Module: TD7002-30 The Development of Product, Market Research and Product Ideas

Level: 7

Credit Value: 30

Module Tutor: Nicholas Thomas

Module Tutor Contact Details: n.thomas2@bathspa.ac.uk

1.Brief description and aims of module

As your first studio module at Masters Level 7, the aim is to develop an understanding of your fashion / textile design practice in relation to being a professional in the subject and/or industry. This module enables you to create synergies between your ideas, current critical thinking and design practice.

This module will enable you to begin to establish a studio practice which is supported by critical thinking, is developed within a contextual framework, and that is underpinned by an understanding of current problems and new insights in the fashion or textiles profession. You will need to develop research in a variety of forms including visual research, materials and techniques, product and context.

The module aims for you to further develop your personal studio research, and fashion and/or textile design skills, so that your explorations lead you to establish a future plan for your creative practice and your potential audience.

At the end of the module you will present your ideas, visual research, material experimentations, designs and visualisations as a coursework portfolio. This portfolio should express your individuality, drawing skills, fashion and/or textile techniques, and provide a foundation on which to define the next developments in your creative practice.

2.Outline syllabus

Students will outline an individually negotiated proposal of self­directed study, and will take an experimental approach to advancing fashion and/or textile techniques and the design process for a course work portfolio.

The module may include presentations from industry professionals and/or research experts in the subject.

Studio space and specialist workshop facilities will provide the environment for planning and implementing tasks autonomously. Students may communicate concepts, methods and contemporary thinking in group tutorials with peers and tutors, so that lines of enquiry have the opportunity to be explored and critiqued.

3.Teaching and learning activities

• Technical demonstrations where appropriate
• Self­directed project work
• Engagement with both hand and digital processes
• Active participation through seminars and peer learning
• Lecture series
• Group tutorials and critiques
• Independent study trips and gallery visits
• Personal presentation, display and documentation of work

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work
• Description: A negotiated project typically including:
• A personal project brief
• Sketchbooks and/or other visual outcomes
• Visual research folders (including reflective annotations)
• Technical folders
• Reflective and evaluative process (journal, blog etc.)
• Experimental fashion designs and/or textile samples or other tutor negotiated outcomes
• Resolved and presented fashion designs and/or textile samples or other tutor negotiated outcomes
• Contextual visualisations of the intended market outcomes.
• % Weighting: 80%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work
• Description: A written assignment (of no less than 1,500 words) that explores Market Research for your intended practice and identifies your current direction for a future career.
• % Weighting: 20%