FA5013 - Fashion Thinking 2: Concepts and Theory

What will I learn on this module?

‘Fashion Thinking 2: Concepts and Theory’ offers insights to key subjects and external influences relevant to academic theoretical study and advanced fashion design practice. This module will inform your understanding of the changing fashion landscape and zeitgeist in the study of the global, contemporary, cultural and market influences that impact on the fashion industry and contemporary issues,

The module encourages you to extend academic skills such as knowledge retrieval, visual analysis, object and image-based and archival research, through proposal writing, critical justification and visual communication.

In Component 1 you will learn how to research and write a proposal in preparation for the Level 6 AH6007 Dissertation module.

In Component 2 you will be guided by specialist tutors on how to use creative and critical thinking to confirm who you are as a designer. You will work on your creative practice holistically across both FA5013 and the parallel FA5014 Fashion Design Project 2 modules. In this FA5013 module you will develop your creative practice conceptually and theoretically by creating your own fashion concept within the zeitgeist, taking into consideration relevant issues such as identity, diversity, responsible design practice and new technologies, enabling you to set your practice within contemporary culture.

You will refine your aesthetic judgement and visual communication skills through taking an intellectual approach to advanced image making in sketchbook and portfolio. You will be encouraged to move beyond the barriers of fashion and look to other disciplines and approaches to advance your creative practice and find new ways of thinking, working and making. Philosophical and communication theories will help support your experimental approach to image making using hand-rendered and digital techniques

There may be an opportunity to take part in relevant national competitions or live/collaborative projects, that will allow you to work with industrial partners to develop your professional skills and understanding.

This work may be used to underpin final collection work at Level 6 where relevant.

How will I learn on this module?

In this module you will learn through engaging in critical debate, reflecting on your understanding of historical fashion and contemporary fashion practice to encourage enquiry-based learning. You will learn to analytically evaluate problems and propose original solutions in your design practice, as well as through written and spoken expression, in response to feedback from peers and tutors. The School of Design operates an extended studio approach (X-Studio) that embraces our physical studios and making workshops as well as our virtual spaces to create a flexible and rich environment that is responsive to our learners’ needs. This dedicated approach has been developed over many years of continuous teaching innovation, research and industry collaboration. It has created a supportive extended studio culture that encourages our students to learn flexibly, dynamically blending their learning and University experience between physical and digital interactions both in real-time and online at their own pace. We believe that this extended studio culture not only helps our students to become more confident autonomous learners but also prepares them for a dynamic design industry in which an extended studio philosophy is current practice.

This module will be delivered by specialist staff through a community of practice approach to a blended lectures, seminars, workshops, and extended studio practice, through directed and independent learning. Virtual lectures will introduce theories and concepts in fashion studies, supported by reading and discussed in small seminar groups through a series of guided exercises to develop reflective and evaluative skills and debate. Lectures will also introduce skills necessary to prepare and write a prolonged piece of research. Bespoke small group seminars will provide individuals the opportunity to engage in discussion of particular concepts or theories relating to their fashion interests and consider in depth how to interpret this material for a major written piece of work. Studio based work will facilitate the development of advanced fashion thinking, practice, and image making. The community of practice approach to delivery, where your tutors share with you their research and practice methodologies, will challenge you to elevate your own approach to creative practice and skills. This will be supported by your Personal Development Plan (PDP)

This dual submission of written and design-based project work will enable you to develop verbal, written and visual presentation skills for varied audiences, and provide opportunities for formative assessment.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

The project is introduced at a briefing session, where it is fully explained and explored by both staff and students.
• A named lead Module Tutor manages the module monitoring input from Fashion Historical and Critical studies lecturers from the Faculty of Art, Design and Social Sciences, arranging potential collaboration with industry partners and organising any visiting professionals.
• The lead Module Tutor and the academic teaching team direct the studio based practice through presentations and tutorials and are available to answer queries in relation to the module during timetabled studio sessions.
• Project based work offers you a range of blended teaching, learning and assessment opportunities, and the opportunity to explore self-determined projects.
• Studio tutorials provide feedback on your project work and your progression on the module and offer direction on how to develop your work further, including guidance for student-led independent learning. This is managed by the student in their PDP
• A mid-point formal formative feedback stage is included in the module, when you will receive academic feedback on your progress.
• In addition to academic support this module also has specialist technical support including digital demonstrations and exercises.
• Learning materials for this module are available on the university eLearning Portal, including the module documentation, announcements, presentations, reading list and timetable.
• Additional study skills materials and workshops, that are available through Skills Plus at http://nuweb2.northumbria.ac.uk/library/skillsplus/topics.html?l3-0.
• Support for Academic Language Skills (ALS) is available for international students.
• Students requiring additional support are advised to contact their Guidance Tutor for advice, who will be able to refer them to the relevant university services for specialist support regarding their personal circumstances.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

