University of Technology Sydney

83923 Research: Fashion Concept Lab

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: Design
Credit points: 12 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject requires students to research a project that supports their personal design philosophy, or interest, within a fashion and textile design field. The in-depth design project provides a structured experience for students by offering a self-directed design project that combines theoretical and conceptual research methodologies and an expanded approach to fashion and textile practice.

The subject is supported by a series of interactive lectures, tutorials, demonstrations and workshops that address current fashion and textile design issues. The interactive lecture series introduces students to methods of practice, visualisation and making, expanded fashion and textile practices, both globally as well as nationally, and includes visits from industry sponsors. The workshops offer a series of tasks and demonstrations which allow the students to apply an explorative and experimental approach to their work.

Design studios offer an opportunity for students to gain formative feedback from the studio lecturers across both technical, design and textiles. The subject culminates in students utilising the skills they have developed throughout the session to create a final body of experimental design work that documents the research and design process, that is grounded in clearly articulated fashion and textile systems. This final presentation is accompanied by critique from an academic panel.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of how theory and design practices are interwoven.
2. Research, analyse and assimilate data into innovative and effective outcomes.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of designing for an international fashion market.
4. Effectively communicate a systematic approach to convert design ideas into a finished product.
5. Effectively demonstrate a high level of competency in managing time, communicating visual and verbal concepts.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

  • Advanced communication skills for industry professional context (C.1)
  • Advanced aesthetic sensibility (I.1)
  • Advanced engagement with professional and global fashion industry practices (P.2)
  • Appreciation of global business and marketing frameworks and processes (P.3)
  • Ability to use a variety of research methodologies (R.3)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:

C = communication and groupwork

A = attitudes and values

P = practical and professional

R = research and critique

I = innovation and creativity.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject is delivered in weekly sessions between Weeks 2 to 12 in the form of one-hour interactive lectures, 2.5-hour technical workshops, and 2.5-hour design studios. The activities for this subject are centred on self-initiated learning. Students are expected to conduct independent research, attend all lectures and tutorials and follow suggested progress patterns for each of their individual project.

This subject incorporates a range of teaching and learning strategies which includes; interactive lectures, discussions, demonstrations, studio activities, design thinking and making. Each class is complemented by prior reading, research and reflection on studio work, collaborative and individual tasks. Collaborative tasks involve working in a group to explore how diverse research processes and methodologies can be used to create an expanded fashion and textile practice.

Lecture and studio activities include, visual and technical research, illustration, photography, mixed media. Studios offer students an opportunity to have formative feedback from studio lectures and peers. The iterative process of conceptualising and realising the project outcomes are documented in an A3 journal, which demonstrates visual and written research, creative ideas and design development. The final panel presentation offers formative and summative feedback to students on their project outcomes.

Content (topics)

This subject is facilitated through a combination of lectures, workshops and student supervision. Students are encouraged to become independent researchers and designers by working individually on proposed projects in consultation with a specialist supervisor. The subject contains:

  1. Workshops and tutorials will assist in the development of a personal aesthetic and design philosophy
  2. The development of a design project, which is informed and underpinned by a conceptual and aesthetic research
  3. Design decisions and complex problem solving
  4. The opportunity for students to develop conceptual and experimental design outcomes
  5. Critical analysis and reflection throughout research inquiry and the design process.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Visual Research Journal and Design / Shape Development / Conceptual Fashion/Textile Proposal

Intent:

Start of development of a body of visual and conceptual research work that conveys a thematic and aesthetic viewpoint.

The assessment task project brief can be downloaded from Canvas/subject documents.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2 and 5

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

C.1, P.2 and R.3

Type: Design/drawing/plan/sketch
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 50%
Criteria:

1. Visual research & shape development journal (60%)

  • Edited for cohesion and clarity, visually dynamic and content rich;
  • Demonstrates an understanding of how research informs design process;
  • Engages with issues that relate to contemporary global fashion and textile design practices;
  • Illustrates how theoretical ideas can be translated visually;
  • Articulates the systemic context for the proposed project;
  • Demonstrates an effective analysis of research data and assimilate findings into an innovative and creative proposal.

2. Conceptual garment/textile form (30%)

  • An exploration of the relationship between garment/textile form and the body;
  • Innovative silhouette and shape detailing;
  • Extensive exploration of surface design: texture, pattern, colour;
  • An ability to translate research into innovative fashion and textile proposals;
  • An experimental exploration of shape, volume and form.

3. Time Management (10%)

The students’ time in the studio needs to demonstrate professional approach to time management and communication.

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Visual Research & Shape Development Journal 60 2 R.3
Conceptual outfit 30 1 P.2
Time management 10 5 C.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Conceptual Design Proposal

Intent:

Shape and form development

Start of development of a body of visual and conceptual research work that conveys an exploration into how the thematic and aesthetic viewpoint is developing in reference to shape, form, and its relationship to the body. An articulation of the how the proposed outcomes exist and interact within a broader systemic context.

The assessment task project brief can be downloaded from Canvas/subject documents.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

C.1, I.1 and P.3

Type: Project
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 50%
Criteria:

1. Collection/Series of six looks/textiles forms Conceptual Fashion and Textile Proposal (30%)

  • Effectively communicate the project concept and proposal with a consideration for layout and visual design.
  • An ability to translate research into innovative fashion and textile proposals, through concept material and technique.
  • An understanding of how theory informs design process.
  • An understanding of the systemic context of the proposal
  • An engagement with issues that relate to contemporary fashion and textile practices
  • The fashion illustrations and technical drawings need to be clear, and indicative of concept and theme using an appropriate medium.

2. The three looks/textile forms (60%)

  • Demonstrate the relationship between garment/textile form and the body.
  • Express innovative silhouette and shape detailing.
  • Demonstrate an ability to translate research into innovative fashion and textile proposals, through concept material and technique.
  • Demonstrate an experimental exploration of shape, volume and form, and appropriate construction finishes, and quality of make.
  • Colour palette demonstrates innovation and experimentation with regards to colour combinations and interactions with pattern and texture, and is appropriate towards collection.
  • Fabric selection and development reflects theme and speaks into concept development.

3. Presentation ( 10%)

The students’ oral presentation needs to be clear and articulate in conveying the fashion and textile proposal.

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Conceptual fashion and textile portfolio 30 1 C.1
Conceptual fashion garments/textile forms, design 20 2 I.1
Conceptual fashion garments/textile forms, construction 30 4 P.3
Presentation 10 5 C.1
Conceptual fashion garments/textile forms, design 10 3 I.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

The faculty of DAB expects students to attend 80% of all classes for all enrolled subjects. Achievement of the subject's aims is difficult if classes are not attended. Where assessment tasks are to be presented personally in class, attendance is mandatory.

Pursuant to UTS rule 3.8.2 students who do not satisfy attendance requirements may be refused permission by the Responsible Academic Officer to be considered for assessment for this subject.

Required texts

There are no required texts for the subject other than those specified in the weekly schedule.

Recommended texts

UTS Coursework Assessment Policy and Procedures Manual.

Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building Generic Subject Information Guide.

Additional recommended texts will be posted by instructors on Canvas.

Other resources

Online resources:

Additional resources will be posted by instructors on Canvas.