ba-fashion-design-course-info

Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design BA (Honours) Fashion Design Course Information Fashion Design Menswear Fashion Design Womenswear Fashion Print Fashion Design with Knitwear Fashion Communication with Promotion Fashion Design with Marketing Fashion History and Theory (Please see separate Course Information leaflet) Contents Page 1 Why study at University of the Arts? 1 The College and its location 1 2 Entry requirements 2 • Minimum entry requirements 2 • English language requirements 2 • International applicants 2 3 About the Course 3 • Distinctive features of the course 3 • Course structure 4 • Developing your skills 8 • Resources 8 • Future careers and graduate prospects 8 • Frequently asked questions 9 4 Application and Selection 10 • What we look for 10 • Student selection criteria 10 • Portfolio and interview advice 11 • How to apply 11 • What happens next? 12 • International applicants 13 • Contact us 13 5 About this Institution 14 • Financial information: fees and funding 14 • Open days 15 • Prospectus 15 • Disability access 15 • Learning resources 15 • Careers advice and guidance 15 • Student Services 15 • Students’ Union 15 • Accommodation 15 This leaflet is intended to provide course information to prospective applicants, parents, guardians and teachers or advisors. Please note that, whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy at the time of production, the information contained in this leaflet may be subject to change. BA (Honours) Fashion Design – page 1 University of the Arts London Course Title BA (Honours) Fashion Design Study level Study mode Course length Start date Course terms Undergraduate Full Time 3 years/4 years Sandwich mode September 2010 Autumn: 27 September – 10 December 2010 Spring: 10 January – 1 April 2011 Summer: 3 May – 24 June 2011 1. Why study at University of the Arts London? The College and its location The University of the Arts London comprises six world class Colleges situated in prime sites across London. Drawing upon more than 150 years of experience from these colleges it is Europe’s leading University for art, design, fashion, communication and the performing arts. The University and its Colleges are committed to advancing our standing as a world-class centre for teaching, learning and research into the arts and creative disciplines and to further strengthening our areas of specialisation, pushing the boundaries of the arts and design in the UK and internationally. The course is run at CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN, 107-109 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0DU Tel: +44 (0)20 7514 7022 The College and its location Central Saint Martins brings together the former St Martin’s School of Art and Central School of Art and Design, plus Drama Centre London and Byam Shaw School of Art. The London Studio Centre is a connected institution. Central Saint Martins has a distinguished international reputation. It provides specialist education and research in the fields of fine art, fashion, textiles, graphic and communication design, 3D design, including specialist courses in product design, ceramics and jewellery, and performance, acting and directing, interdisciplinary art and architecture. It offers the opportunity to study from foundation through undergraduate and postgraduate to research degrees across one of the most diverse and comprehensive ranges of art and design courses in the country. Central Saint Martins' alumni have a profound impact on our lives. Successful students have created the iconic designs of London's red Routemaster buses and the chopper bike, as well as theatrical productions like Phantom of the Opera and exquisite fashion at Dior and Chloé in Paris. Tutors are active creative professionals or researchers, who are practicing artists, designers, performers, curators and writers in the creative industries. Students come from diverse cultural backgrounds, over 90 different countries and all age groups bringing with them a broad experience of life. To help us ensure an education at Central Saint Martins remains a very special experience, the University of the Arts London is investing in a landmark project that brings the three largest Central Saint Martins sites together in one building. Located at the heart of a 64-acre development within easy reach of King’s Cross and St Pancras stations (and just 10–15 minutes’ walk from our present site), the new building will deliver unique opportunities in specialist art and design education at a time of significant cultural regeneration locally. BA (Honours) Fashion Design – page 2 What we envisage is nothing less than new creative quarter in this part of the capital – a vibrant hub to which we make the fullest contribution. The move is planned for summer 2011. If you join us now you’ll play an important part in helping us realise this ambitious project, contributing directly to the college’s future. Students who begin a three-year course in 2010 will complete their studies at our impressive new home. 2. Entry requirements Opportunities for all We are committed to making studying at the University a more viable option for a wider range of people and to ensure that all our students are successful, both during and after their courses. Minimum entry requirements • Passes in 2 GCE A Levels (80 UCAS tariff points normally including one single award) • Passes at GCSE level in 3 other subjects (grade C or above) or • A Foundation Course in Art and Design • Passes at GCSE level or equivalent in 5 subjects (grade C or above) or • A Foundation Course in Art and Design • A pass in 1 GCE A level • Passes at GCSE level or equivalent in 4 subjects (grade C or above) This educational level may be demonstrated by: a) possession of the qualifications named above; b) possession of equivalent qualifications; c) prior experiential learning, the outcome of which can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required, or; d) a combination of formal qualifications and experiential learning which taken together can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required. 