FASHION Design Courses / Fashion 65 Available: UCAS Code: Course Code: Contact: Visit: BA (Hons) Degree N39 W233 fashion@nua.ac.uk nua.ac.uk/bafashion Siobhan O Keeffe / NUA Fashion Show Overview This popular course combines the development of technical skills with an emphasis on producing creative and innovative design. The degree prepares you for a range of employment opportunities within the exciting and diverse fashion industry. Combining conceptual and directional fashion design with a strong emphasis on creative pattern cutting, professional garment construction and couture levels of craftsmanship, the course produces industry ready graduates with the relevant skills and attitude demanded by the workplace. You will be encouraged to develop your individual style and approach to design and to work towards the end of year Fashion Show. You may also have the opportunity to show at London Graduate Fashion Week. Your tutors have a wealth of industry experience having sold their own labels through Harrods and Harvey Nichols and worked with designers such as Nicole Farhi, Roland Mouret and French Connection. Work placements, industry guest lecturers, competitions and live briefs engage you in real-world fashion design practices. STUDENTS SHOULD GRADUATE WITH A BOOK OF CONTACTS THAT THEY WILL HAVE FOR LIFE. Sue Chowles Course Leader BA Fashion
III STUDENTS Design Courses / Fashion 67 I SEEING MY WORK GOING DOWN THE CATWALK WAS AN AMAZING FEELING. Chana Watson II I. Chana Watson I don t think we realised what great skills we were taught in the first year until we saw our garments at the NUA Fashion Show. Seeing my work going down the catwalk was an amazing feeling and what made it extra special was the fact that everything was so professional. We used professional models from a commercial agency and MAC supported the show by doing the models makeup. The fashion show made each student more confident. II. Miriam Drnakova The variety of projects really supports my individual development and I am building up my skills with each project. Technical standards are set at a very high level and the quality of my work has improved significantly. I am certain that as a graduate I will be ready and well prepared to enter the fashion world. III. Nicolas Marcs The course s focus on learning technical skills from the offset has built my understanding of the processes of making. Project briefs enable me to challenge my creative endeavour.
COURSE CONTENT FACILITIES Design Courses / Fashion 69 Year One Year Two Year Three You explore and develop an individual approach to fashion design, gaining an understanding of fashion in a range of contexts. Visual research Drawing Design development both 2D and 3D Flat pattern cutting and 3D stand cutting Draping on the stand Garment construction Visits to shops, galleries and museums to enable you to relate industry and theory to contemporary fashion design. Continuing to develop your personal conceptual approach as you become more independent in your approach to design. Tailoring Block making Extensive prototype and toile development Specialist pattern cutting and advanced garment construction skills Exploring different markets through set briefs and live projects Opportunity for work placement within the fashion industry. This year consolidates your skills and knowledge as you work towards the production of a professional fashion design portfolio. Final collection of outfits (or alternative form of final submission) Presentation of work in professional context (catwalk show or static installation) at the end of year exhibition Producing a Research Report that contextualises your practice. Facilities Based within integrated studios and workshop space in the Guntons Building. Following inductions you can use a range of workshops staffed by technicians. Fashion Workshop Industrial and domestic sewing machines, industrial presses, buttonholer, fusing equipment, professional full-size and quarter scale mannequins Laser Cutting Large-bed cutter for card, board and acrylic materials. Digital design hardware and software Drawing Studio Drawing and life drawing classes in a well-equipped naturally lit environment. Digital options include Wacom Intuos tablet and a digital microscope Media Resource Centre For digital cameras, tripods, 35mm DSLRs, 35mm film cameras and lighting equipment. THE CREATIVITY IN THE STUDENTS DESIGNS IS BREATHTAKING AND WE ARE PARTICULARLY IMPRESSED WITH THE MATURITY OF THEIR DESIGNS AT SUCH AN EARLY STAGE IN THEIR CAREER. Lesley George Operations Manager John Lewis
STUDENT WORK Design Courses / Fashion 71 IV II V III I II III IV V Emma Silburn Chloe Fuller Lizzie Grant Alicja Kurek Gabriella Wisdom I
