INTRODUCTION
This unit aims to introduce you to your course and its subject specialism as well as to effective learning
and studentship at undergraduate level. It will orientate you to the practices and knowledge-base
needed to understand your discipline and help you to develop your skills for independent & collaborative
learning, reflection and your own self development. Students come from many diverse educational
backgrounds and a part of this unit will enable to reflect on your own background and how that shapes
the way you approach your course.
This Unit has three core purposes:
 to introduce you to your discipline in the context of study at a Higher Education level.
 to introduce you to learning skills and the requirements of effective studentship at undergraduate
level
 to orientate you within your course, the College and the University
Emphasis is placed on the skills needed to locate, navigate and communicate information and ideas
effectively and appropriately. You will be introduced to resources that support your studies. We will also
discuss studentship, the importance of being an engaged and participatory member of the group and
your own personal and professional development.
ASSESSMENT AND PROJECT BRIEF
This unit will introduce you to the specialist subject of Fashion Pattern Cutting as well as introducing you
to principles of academic writing and research. The unit it divided into two slightly different briefs, but
together they are designed to give you an introduction to skills which you will need both at
undergraduate level and throughout the remainder of your studies.
You will be creating a sketchbook which explores the idea of geometric cutting and you will be writing a
visual report relating to a designer. Both the sketchbook and the written essay are designed to increase
your understanding of the ‘architecture of fashion’.
For the sketchbook, you will be researching the basic principles of three-dimensional design as it relates
to pattern cutting. With the visual report, you will be looking at the work of one of a number of designers
and their particular approach to cut and construction.
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Evidence of visual research sketchbook (min 25 pages)
You are being asked to keep a sketchbook of visual research which examines the concept of geometric cutting. In other words, transferring a flat geometric shape into a 3-dimentional woven fabric garment. Through the exploration of the basic shapes of squares, circles and triangles this unit will allow you to explore creativity through a clear, simple and edited format. Ethnic dress and its construction play an important role in this unit. Ethnic dress is a significant contributor to the 21st century design repertoire. The Sari, Dhoti, Kimono, etc. are all evolved from basic geometric structure, and in many ways still continue to influence contemporary design ideas.
Please in particular look at Cut My Cote (on the reading list) and the work of the following designers to give you some inspiration: Issey Miyake, Isabel Toledo, Pierre Cardin, Yeoh Lee. Research and visuals should be included in the sketchbook, but primarily it should be full of your own exploratory experiments. These should be done on small scale. You can use a small doll or Barbie or similar as the basis to work off of and photograph your experiments. The sketchbook should also include diagrams which help to explain your design ideas.
You will need to scan in your sketchbook and submit this as a digital submission online.
A fully referenced written and visual report relating to a fashion designer (1000 words)
Please do some initial research into the following designers and select one for your report:
 Yohji Yamamoto
 Comme des Garcons
 Clair McCardell
 Cristobal Balenciaga
 Isabele Toledo
 Madeleine Vionnet
 Yuki Torimaru
Once you have done some initial research, please select one designer from the above list. Each of these designers has a unique approach to cut and construction. You are being asked to write a 1000 word academic report which examines a designer’s style of work, design aesthetic and particularly their approach to cut and construction. You should include 6-10 images to support your written analysis.
In order to do a report here are some things you should consider. What is the context of the designer’s work? In other words, look at what other designers were doing in the same period. How does this person’s work differentiate? Are there any particular themes in terms of work produced and how has the work evolved through the designer’s career?
You should conduct both Primary and Secondary research.
Primary research means any information which you gather yourself firsthand. For example, going into a shop or museum and looking at clothes made by your chosen designer and possibly even trying them on. Doing sketches, taking photographs and even experimenting yourself can be considered primary research.
Secondary research is also useful and means research which you have conducted from published sources, whether this be books in the library, academic papers, magazines or the internet. Secondary research can be particularly useful if you are looking at past collections of a designer or reading reviews of historical collection, but you are less likely to find out how garments are actually constructed and finished unless you see them firsthand.
