Creative Direction and Curation for Fashion BA (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- UCAS Code(s): W233
- Start Date(s): September 2024
- Duration: 3 / 4 year(s)
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: City Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
Creative direction is championing the intersection where art direction and aesthetic design meet strategy. As such, the role of Creative Director and Curator is becoming increasingly important across the full fashion and lifestyle sector. This course responds with a focus on visual literacy and aesthetic agility based on contextual understanding, critical thinking and conceptual innovation.
By investigating and innovating cultural and social aspirational narratives, you will develop aesthetic solutions across a range of multi-modal promotional platforms and communication spaces – 2D and 3D, print and digital, photographic and film – meeting the needs of the ever-shifting fashion industry.
Through an interrogation of aesthetics and visual outcomes, you will have a unique opportunity to develop real authority on the creative and conceptual possibilities of the role of Art Director and Creative Curator, grounded by a rigorous understanding of the evolution and provenance of image-based innovation and storytelling.
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You’ll have the opportunity to complete a work experience placement of up to a year in length. Dependent on the duration of your placement, you could gain an additional Diploma or Certificate in Professional Practice. -
Benefit from guest lecturers such as Giles Deacon, Christopher Raeburn, and internationally renowned Japanese pattern cutting expert Shingo Sato. -
Opportunity to apply for a European or international exchange to one of our partner institutions, including the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Hong Kong Polytechnic University. You will also have the opportunity to attend study trips to events like Paris Fashion Week. -
You’ll be able to personalise your studies by choosing from a range of up to eight optional modules. Your course also includes our School-wide, sector-leading Co Lab module.
What you’ll study
Develop your unique creative voice through the creation and interpretation of image, covering a broad visual base that will meet the needs of the changing fashion landscape and provide brands with compelling distinctive identities. By investigating and innovating cultural and social aspirational narratives, you’ll develop aesthetic solutions, across a range of multi-modal promotional platforms and communication spaces including 2D and 3D, print and digital, photographic and film – meeting the needs of the ever-shifting commercial context. You’ll harness your innovative instincts to provide provocative yet viable recommendations that truly impact brand futures, expand consumer experiences, and contribute to the broader societal and cultural impact of fashion and retail.
Experiment and Investigate: Introduction to Creative Direction and Curation
(40 credit points)
This module will introduce students to the concept of curation and direction through the development of wider knowledge of the global market place.
Students will be encouraged to develop skills around ideation through research and active participation in the learning environment.
Research and Evaluate: Fashion Environments, Cultures and Trends
(20 credit points)
This module will embed a cultural curiosity in students through the development of a habitual and focussed research process.
Students will develop their understanding of a curatorial approach through the consistent growth of knowledge through research practice and will develop their broader research skills by investigating their personal perspective as practitioners.
Ideate and Curate
(40 credit points)
Students will be able to curate research to generate ideas to form a series of creative propositions.
This will involve:
- Introduction of a curatorial approach to generate ideas.
- Developing an understanding of why the processes gleaned from 'Research & Evaluate' can come before or after the Idea alongside the development of dexterity in moving between ideation and research.
- Introduction of critique and opinion as part of the creative process.
- Development of confidence in idea generation without consequence of feasibility
The Industry and You
(20 credit points)
This module is focussed on allowing students the ability to begin their investigation into the possibilities the workplace has to offer in the world of fashion curation and direction.
Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own personal skills and passions and use this knowledge as part of their active investigation.
Curate and Create for Fashion
(40 credit points)
This module allows students to develop their knowledge and skill base within the world of curation in the broadest sense within the fashion industry.
Focussing on the importance of curation as the basis for the creative output both as a curated or directed solution, the module continues to encourage the students to focus on the research process as the underpinning a curatorial approach which is applied in the telling of compelling and innovative narratives in fashion.
Optional Module
(20 credit points)
Direct and Product for Fashion
(40 credit points)
This module allows students to take their curatorial knowledge and apply their learning to a fashion direction environment.
Encouraging the students to work collaboratively to develop their co-creation skills but also fostering a practical and proactive approach to creative problem solving and innovation as a way to generate relevant and timely creative solutions.
Co Lab: Research, Exploration and Risk-taking
(20 credit points)
Through active participation with team-based problem solving, you will work together in mixed teams on a project where you will use your creative ideas to generate solutions to the challenge or brief. Your project will allow you to explore how creativity can make an impact in society, as you choose a theme of sustainability, social justice, enterprise and innovation or community. This collaborative learning experience will expose you to a range of new processes and approaches that will develop your creative thinking.
