The FdA Fashion Design Technology course is situated in the School of Design and Technology. This course is for students who want to explore one of three pathways, Designer Pattern Cutter, Surface Textiles or Knitwear, and you apply to the particular pathway that you are interested in. You will learn the skills of design research, design interpretation and three-dimensional realisation relevant to the pathway you choose, together with the professional, communication and business skills you will need for successful employment in today’s global fashion industry. You will acquire broader academic skills which allow you to see the context of your particular study in the wider perspectives of fashion, society and the environment. The emphasis on the course is on work-based learning, both ‘live’ and simulated, and you will have the opportunity to work with other students from your own pathway and/or students from the other pathways. This prepares you for the industry, where working as a productive member of a team is essential to your success. The Surface Textiles pathway allows you to explore surface pattern and texture for fashion fabrics through a variety of traditional craft and contemporary processes and techniques, such as laser cutting, digital embroidery, and traditional and digital print technologies. High-achieving graduates from this course have the opportunity to do a third year of specialist studies to gain a BA Honours degree.

The Surface Textiles pathway is based at Lime Grove in Shepherd’s Bush, just west of Holland Park and Notting Hill. The area, which is rich in cultural influences from across the world, is home to Shepherd’s Bush Market and the many fabric shops lining the Goldhawk Road, which sell a good variety of fabrics, including silks, at extremely competitive prices. There are many restaurants, cafes, delis and food stores, as well as the market, which reflect the many cultures of the people living there. Nearby is the Shepherd’s Bush Empire, an excellent venue for live bands, and the Westfield Shopping Centre, one of the largest retail complexes in Europe that caters for the luxury market as well as the high street. Holland Park with its Orangery and Leighton House Museum are both worth visiting.

Course Units

Year One     Stage One     Level 4     120 credits 

Term One: Introduction to Study in Higher Education (20 credits); Design and Technical Studies 1 (20 credits);

Term Two: Introduction to Cultural and Historical Studies (20 credits); Design and Technical Studies 2 (20 credits);

Term Three: Industrial Studies (WBL) (40 credits)

Year Two     Stage Two     Level 5     120 credits

Term One: Cultural and Historical Studies (20 credits); Design Development and Range Planning (20 credits);

Term Two: Personal Development Portfolio (40 credits);

Term Three: Design and Process (20 credits); Collaborative Project (WBL) (20 credits);

Course Outline

Year One

In the first term you will study two units.

Introduction to Study in Higher Education gives you an understanding of your personal and professional development at university, with three core purposes: to introduce you to the necessary learning skills for undergraduate study; to show you where you are situated within the College and the University; and to help you understand what you will learn on your course and how you will develop your skills.

Design and Technical Studies 1 introduces you to the design process from visual research through to sample product. You will be encouraged to explore and experiment at all stages of the design process, and you will learn the basic techniques and skills through a variety of creative applications relevant to your specialism. You will explore the relationship between design research, design and design development, and this will give you a coherent framework for future two-dimensional and three-dimensional work.

In the second term you will study two units.

Introduction to Cultural and Historical Studies introduces you to key concepts and ways of thinking about fashion and its context in society and culture. You will attend lectures, seminars and workshops, and do a significant amount of reading of academic texts in order to complete a formal academic essay for assessment.  Completion of this unit will allow you to make an informed choice of subject for study in the second year Cultural and Historical Studies unit.

Design and Technical Studies 2 gives you the opportunity to build on your knowledge and further develop your skills. You will conduct independent design and market research, develop design concepts and realise one or more products in 3D. You will bring an innovative approach to your design, design development and realisation, and you will develop your problem-solving skills. The technology skills that you will develop through this unit will be evidenced through your design and product development outcomes.

In the third term you will undertake the Industrial Studies (WBL) unit. This gives you the opportunity to undertake work-based learning through a commercial brief. You will investigate specified markets and retail outlets and conduct research into consumer habits and product life cycles. You will learn about the supply chain in the fashion industry, and the commercial implications associated with fashion forecasting and the role of brands. You will be working as part of a team, and this mirrors the environment in the fashion industry, where different teams work together at different times through the many stages of product realisation. You will use CAD technology where appropriate to develop and professionalise your work, and you will produce outcomes relevant to your specialism.  

