Module manager: Jeffrey Thorpe
Email: j.s.thorpe@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 consolidates the working practices developed in Levels 1 and 2, allowing students to demonstrate an analytical, research based approach to the development of contemporary fashion design. Students will conduct independent, in-depth research and analysis to inform unique fashion concepts, using a broad and diverse range of contemporary and historical sources. From this research, students will produce contemporary fashion design solutions for a wide range of market levels, responding to future opportunities and challenges for the global fashion industry. Students will consider digital and non-digital approaches to fashion design in terms of their own concepts and communication.
The purpose of this module is to provide students with a clear understanding and awareness of advanced in-depth fashion research. Students will synthesise their primary and secondary research, analyse their technical and creative findings and then relate them to their specific chosen pathways.
Students will formulate their in-depth independent research into finished journals, that have the potential for considered, contemporary fashion design development, that are appropriate for a wide range of global brands.
1. Negotiate and formulate the direction of their research journal work to build their design portfolio.
2 . Analyse and develop ideas, concepts, proposals and solutions using the visual and written language, materials, processes and techniques of fashion design using both primary and secondary in-depth research.
3. Examine and articulate an informed rationale for advanced and diverse fashion design ideas.
4. Establish and formulate an individual design identity for specific brands to achieve agreed design objectives.
The importance of primary and secondary research, analysis, technical and creative expertise related to the chosen pathway areas and design themes, are key features of this module. Emphasis will be placed on the importance and value of developing a personal inventive and creative ability, in order to provide evidence of sequential development in relation to concept and interpretation.
Students are encouraged to conduct individual and independent research into different levels of the fashion design market in order that they may formulate appropriate and innovative fashion design solutions. The module will be delivered through lectures, demonstrations and tutorials that support students’ self-initiated design projects incorporating visual research journals, concept boards and associated design work.
Students will be expected to participate effectively in group/individual critiques and will become aware of the importance of self-motivation, originality, commitment and time management. They will be encouraged to make independent decisions in accessing the most appropriate traditional, new or emerging technologies to develop advanced fashion design ideas.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 5 | 3 | 15 |
| Workshop | 6 | 2 | 12 |
| Lecture | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Seminar | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Private study hours | 167 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 33 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Design development: 57 hours
Visual research: 25 hours
Library Research: 25 hours
Preparation and presentation of work: 60 hours
Informal tutorials including monitoring of skills level. ( bi weekly basis).
Group tutorials at strategic times throughout the module.
Students present their research to their cohort. This is an opportunity to receive formative feedback from staff and peers.
Students will also have the opportunity for mid-semester self-assessment formative feedback, based on the learning objectives and levels of assessment for the module.
At the end of semester 1 students receive summative feedback on the assessed submission.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | Portfolio consisting of: Negotiated research journals with supporting evidence in A 3 format. Finished concept, colour, fabric, customer profile and brand boards and finished illustration ideas for each journal | 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: 30/04/2025
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