Develop, Propose and Create: Negotiated Project
(60 credit points)
Students will develop a proposal for a final creative negotiated project at this stage.
Students are encouraged to develop proposals which foster their own creative passions with a focus on their own goals within the workplace. Negotiated with their tutor the students are then allowed to explore their creativity within the final projects produced.
Personal and Professional Direction
(20 credit points)
This module will allow students to draw on their understanding of the industry and their own personal aspirations to develop a portfolio which is focussed and work ready.
Real World Project
(40 credit points)
The professional practice module allows students to negotiate a real-world project or series of projects to enable them to achieve confidence and professional skills within their chosen sphere of work. Negotiated in advance the student can choose to work with one client or a number of clients over the intended period of study.
Creative Direction and Curation for Fashion at NTU
How you’re taught
Teaching and learning experiences will include:
- Lectures
- Staged briefings
- Independent learning
- NOW online learning portal
- Demonstrations
- Tutorials
- Seminars
- Team working
- Verbal and visual presentations
- Live projects
- Study trips
- Peer group activities
20% of your final degree mark will be based on your work in Year 2, and 80% from your work in your final year.
Co Lab
Want real-world experience alongside your degree? Co Lab is your opportunity to work with peers from different disciplines on live projects set by industry partners. Embrace collaborative practice as you explore how creativity can make an impact in society and develop the skills employers want to see in the creative industries.
Exchange opportunities
If you’re thinking about studying part of your degree abroad, the course has exchange agreements with a number of institutions around the world.
Exchanges take place in Year Two of the course. You’ll receive guidance from the University about where you can study, and help in completing your application and arranging your exchange.
Showcase
You will be given the opportunity to exhibit your work during your time at NTU to members of the creative industries. Visit our ‘We Are Creatives’ showcase to take a look at the work of this year's graduating students’.
Contact hours
- Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (21%), independent study (79%)
- Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops (20%) independent study (80%)
- Year 3 lectures/seminars/workshops (20%), independent study (80%)
Further information
NTU is in the UK’s Top 15 for Art & Design in the Complete University Guide 2023 (Ranked 15th).
How you’re assessed
- Year 1 coursework (67%), practical exams (33%)
- Year 2 coursework (100%)
- Year 3 coursework (90%), practical exams (10%)
Careers and employability
Employability is a key focus of this course, with modules including initiatives such as live projects and trips, and the opportunity to exhibit your work, which will help to raise your profile and enhance your future career.
You’ll develop agile and informed creative direction and curation skills that can adapt to the needs of a variety of sectors, market levels and territories across the full commercial fashion and lifestyle landscape. You’ll graduate well equipped to pursue a career in fashion and retail in roles that could include creative director, creative curator, art director, stylist, and archivist.
Recent graduate destinations from our courses include:
- Creative Producer at LG Studio Ltd
- Stylist at TJX Europe
- Art Director at Mr Porter
- Creative Director and Campaign Manager at Shrine.
Connecting with industry and work placement opportunities
Industry professionals will visit the course to guest lecture and share their experiences. Live projects and competitions will help you to gain real experience of the industry, make contacts, and build your portfolio and CV.
You’ll be encouraged to undertake short periods of work experience alongside your studies. You will normally complete these placements during holiday periods, but you will have the option of taking up to two weeks out of term time, which you can negotiate with your tutor.
In addition, you’ll also have the opportunity to complete a longer work experience or placement, with the chance to gain an additional Diploma or Certificate in Professional Practice, dependent on duration. Course tutors and our Employability team are on hand to support you in applying for placement and professional practice opportunities.
YouFirst – working with our Employability team
Studying a creative degree in a large university has many benefits, none more so than having access to a large employability team.
Our friendly, experienced careers consultants will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice you won't find in a book or on the Internet. You can benefit from this at any time during your studies and for up to three years after completing your course.
Creative Industries Federation
We are members of the Creative Industries Federation (CIF), which means students in the Nottingham School of Art & Design have the opportunity to sign up to free student membership. Creative Industries Federation are an organisation that represents, champions and supports the UK’s creative industries and membership grants students exclusive access to their selection of resources and events to help advance your career and connect with industry.
What our students are doing now
Fashion Management students host International Women's Day Event
To celebrate International Women’s Day, our Final Year Fashion Management students hosted a community event with inspirational industry experts.
Fashion students attend design brief workshop with iconic Nottingham designer
NTU alumnae becomes first UK winner of Cannes Young PR Lions competition
Campus and facilities
You will be based in the Barnes Wallis building at the heart of the City Campus, with its modern teaching rooms, collaborative working spaces and Mac suites. View our Nottingham School of Art & Design Facilities Hub here.