Year Two        

In the first term you will be able to study a Cultural and Historical Studies unit of your choice that will broaden or deepen your learning of areas relating to your interests in your chosen field. You will have the opportunity to participate in lectures, seminars and workshops with students from other courses within your School, and will read relevant academic texts and complete a formal academic essay for assessment.

Also in the first term, the Design Development and Range Planning unit gives you the opportunity to develop a personal response to a design brief within an industrial context. You will experiment with a number of techniques for the development of 3D outcomes. The importance of market awareness will be emphasised, as will the appreciation and understanding of quality, make and finish in relation to an identified market level. You will further develop your critical and analytical skills through this brief and will also build on your professional presentation and communication skills.

In the second term the Personal Development Portfolio unit gives you the opportunity to select and develop a project which builds on your knowledge and skills and reflects your career aspirations. Work done for this project will provide you with the basis for your portfolio, which you will use to gain employment in the relevant sector of the industry.

In the third term you will study two units.

The Design and Process unit will help you to develop your design skills to successfully interpret and realise a product working to an external client brief. You will use and further develop the aesthetic and technical skills that you have acquired to realise innovative design solutions. You will focus on the aesthetic design interpretation process and will produce textile samples or 3D product depending on your pathway.

Also in the third term you will undertake the Collaborative Project which will give you the opportunity to undertake work-based learning by collaborating with an industrial partner. Alternatively, you may make design proposals for a specific company, and may collaborate with a fellow student from your own or another specialism or programme. The project will develop your understanding of the collaborative nature of design development and realisation in the industry, and you will be expected to show problem-solving and professional presentation skills.

Learning and Teaching at UAL

Courses in UAL span a broad range of art, design, communication, business, media, science and communication subjects. So the ways in which you learn and how your time is used will vary according to the specific course you are studying; this may be in studios, labs, classes, involve working alone, learning from peers in pairs or groups, or with external partners. Most importantly, no matter which course you enrol on, you will learn not only about your subject but also about how you learn and how to increase your knowledge base.

Our courses will guide you to take increasing responsibility and ownership of your work and your learning. We do this so that you will be ready and able to take full advantage of the full range of opportunities offered by the creative industries in the global economy.

Assessment methods at UAL

Assessment always sounds austere and foreboding, but it is not. We see assessment as a very real part of learning, rather than just a means of looking back at past work and measuring achievement; we believe that assessment helps you plan future work and develop new ideas.

Your work will be assessed through projects or portfolios, with written papers or research journals, and, on some courses, examinations.  You will be graded according to a set of marking criteria that relate to such things as research, subject knowledge, methodology, and your capacity to analyse and reflect on your achievements. So don’t be afraid of assessment - it is the way to progress.

Developing your skills

All our undergraduate courses are concerned with the development of your personal and professional skills. On your course you will evolve from learning basic skills in your discipline through to a position where you are an independent creative thinker capable of making an effective contribution to the relevant sector of the fashion industry. PPD (Personal and Professional Development) skills are embedded in all units on every course. Speaker programmes with contributions from alumni, members of industry and others are a part of many courses, as are work placement opportunities in industry. Where relevant, students have the chance to attend trade fairs, enter industry competitions, visit exhibitions and go on field trips and visits. The central position of our John Prince’s Street site in the West End affords students easy access to all sectors of the fashion retail market. In addition, our position as a constituent College in the University of the Arts London means that our students have access to the wide range of activities and events that occur in all the Colleges and at the University’s centre. Last but not least, being in London gives every student opportunities to explore and be inspired by the cultural, intellectual and social life of one of the great capital cities of the world.

Resources

Our excellent resources for educating our students are two-fold: people and premises. People includes everyone at the College who contributes directly in some way to your education, whether as a subject tutor, a technician, an Open Access Officer, a librarian or a study support tutor. Premises include the buildings and the facilities contained in them, such as specialist machinery, design studios and workshops, lecture and seminar rooms, and the library.

The textile workshops at Lime Grove are excellent and provide you with access to print, knit and embroidery machinery and studio space. These include a range of both craft and digital CAD facilities. You are also able to access the Digital Print Bureau at John Prince’s Street and equipment relating to the production of engineered prints.