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 at enrolment. The standard English Language requirement for entry to Fashon Design Menswear, Womenswear, Print and Knit pathways is IELTS 6.0. For Fashion Communication with Promotion the IELTS requirement is 6.5. For further information visit: www.arts.ac.uk/languagecentre International applicants The International Office at Central Saint Martins is your first point on contact for any questions you may have regarding courses, programmes, admissions or knowing who to contact in other parts of the University of the Arts. Please feel free to contact us if you are in London, where we offer a specialist service in which an academic from the college can advise you on your portfolio and chosen programme. To book an appointment please email at least two weeks prior to your visit. Early application by January 15, the first UCAS deadline, is recommended. International Office Central Saint Martins Southampton Row London WC1B 4AP BA (Honours) Fashion Design – page 3 tel: +44 (0)20 7514 7027 fax: +44 (0)20 7514 8013 email: international@csm.arts.ac.uk The University has a dedicated team to help prepare you for your studies. For help on visa requirements, housing, tuition fees and language requirements visit: http://www.arts.ac.uk/international.htm The Language Centre offers international students quality language training from qualified and experienced teachers. The Pre-sessional Academic English Programme is available to all international (non-EU) students who have been offered a place on a full time course at the University of the Arts. For further information visit: http://www.arts.ac.uk/languagecentre.htm We also offer a number of short courses that enable students to improve their portfolios and English skills before applying to their chosen course. For further information visit: www.csm.arts.ac.uk/shortcourse 3. About the course Distinctive features of the course Fashion is a fast moving and highly diverse international industry encompassing a wide range of markets and creative, production and communication practices. It also has historical and social significance for our understanding of some of the important values that underpin our culture. Central to the Course rationale, and its framework, is the recognition of this diversity and cultural meaning, coupled with the commitment to support your creative development with appropriate intellectual and practical skills to enable you to take advantage of the challenges and benefits that such diversity offers. The Course philosophy is to create a learning environment in which innovation, and originality are nurtured and encouraged within a range of different but closely related fashion pathways. It aims to produce versatile fashion specialists who are able to solve problems creatively whilst possessing a depth of knowledge of their chosen fields as well as a breadth of knowledge and critical understanding of the social, economic and cultural factors that impact on the professional environment in which they will work. The Course offers a choice of seven named pathways (identified by separate UCAS codes) all of which have the study of Fashion as their core subject, offering a unique and synergistic combination of fashion design, communication, historical and theoretical studies led by tutors who are expert practitioners. This choice of pathways enables you to study in depth a specific area of fashion practice encompassing different approaches to the subject and offering a range of creative opportunities within the industry. The Named Pathways are: • Fashion Design Menswear • Fashion Design Womenswear • Fashion Print • Fashion Design with Knitwear • Fashion Communication with Promotion • Fashion Design with Marketing • Fashion History and Theory (please see separate Course Information leaflet) BA (Honours) Fashion Design – page 4 The curriculum is also flexible and provides excellent scope for you to network with the fashion industry. Active learning through project-based enquiry is a cornerstone of the curriculum. You will undertake collaborative and team projects that involve working together, either in mixed pathway groups or teams, as well as with external professionals and sponsoring companies and organisations (e.g. L’Oreal Professionel, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Tie Rack, Solstiss, Liberty, Paul Smith, the Victoria and Albert Museum). This promotes inter-disciplinary peer learning thereby enabling you to develop the ability to work with others, the capacity for independent learning, and greater awareness of the professional skills needed to further your career development. The length of study for all design pathways is three or four years. You have the opportunity to apply to interrupt your academic studies after two years full time study to undertake a period of work placement (subject to academic approval). If you meet the approved requirements of this work placement period you will qualify for the additional qualification of the Diploma in Professional Studies. Course structure The course runs for 90 weeks full time over three years, and is divided into three Levels, each lasting 30 weeks. The whole course is credit-rated at 360 credits, with 120 credits at each Level. Under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications the Levels for a BA are: Level 4 (which is stage 1 of the course), Level 5 and Level 6. There is a progression point at the end of each Level and in order to progress, all units of the preceding Level must normally be passed. If a student is unable to continue on the course a Certificate of Higher Education (Cert HE) will normally be offered following the successful completion of Level 4, or a Diploma in Higher Education following the successful completion of Level 5. In order to be awarded a BA (Honours) the student must successfully complete 360 credits. The final award is comprised of the marks from Level 6 units only, weighted according to their credits. Stage/ Year Level Emphasis of study Credit rating Stage One HE4 Exploration and Breadth 120 Stage Two HE5 Development of Pathway Expertise 120 Year Three HE5 Work placement for the Diploma in Professional Studies – Sandwich mode students only 120 Stage Three HE6 Personal Direction and Responsibility – Independence 120 At enrolment students identify if they wish to study for three years full time or take the four year sandwich mode. BA (Honours) Fashion Design – page 5 Outline of the course The Fashion Design Menswear Pathway This pathway is for students who wish to pursue careers as innovative designers and who require a