Module manager: Elaine Evans
Email: E.L.Evans@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
| DESN1221 | Creative Challenges and Communication |
| DESN1260 | Design Studies: Foundation |
DESN 1171 DESN 1172 DESN 1173 DESN 1174
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module introduces fundamental creative processes and technical skills for fashion, in preparation for exploratory work on fashion design innovation at level 2 and final year. The module involves the practical application of hand and digital tools and methods to explore the basic principles of creative fashion design and construction, also examining the role of textiles/materials within fashion practice. Within this module students are introduced to the use of industry-standard equipment and design software.
This module aims to build a foundation of practical and digital knowledge and skills in the key areas of fashion design development and technical garment construction, with supporting exploration of textiles/materials for fashion. Students will undertake research, critical analysis and design thinking to inform the creative progress of their work.
The objectives are to:
1) Introduce fundamental creative processes and technical skills in the subject area.
2 Provide key skills in the use of subject specific industry-standard equipment and design software.
3) Support students to generate and evaluate a range of ideas in response to creative fashion challenges, progressing work through development stages to final outcomes.
Learning activities are varied. To achieve objective 1, students will produce and evaluate creative and technical outcomes informed by a series of practical workshops that also incorporate lectures within selected sessions.
To achieve objective 2, practical workshops and learning support material will demonstrate how best to use relevant specialist equipment and design software.
To achieve objective 3, students may work in groups and/or independently in response to design briefs or technical instructions to develop creative/technical work for assessment.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Identify relevant primary and secondary research resources in response to Fashion Design Innovation challenges to inform creative concepts.
2. Apply technical skills in creating and formatting design developments and outcomes in fashion design innovation (concepts, experiments, drawings, samples, etc).
3. Develop an understanding of how garments are produced through construction of fashion prototypes in physical and digital forms.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Apply effective visual and written communication skills to document, explain and present creative practice.
5. Demonstrate the ability to critically reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of their own work.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practicals | 57 | 3 | 160.5 |
| Private study hours | 239.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 160.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400 | ||
In addition to on-going feedback as part of the learning in practical sessions, there will be opportunities for peer-led formative feedback and verbal formative feedback from staff at mid points in semester 1 & 2
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | Portfolio | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team