On successful completion of this module, you should be able

Knowledge & Understanding:
2. Demonstrate a critical awareness of historical, cultural and contemporary issues through the investigation of written Fashion Dissertation Proposal

10. Demonstrate your advanced understanding of conceptual design research, methods and ideas development, in response to the current zeitgeist. (Sketchbook)

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
1. Demonstrate critical analysis in the selection and evaluation of research evidence or source material in order to inform personal theoretical study.

8. Curate a personal, professional portfolio that communicates individual creative identity to an on-screen audience with distinguishable skill, application and professionalism. (Portfolio)

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
6. Show ability to effectively communicate through one or more of the following means; written, visual, oral.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment will be conducted through:

Formative feedback received from tutors and peers during seminar, virtual studio and workshop engagement.

Component 1: Dissertation Proposal - This robust proposal will be developed following feedback from your initial plan, and independent research and insights gained from your bespoke seminar sessions. It allows you to research and think critically about a topic of particular interest to you, and which you would like to research and write on for your final year design research project.
The purpose of this plan is to assist you in articulating ideas and concerns, which may lead to a better understanding of where your practice is situated. (I500 words)


Component 2: Fashion Concept:
This project encourages you to research and visually explore a topic of particular interest, using the zeitgeist and contextual studies as the starting point. You will take an intellectual approach to experimental image making to communicate the concept for portfolio. The work will be submitted electronically. A critical justification of 500 words will form part of the project.


Formal formative feedback
Tutorials will be scheduled at key points of the learning programme, to provide feedback and informally record academic progress.

Summative assessment
By collecting a variety of evidence/outputs from the learner via multiple dimensions (coursework, observations, presentations, etc.) tutors will assess your overall performance holistically with a single grade from 2 components at the end of semester 2.

Student self-assessment
Students are encouraged to be reflective learners through scheduled self-assessment opportunities.

Verbal feedback will be provided from peers
and academic staff.

Assessment
There will be 2 parts to the assessment:

Component 1: Dissertation Proposal - 1500 words. KU02, IPSA01, PVA06

Component 2: Fashion Concept – Sketchbook (shared (shared with FA5014), screen-based Portfolio, Written justification (500 words). KU10, IPSA08 and PVA06


Other
Additional forms of assessment practice may take place within projects in the form of peer assessment/self-assessment which may contribute to the overall module outcomes.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

FA5014 Fashion Design Project 2

Module abstract

In this module you will learn how to develop your theoretical fashion studies to prepare you for your dissertation at Level 6, and to apply this contextual knowledge to your fashion practice.

You will gain insight to key subjects, including historical and contemporary influences on fashion, and identify and communicate your ideas on potential future scenarios through verbal, written and visual expression.

You will be encouraged to debate contemporary design issues with your peers, and identify areas of personal interest for your Dissertation Proposal.

You will analyse your rich and diverse investigative research and translate your extended knowledge of the changing fashion landscape into an experimental Fashion Concept project. You will learn who you are as a designer through the exploration ofexplore your unique concept, ideation,s and personal brand development. You will develop this visually in sketchbook using through experimental visual communication techniques in illustration and photography, to construct innovative fashion imagery and hone your personal art direction. You will justify and reflect upon your creative decisions using verbal and written forms.

You will be guided by experienced specialist tutors with expertise in the relevant areas of study. You will have access to blended virtual and physical state of the artdesign studios and workshopss, and blended learning materials in the award-winning Design School and library.

Online platforms will be used for summative assessment submission of sketchbook, screen-based portfolio (from work generated in FA5014) and written justification.

Course info

UCAS Code W230

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 4 years with placement

Department Northumbria School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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