clear understanding and experience of generating, developing and realising a wide variety of creative menswear ideas to a professional standard. You will be encouraged to develop your personal design vision, set in the context of menswear design, in existing and expanding national and international fashion markets that incorporate both classic and innovative design concepts. Throughout the course emphasis is placed on achieving professionalism, innovation and creativity that will enable you continuously to develop and realise your design ideas. You will be educated in various design skills that will inform and support your creativity. These will include research methods, flat pattern cutting, modelling on the stand, garment construction, tailoring processes and finishing, creating technical specification drawings, illustration and presentation skills. Your awareness and understanding of the diversity of the menswear industry will be enhanced through targeted projects and the guidance of established and visiting lecturers who are specialists in this market, and a curriculum that is designed to enable you to understand and meet differing design challenges. The Fashion Design Womenswear Pathway This pathway is for students who wish to pursue careers as innovative designers and who have a clear understanding and experience of generating, developing and realising a wide variety of creative ideas to a professional standard. You will be encouraged to develop your personal design vision set in the context of womenswear design for existing and expanding national and international fashion markets. You will be educated in various design skills that will inform and support your creativity. These will include research methods, flat pattern cutting, modelling on the stand, garment construction, tailoring processes and finishing, drawing, illustration and presentation skills. Your awareness and understanding of the diversity of the womenswear industry will be enhanced through targeted projects and the guidance of full time and associate lecturers who are specialists in this market. The curriculum is designed to enable you to understand and meet differing design challenges. The Fashion Print Pathway In this pathway the design process starts with fabric creation. By handling image, colour, surface pattern and a wide variety of print processes you are able to develop and apply your printed textile skills to fashion design. Unlike some other printed textile courses, this pathway is very much part of fashion; it is therefore fundamental to your development as a print designer that you have a thorough understanding of body proportions and the cut and construction of garments, the performance of fibres and fabrics in relation to these and, above all, an involvement in and experience of contemporary and evolving fashion trends. The specific purposes of the pathway are to ensure that you are provided with a varied and challenging experience of fashion and that your creative potential is enhanced through the study of printed textile design and its application to fashion and in pursuing this you are encouraged to explore techniques, materials and processes that enable you to realise your creative printed textile ideas. BA (Honours) Fashion Design – page 6 The Fashion Design with Knitwear Pathway Fashion Knitwear offers an opportunity for a breadth of creative approaches within an increasingly important discipline. Britain has an excellent international reputation for design in knitwear thanks to our long-standing central position in the wool trade and machine development. This sector has grown from traditional quality and craft styles to encompass high fashion, cut and sew jersey, stretch and bodywear. Knitwear is produced and marketed world-wide, whether through multinationals or designer/makers. The aim is to familiarise you with these processes and the impact and use of world fibre resources in the context of this industry. This pathway differs from knitwear courses elsewhere in that it is taught in collaboration with other fashion disciplines across womenswear and menswear. Knowledge of mainstream fashion remains central to your development so many activities will be undertaken alongside your peers, which promotes an atmosphere of creative feedback. Team projects with other course pathways and external assignments allow you to negotiate and share design solutions (as within the professional workplace). Illustration, business awareness, cultural studies, field trips, trade shows, exhibitions and visits to Paris, Florence, etc. are integrated with other pathways. Whilst this pathway is primarily fashion and design oriented, there is a strong underpinning of technical ability. You will become conversant with the variety of techniques and fibres that can be used to create distinctive knitwear and jersey fashion - from hand skills through to hi-tech electronic and computerised machinery. By designing and making a variety of styles culminating in a collection, you will learn how to specify for sewing and finishing equipment. By cultivating and enhancing these individual skills you will graduate with an informed and professional preparation appropriate to this market. The Fashion Communication with Promotion Pathway The Fashion Communication with Promotion Pathway is concerned with the variety of ways in which fashion is communicated. The media covered in the Course include writing and image creation, and a range of new technologies including multi-media electronic publishing and the Internet. The programme of studies provides a varied and stimulating understanding and knowledge of the diverse nature of fashion communication. The core elements of the programme aim to develop awareness and understanding through investigation and analysis of the relationship of word and image, encompassing such areas as fashion journalism, fashion photography, art direction and the development of appropriate 'voices' and skills of presentation for particular audiences. Other professional areas, such as public relations, television and related aspects of professional practice, are addressed through seminars and workshops. Throughout the course this pathway places emphasis on professionalism, flexibility and teamwork. The Fashion Design with Marketing Pathway This creative fashion design pathway is for designers who wish to contribute innovative id