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A piece of reflective writing (500 words)
Using the approach and principles of PPD (Personal and Professional Development) you will write a 500-word reflective piece on your learning and development.
Here you should focus on how you have developed both personally and in relation to your work during your first term of study at Higher Education level. In order to do this, you will need to think back over your performance this term, with a view to identifying principles and strategies that will enable you to improve over the rest of the year. You should highlight your strengths, as well as areas you need to develop.
Working with resources such as the PPD Coach and the Visual Directions website you see in the Reading and Resource List section of this unit handbook may be useful to you in this exercise.
Keeping a weekly journal as you progress through this first term of the course will help you to produce this piece of writing, and we will be discussing ways of doing this by sharing ideas during the taught sessions.
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SCHEME OF WORK
Week
Session Topic and Learning Activity
Self-Directed Study Activities
Week 1
23/09/19
Course Induction and Introduction to Fashion Briefing
 Monday 23/09/19 9.00 am – 10:30 JPS Room – 311
Introduction to Fashion Visual Research
 Wed 25/09/19
2.00 pm -3.00 pm
JPS
RHS 134 Centre
 Read through the brief.
 Start initial research.
 Familiarise yourself with the JPS library.
 Purchase a miniature mannequin (available in the Curtain Road college shop).
Week 2
30/09/19
Lecture: Academic Research Skills
DESIGN
 Discuss brief
 Examples of good practice
 Bring your research
 Start initial research on designers from the list provided
 Begin researching geometric cutting and designers from the sketchbook list
Week 3
07/09/19
Lecture
Drawing Class A/ C
 Start work on sketchbook, showing your research and analysis.
 Select your designer for report
 Book appointments with Study Support (you must do this early)
Week 4
14/10/19
DESIGN – Tutorials
Lecture
Seminar
Drawing Class B/D
Intro to e-resources
 Start working in small scale and document your 3D experiments (5 pages completed)
 Integrate research with your sketches and photos of the miniature experimentations and a pattern diagram.
 Prepare a structure and outline for your essay to show to study support.
 Book appointments with Study Support (you must do this early)
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Week 5
21/10/19
Lecture
Seminar
Drawing Class A/B/C/D
 Continue to work on sketchbook /small scale 3D experiments (10 pages completed)
 Photograph/ document 3D process & outcomes.
 Begin draft for the report
Week 6
28/10/19
ACTIVITIES WEEK
 Begin 500 word reflective statement.
Week 7
04/11/19
Lecture: Creative Colour and Texture
Seminar
Drawing A/B/C/D
 Continue to work on sketchbook /small scale 3D experiments (15 pages should be completed)
 Continue work on report draft
 See Study support with draft in progress
Week 8
11/11/19
Design Review (Formative Assessment)
Lecture: Creative Colour and Texture
Seminar
Drawing Class
 Continue to work on sketchbook /small scale 3D experiments (20 pages completed)
 See Study support with draft in progress
Week 9
18/11/19
Independent Study
You should complete the unit evaluation to give constructive feedback on the content of the unit:
1. Be specific
2. Be realistic
3. Focus on the issue, not the person
4. Suggest solutions
For further guidance on giving constructive and useful feedback please go to: https://myintranet.arts.ac.uk/staffandstudents/student-experience/giving-useful-feedback/
 Finalise sketchbook
 Finalise reflective
 Check report
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Week 10
25/11/19
Design
Sketchbook review
 Complete sketchbook
 Complete reflective writing
 Complete the report
Week 11
02/12/19
Project Submission
 Sketchbook
 Reflective Writing
 Visual Report
Online submission through Turnitin (Feedback Studio) on Moodle
The scheme of work is intended only as an outline of topics to be covered and is not a definitive list of what will be included in individual sessions.
From time to time alterations may be made to the scheme of work to take account of students’ progress and unforeseen events or opportunities. If so, you will be informed in advance where possible, but check Moodle daily.
