Fashion DesignIf you are passionate about applying to Fashion Design BA (Hons) then why not have a go at completing this mini design project?

The idea behind this is to help you cover some of the fashion drawing and development skills that we encourage every Fashion Design applicant to include in their portfolio.

Just follow the simple instructions on the PDF document attached. We’ve included examples and tips at each stage of the project to help you complete it successfully.This project is optional, but we encourage you to do it and email it to the address below to show us some of your fashion potential.

To complete this project you will need the following:A4 sheets of paperPencils or fine liner pensColouring media (pencils, paint, markers)Access to a scanner or digital cameraAccess to a computer, printer and email

Stage 1 – Select Your Garments

Choose 4 or 5 garments to draw that you find interesting in some way, for example you may be attracted by a pocket, or collar detail, a fabric or print, a garment construction detail or the fit/shape of the piece. These garments can be from your own wardrobe, borrowed from a friend or bought from a charity shop. They don’t necessarily have to be fashion garments and can really be anything you want as long as you can get up close enough to them to be able to draw in detail.

Stage 2 - Observational DrawingUsing a sharp pencil (propelling is best) or fine liner pen, draw the garments paying particular attention to the following:a/ Silhouette (The shape the garment makes at the outermost edge). Put the garment on a person or hang the garment on a hanger to do this. Don’t forget to draw the back of the garment!b/ Details – Collars, pockets, lapels, cuffs, hems, fastenings. Draw these close up in detail and slightly larger on the page or actual size if necessary.c/ Construction – Look at the seams and how they are sewn. Look at the inside and the outside of the garment

Use the line drawing technique with minimum amount of shading when drawing. Use a dotted line to represent stitching, single solid lines to show construction, and a thicker line to show the outside edges (See example). You can use notation to help explain features that you have drawn.

Stage 3 – Record the Fabrics

d/ Record how the fabric looks. Use colouring media, pencils, paint, felt tips to draw a swatches of the fabrics. Draw enough at full scale to be able to see print or weave repeats. (See example)

Stage 4 – Fashion Designs

Now you can create some Fashion Garment design ideas of your own. To begin with, print off one of the body templates provided. Next, select a suitable silhouette/silhouettes from a fashion magazine to design around. Lay the body template under some A4 paper that is thin enough to allow you to see through to the shape underneath. Lightly draw your chosen silhouette using the template as a guide to fit, proportion and length (You don’t have to draw the actual body template again, just the garment). With reference to the drawings you have completed in sections 1 to 3 above, Adapt these silhouettes by adding details, finishes, fastenings and fabric elements that you have recorded to produce your own designs. Draw these in full colour, showing front and back views and paying attention to construction, stitching, details, finish and fabrication.

Project Requirements

4 x A4 pages of observational garment drawings completed in pencil/fine liner1 x A4 page of Fabric swatch drawings in full colour1 x A4 page showing your various Fashion Design ideas in full colour

How to send your images1/ Scan or photograph your finished pages, saving them as jpegs at 72dpi and no larger than 200k each2/ Attach your finished pages to an email containing:Your full nameYour date of birthThe course name to which you are applying3/ Send your pages to the following email address:

fashion.applications@northumbria.ac.uk

(N.B: This is an automated email address. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide feedback on individual projects or advise on interview selection)

You can send your project to us a soon as you have decided to apply to Northumbria University, and before you have completed your UCAS form. Remember to keep you original artworks and include these in your portfolio!

Please note, candidates will be selected for interview by official UCAS form only and will be advised by our central admissions department.