COURSE LEADER Q&A CAREERS Design Courses / Fashion 73 Q What is your background and interest in Fashion? I completed my MA at the Royal College of Art and won the Byblos Award for Innovation. I was one of the first students to work with moulded felts and woven wire. I have always been interested in contradictory materials and creating unusual silhouettes. I like fashion, which continually keeps questioning practice and aesthetic. Q What makes the course at NUA distinctive? There are so many fashion courses but according to the British Fashion Council core technical skills are being lost and graduates are leaving without a thorough understanding of technique and how it is utilised within the development of their work. We are looking to regenerate these vital skills so that our graduates have an understanding of the acquisition of technical skills and craftsmanship which can be applied to innovative design. Sue Chowles Q How does the course engage with industry? Our Year Two students have been working on a live British Fashion Council competition for Chloe. We go on regular course visits for example to Savile Row where we looked at Hardy Amies as a case study. Students are encouraged to attend catwalk shows to engage and introduce themselves to influential and high profile individuals within the industry and to start to create a book of contacts that they will have for life. Q What do you look for in applicants? Ideas, ambition, energy and drive matters above all else because we can teach the technical side. We want to see that you are engaged and excited with fashion, have thought about proportion, 3D form and silhouette. You can also show your ideas through drawing, photography or 3D maguette/prototype work. Read more from Sue s interview at: www.nua.ac.uk/bafashion NUA taught me to push the boundaries of design. Using the skills I d learnt over three years I proudly exhibited my collection at New Designers in London. I work for Dewhirst Menswear as an assistant designer. Without NUA and the opportunities it created for me I would never have got where I am today. Yasmine Wymer, Assistant Designer Dewhirst Menswear, UK NUA graduate www.dewhirst.com There is a shortage of traditional skills in the fashion industry and so the focus on technical skills combined with creative design means NUA graduates are highly employable. Postgraduate opportunities: MA Fashion provides a logical progression for BA Fashion students. All NUA undergraduates receive a tuition fee discount in they choose to continue with their postgraduate studies at NUA. Potential careers: Bespoke Tailor, Freelance Designer, In-house Designer, Pattern Cutter and Buyer. Graduates may choose to diversify into areas such as fashion journalism or marketing this may require further education or on the job training.
APPLY Applying to NUA 149 How to Apply Year Two and Year Three Entry Your Qualifications All candidates (including international candidates) for all courses must apply online though the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS). Be aware that there are deadlines for UCAS to receive your application. Consideration of late submissions is not guaranteed. Application is via the UCAS website: www.ucas.ac.uk/students/apply For UCAS Customer Services call: UK 0871 468 0 468 International +44 (0) 871 468 0 468 Entry Criteria We are interested in your creativity and individuality and therefore interview selected applicants who apply before the January UCAS deadline. The key focus on the application process is your portfolio of work but all courses also have minimum entry requirements. For details see: www.nua.ac.uk/study/apply Students wishing to join at Year Two or Three need to demonstrate an equivalent level of progress as those studying at NUA from Year One. Contact NUA for further information about applying at Year Two or Three. If you need any advice please contact NUA below or contact the relevant Course Leader directly. Call +44 (0) 1603 610 561 Email studentrecruitment@nua.ac.uk Students with Disabilities Offers are made on the basis of merit alone. NUA welcomes applications from all groups in the community including those with disabilities or specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia). To help us meet your needs and put appropriate support in place, it is important that you declare any disability on your UCAS application form and when you come for an interview. NUA has welcomed many students with disabilities however the inaccessibility of a number of our buildings may cause difficulties for wheelchair users or those with mobility issues. If you need any advice please contact: studentsupport@nua.ac.uk International Applicants NUA, a member of the British Council s Education Partnership, also subscribes to the United Kingdom Council for International Student Affairs. Both bodies offer impartial advice and information on studying in the UK. UKCISA provides guidance notes to help with your application please see: www.ukcisa.org.uk We encourage you to apply via UCAS. Following this you will be contacted about having an interview this can be by telephone if you are not able to be in the UK. You will also need to submit a portfolio of work which could be done digitally or in person. We require IELTS 6.0 (academic module or equivalent) for Year One study. NUA is an approved sponsor of the UK Border Agency points-based system. Students will need to apply for a Student (Adult) Visa under Tier 4 of the points-based system. UK NARIC is the national agency responsible for providing information and advice about how international qualifications and skills compare to the UK s national qualifications. Visit www.naric.org.uk Call +44 (0) 871 330 7033 Get in Touch If you need any advice on international applications and fees please contact us: Call +44 (0) 1603 610 561 Email Visit international@nua.ac.uk www.nua.ac.uk/international