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ASSESSMENT METHOD
This unit is assessed holistically (100% of the unit). This unit will be pass / fail.
Assessment Description:
● Evidence of visual research sketchbook
● A fully referenced written and visual report relating to a fashion designer (1000 words)
● A piece of reflective writing (500 words)
Your work for this unit will be reviewed relative to the marking criteria. However, as this is a ‘pass/fail’ unit you will not receive grades. You will receive written feedback but no grade will be assigned relative to the criteria.
Please note UAL guidance on components: Non-submission in a mandatory component will result in a Fail for the unit.
LEARNING OUTCOMES (& ASSESSMENT CRITERIA)
Upon successful completion of this unit you will be able to demonstrate:
1. Evidence of a critical, foundational understanding of the practices and knowledge base of your subject and discipline (Knowledge)
2. Evidence of skills needed for effective learning and communication of ideas, arguments and criticism in visual and written forms (Communication)
3. Evidence of understanding of the importance of studentship through engagement and participation with the course and your student colleagues (Enquiry)
4. Evidence of your engagement with the principles of critical reflection and a commitment to personal and professional development (Process)
Assessment will be against the specified assessment criteria.
The assessment website provides an overview of all the key course regulations for your course.
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS UNIT AND ITS ASSESSMENT
The college provides a broad range of resources to support your studies and to produce work for assessment. However the additional costs you might incur whilst studying this unit, depending on personal choice, could include:
• Miniature mannequin
You can discuss your choices and likely costs with your unit leader prior to starting your work.
Please note that work presented for assessment will be evaluated against unit learning outcomes using UAL’s assessment criteria.
Increased expenditure on materials to realise your assessment will not equate to increased grades in your assessment.
SCHEDULE OF KEY DATES
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You must check your student portal under myAssessments for the Exam Board results.
FAIR ASSESSMENT
The University has robust processes in place to make sure that assessment is fair for all students and you can find out more on the Fair Assessment webpage Fair Assessment.
As part of its approach to fair assessment the University has an Anonymous Marking Policy which means that for some assignments, where this is appropriate, the marker will not know the name of the student whose work they are marking.
This assessment will not be anonymously marked because it contains practical work which will already be familiar to staff ahead of the assessment deadline. However internal moderation and all other elements of the assessment process will remain in place for this assignment to make sure the assessment is fair, accurate and consistent for all students.
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SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT SUBMISSION DETAILS
Time:
Location: Online submission via Turnitin on your course Moodle page
Accommodated Assessment deadline if your ISA includes additional time for assignments:
Location: Online submission via Turnitin on your course Moodle page
Please note the following:
 Ensure your work clearly states a) your name and student ID number; b) your degree and year of study; c) the title of the unit and the name of the tutor;
 Do not hand your work in anywhere else. You should not hand in work prior to the hand in time unless your Course Leader has previously agreed this;
 You should submit your work personally, in order to be secure that it has been delivered on time and to the right location. Once you have submitted your work, you will not be able to access it again until after the assessment of your work has been completed;
 You must keep an electronic copy of all written and digital work;
 Ensure you obtain a receipt upon submission (email or hard copy) and that you keep this receipt.
 Uncollected work: uncollected work will not be held as there are no storage facilities. All uncollected work will be discarded.
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LEARNING RESOURCES
Burnham, D. (1973) Cut My Cote. Royal Ontario Museum (all chapters).
Cottrell, S. (2013) The Study Skills Handbook. 4th ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.
Gaimster, J. (2011) Visual research methods in fashion. Oxford: Berg (Chapters 1 and 6).
Marolis, E. and Pauwels, L. (eds.) (2011) The SAGE handbook of visual research methods. Los Angeles: SAGE (Parts 1 and 7).
Seivewright, S. and Sorger, R. (2016) Research and design for fashion. 3rd ed., London: Fairchild Books (Chapters 1, 2 and 4).
