NEW TECHNOLOGY FROM HP ENSURES THAT MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ARE EQUIPPED FOR COMMERCIAL SUCCESS

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1 Nov

“The fashion industry offers graduates an exciting career path in a market sector that is becoming increasingly digitised as the industry switches to meet market demands. To ensure that graduates are educated in the application of new technologies MMU has invested in a HP Stitch S300. The purchase ensures that the digital textile printing department offers the latest technology, and that graduates are equipped with the skills the industry desperately needs to adapt to a digital future.” Mary Aspinal - MMU

GRADUATE DESIGNER | MMU: JENNIFER SHAW

PHOTOGRAPHY: John Earnshaw – Senior Lecturer - Fashion Design & Technology, Richard Kelly – Lecturer - Fashion Promotion

The BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Technology degree course at MMU has a world renown reputation for producing menswear, womenswear and sportswear graduates who combine both design innovation and creativity with an in-depth knowledge of the technical aspects of fashion design and manufacturing.

The fashion industry offers graduates an exciting career path in a market sector that is becoming increasingly digitised as the industry switches to meet market demands.

To ensure that graduates are educated in the application of new technologies MMU has invested in a HP Stitch S300. The purchase ensures that the digital textile printing department offers the latest technology, and that graduates are equipped with the skills the industry desperately needs to adapt to a digital future.

Mary Aspinall commented “The course has been developed to meet industry standards and encourages students to design and develop innovative fashion products and ranges using both manual and digital technologies”.

“Students work on live projects with industry partners and also have opportunity to undertake a placement and/or overseas study combined with a year in industry. Students also have the option to graduate with a Menswear, Womenswear or Sportswear award, by selecting specialist units in year two and three, or they can work across multiple specialisms. However, all students are encouraged to direct their learning towards specialised target markets such as luxury, outerwear, denim, tailoring, performance or lifestyle sportswear”.

“The practical aspects of the course are underpinned by the study of the business and cultural contexts of fashion and consideration of sustainable industry practices. Students work towards an exit portfolio that showcases their creative and technical skills as appropriate to their chosen careers. While many graduates enter design roles, the technical aspects of the programme also prepare students for other careers such as pattern cutting, fashion innovation and product development” Mary explained.

The universities technical team offers practical learning and support for hundreds of students giving them crucial access to the latest innovations for digital textile printing technology across multiple disciplines - Fashion design & Technology Menswear, Womenswear & Sportswear. Fashion promotion. Fashion Marketing. International Fashion (Top up degree) and masters students through to PhD level.

“Investing in the latest equipment has been a fundamental element of MMU’s success” – Mary Aspinal explained.

“Before lockdown we were having issues with our existing printer so we thought it would be the perfect time to invest in the latest sublimation technology. We contacted our local supplier RA Smart to discuss the best options. RA Smart installed the HP Stitch S300 printer at the beginning of June 2021”. With a high demand for print, the department also needed to increase efficiency and reduce waste. MMU also invested in a new Transmatic heat press to complete the dye sublimation workflow.

The print department provides in depth support and technical advice for all students alongside a super-fast turnaround. To maintain efficiency, the students submit an online request for sampling. When required, students then work alongside the technicians and problem solve any issues with the prints.

The fashion industry faces a decade of seismic change and students at MMU are at the face of pivotal digital reform.

Mary explained further “the fashion landscape is evolving more rapidly than ever before, therefore - conscious approaches to both the design and realisation of a fashion product is critical”.

The MMU curriculum encourages students to express their individual identity using digital software and technology combined.