FA5036 - Fashion Trends and Futures

You will attend weekly sessions, including several lectures initially outlining trend forecasting methodologies and key considerations linked to fashion futures. Where possible, industry visitors and guest speakers will attend sessions, delivering specific knowledge related to their line of work linked to relevant themes, e.g. emerging technology. Workshops will focus on building a trend portfolio, utilising methods to underpin conceptual development of specific themes and interests. Workshops and subsequent tutorials will benefit from peer discussion, where best practice can be further identified for students to align their process and outcomes to.

Further technical support will assist you in producing a professionally focused final trend portfolio, which will focus on online publication in line with industry standards. Similarly, you will be supported in the construction of your professional practice portfolio, both technically and pastorally, to utilise contemporary methods of personal promotion.

An initial lectures/briefing will outline the goals of the module, alongside the structure of the sessions to follow. In addition to this, lectures will be delivered by knowledgeable staff, often reflecting their own research interests linked to the Fashion Communication sector. Methods for research, planning, writing and design will be discussed within lectures and workshops, with tutorials aimed at further developing your unique trend report. Further group work in the form of practice and discussion will assist your development in terms of knowledge, understanding and communication skills.

Further support regarding academic writing will be provided via the University Library.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Independently source and engage with a broad range of research material, and demonstrate your ability to review, reflect on and evaluate findings.
2. Demonstrate through enquiry-based and creative practice, your advanced understanding of Fashion Communication practice in relation to the industry and future employability.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Select and appropriately apply a range of research methods and approaches in the development of a trend portfolio alongside others.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Take an experimental approach when challenged to conceive fresh or innovative ideas.
5. Use media and communication tools to articulate your knowledge and defend your practice to diverse audiences.

FORMATIVE: Formative feedback will be delivered across the module. This can be verbal and/or textual and will be aligned to workshop activities.

SUMMATIVE
Research and Development File 20%
Evidencing your engagement in the module content and the creation of the final portfolio (LO1)

Professional Development Portfolio 20% (LO2)

Trend Portfolio 60%
The written trend report will be aesthetically considered, making use of formatting and visual elements to create a piece of work reflecting industry expectations and to be disseminated digitally. You will work professionally to create the final, thematic, portfolio piece. (LO3,4,5)

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This module provides an opportunity to look forwards and focus on what the future holds for fashion and fashion communication. You will study notions surrounding trend forecasting, a key aspect of the fashion industry. This will explore conceptual considerations surrounding emerging technology, societal development and cultural shifts, all of which will shape the trajectory and role of fashion and innovation. You will construct a professional standard, industry facing trend portfolio. This will consist of a body of writing, underpinned by trend research, and presented aesthetically. Development of this will be supported in sessions, where workshops will focus on a range of relevant disciplines, from research methods, to conceptual development, to technical skills, to image generation and beyond. Your final outcome will be submitted digitally and will potentially form an aspect of your final portfolio upon graduating, evidencing your analytical and technical ability. As part of the module, you will also consider your place within the future of fashion through the construction of a professional practice portfolio potentially including such elements as a CV, Cover Letter, Portfolio, Social Media Presence and/or Personal Website, plus more.