Caterina Radvan is the Course Leader for FdA FDT Knitwear and Surface Textiles and is a knitwear designer. She has recently completed a practice-based PhD at LCF in the area of inclusive design and advanced knitting technology, and her work has been published extensively in academic journals and conference proceedings.

Polly Kenny is the Programme Director for Textiles and Menswear and has an MA in Fashion Studies. Her industry experience is extensive and has been through collaborative partnerships with, for example, Broderie Anglaise and Peter Wright Europe Ltd, with clients, including Ronit Zilka and Morris Angels, and at the industry’s textile fairs. She is a member of the Higher Education Academy, the LCF Fashion Education and Research Group, and the Textiles Futures Research Centre at UAL. She is Vice Chair of the London Branch of the Society of Dyers and Colourists, and continues her practice-based textile work focussing on the mark of the hand through digital and craft processes.

Rob Phillips is the Creative Director for the School of Design and Technology and his career started in fashion womenswear, menswear and illustration. He worked at publishers Benjamin Dent as Fashion Editor for International Textiles magazine, and as Creative Director of Fashion Forecast magazine, where his progressive work promoting young fashion talent garnered him much acclaim from industry. Rob continues to nurture talent at LCF across all courses within the School, preparing students to develop their full potential and make their unique contribution to the fashion industry. He furthers the work of the College through many routes, including the recent collaboration between LCF, English National Ballet and the V&A. He also curates the School’s fashion shows and exhibitions, and is fully engaged with all external events and competitions.

Future Careers and Graduate Prospects

High-achieving graduates from this course have the opportunity to do a third year of specialist studies to gain a BA Honours degree.

Many graduates prefer to seek employment as soon as they have completed their undergraduate studies. Recent graduates from this course are working as freelance textile designers and for a number of companies, including COS, Forever21 and Mirage Design.

Enterprise and Employability at UAL

We know what it takes to be successful in your chosen field. Your tutors are professionals in their own right and understand what you need to help you establish your career. Staff in our dedicated Centre for Student Enterprise and Employability Service (SEE) are specialists at supporting you onto the right career path and at helping you to build up work‐relevant skills, knowledge and experience throughout your time here. You will also benefit from our many relationships with industry, which give our students exclusive opportunities and access to networks and funding.

Artists and designers tell us they value UAL’s informed engagement with their career development concerns across a whole spectrum of activities and practice interests and our ability to offer them practical advice, guidance and opportunities across the possible pathways open to them - as entrepreneurs and employees. Staff value the resources and skills UAL makes available to help them deliver effective professional and career development through the curriculum.

Showing your work

All final year students are given the opportunity to profile their work online via Showtime. London College of Fashion can make no guarantee that your work (either in sum or in part) will be shown, exhibited or profiled in any way as part of your course. All student work appearing in College organised events, catwalk shows, exhibitions and other forms of showcase, is selected by a panel of senior staff and, in some instances, external industry judges.

For details of the wide range of careers support provided for students, please visit our Careers Support page.

Opportunities for All

We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and seek to recruit students from diverse socio-economic, cultural and educational backgrounds. We are committed to supporting all our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.                    

Course Entry Requirements

Entry to this course is highly competitive: applicants are expected to achieve, or already have, the course entry requirements detailed below.

One ‘A’ level pass at grade D or above (80 UCAS tariff points required) PLUS passes in four other GCSE subjects at grade C or above

OR

BTEC National Diploma in a fashion related subject PLUS passes in four other GCSE subjects at grade C or above

OR

NVQ level 3 in a related subject PLUS passes in four other GCSE subjects at grade C or above

OR

A one year Foundation Diploma in Art and Design PLUS passes in four other GCSE subjects at grade C or above

OR

Access course in a relevant subject PLUS passes in four other GCSE subjects at grade C or above

OR equivalent awards

Preferred subjects include Art, Textiles, and English.

This course requires a minimum 80 UCAS tariff points.

Exceptionally, applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered if the course team judges the application demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by: related academic or work experience; the quality of the personal statement; a strong academic or other professional reference; or a combination of these factors.

This course requires portfolio evidence. 

English Language Requirements

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language you will be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability when you enrol.

