Fashion, Communication and Marketing FdA

Marketing and communication is a key part of the fashion industry and covers a range of activities from web design, fashion photography, styling, illustration and organising events.

Overview
About the course
Structure
Fees
Entry requirements
Applying

The Fda course, which offers the option to top-up to a full BA (Hons) recognises and embraces the changing technologies in fashion’s visual communication and marketing areas and you will develop an understanding of marketing and promotion, how to place concepts in the market place through marketing strategies, develop a personal signature within illustration, expand your skills through both written and visual information and gain an understanding of competitors nationally and internationally.

Why should I do this course?

The course recognises and embraces the changing technologies in fashion’s visual communication and marketing areas and you will develop an understanding of marketing and promotion, how to place concepts in the market place through marketing strategies, develop a personal signature within illustration, expand your skills through both written and visual information and gain an understanding of competitors nationally and internationally.

What's covered?

Subjects you will study on the course include:

Year 1

cultural context
fashion illustration and photography
visual communication
fashion media
fashion styling
marketing

Year 2

events organising
cultural context
web design and marketing strategies
work placement
personally directed project

How will my work be assessed?

Teaching Methods

Modules are delivered through a variety of methods of teaching and learning. These will include:

Technical demonstrations – designed to provide essential inductions to Fashion, print and graphics resources and to support the acquisition of essential skills.
Small group teaching - studio based group sessions which are led by a tutor
Group crits – will usually occur towards the end of a module before assessment.
Individual tutorials – The tutor will ask key questions regarding your project and offer advice and suggestions regarding future development.
Independent research and studio practice – during the module students are expected to follow up on suggested directions regarding project direction.

Assessment Methods

Coursework is assessed in a range of different ways in order to accommodate a variety of learning styles and aptitudes. Portfolio and sketchbook submissions, group presentations, written essays and research folders.

What can I do after this?

Having developed your intellectual curiosity, creativity and imagination, you will be equipped for diverse and exciting careers within fashion photography, styling, graphic design, buying, fashion marketing and promotion.

Successful completion of the FdA Fashion, Communication and Marketing courses will allow you to top-up to the full BA (Hons) course.

Careers

Arts, crafts and design

FdA Fashion, Communication and Marketing

Year 1: The first year offers you the opportunity to develop skills in visual communication, fashion photography, styling, promotion through media development and fashion illustration. Projects will take the form of ‘live’ project briefs set by industry or national competitions, all of which are underpinned by theoretical and cultural research and referencing. Intellectual and cognitive skills are fostered through seminars, tutorials and group discussion, encouraging creative thought and practice. You will also have the opportunity to discuss key design issues, concepts and the principles of design texts and materials.

Areas of study: Include cultural context, fashion illustration and photography, visual communication, fashion media, fashion styling, marketing.

Year 2: The second year will expand on the skills gained in the previous year and introduce new subjects such as organising events, marketing strategy, web design and work placement, which will be attached to ‘live’ project briefs. The skills you learn will enable you to identify an area of study to develop for a personally-directed project during semester two. Previous projects include the creation of short films, designing a magazine, web design and creating promotional materials and products using styling and photography, some of which have been directly linked to students’ work placement modules.

Areas of study: Include events organising, cultural context, web design and marketing strategies, work placement, personally directed project.

BA (Hons) Progression Year

This optional top-up year is devoted to two major tasks: the production of a substantial piece of academic writing (the dissertation) and your final major project. In this culminating period of the programme, you are expected to attain a maturity within your practice and demonstrate a firm understanding of your position within the discipline; this is also supported by a Professional Studies module. The final year degree show is designed to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your own qualities as professional fashion communicators to the wider world.

Areas of study: Include dissertation, contemporary practice, final major project, external sourcing, marketing, professional development.

Low-cost higher education

Our fees are well below the national average and are among the lowest in the region, so studying with us is great value for money!

Click for more about higher education funding.

Entry requirements

Highly motivated students with good creative and written communication skills.

For the FdA you will need 40 UCAS points, made up from:

A levels, preferably in art and design
BTEC National Diploma - Pass profile
Access - Level 3 - 60% pass rate
Higher National Diploma (for possible direct entry onto year 2)
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
Other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. If you are a mature student and have worked independently for a significant period, we may be able to offer you a place on the Fashion Communication & Marketing programme purely on the strength your portfolio interview.

In addition, you will also need GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics. You are also expected to demonstrate a portfolio of work at interview.

Full-time courses

Applications for full-time courses should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), quoting institution code S43 and the UCAS code for your chosen course.

Part-time courses

Applications for all part-time Honours Degree, Foundation Degree, Certificate of Higher Education and Diploma of Higher Education courses at South Essex College should be made directly to the College using the online application form or by completing a paper application form and mailing it to our freepost address:

HE Admissions
South Essex College
Freepost SMU 110
Luker Road
Southend on Sea
Essex
SS1 1BR

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