Fashion Design and Communication Level 3
Start Date
Mon Sep 02 2024
Day / Time
Duration
1 year
Campus
Baltic Campus
Are you an aspiring designer? Would you love to develop ideas for catwalks or
commercial fashion collections? Or even costumes for on screen or stage? Or
perhaps you have ambitions to start your own brand and business?
Wherever
your interests lie, our course offers an exciting introduction into the dynamic
world of fashion.
What will I learn?
- Fundamentals of garment creation; from textile design to draping, sewing and final garment construction, with a focus on sustainability throughout.
- Development of traditional and digital skills, in illustration, styling, and photography to communicate your creative vision and promote your ideas.
- Historical influences and theoretical concepts in fashion to help inform your practical skills and undertake project research and critical reflection.
From concept to production, you will learn the skills needed to create high-quality products that will then be effectively communicated through various visual media. Your project work will allow you to develop a range of technical and academic skills to prepare you in moving towards a chosen specialism.
You will be guided, with support from technically trained staff in using up to date, professional equipment such as heat transfer presses, printing screens and sewing machines that are readily available in the studios.
We give regular feedback, designed to help you be the best you can building to your final major project, a body of work that shows your strengths and personal interests, based around the areas in which you excel and reflecting your research, contextual design, presentation and, of course, your practical skills.
In year 2 you'll advance your skill set and professional qualities building towards the extended final major project, showcasing how far you have come.
You will complete your course by showcasing your work through an end of year catwalk show and a professional, assessed portfolio of work that you can share with potential employers or to gain further studies at University.
Potential career pathways include:
- Clothing or accessories design
- Textile design
- Costume design
- Styling/Dressing
- Fashion buying/ merchandising or product developing
- Fashion PR, marketing and promotion
- Garment technology
- Fashion illustrating
- Trend forecasting
Throughout this qualification you will build skills, competencies and confidence in the creative process, understanding how to reflect on your practice and unlock your creative potential.
We'll give you regular feedback, designed to help you be the best you can, be it in practical work, concept development and design or how you creatively problem solve.
You are graded at the end of each year. In year one this is the final major project, a body of work that shows your strengths and personal interests and is based around where you excel. Reflecting your research, contextual design, presentation and, of course, your practical skills.
Top-up onto the extended diploma in year two and you will advance your skill set and professional qualities building towards the extended final major project, showcasing how far you have come.
Assessed on your professional portfolio of work, you will be ready to progress to university or the other exciting next steps in your creative career.
As a team we are highly motivated and positive and believe that an open mind and a can do attitude is the best way for you to get the most out of your learning.
We work closely with our students and often learn from each other to embrace creativity, share new ideas and celebrate at the end of year with an exhibition of the fantastic work produced.
Live projects are an exciting and important part of the course. You'll work on live commissions or receive work placements with external companies.
Our network of employer partnership includes:
- BALTIC Centre of Contemporary Art
- Pretty Mama Clothing
- FashionLive at the Metro Centre
- Green Heart Collective
This is an amazing opportunity to show you can work to a live brief with your own style of work; perfect to add to your CV.
“Outstanding... really impressed with these designs... the work looks great!” - Pretty Mama./P>
Fashion field trips locally and nationally, visits to Universities for additional portfolio advice and workshops, and inspiring guest speaking sessions from business founders in the fashion industry will also help further your research and gain insight into potential career pathways.
Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college.
We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.
Our specialist teams can help with:
- Learning difficulties
- Physical and sensory disabilities
- Dyslexia, dyspraxia, neurodiversity or other specific learning difficulties
- Mental health and well being
- Exam access arrangements
- Money, finance and bursary advice
- Careers advice, job and university applications
See herefor more information, pop into one of our enrolment events, call us on 0191 490 4627.
Our team will support you throughout the course to help you to decide on your next steps, whether that is into work or onto university or further study.
After the course, you can progress onto an appropriate Level 3 or 4 foundation course or university programme.
Our students have also taken part in work experience placements overseas and many progress onto fashion degrees at top universities.
The college has award-winning careers advisers, offering one to one help with UCAS applications or advice on routes into employment or starting your own freelance career.
The course attracts up to 168 UCAS points if fully completed.
The standard entry requirements for this course are:
5 GCSE grade 4 or above (grade A*-C), including English and Maths and a creative subject studied at GCSE. You will have a chat with our teachers and you'll need to bring a portfolio of work to this (this can be digital).
Applicants who do not meet all the course entry requirements, may still be considered. If not able to continue with their application to this course, an alternative course will be explored and further advice and guidance offered.
What are people saying about this course?
“I am able to express myself on
this course which is good.” Jamie
“The improvement in my personal work is amazing!! I love the course and all the new things I've learnt.” Melissa
“The facilities are fantastic and the staff are very supportive and encouraging. I would not hesitate to recommend it to others. I have learnt a great deal and it has given me confidence to apply to university. It has been a dream come true.” Linda
“A vibrant and positive environment to work in. Purposeful and enthusiastic creative minds to work with all year. I Love it!" Kafui Avornyo, Teacher.
“I work with a fantastic team our skills, knowledge and personal attributes contribute to ensuring our students are provided with exceptional teaching and exciting innovative projects. There is always a real buzz in the department.” Sharon Fenwick, Curriculum Leader.
This course is free to those aged under 19 years old.
Most people aged 19 years and over can qualify for free course fees and there are grants and bursaries you can apply for to help cover the costs of coming to college, depending on your circumstances.
For one to one advice, contact our friendly team who will assess your individual circumstances and give you the right information. You can contact them on 0191 490 2246, [email protected] or via Live Chat. Or pop along to one of our Enrolment Events.
