Catching up with our BA’s: Modules, projects, and future plans

As our BA year 2 students complete their final term we catch up with students Ananya, Damilola, and Ying Xuan to find out more about what it’s like to study on our  BA (Hons) Fashion Communication & Industry Practice programme over two years.   

The BA (Hons) Fashion Communication & Industry Practice Course 

The two-year fast-track BA (Hons) Fashion Communication & Industry Practice program provides a comprehensive immersion in the dynamic fashion and media scene. Designed to be purposely broad, the curriculum covers everything from fashion marketing to journalism and visual merchandising. Blending theory and practice, the program ensures students gain a nuanced understanding of the industry, equipping graduates for diverse roles and further education in the ever-evolving fashion and media landscape. 

So, here are the thoughts from three of our current BA students about their journey at the college. 

Ananya — BA Year 2 Student 

With a passion for marketing, business and consumer behaviour, Ananya came straight to the College after finishing her International Baccalaureate programme in Bangkok, Thailand. 

In three words, how would you describe your journey on the BA so far? 

Intense, inquisitive and broad. 

What’s been your favourite module to date and why? 

My favourite modules have been Consumer Behavior, Fashion Marketing, Fashion for Positive Change, and the Independent Research Project. I particularly enjoyed these courses because they offered a significant degree of freedom in their structure and assignments. This flexibility allowed me to explore my interests deeply and apply creative thinking to my work. 

What’s been your favourite project to work on? 

The Independent Research Project stands out as my favourite project. The project afforded me the autonomy to delve into the intersection of fashion and psychology, a topic that I am passionate about. This opportunity to integrate these two fields has been an invaluable experience, enriching my understanding of both disciplines and allowing me to produce meaningful and original research.

What career do you intend to pursue after college?

After completing my undergraduate studies, I intend to pursue a Master’s degree in Psychology.

Do you think that the curriculum is helping you reach this goal? 

The curriculum has been instrumental in helping me reach this goal, though to varying extents. While the majority of the courses focus on fashion communication, I have been able to extract valuable insights related to human behaviour from modules such as Consumer Behavior, Fashion for Positive Change, and Fashion Marketing. The Independent Research Project, in particular, has provided me with a platform to conduct in-depth research on psychological aspects within the context of fashion. Although there is a limited direct overlap between fashion studies and psychology, the skills and knowledge I have gained are proving to be beneficial as I prepare for advanced studies in psychology.

Damilola — BA Year 2 Student

Damilola joined the college to pursue her second bachelor’s degree in Fashion Communication after completing a Law degree back in Nigeria. Alongside her studies, she is dedicated to honing her skills as a fashion illustrator.

In three words, how would you describe your journey on the BA so far?

Fun, rollercoaster and intense. 

What’s been your favourite module to date and why?

Fashion Illustration. I’ve always loved illustration; I love merging fashion and art in a unique way. 

What’s been your favourite project to work on? 

Definitely my Schiaparelli illustration piece Inspired by twins referencing Yoruba twin names. It’s a passion project that I did. Schiaparelli is my favourite designer. It just felt so right and fun to draw the pair. 

What career do you intend to pursue after college? 

After college, I would really like a career in the creative industry. For me, my perfect job would be one that mixes fashion, art and possibly music. I am super interested in graphic design, illustration, styling and overall creative production.

Do you think that the curriculum is helping you to reach this goal? 

Definitely, the modules I’ve had so far have really taught me a lot about the industry and helped me harness my skills from Brand Design & Identity, Fashion Illustration and  Fashion for Positive Change.

Check out Damilola’s portfolio here: https://readymag.website/damilolaodeyemi/4167218/ 

Video by Jamie Fava, Ying Xuan Ling, Lucy McNamara and Vina Suwandi as part of their Consumer Buying Behaviour module.

 

Ying Xuan — BA Year 2 Student

Ying Xuan relocated from Singapore to London to pursue a more creative degree after taking a gap year. Her interests lie in graphic design, journalism, and content creation.

In three words, how would you describe your journey on the BA so far?

Hands-on, creative, and intense. 

What’s been your favourite module so far and why? 

My favourite module has got to be Brand Identity & Design (BID). I really like the freedom we had for that module and how that module focused on branding ourselves. “BID” really made me look into myself, consider how I want to be seen as a creative and design a logo for my personal brand. To date, I’m still very happy with the logo that I’ve designed and will continue to use it for years to come. 

What has been your favourite project to work on? 

Tough question…I would say maybe the video creation part of the Consumer Behaviour & Insights (CBI) module. “CBI” was about conducting primary and secondary research surrounding consumer’s purchasing behaviour. The outcome was a video to summarise our findings. I had a lot of fun filming and editing the video with my teammates. That module made me consider video and film as one of the potential career paths that I can pursue after graduation. 

What career do you intend to pursue after college? 

My interest lies in copywriting, content creation and graphic design. So I’m planning to apply for roles such as marketing for brands or publications. Or maybe pursue a master’s degree in Film and Broadcast to further hone my skills. 

Do you think that the curriculum is helping you to reach this goal? 

Yes. Even though the curriculum may be intensive and broad, covering a lot of skills and knowledge across the industry rather than specialising in one, the coursework-focused style has definitely allowed me to develop and curate a desirable portfolio thus far. 

Check out Ying Xuan’s portfolio here: https://readymag.website/u977656593/YXStudio/ 

You can also find out more about the works of past graduates here.