HomeMy WebLinkAboutFAB-230BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BUSINESS, ARTS & SOCIAL SCIENCES
Fashion Apparel Design (FAB)
Departmental Policy Syllabus
FAB-230 Trend Analysis & Product Development
Course & Section:
Instructor:
Credits: 3 | Lecture [2.00], Laboratory [2.00] Email:
Pre/Co-requisites: FAB-101, 102 Office Hours:
Classroom:
Co-requisites: None
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course enables students to understand, analyze and forecast fashion trends in order to
successfully develop products from concept to consumer, with focus on sustainability. Students
examine the fashion merchandising and marketing process, including product, price, place and
promotion.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
After successfully completing all course activities, the student will be able to:
1) Identify and analyze color, fashion and broader cultural trends, past and present,
using research, mood boards, and online resources such as WGSN.
2) Develop short-term and long-term fashion forecasts.
3) Apply the basic principles of merchandising and marketing, including product, price,
place and promotion.
4) Conceive and develop a product line based on consumer and market needs.
MEANS OF ASSESSMENT
Students will be assessed through a variety of methods, including:
1) Tests
2) Assignments
3) Projects & Presentations
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK & RESOURCES
Raymond, Martin; The Trend Forecaster’s Handbook, Laurence King Publishing, 2010.
ISBN-978 1 85669 702 6
Seivewright, Simon; Research and Design, 2 Ed, Fairchild, 2012.
ISBN-13: 978-2940411702
Burns/Mullet/Bryant; The Business of Fashion, 4 ed, New York: Fairchild Books, 2011.
ISBN-13: 978-1609011109
Brannon, Evelyn, L.; Fashion Forecasting, 3 ed, New York, NY: Fairchild Publications, 2010.
ISBN-13: 978-1563678202
STUDENT SUPPLIES
Markers
Magazines (that can be cut)
Glue
Binders
SUGGESTED RESOURCES
WGSN.com
WWD.com
Tutoring Center
The tutoring center is located in L-125. Telephone: (201) 447-7489 and online at:
http://www.bergen.edu/tutoring/
Writing Center
Available in person room L-125 and online: http://www.bergen.edu/library/learning/write/
Library
The library has a number of textbooks, databases, multimedia and aids in its regular and
reserve holdings, which may be used as a reference. In addition to the resour ces mentioned
above students should be encouraged to make full use of the Sidney Silverman Library (in
person and online at http://www.bergen.edu/library/.
RESEARCH, WRITING & EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS
Tests
Students will be tested on the concepts, terminologies and principles related to the units of
study discussed in class, including a cumulative final exam.
Assignments
Students will receive assignments that will allow them to practice the concepts disc ussed in
class and will include research and data analysis.
Research Projects & Presentations
Students will be given three group projects to complete. The first project will focus on current
trends and will involve creating mood boards to communicate an existing trend. The second
project will involve preparing a 2-year fashion forecast and developing a visual presentation,
along with a rationale. The third project will focus on developing a women’s apparel collection,
using the research and data from first two projects.
COURSE CONTENT
This course will cover the following units of study:
UNIT 1: Students will learn how to research and analyze historical and current fabric, color and
fashion trends. They will learn how and where to look for trends, on the street, in the store
and online, as well as relate that information to broader cultu ral trends.
UNIT 2: Students will learn the basics of short and long term forecasting, based on current
trends, and how to use this information to develop a fashion collection and marketing initiative,
using the Four Marketing Ps: Product, Place, Price and Promotion.
UNIT 3: Students will learn how to analyze customer demographics and psychographics, and
present ideas using mood boards. Lifestyle marketing and retailing will be discussed. In
addition, they will discuss sell-thru and past sales data to make sound business decisions.
UNIT 4: Students will learn how to use market and sales research to develop product, including
original designs, repeats and updates, ensuring brand consistency while providing fresh and “on
trend” products for customer satisfaction. They will learn basic merchandising techniques, with
emphasis on ratios (ie. tops to bottoms). Functionality versus artistry is also discussed.
UNIT 5: Students will learn about the activities associated with the six levels of product
development, 1) Research & Analysis, 2) Design Concepts 3) Line Development and
Merchandising, 4) Sample Production, 5) Production and 6) Distrib ution, in addition to learning
techniques related to sustainable production, including recycling and zero waste.
GRADING POLICY
Tests 20%
Projects 60%
Assignments 20%
GRADING SCALE
90-100% A 70-75% C
86-89% B+ 60-69% D
80-85% B 0-59% F
76-79% C+
BCC ATTENDANCE POLICY
All students are expected to attend punctually every scheduled meeting of each course in which
they are registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be determined by
the instructor for each section of each course. These will be establi shed in writing on the
individual course outline. Attendance will be kept by the instructor for administrative and
counseling purposes.
FAB ATTENDANCE POLICY
Class participation and in -class work are key to succeeding in fashion apparel design. Three or
more absences will result in a full letter grade drop for this course. Six or more absences will
result in an automatic failing grade.
COURSE OUTLINE
Week 1:
Class Introduction. Review concepts learned in FAB -101, Introduction to Fashion Systems.
Overview of current color, fiber and fashion trends. Where did they come from and how did
they develop? What is a mood board? Show examples of various types of mood boards, from
ambiguous to specific.
Week 2:
Understanding market acceptance, the direction of fashion change (trickle up/trickle down),
recognizing cultural indicators, tipping points etc. Student teams start to collect and collate
researched current trends for the development of a trend mood board.
Week 3:
Understanding the sources and importance of research to refine design development and trend
analysis. Overview the tools used to assess trends within the marketplace, and relate them to
the development of a customer mood board.
Week 4:
Forecasting colors, patterns and fabrics based on cultural indicators and trend reports, and
relay them to the development of a design mood board.
Week 5:
Understanding short term versus long term forecasting. Review trends as they relate to market
category and brand DNA, classic vs. trendy, fast fashion vs. luxury etc.
Week 6:
Trend & forecasting group project presentations of a series of mood boards, including general
trend, customer profile and design development.
Week 7:
Understanding your market through the analysis of past sales, customer demographics and
psychographics. Understanding lifestyle branding, merchandising ratios and consumer
demand.
Week 8:
Developing design concepts, based on function and aesthetic. Overview coordinating and
merchandising a full collection, and ensuring consistency with brand DNA.
Week 9:
Understanding the design process from design development through sourcing, technical design,
sample making, fitting, merchandising etc.
Week 10:
Planning for production. Manufacture relationships, auditing, costing (FOB), calendars and
scheduling.
Week 11:
Planning production: including grading, marking, cutting, sewing, and finishing. Modular and
traditional piece-work production. Sustainability, including recycling, upcycling and zero waste.
Week 12:
Quality assurance, shipping (LDP), distribution processes.
Week 13:
Post Production: Retailing, promotion, marketing, sell -thru, sales analysis.
Week 14:
Work on Group Project Presentations. Presentations begin.
Week 15:
Presentations continued, course review and final exam.
Note to Students: This Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and subject to change,
depending upon the progress of the class.