Entry requirements
120 UCAS Tariff points
What are we looking for?
- 112 - 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications (two of which must be A-level equivalent).
- GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Other qualifications and experience
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning.
This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Contextual offers
A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer and we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other and this approach helps us to find students who have the potential to succeed here but who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)
You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there's no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
What's included in the course fees?
The School will cover the costs of any mandatory study trips.
In Final Year, the Nottingham School of Art & Design will provide infrastructure costs for your Degree Showcase, including course catalogue and exhibition set-up costs. If you’re selected to showcase your work at Graduate Fashion Week in London, the School will cover the cost of transporting your work and the exhibition stand.
Additional costs
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Depending on the materials you choose to work with, you should budget a minimum of £100 - £200 in each year to cover printing costs.
Stationery and reading materials
Most study modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop, Blackwell’s.
A good supply of these essential textbooks are available in the University libraries, which students can easily borrow or access directly whilst studying in the library. You should budget £110 in Year One and £220 in Year Two for stationery and reading materials. In Final Year, you should budget around £500, to include dissertation printing and binding.
Other module costs, you’ll need to budget £100 - £200 (minimum) in Year One (to include essential books, and 2nd hand garments), £130 (minimum) in Year Two, and £150 (minimum) in Final Year.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
If you choose to join optional study trips, you’ll need to budget:
- £300 – optional European trip
- £1,200 – optional New York trip
- £400 – optional European trip
- £200 – self-funded research trips
- £1,600 - optional Asian trip
- £150 – optional field trips
Placements
You will have the opportunity to gain an extra qualification – a Certificate in Professional Practice on the Full-Time route. Or you may decide to switch to the Sandwich route, which includes a one-year Placement. Whether pursuing the Full Time or the Sandwich route you will need to budget for accommodation, travel and living costs whilst on Placement.
Costs will vary depending on whether the Placement is paid or unpaid, local or global. If you are working overseas, you will need to factor in the cost of setting up a bank account and visa applications; some companies pay for the visa as part of the Placement offer.
You should also budget £500 for interview/assessment centres in preparation for your Placement year.
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there's no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to those international students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion, and dedication to their studies.
Please take a look at our International students page for information about fees, scholarships for international students, visas and much more.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
What's included in the course fees?
The School will cover the costs of any mandatory study trips.
In Final Year, the Nottingham School of Art & Design will provide infrastructure costs for your Degree Showcase, inc
luding course catalogue and exhibition set-up costs. If you’re selected to showcase your work at Graduate Fashion Week in London, the School will cover the cost of transporting your work and the exhibition stand.
Additional costs
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Depending on the materials you choose to work with, you should budget a minimum of £100 - £200 in each year to cover printing costs.
Stationery and reading materials
Most study modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop, Blackwell’s.
A good supply of these essential textbooks are available in the University libraries, which students can easily borrow or access directly whilst studying in the library. You should budget £110 in Year One and £220 in Year Two for stationery and reading materials. In Final Year, you should budget around £500, to include dissertation printing and binding.
Other module costs, you’ll need to budget £100 - £200 (minimum) in Year One (to include essential books, and 2nd hand garments), £130 (minimum) in Year Two, and £150 (minimum) in Final Year.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
If you choose to join optional study trips, you’ll need to budget:
- £300 – optional European trip
- £1,200 – optional New York trip
- £400 – optional European trip
- £200 – self-funded research trips
- £1,600 - optional Asian trip
- £150 – optional field trips
Placements
You will have the opportunity to gain an extra qualification – a Certificate in Professional Practice on the Full-Time route. Or you may decide to switch to the Sandwich route, which includes a one-year Placement. Whether pursuing the Full Time or the Sandwich route you will need to budget for accommodation, travel and living costs whilst on Placement.
Costs will vary depending on whether the Placement is paid or unpaid, local or global. If you are working overseas, you will need to factor in the cost of setting up a bank account and visa applications; some companies pay for the visa as part of the Placement offer.
You should also budget £500 for interview/assessment centres in preparation for your Placement year.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS.
We will ask you to provide a digital portfolio. Visit our webpage which has some advice on what to include to help make your portfolio stand out. After you have submitted your portfolio, we may also invite you to an online interview to help us make our final decision.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions team or call +44 (0)115 848 4200.
You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Your portfolio
If your initial application is successful, you may be asked to upload a portfolio of your work and you may also be asked to attend an interview.
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.