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
LCF ACADEMIC SUPPORT
The academic support programme at LCF is designed to meet the needs of all students from all levels and disciplines. Our emphasis is on enhancement of learning to assist students in achieving their full potential, to help improve their self-esteem and employability. Developing skills is a gradual process and does not happen overnight. It is very much an individual process that you build on, as you progress through your course. If you are anxious about starting your first assignment or just want a few tips with reading and note-taking, or with getting started with something, then we can help. In addition to this, our dedicated team can also support you with presentations, time management, referencing, plagiarism and much more. For more information on our drop-ins, or on how to book a session, please go to:
UAL Academic Support Online
Room number: JPS 2
08 (second floor)
REFERENCING
UAL Academic Affairs advises that the Harvard Referencing Style on the Cite Them Right Online website is used for all taught courses.
Cite Them Right Online is a referencing resource. It will help you to cite and reference just about any source and to avoid plagiarism. The site also allows you to create your own references by copying the layout illustrated; you can then email the example to yourself or cut and paste it into a document.
On campus go to Cite Them Right and you will be automatically logged on. To login off campus go to Cite Them Right (off Campus) you will be asked to go via your home institution and then to log in with your University login and password.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
You must acknowledge any support from within UAL, for example, Language Support; UAL Dyslexia / Disability Service; LCF Study Support and LCF Writer in Residence, during your assignment.
You must also acknowledge any external (to the University) support, such as tutoring or proof-reading, that you have received during the research and writing of your assignment. Please note, unacknowledged support, such as proof reading, constitutes academic misconduct.
e.g. In the writing / compiling of this assignment, I have received assistance from…
You should include the following statement:
“I, (insert your name), certify that this is an original piece of work. I have acknowledged all sources and citations. No section of this essay has been plagiarised.”
N.B. Plagiarism forms part of Academic Misconduct.
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What is Academic Misconduct?
Academic Misconduct refers to any form of academic cheating. Please note that if you choose to use any proof reading services outside the UAL Language Support, this may be subject to Academic Misconduct. You are therefore advised to make use of services offered by the UAL only.
UAL guidance on Academic Misconduct can be found on UAL Website.
Self-plagiarism / submitting the same piece of work for more than one assignment
It is important to understand that “Deliberately submitting the same piece of work for assessment for more than one assignment” is classed as Academic Misconduct at UAL as you have already received academic credit for the work. Therefore you must not resubmit work, in whole or in part, for another unit if the work has already been assessed either at UAL, or elsewhere, for academic credit or an award.
What happens if I fail a piece of work or miss the deadline?
The UAL assessment website provides useful information on:
 What happens if you fail a piece of work or miss a deadline;
 What to do if you are ill or have other extenuating circumstances;
 How to avoid plagiarism in your work;
 What to do if you want to appeal an exam board decision
Retrieval
If you fail a unit, or fail to submit work by the agreed deadline, the Exam Board will normally allow you to ‘retrieve’ that failure through a ‘referral’ or ‘deferral’ opportunity.
 Referral is where you will be asked to resubmit work for assessment. This will be capped by the examination board at D- for the unit
 Deferral is when there are extenuating circumstances that have been accepted by the exam board. Any deferral work submitted will be uncapped, and you can receive the full range of marks
Further information on Fail and Retrieval can be found in the UAL Student Guide to Failure and Retrieval.
You must check your student portal under myAssessments for the Exam Board decision and for details of any retrieval work set and deadline information. You could be set a new question or asked to redo the original question.
New Question: you must check your student portal under myAssessments for information and then refer to Moodle for the details of the new piece of work you have been set, the deadline, and the member of staff you are required to contact for a referral tutorial
Original Question: If you are asked to resubmit the original question, please note the original question is found in this unit handbook on pages 1 – 3.
Please note that it is your responsibility to contact your Referral Officer/Course Leader to take up the offer of any referral / deferral tutorial. You should contact your Course Leader if you are unsure of what you are required to do.