The level required by the University for this course is IELTS 5.5 with a minimum of 4.5 in any one skill.

Please go to: http://www.arts.ac.uk/international/apply/englishlanguagerequirements/

read carefully and look at the relevant documents.

Student Selection Criteria 

What We Look For

The course team seeks to recruit students who can demonstrate:

• A current awareness of fashion in terms of fabric development, new designers and fashion trends
• A current awareness of surface textiles within fashion
• A potential to achieve a high standard of technical manufacture
• An ability to record and develop design ideas through the vehicle of drawing
• The ability to work as a member of a team
• The ability to work independently to develop your own knowledge and skills acquired on the course

This might, for example, be demonstrated by: related academic or work experience; the quality of the personal statement, a strong academic or other professional reference; or a combination of these factors.

Portfolio and Interview Advice

For this course your portfolio should show evidence of: drawing / presentation skills; fashion and cultural awareness; level of research, exploration and experimentation; 3D awareness through product development or technical drawing; sense of colour and texture; technical competence; design and materials selection; and visual communication skills.

Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the following at interview: a current awareness of fashion in terms of fabric development, new designers and fashion trends; an awareness of surface textiles within fashion; an understanding of the design process; an understanding of this course; the ability to work in a team; and the ability to work independently.

* Please note: this course will not be recruiting students for entry in 2014, therefore the final first year of this course will run in 2013-2014, the final second year will run in 2014-2015, and the final Top-up Year will run in 2015-2016. This subject area will be replaced with a new three year Honours degree.

Home/EU Applicants

You apply online through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) at   http://www.ucas.com 

Go to ‘Apply’ from the UCAS home page, where you will be able to register and create a password that gives you unique access as you complete your application form.

The University code is U65.

The UCAS code for this course is W740.

The deadline for equal consideration of your application is 15 January 2013.

Contact us on:

• Telephone: +44 (0)20 7514 7563 / 7582 / 7344
• Course enquiry form

International Applicants

For specific details on how to apply as an international applicant please click on the following link:

http://www.fashion.arts.ac.uk/lcf-international.htm

The International Recruitment Office at the London College of Fashion will help to guide you through the application process and answer any specific questions that you may have regarding our courses. This may include portfolio advice, the application process and fee advice. We offer a ‘drop-in’ facility for applicants who may be in London and wish to obtain further course and admissions information. Please contact us for further information on this facility. We can also arrange a tour of our facilities if we are given prior notice.

Our contact details are: International Recruitment Office London College of Fashion 20 John Prince’s Street London W1G 0BJ

• Telephone: +44 (0)20 7514 7656/7678/7629
• Course enquiry form

Deferred Entry

Deferred Entry is normally only allowed in exceptional circumstances. Please contact us before you submit your application if you are considering applying for deferred entry. 

What Happens Next?

All application forms, personal statements and references are read and considered by the course team against the selection criteria listed under What We Look For. Depending on the quality of your application, you may be asked to submit copies of a small number of pieces of your existing work (not more than ten pieces). If the course team wish to consider your application further, you will be invited to a portfolio review where the course team will look at your work. If you are successful at the portfolio review stage you will be interviewed by the course team. If you are successful at the interview stage you will be offered a place. Applicants are not guaranteed a portfolio review or an interview.

Please note that if you are unable to attend the College may not be able to re-schedule.

If you applied through UCAS the result of your application will be communicated to you via UCAS through ucastrack. You will only receive further communication directly from the College if your application has been successful. This will be in the form of a full offer pack including details of accommodation, fees, and other important information.

Applicants have the right to ask for feedback if their application is unsuccessful. Requests must be made in writing to the Student Administrator, and we will respond within 20 working days. 

Additional Information

Showing your Work

All final year students are given the opportunity to profile their work online via Showtime. London College of Fashion can make no guarantee that your work (either in sum or in part) will be shown, exhibited or profiled in any way as part of your course. All student work appearing in College organised events, catwalk shows, exhibitions and other forms of showcase, is selected by a panel of senior staff and, in some instances, external industry judges. 

Additional Costs

Some courses charge a fee for the bulk purchase of materials and/or equipment used on the course. Further details will be supplied at a later date.