The Course
Do you see the world differently? Our MA Photography course promotes innovation and experimentation, supporting you to develop your own distinctive creative vision as a photographic practitioner.
The course examines strategies to resolve projects into substantial outputs such as publications, exhibitions and digital platforms, and emphasises the need to find an audience as being integral to a sustained and successful practice.
Through a research-based investigation using photographic practices, you’ll consider the cultural and ethical uses of the medium within a range of genres and approaches. You will develop skills for analysis and critical evaluation, as well as professional know-how to engage with the wider photographic community and industry.
You’ll be able to attend talks by a diverse range of international visiting speakers, with recent guests including Joy Gregory, Mariela Sancari, Amani Willett, Bolade Banjo, Cécile Poimboeuf-Koizumi and Amak Mahmoodian.
The Structure
Learn and explore the core skills required for fashion design, such as fashion drawing and illustration, design methods, colour awareness and application, pattern cutting and garment production, visual research methods, portfolio presentation, and digital applications for design. Educational visits to galleries and exhibitions offer a cultural insight into the fashion ecology and inspire your work.
Course Facilities
BA (Hons) Fashion Design students are based in studios housing resources which reflect those typically used in the fashion industry; our large studios are equipped with a range of industrial sewing machines, digital design and pattern cutting facilities, and presses that you would expect to see in a professional garment production setting. Printmaking facilities include flat-bed and vacuum-bed screen-printing for textiles and paper, using a variety of print media, digital textile printers and a large dye laboratory.
Students are able to borrow photography equipment including digital SLR cameras for still and moving image, lighting and a range of support equipment, which can be used in our lighting studios or off-site. Digital print resources enable professional-standard, large-format digital printing and print finishing. Large format (up to A0) printers are available, capable of printing over a metre wid.
Computer suites house networks of Apple Mac computers featuring regularly updated, industry-standard software for a wide range of creative applications that support all our courses including: image creation, scanning, editing and manipulation; and 3D scanning and 3D printing. All our suites use equipment consistent with that used in the creative workplace. A purpose-built specialist library is open to all students and includes Digital Collections to enhance the learning experience, and special collections of artists’ books, photobooks and illustrated books as well as the University archive. Self service facilities are available throughout, supported by a dedicated and experienced team of library staff.
BA (Hons) Fashion Design
Virtual Tour
Study Abroad
Studying abroad can help Leeds Arts University students gain valuable experience, broaden their horizons, develop international networks and experience their practice from a different perspective. Leeds Arts University has a global network of international partner universities in 15 different countries. Students can apply for a semester abroad in their second year of study.
Accolades
In 2023, students participated in London Fashion Week’s class of 2023 film, won Graduate Fashion Week’s fashion accessories and best of show awards, showcased work at the Vivienne Foundation showcase and SIZE fashion show, won a FIDA worldwide illustration award, and two students became finalists in the Golden Shears Tailoring Competition.
Career Opportunities
The fashion industry is ever diversifying, and there are many opportunities for our fashion design graduates. Typically, careers include positions in fashion design, product development, design studio assistant roles, fashion buying, trend prediction, visual merchandising, garment production and technology, and pattern cutting. Some graduates choose to take on freelance work, or set up their own company. Graduates may also continue to postgraduate study.