A (Hons) Fashion Visual Merchandising and Branding

Name of Unit: Futures and Innovation

(FU010055)

Unit Introduction

The aim of this unit is to investigate current issues that are shaping the fashion industry in general and fashion visual merchandising and branding area in particular. It will also explore various trend indicators that are likely to point to important influencing factors in the future. The content of the unit will evolve as the industry and its sphere of influence changes but will focus on trends in design, materials and the retailing landscape. Scenario planning and futures forecasting will be explored as you begin contemplation of your Final Major Project topic for Final Year.

Learning Outcomes (LO) and Assessment Criteria

On completion of this unit you will be able to demonstrate:

LO 1 - Evaluate which changes are most relevant to the future of fashion visual merchandising and branding (enquiry);

LO 2 - Identify current issues shaping and influencing the fashion industry (knowledge);

LO 3 - Interpret an appropriate application of a selected macro trend (process);

LO 4 - Succinctly communicate trend research and subsequent application through text and visuals (communication);

LO 5 - Develop a convincing rationale for brands to adopt trend predictions that are likely to influence and impact the future of fashion marketing (realisation).

Assessment Criteria

Your work in this unit will be marked against the UAL assessment criteria, which are designed to give you clear feedback on your achievement. The full assessment criteria descriptions can be found on the UAL Assessmentwebpage.

What you have to produce for Assessment

• Element 1: Presentation given in a student-led forum

• Element 2: 1500-word report synopsis

The assessment for this unit is weighted. In element-based assessment, you must achieve at least an E grade in each element, and an aggregate grade of at least D- in the overall unit. Failure (F, or F-), or non-submission in any element defaults to Fail for the unit. Assessment will be against the   specified marking criteria.

Element 1 (mandatory, 60% of grade): Presentation

Element 1 will be assessed using the following assessment criteria: enquiry, knowledge, process, communication, realisation

The objective is to explore and identify a trend from your unique perspective, to critically evaluate  the evidence and use this to develop future trend scenarios that indicate commercial opportunities or challenges for the marketplace.

The visual material supporting this report forms an integral part of the assignment and should have equal importance in providing evidence of the ‘trend drivers’, emerging examples of the trend manifesting in the market and potential opportunities. Remember to Harvard reference your   visuals as well as data and secondary research sources.

All trend reports require clear metrics to show the scale and potential impact of the trend as well as the commercial opportunity. These metrics should come from reputable databases, ideally from source data such as the ONS, as well as qualitative and quantitative research from sources such as Verdict and Mintel or brand consulting firms.

Element 2 (mandatory, 40% of grade): Report

Element 2 will be assessed using the following assessment criteria: enquiry, knowledge, process, communication, realisation

A 1500-word report with supporting visual material to include a consideration of:

• Consumer trends and trend forecasting;

• Design innovations in art and fashion;

• Design innovation, conceptual art, retail design and the built environment;

• Technology and sustainability.

You must include:

1. Evidence of engagement with visual research and design methods in relation to visual merchandising trends.

2. Content to develop a coherent argument and proposal backed by relevant examples and supporting evidence with Bibliography.

3. Your design response and creative proposal.

Brief

Summative assessment

The Futures & Innovations unit has been designed to challenge your ways of creative thinking, inspire your imagination and enhance your perception of what visual merchandising for retail is or should be. The ability to make connections between the ever-changing demands of the consumer and the driving forces behind fashion brands remains the focus of this unit. With London as your playground,  it  is  paramount you utilize your time here in visually researching and collating information in order to form a creative and innovative visual merchandising or fashion branding conceptual trend  report. You will need to demonstrate your ability to identify  and  understand developing areas of VM, together with recognising the changing seasonal patterns in retailing. You are to create a trend report in which you identify, develop and evaluate one key trend that will impact fashion brands or visual merchandising over the next 3-4 years. You are required to research the trend concept in depth and  produce a visually illustrated written project report based on the innovative idea or design.

Formative assessment

There will be a formative assessment Week 26 w/c 13 May 2024. The formative assessment will consist of a PowerPoint presentation.

Accreditation

BA (Hons) Fashion Visual Merchandising and Branding is accredited by the British Display Society (BDS).

UN Sustainable Development Goals

LCF is a Signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME). This unit references UN Sustainable Development Goal number 4 Quality Education, 9 Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities and 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

Submission Information