competitions and exhibitions, showcasing their work to an ever widening audience.

UCAS Tariff points: 200 - 240
Additional Requirements: Required subject(s): Any Art, Design or Media A level grade C, OR ND in Art & Design. Preferred subject(s): BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (level 3) is an advantage. Non-Academic Conditions: Art Portfolio, Interviews GCSE(s) Required: English grade C or above (or equivalent)
Entry requirements listed are for September 2013 entry. Entry requirements for other intakes may differ.

Please note AS levels are acceptable only when combined with other qualifications.

Portfolio Requirements

Your portfolio should comprise 15-20 pieces of work demonstrating the following and must include sketchbook work:
  • varied drawing and use of materials - observational - objects, body, clothes
  • basic design (not necessarily fashion)
  • design Project(s) - research and development: Awareness of influencing factors (research); development/translation of research into colour, texture and shape (development) for design outcomes
  • some awareness of artists (eg you may have used their influence in design/drawing projects)
  • some awareness of designers in fashion and other design areas, e.g. architecture
NB Inclusion of sketchbook work is a must.

If invited to interview you will receive a letter further detailing the requirements for submission of your portfolio

International Applicants

International applicants are encouraged to host their portfolios online and provide us with the URL or submit in pdf format by email attached. CD or hardcopy formats submitted by post to our International Admissions Office are also acceptable but please note that these will not be returned to applicants.
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

We welcome applications from International and EU students. Please select one of the links below for English language and country-specific entry requirement information.

If we have confirmed you do not meet our entry requirements you might want to consider a preparatory course at Cambridge Ruskin International College (CRIC), our partner college, based on our Cambridge campus, before coming to study with us.

How to apply

UCAS code

W230

Location

Duration

3 Years

Available starts

September

Student finance

Open Day

Saturday 22 June
Undergraduate Open Day

Advice & support

Employability

Related links


Faculty

Arts, Law & Social Sciences

Department

Cambridge School of Art

Contact us

UK and EU applicants:International applicants:
Bookmark this page with: