Milestone map
Milestone map
3 milestones
Curate portfolio and prepare process case studies
3–4 weeks (2–3 hrs/day)
Curate a portfolio of three to five projects demonstrating range across concept development, technical skills, and garment execution. For each project, write a process case study (300–500 words) covering: initial concept, key design decisions, technical challenges faced, and what you would do differently. These case studies are the material your panel will challenge.
Proof required
Submit your portfolio draft as a PDF: curated project pages (minimum 15 pages of visual work) plus a process case study for each project.
What gets checked
- Three to five projects with genuine range — not multiple variations of the same approach
- Each process case study addresses all four elements: concept, design decisions, technical challenges, and retrospective critique
- Case studies identify what you would do differently — not just what went well
Common mistakes
- Portfolio contains only the most polished final outcomes — process work and failures are excluded
- Case studies describe what was done without analysing why decisions were made
- Portfolio is laid out without editing — all work included without considering what demonstrates range
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Count: three to five projects with minimum 15 pages total — fewer projects or less content indicates curation has not been done
- Check each process case study addresses all four elements — missing 'what I would do differently' shows incomplete self-critique
- Ask student: which project is your weakest and why is it still in the portfolio? Inability to answer shows portfolio hasn't been edited critically
Produce portfolio document and prepare panel presentation
2 weeks
Produce your final portfolio document (print-ready PDF or physical portfolio) and prepare a structured 20-minute panel presentation. Prepare three 'hard questions' about your own work and practice answering them aloud — questions you hope the panel doesn't ask, not questions you have easy answers to.
Proof required
Submit your final portfolio document (PDF) plus a preparation note documenting the three hard questions you identified and your prepared responses.
What gets checked
- Portfolio document is print-ready — consistent typography, bleed and margin, no placeholder text
- Three hard questions are genuinely challenging to the student's practice — not softballs
- Prepared responses to hard questions are specific and honest — not defensive
Common mistakes
- Portfolio document is 'almost finished' at panel time — layout issues distract reviewers from work quality
- Preparation focuses on easy questions rather than the ones that reveal weaknesses
- Hard question responses are rehearsed defences rather than honest assessments
Resources
Foundationstart here
What a verifier looks for
- Check portfolio document is finished — incomplete layouts indicate the student is not ready for panel
- Review the three hard questions — they should genuinely challenge the student's weakest work, not be rhetorical
- Ask student to answer one of their hard questions now — the quality of their response reveals preparation depth
Present to external portfolio review panel and document feedback
1 week (panel + reflection)
Present your portfolio to a panel of at least two reviewers, including one external reviewer with professional fashion industry credentials and one reviewer not involved in your programme. The panel session must last at least 30 minutes and include live questioning of your design decisions. Document all significant challenges and your responses, and produce a post-panel reflection (minimum 400 words) on what the panel revealed about your practice.
Proof required
Submit: (1) panel session record (date, all panel member names and roles, significant challenges raised — minimum one page), (2) post-panel reflection (minimum 400 words on what the panel revealed and what you will do differently).
What gets checked
- Panel record names all reviewers with their roles and professional credentials
- Significant challenges are documented specifically — not 'the panel asked about my concept'
- Post-panel reflection identifies at least two specific changes to practice, not just general impressions
Common mistakes
- Panel record is a summary of positive feedback — challenges not documented
- Post-panel reflection describes the experience rather than analysing what it revealed
- Panel did not include an external industry professional — reduces panel to internal tutor review
Resources
Foundationstart here
What a verifier looks for
- Confirm panel included at least one external reviewer with named professional fashion industry credentials — not only programme tutors
- Confirm panel included at least one reviewer not involved in the student's programme
- Confirm panel session was live (in-person or video) with date and all panel member names and roles documented
- Check post-panel reflection identifies at least two specific changes to practice with rationale
- Verify significant challenges are documented specifically — 'the panel asked hard questions' is not a challenge record
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