Performance Sportswear Design BA(Hons) Degree
Student work
Stacey Penney
This course develops your creative and technical skills, to design and make clothing for a variety of action sports. Wetsuit by Stacey Penney, 2010 graduate.
Sketchbook
You'll experiment with the latest fabrics and construction methods, and develop designs using hand drawing and digital technology.
Fashion Studio
Our Fashion Studios house industry-standard facilities, including laser cutter, silicon taping machine, ultrasonic welder, extraction bed for gluing neoprene, industrial overlockers, and blind stitching machines.
Performance Sportswear
Swimwear designs (far left) by Irene Pascoe, 2010 graduate, have been manufactured by leading swimwear company Linea Aqua and showcased at the Sri Lankan Design Festival.
Latest news
Olympic Torch named ‘Design of the Year' - designed by UCF's visiting Professor Edward Barber
University College Falmouth's visiting Professor Edward Barber and business partner Jay Osgerby have received one of the creative industry's highest accolades - the Design Museum's ‘Design of the Year award for 2012' for the design of The London Olympic Torch.
YOU ARE HERE: Trelissick Garden's history reflected in art
You are Here is an exhibition created by level two students on the BA(Hons) Contemporary Crafts course. This will be the sixth year that students have collaborated with the National Trust, returning to Trelissick Garden for a fourth consecutive year.
Fowey Community College rise to UCF's Design Challenge
University College Falmouth's (UCF) UK Recruitment & Outreach student ambassadors welcomed twenty Year 10 pupils from Fowey Community College to the Design Centre for a unique Design Challenge Taster Day.
Design Research recognised by the British Academy
Dr Deborah Sugg Ryan, Senior Lecturer Histories and Theories, has been awarded a British Academy Mid-Career Fellowship. The scheme attracts strong competition, receiving over 300 outline applications and awarding only 46 fellowships this year.
Scouting for Aspiring Cornish Models
An exciting opportunity has arisen for aspiring models in Cornwall as part of the search for volunteer models for University College Falmouth's graduate Fashion Show, which takes place next month.
Students celebrate in style
Students donned their finery to celebrate their contribution to the wider community at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall on Thursday 1 March. The ceremony was the first of its kind to be planned by FXU, the combined Students' Union for University College Falmouth and the University of Exeter in Cornwall, to recognise achievements in a wide range of areas from sporting prowess to supporting others and fundraising for local charities.
Department of Design Spring news
News round up from the Department of Design
Latest events
YOU ARE HERE: Trelissick Garden's history reflected in art
'Sat, May 12th, 2012, 10:30am to Thu, Jun 14th, 2012, 5:30pm'
You are Here is an exhibition created by level two students on the BA(Hons) Contemporary Crafts course. This will be the sixth year that students have collaborated with the National Trust, returning to Trelissick Garden for a fourth consecutive year.
Foundation Diploma in Art & Design End of Year Show
'Fri, May 25th, 2012, 10:00am to Thu, May 31st, 2012, 5:00pm'
Students at the end of their year's study exhibit their final assessed work.
MA Art Lectures - Summer Series: Cornelia Parker
'Mon, Jun 11th, 2012, 5:00pm to 6:00pm' Cornelia Parker gained critical acclaim in the 1990s for a number of large-scale installations including Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View (1991), and The Maybe (1995), a collaboration with actress Tilda Swinton. She was shortlisted for the Turner Prize in 1997 and has had major solo exhibitions, for example, at the Serpentine Gallery, London, and has works in the Tate Collection, the V&A and in numerous public and private collections in Europe and the USA.LIVEDART & CONTEXTURE
'Wed, Jun 13th, 2012, 11:00am to Sun, Jun 17th, 2012, 11:00pm'A festival of contemporary performance, art and writing.
Art & Design Summer Show
'Sat, Jun 16th, 2012, 10:00am to Fri, Jun 22nd, 2012, 6:00pm' This show at the Woodlane Campus and in the Design Centre at the Tremough Campus is a platform for around 500 undergraduate students to showcase their final work after three or more years of study.
Staff profiles
- Jane Gottelier Programme Leader, Fashion and Performance Sportswear Design
- Sarah Braddock-Clarke Lecturer
- Jill Weeks Technical Instructor
- Tom Podkolinski Lecturer
- Peter Doubleday Technician
Our alumni
Lily Rice: Performance Sportswear Design BA(Hons) graduate
Lily currently works as a designer for major UK sportswear brand Umbro. Since graduating she's been involved with concept development for Adidas, the official clothing brand for London 2012, and won a ‘Build your own jacket with GORE-TEX® and Mammut' competition.
Lily Rice: Performance Sportswear Design BA(Hons) graduate - Read more
James Kamo: Performance Sportswear Design BA(Hons) graduate
International student James returned to his native California after graduating in 2011 and began working for surf, skate and clothing brand Hurley International in Costa Mesa.
James Kamo: Performance Sportswear Design BA(Hons) graduate - Read more
Nettie Scott: Performance Sportswear Design BA(Hons)
I've really enjoyed this course. The close links it has with industry partners is one of the main reasons I'd recommend it to others. The skills I've gained from the technical machinery here will be really useful for my future career, as well as the experience passed down by the industry mentors who are brought in to talk to us.