INTERVIEWS FINANCE Interviews / Finance 151 Interviews Key Points to Keep in Mind: Student Finance Student Support Selected applicants will be invited to attend an interview (if application received by UCAS deadline). This is an invaluable opportunity for you to meet course staff and for us to meet you. The interview and portfolio is the major factor in determining the success of your submission. The interview gives us a chance to assess your work and your suitability for the course. You will get a chance to tour our campus and ask questions of staff and current students. Your Portfolio You will be expected to bring a portfolio of your creative work with you when you come for interview. It is important that you spend time creating a well presented and thought-out portfolio. For detailed advice on preparing a portfolio we recommend you come to an Open Day where you will be able to attend a Portfolio Preparation talk and see examples of portfolios from a range of courses. For course-specific advice on what to include in your portfolio please refer to the relevant course section at: www.nua.ac.uk or contact: studentrecruitment@nua.ac.uk Your portfolio should be presented in a logical and ordered manner It is important to include a range of work and highlight particular interests that demonstrate your suitability for the course you have applied for The interview panel will be equally interested in seeing sketchbooks and notebooks as well as finished work It is best to photograph large pieces of work Film, video and animation work should be no more than five minutes long You should include examples of your written work. Some courses specifically require evidence of essays or similar assignments You may decide to present your portfolio digitally but please notify us in advance of your interview. By choosing to go to university you are choosing to invest in your future. A university qualification usually means better employment prospects and increased earning potential. Home/EU students do not need to pay tuition fees upfront. The tuition fee loan is paid directly to the University by the Student Loan Company and you do not start to pay this back until the April after you have graduated and only after you are earning more than 21,000. The government also offers help with living costs to home students in the form of maintenance loans and maintenance grants (based on household income). NUA offers some additional bursaries and scholarships and remains committed to supporting talented students from less privileged backgrounds. You will need to plan your finances carefully and we will help you do that. For up-to-date information on current fees, funding, grants, loans and bursaries visit: www.nua.ac.uk/study/finance For information from the government about applying for funding visit: www.gov.uk/student-finance Student Support is in place to ensure that you receive help and support with all educational, practical, personal and financial matters should you need it. There is also an external counselling service to which all students have access. Many students are living away from home for the first time and knowing that friendly advice is always available helps to ensure you can get the most out of their university experience. The Student Support offices offer a dedicated service providing information and advice on disability and dyslexia support, including assistance with applying for funding support through the Disabled Student Allowance. It is important to disclose any disability as early as possible when making your application to ensure that we can help you get the support you need in place for when you start. For further information please see: www.nua.ac.uk/student-support
THE OPEN DAY PLAYED A BIG PART IN MY DECISION TO APPLY TO NUA. IT ALLOWED ME TO GET A VIBE FOR THE UNIVERSITY AND SEE THE BUILDINGS AND WORKSHOPS, WHICH I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH. OPEN DAYS We d Love to Meet You Open Days are an invaluable opportunity to view our campus and facilities, meet academic staff and talk to current students about their experience. You can also attend the essential Preparing Your Portfolio talk, which will guide you putting together your portfolio and giving you some tips on interview preparation. We encourage all potential students to attend an Open Day prior to making an application. We are more than happy for you to be accompanied by a parent, guardian or friend. Open Days 153 Open Day Dates Saturday 29th June 2013 Saturday 12th October 2013 Thursday 24th October 2013 Friday 1st November 2013 Saturday 23rd November 2013 Friday 29th November 2013 Thursday 9th January 2014 Book a Place To book a place on one of our Open Days Visit www.nua.ac.uk/opendays Call +44 (0) 1603 610 561 Henry Driver BA Fine Art Where possible we encourage you to visit during one of the official Open Days so you can have a full experience, however if it is not possible we will always try to accommodate ad hoc requests for campus tours.