Fashion Jewellery

Content

You will study the processes involved in contemporary design through unstructured as well as structured fashion jewellery, providing you with a foundation towards developing a strong fashion knowledge.

Structure

Year 1 projects are constructed in order to develop necessary core skills alongside the investigation of the creative process - how to research, analyse, record, develop, cut and make. The overall theme is based on a structured approach to understanding the design and realisation process, you are encouraged to be enquiring and develop a professional independence. Experimentation is aligned with materials exploration development processes, and construction techniques. The fundamentals of market awareness, social and environmental issues, consumer behaviour and supply chain management introduce the student to the context of the professional sector. Cultural Studies compliments the core programme and enables you to see current practice and product in a range of relevant contexts.

Students are supported by timetabled access to a specialist 3D sampling area which facilitates the creation of a 3D jewellery prototypes and finished pieces in wood, metal, plastics and soft materials. The curriculum benefits from an integrated programme of Cultural and Historical Studies.

Year 2 projects nurture your professional development and awareness of the fashion industry, in order to build your confidence within your chosen area. You will be offered a range of projects and competitions that are usually sponsored, or 'live'. The projects ask you to work within a specific brief - a season, brand, range requirement, or perhaps to design and make a range that extends or develops a current fashion product. This experience is further enhanced by a work placement - an opportunity to spend a term working with a chosen designer or company, learning about real professional practice and the current employment market.

In Year 3 you will devise your own final project brief- typically a collection of highly professional fashion garments, fashion textiles, and/or a design portfolio. During the final year you will work as an individual under the guidance of our expert teaching staff within your chosen area of study. At the end of the programme there are opportunities for you to liaise with and showcase your work to industry professionals.

Students may collaborate with other colleagues from another specialist Product course or liaise with students from one of the Fashion Design Technology group (Womenswear, Menswear, Bespoke Tailoring or Surface Textiles) establishing a cross specialist partnership activity.