Trend Forecasting

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the process and development of future focused intelligence within a range of contextual issues.
• the context of the fashion forecasting industry and the role it plays today;

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• demonstrate the ability to select, analyse and evaluate relevant fashion information from appropriate sources;
• critically analyse research to make informed judgments and proposals in the context of the trend industry to increasingly complex situations.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• communicate your ideas coherently in a number of way including written, and visual formats with increased autonomy;
• confidently apply a range of extended digital media skills to the production of your work.

This module enables you to examine the fashion market and its environment in respect to the futurology industry. Its focus is on the development of trends and the impacts they have on the fashion sector. You will develop an understanding of:

• fashion life cycles & the changing Fashion Calendar;
• the history of the futurology and its continued relevance in today’s fashion landscape;
• the role of the futurologist today;
• different types of trend;
• the anatomy of a trend;
• the process and theory of formulating trends;
• drivers of MACRO change;
• the impact of MACRO trend on product, marketing and business strategies of the future;
• presenting and communicating early generic trend intelligence.

You are encouraged to identify and select an appropriate range of text based and electronic library resources and utilise subscription services as appropriate.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods:

• lectures;
• seminars;
• practical workshops;
• project briefings.

Learning activities include:

• group tutorials;
• group discussions;
• study Skills Hub;
• peer group learning.

Resources & Reading list

Internet Resources

Dezeen.

ISN Global.

Adobe (Tutorials).

Cool Hunting.

The Die Line.

Library.

Trend Hunter.

David Report.

Trend Watching.

Faith Popcorn.

Academic Skills.

Icon Culture.

Blackboard.

Japan Consuming.

Gizmodo.

Showstudio.

The Cool Hunter.

Next-Big-Thing.

Not Cot.

WGSN.

Trend Buero.

Study Skills.

PSFK.

Nowness.

Lynda (Software Tutorials).

BOF.

Fashions Collective.

Journal Articles

Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management. , Emerald.

Textbooks

Hewson M and Vinken B (2004). Fashion Zeitgeist: Trends and Cycles in the Fashion System. Berg publishers.

Brannon E. (2010). Fashion Forecasting. Fairchild Books.

Raymond, M (2010). Trend Forecasters Handbook. Laurence King.

Holland G.& Jones R. (2017). Fashion Trend Forecasting. Laurence King.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.