Nettie Scott: Performance Sportswear Design BA(Hons) - Read more
UCAS Code W233 BA/PSD
- How to apply Close
We consider each application on its merits and look for evidence of commitment and motivation. For full details on the application procedure follow the link below.Read more...
- Attend an open day Close
Meet staff and students and discover how study at Falmouth can fast-track your career. Open days include a welcome talk, campus tours, and presentations on our courses, information on fees, finances, admissions, accommodation, and student services. Follow the link below to book online.Read more...
- Request a prospectus Close
Follow the link below to download a copy of our prospectus, or complete the form to request a printed prospectus by post.Read more...
- Entry requirements Close
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.
Location:Woodlane Campus
Length:3 years full-time
Direct line:01326 255763
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.
Why study for a BA(Hons) Performance Sportswear Design degree at University College Falmouth?
Experimentation and creativity are the driving forces behind the BA(Hons) Performance Sportswear Design degree course 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.
Course outline
Stage 1
- Design & Construction
- Designer in Society
- Production & Presentation
- Industrial, Professional & Global Contexts
Stage 2
- Human Factors
- Advanced Materials
- Computer-aided Design & Manufacturing
- International Branding
- Professional Practice - Work Placement
Stage 3
- Professional Design Practice
- Professional Design Project Proposal
- Dissertation
- Final Project
Tell me more about the BA(Hons) Performance Sportswear Design course
BA(Hons) Performance Sportswear Design award information form (110.29 KB)
At Falmouth 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.
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
How is the course taught?
This full-time course is delivered through study blocks. Project work is supported by lectures, demonstrations, field trips, professional experience and focus groups, seminars and tutorials. You'll develop peer and self-evaluation skills, which will be used in critical, conceptual, productive and professional capacities.
The course operates on a basis of continuous assessment with no formal examinations.
Assessment
- Visual, verbal and written assignments
- Dissertation
- Final project
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
Projects & fashion shows
Collaboration with Speedo
Performance Sportswear Design students are the latest in a line of creative collaborations to recycle the surplus Speedo LZR Racer swimsuit.
The swimsuit was responsible for an astonishing 91 world records between February 2008 and October 2009. However, it was rendered obsolete following a change in rules set out by the swimming governing body, FINA, which prevented the use of body suits in competitive swimming. Along with students from the London College of Fashion and the University of Huddersfield, UCF students, Owen Bennett, Mette Larson and Bethany Orrell, worked with Speedo to create new designs from 18,000 excess units of the revolutionary suit.
Media release: Performance Sportswear Design Students Collaborate with Speedo
Graduate fashion show
Our BA(Hons) Performance Sportswear Design students collaborate with Fashion Design, Public Relations, Press & Editorial Photography, Graphic Design, Textile Design, Digital Media, Dance and Music students to put on the annual catwalk fashion show for an audience of over 800.
- Media release: Falmouth takes the fashion industry by storm
- Media release: Falmouth introduces fashion designers of the future
Work placements
Our students have undertaken work placements with Decathlon, Gul International and Finisterre.
Student websites
Links to the websites and blogs of Performance Sportswear Design students
- http://www.eyeheartpedal.wordpress.com/
- http://www.scosurfing.com/
- sailingbetty.blogspot.com
- www.wearethetwins.com
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 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
Answers and advice about the course
For further information about BA(Hons) Performance Sportswear Design at University College Falmouth, please email admissions@falmouth.ac.uk or telephone Admissions on 01326 255763.
Our student mentors are now on Facebook. To
chat to a mentor about the course, living in Cornwall, or what to expect
at Falmouth, check out the Fashion and Performance Sportswear Design
group. You need to
join the group
before you can post. Our student mentors have already done the first
year of the course... so ask them anything you like!
Fashion and Performance Sportswear Design Facebook group
If you're not Facebook you can still speak to a student mentor. Email your name and the course you're starting to: studentmentorenquiries@falmouth.ac.uk and we will be in touch with you.
Taster days
Our taster days are intended to give prospective applicants the chance to immerse themselves in their course of choice for a full day, working on a project with our staff and students. We run tours of all our facilities and accommodation, provide lunch, and really give guests a flavour of life at Falmouth.
- 25 November 2011: BA(Hons) Fashion Design & BA(Hons) Performance Sportswear Design - 30 spaces available
For more information, please email: tasterdays@falmouth.ac.uk
Open Design: UCF for design tutors
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
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 255763.
Interview and selection process
We invite all applicants invited to interview. Small groups of applicants will be interviewed with their portfolios and sketchbooks by a panel consisting of two academic members of staff and two students. A department tour will follow the interview. The session will last approximately three hours.
Please bring portfolio/project work/sketch books to interview as well as a personal project that represents you. Your portfolio should demonstrate the ability to investigate ideas and use a range of media, skills in observational drawing, and any investigations into design methods and skills. The team will be mainly interested in your abilities in the field of design and design research, but other types of work can be included if it demonstrates capabilities and interest in fashion/performance sportswear design. Please do not bring actual garments, however photographs of made garments within portfolios are welcomed. Life drawing should be limited to two portfolio pages only.
Interviews will be held on 20 January, 24 and 29 February and 2 March 2012 only. Morning interviews will be at 9.30am and afternoon interviews will be at 1.30pm.
Location: Woodlane Campus
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