Purpose and Rationale of the Qualification

The qualification was developed to cover all aspects necessary to meet the increasingly sophisticated and technologically advanced needs of a Creative Practitioner within the fashion design context and industry. It also covers all day-to-day activities and skills required of a successful fashion designer. Students are trained and exposed to related roles and job opportunities in the fashion design practice, textiles, editing/journalism, styling, fashion design retail and the apparel industry.

The qualification, at its core, is devised to engage the student in the practical, written and theoretical aspects of Design and Product Development. This foundation of the Fashion Design Process is underpinned by a robust selection of courses and modules that includes study and practice in Creative Computing, Textiles Understanding and Development, Business and Retail Theory and Practice and Design Management. The programme is planned to stimulate critical thinking and professional methodology, with contextual studies covering topics of cultural, historical and contemporary practice and theory in fashion design.

The qualification is devised to offer a wide range of activities in a structured course that will stimulate creative, informed, research and practice driven outcomes. Although the key skills and required sound technical ability are at the core of all module outcomes the qualification aims to stimulate individuality. The transferable skills of any good design practitioner such as professionalism, self-management, studio skills and creative expression are key components to all assessment and module outcomes.

To conclude, the qualification aims to create a generalist who is able to:

• Respond to technical and theoretical problems.
• Identify significant issues in any given design context.
• Take own initiative in implementing a plan of action in respect of design enterprise.