Performance Sportswear Design BA(Hons)

Why study BA(Hons) Performance Sportswear Design at University College Falmouth?

BA(Hons) Performance Sportswear Design course leaflet (605.45 KB)

Experimentation and creativity are the driving forces behind Performance Sportswear Design at Falmouth. From surfing and snowboarding to running, climbing and mountain biking, performance sportswear is a huge industry that is driven by creative and scientific exploration. Established in response to industry needs, this course offers an opportunity to develop your intellectual, technical and creative skills, enabling you to design and create clothing specific to a variety of action sports.

What's more, living and studying in Cornwall means that you're never far from the sports and lifestyle that inspire and inform your designs, allowing you to work with your finger on the pulse and gain the ideal preparation for an adventurous career ahead.

What will I get out of the course?

"This course's approach - giving and encouraging as much creative freedom as possible whilst constantly referencing and utilising the industry - is a total breath of fresh air. Combined with the latest garment construction technology and facilities, you have a very powerful learning environment." Tom Podkolinski, designer at Finisterre

You'll experiment with the latest fabrics and construction methods and, using both hand drawing and digital technology, develop designs that meet the needs of this most demanding of sectors. You'll also study fashion, Computer Aided Design and branding to ensure that your practical skills are balanced with an appreciation of aesthetics and marketing.

This course also gives you the opportunity to put your skills into practice on live projects and undertake work placements with recognised regional, national or international brands to gain a thorough insight into the industry.  

Tell me more about the BA(Hons) Performance Sportswear Design course

"In the summer I worked in the South of France for Decathlon on their ‘tribord' swimming brand as a design assistant. I assisted the designer in drawing technical files and helping her with the new colour ranges for spring/summer 2010. Learning Illustrator on the course was a huge help for me in this job and was one of the reasons I was picked." Abigail Fay, BA(Hons) Performance Sportswear Design

By choosing to study for a degree in Performance Sportswear Design at Falmouth you will:

• Benefit from being taught by friendly and approachable staff who are experts in their field.
• Develop the skills to design cutting-edge apparel that's practical, functional and aesthetically pleasing, so you can create wearable designs that will make a mark in this progressive and exciting industry.
• Design a range of performance sportswear as well as associated clothing - like drysuits, wetsuits, thermal garments and base and insulating layers.
• Experiment with the latest fabrics (such as neoprene, Polartec and polypropylene) and construction methods (like glued, blind and stitched seams), using both hand drawing and digital technology to develop designs that meet the needs of this most demanding of sectors.
• Be based at the inspirational Woodlane Campus, with its industry-standard facilities.
• Benefit from visiting speakers - including both design professionals and sports personalities - as well as our links with external sports academies and the local marine leisure industry.
• Go on self-funded study trips to manufacturers and visit design fairs.
• Have the opportunity to gain work placements with leading regional, national and international brands that we have close relationships with, including our international partner, Decathlon, Finisterre and Gul International.
• Engage with current industry debates and compare different approaches to design.

Links

• www.decathlon.com
• www.finisterreuk.com
• www.gul.com

Projects & fashion shows

2010 Fashion Design & Performance Sportswear Show

Fal Festival fashion show

University College Falmouth's BA(Hons) Performance Sportswear Design students recently collaborated with Fashion Design, Public Relations, Press & Editorial Photography, Graphic Design, Textile Design, Digital Media, Dance and Music students to put on a catwalk fashion show for an audience of over 800 at the Fal Festival.

Press release: Falmouth graduate fashion show 2010

Work placements

Our students have undertaken work placements with Decathlon, Gul International and Finisterre.

Fashion at Falmouth: what the experts say

Articles about our Fashion Design and Performance Sportswear Design courses are available for you to download.

• What the industry is saying (247.49 KB)
• What the press is saying (12.01 MB)
• 'Celebrating twins stick together' - Richmond and Twickenham Times, 21 August 09 (1.58 MB)
• 'A world of possibilities for fashion students' - Western Morning News, 7 August 09 (5.82 MB)

"When I read about the Fashion BA and Performance Sportswear Design courses, I thought it was designed for us and I took no time in contacting Patrick and Jane Gottelier. As a main actor in the sportswear business, with more than a hundred designers on board, such program is very relevant to Decathlon. I see University College Falmouth as a potential partner for a long term relationship. This could allow us to source new talents for our design team as well as develop some prospective design program to stimulate our in-house designers." Philippe Picaud, Design Director - Decathlon

"It's great to see a college focusing on different areas of fashion design, thinking about their environment and what they can offer the student - a lifestyle choice as well as a degree." Sue Copeland, Design Director, Men's - Paul Smith

Facilities

Our world-class Fashion Studios house the latest technology and industry-standard facilities, including:

• Cutting tables
• Professional tailors' dummies
• Laser cutter
• Silicon taping machine
• Ultrasonic welder
• Designated steam room
• Industrial overlockers
• Blind stitching machines
• Knitting machines
• Video conferencing suite for receiving and presenting live briefs to international clients

"The equipment and the access we have to it are phenomenal, far exceeding any other course in the UK." Eleanor Glen, BA(Hons) Fashion Design student

Course outline

Level 1

• Design & Construction
• Designer in Society
• Production & Presentation
• Industrial, Professional & Global Contexts

Level 2

• Human Factors
• Advanced Materials
• Computer-aided Design & Manufacturing
• International Branding
• Professional Practice - Work Placement

Level 3

• Professional Design Practice
• Professional Design Project Proposal
• Dissertation
• Final Project

Answers and advice about the course

If you have any queries about the course please visit our HelpMe Forum

HelpMe Forum

For further information about BA(Hons) Performance Sportswear Design at University College Falmouth, please email admissions@falmouth.ac.uk or telephone Admissions on 01326 213852.

Open Design: UCF for design tutors

Friday 12 November 2010

At our first Open Design event in February, Heads of Department and Pathway Leaders from Foundation level courses around the UK spent the day with design staff and students at University College Falmouth, learning more about our facilities and courses.

Click here for more information and to register for the next Open Design event

Career opportunities

As a Performance Sportswear Design graduate, you can expect to join the ranks of companies and individuals making clothing for surfing, sailing, diving, snowboarding, walking and climbing as well as foul weather clothes, expedition and polar wear. Further options include teaching and postgraduate study.

• In-house designer for the sports & fashion industry
• Freelance designer
• Specialist retailer
• Proprietor of clothing label
• Buyer
• Merchandiser
• Stylist

Course entry requirements

A minimum of 220 UCAS points, equivalent Level 3 qualifications or relevant experience. You may be required to submit some work to help us decide who to interview.

Successful applicants are generally those with the strongest portfolios, demonstrating experimentation, technical ability and understanding of the art and design process.

Please see our How to Apply page for more information.

For further information about BA(Hons) Performance Sportswear Design at University College Falmouth, please email admissions@falmouth.ac.uk or telephone Admissions on 01326 213852.

Interview dates and selection process

Interviews will commence in late January.

The interview will include a group tour of the department, while portfolios are assessed by staff, followed by individual interviews.

Applicants will be asked to bring a portfolio and a project or sketchbooks to interview. The project doesn't necessarily have to be a fashion-based project but should be a maximum of 8-10 pages long. A sketchbook should show evidence of the applicant's interest in Performance Sportswear Design.

Location: Woodlane Campus

Related courses

• Fashion Design BA(Hons)
• Textile Design BA(Hons)