Module manager: Anja Connor-Crabb
Email: A.C.Connor-Crabb@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
DESN 2171 DESN 2172 DESN 2173
This module is not approved as a discovery module
In this module, you will research, experiment and challenge current thinking and practices in fashion. You will learn about materials innovations and technology research, advancing digital and practical skills from Level 1. Extending your knowledge and creative development through a series of design projects, you will utilise specialist software and practical hands-on skills to address industry-focused briefs that require speculative problem-solving, thinking forward to future impacts and solutions encompassing local to global perspectives.
This module aims to expand the practical and digital know-how students developed in L1 in the key areas of fashion design and garment construction, including materials for fashion. Students will challenge current thinking and practices to address real-world problems, by undertaking research and critical analysis to inform the creative progress of their work.
The objectives are to:
- Develop intermediate creative capabilities and technical skills in fashion. Students will produce and evaluate outcomes, informed by a series of practical workshops that incorporate lectures within selected sessions.
- Enable students to develop practical outcomes using industry-standard equipment and design software. Practical workshops and supporting material will expand knowledge gained in L1.
- Support students with their development of creative concepts, which explore various techniques, technologies and ideas, in response to current and future fashion challenges. Students may work in groups and/or independently in response to design briefs or technical instructions to develop creative/technical work.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Critically appraise relevant primary and secondary research resources to inform creative Fashion Design Innovation concepts relevant to challenges at local and global level.
2. Employ knowledge of how garments are produced through the construction of well executed fashion prototypes.
3. Demonstrate commercial awareness, innovative thinking and intermediate fashion design skills when researching, developing and presenting creative outcomes (concepts, experiments, drawings, samples, portfolio presentation, etc).
4. Develop experimental physical and digital prototypes, relevant to contemporary themes in Fashion Design Innovation.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Apply advanced visual and written communication skills to document, explain and present creative practice.
6. Analyse and critically reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of their own work.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminars | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| Practical | 8 | 1.5 | 12 |
| Practical | 44 | 3 | 132 |
| Independent online learning hours | 4 | ||
| Private study hours | 246 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 150 | ||
| 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. These sessions will take place in the form of group tutorials, and/or a presentation at mid points in semesters 1 & 2. This enables students to monitor their progress and learn from peers and staff prior to submission
Student progress and engagement will be monitored throughout the duration of the module via attendance, participation in classes, and through assessments.
As a reflective exercise after receiving feedback on their Sem 1 assessment, students will have the opportunity at the beginning of to formalise individual action points for improving their work in Sem 2.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Portfolio | 50 |
| Coursework | Portfolio | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
The assessment brief will specify the required content of the coursework, and will likely include digital and/or physical textile samples, garment prototypes, design concepts, experiments, drawings, etc
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
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