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 2025 is available in the Archives.
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:
- Workshops and tutorials will assist in the development of a personal aesthetic and design philosophy
- The development of a design project, which is informed and underpinned by a conceptual and aesthetic research
- Design decisions and complex problem solving
- The opportunity for students to develop conceptual and experimental design outcomes
- 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%)
2. Conceptual garment/textile form (30%)
3. Time Management (10%) The students’ time in the studio needs to demonstrate professional approach to time management and communication. | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
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%)
2. The three looks/textile forms (60%)
3. Presentation ( 10%) The students’ oral presentation needs to be clear and articulate in conveying the fashion and textile proposal.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
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.