
Course units: Unit 1: Diagnostic Phase This unit begins with the diagnostic phase. This consists of a number of taught programmes designed to identify your abilities. This phase challenges assumptions and aims to broaden your creative thinking and knowledge of your specialist pathway. You will develop your design and communication skills and your market awareness in order to gain a perspective on the fashion industry. The second part of the unit, the negotiated phase, will further develop the areas covered in the diagnostic phase. You are expected to become more independent and experimental, initiating and managing your own projects in negotiation with the course team. Unit 2: Pre-collection; Independent Major Project Part 1 – Rationale, Research and Design Development This unit begins with the Pre-collection project, it will give you the opportunity to innovate and risk-take, while testing out possible design ideas and solutions in preparation for the start of your Independent Major Project. The skills and critical perspectives acquired during Unit 1 and in the Pre-collection project will inform the direction of your Independent Major Project, Part 1. The project, which will include a written rationale, a consistent body of preliminary research and initial design development, must result in a comprehensive portfolio appropriate for its intended specialist audience, showing a clear understanding of both its related market and context. Unit 3: Independent Major Project Part 2 – 3D Realisation and Portfolio The rationale, research and design development produced in Unit 2 will form the basis of this final course unit. You will realise these ideas in a garment or textile collection and an accompanying portfolio.