Module manager: Elaine Evans
Email: e.l.evans@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module allows students to pursue independent lines of research and discovery to develop and design an innovative garment collection which draws on contemporary and future consumer needs and wants in a number of diverse ways. Students are encouraged to explore a range of technologies to support advanced toile development methods such as draping, moulage and experimental flat pattern cutting, silhouette development and fashion product design, culminating in a designed collection and prototype toiles. Students will negotiate their personal project with tutors, before conducting individual product research and design development which considers contextual issues, responsible and sustainable design practice and commercial relevance. The module is a pre-requisite for option module DESN 3711 which runs in semester 2.
This module builds on students’ practical and technical understanding from levels 1 and 2.
Students are encouraged to conduct individual and independent lines of research and enquiry to formulate innovative, appropriate and diverse design solutions which address a defined consumer need.
1. Research independent areas of interest in relation to the development of an original and contemporary fashion garment collection.
2. Demonstrate individual and creative expertise within stated commercial parameters.
3. Develop innovative design solutions which meet the needs of a specified consumer group.
4. Communicate design thinking in appropriate visual and written form.
5. Create prototype toiles which will be able to represent the specified creative innovation concept.
This module is principally concerned with the design of a contemporary garment collection, which reflects a total individual concept, underpinned by original research. This module is student-led, not project-based; therefore, after negotiation and agreement with tutors, students will provide a study proposal that outlines their intentions, accompanied by a comprehensive time management plan.
Students will be supervised throughout their research and design development work, which may include sampling, toiling, print development, textile development, among other relevant processes, to develop innovative design solutions within clearly defined global commercial parameters. Through this process, students contextualise their chosen innovation concept and show an informed understanding of the relevant sociological, cultural, technical, environmental and commercial benefits.
Students will be encouraged to make use of a range of technologies to seek opportunities for design solutions which meet the needs of contemporary and future consumers, with a particular focus on responsible and sustainable design thinking.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 11 | 3 | 33 |
| Practical | 10 | 3 | 30 |
| Seminar | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Tutorial | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Private study hours | 133.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 66.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
50.00 hours : Develop visual research, design development work
50.00 hours: Toile development, based on the agreed actions from tutorials.
10.00 hours: Source fabrics, trims etc.
23.50 hours: Develop print / textiles, laser cutting and other technical samples as applicable to individual innovation concepts.
There are a number of soft deadlines in the module timeline that give students to opportunity to receive verbal feedback on their work incrementally, and students present a summary of their project to staff and students in sem.1 / week 11 for verbal feedback before submission of work in early January. Two weeks before the presentations (week 9) would be an ideal point for students to discuss a completed a self-assessment / formative feedback form with their tutor and agree objectives for completion of the project work.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Practical Report | 4 prototype toiles | 50 |
| Portfolio | Innovation concept proposal and time plan (1,000 words), design development journal (e.g. 30-50 pages), final design sheets (usually including: customer, mood / innovation, colour, fabric / yarn, final illustrated 10 design solutions) | 50 |
| 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: 25/09/2025
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