INSTRUCTOR : Charlette Padilla
Email:charletp@d2l.arizona.edu
Phone: 
520.795.5980
RCSC 496a, Fashion Forecasting and Research Trends: This course is designed to acquaint students with techniques of research, analyze trends and anticipate the future and in order to project fashion directions. We will focus on the changing nature of fashion today and the many complex issues facing fashion change. Discover the short-term trend forecast of color, textiles, and style direction to shape collections. Learn the basic definitions of textiles, styles, and silhouettes. Through theory and research we will learn how to establish consumers buying patterns to help make competitive strategies for buying decisions. My previous experiences as an instructor is with University of Arizona and the Academic Director at Tucson Design College. In addition some of my personal retail experiences with Talbots, Alexander Henry Textiles, Tucson Design College, Aurora Foundation and my own store for 13 years J. Kareiva Menzwear. It will be great fun to spend the next five weeks together.
Feel free at any time to contact me when any questions or concerns arise.
COURSE DESCRIPTION : Develop the science of predicting future fashion trends. Learn the relationship between forecasting, trend prediction, marketing, economics and style movements. Analyze past styled movements and establish an understanding of historical context, consumer trends, buying patterns, fads, and cults. Research color palettes, surface and fabric trends and concepts, form and silhouette changes, and product shifts. Learn to synthesis trends for new product by gaining insight into consumers' attitudes and lifestyles phases. Learn the different consumer research in business, social and environmental that effect fashion trends. Overall the course will examine the forecasting practices in the textile and apparel industries as mentioned above and apply these practices through case studies and group research activities.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES :
1. To examine the theories of fashion cycles and evaluate the theories application to forecasting strategies and insights today.
2. To analyze historical and the development of future trends in the fashion industry.
3. To have a basic introduction of color, textile, and style definitions.
4. To understand the techniques of coordinating seasonal series of looks that can be promoted to consumers through the press and stores.
5. To be able to examine and develop methods of consumer research, consumer segmentation and sales forecasting and applying future trend information to the fashion and retail industries.
6. To demonstrate and apply fundamental techniques in order to research, select and interpret information to forecast style and color trends for future seasons.
PARTICIPATION/DISCUSSION : Or class will have a D2L discussion board where you can post your class discussions. Please see D2L help for further details. For each discussion, I will provide the subject/and or questions. I will also grade postings and occasionally submit my own commentaries. During each week, students actively are engaged in their group activities and class discussions. In addition there are two open class discussions.The discussion questions /topics will be posted on your syllabus in which the discussion must be completed by 11:59 PM that day to complete your input. All discussions are given a credit grade and are graded in the discussion part of D2L not in your dropbox.
During on-line students must contribute to the assigned group discussions in a well-constructed manner to earn 100% of the discussion grade points. Please consider the tone of the discussions will be evaluated.
Well -constructed discussions means significant participation by:
An occasional , brief reply to other discussions (e.g. "Great idea, Tess" ) does not fulfill the discussion requirement.
Exam Grading
Each student is given 120 minutes to take the two tests given in this course. D2L allows each student two attempts for each test.The average of both test will be your final grade. D2L does automated grading, in which both failure to recognize a correct answer and selection of a wrong answer cost you. For example, in a one-point question if there are 4 answer choices , each is worth.25. failure to select a correct answer or selection of a wrong answer each cost minus.25.
Assignments
The D2L checklist will have the grading rubrics for most assignments. Please go to checklist ,click on assignment, next click on requirements and check off each requirement as completed.All assignments have drop boxes. Go to the dropbox click on the assignment and upload your power points & papers. Discussion questions do not have a drop box.
D2L Questions or Problems
If you have any questions or problems regarding D2L, please do not contact me, as the D2L technical support people have access to D2L server and are trained to handle any problems or questions. They can be contacted at:
Email :techhelp@email.arizona.edu
Phone : 626-TECH (8324)
GRADE DETERMINATION :
35% Class discussion/ participation ( Includes team work & class discussions)
20% Quizzes (2@ 10%)
30% Individual report (See below for break down of reports points)
15% Fashion Notebook
Grade Scale: 90 - 102 = A 80 - 89 = B 70 - 79 = C 60 - 69 = D Below 60 = F
A ( Accomplished Fashion Forecaster -exceptional & goes beyond ) clearly stands out as excellent performance. Has usually sharp insight into material and initiates thoughtful questions. Sees many sides of an issue. Articulates well and writes logically and clearly. Integrates ideas previously learned from this and other disciplines; anticipated next steps in progression of ideas.
Example : "A" work should be of such a nature that it could be put on reserve for all students to review and emulate. The "A" student is, in fact, an example for others to follow.
B ( Fashion Forecaster -Clear & Strong ) grasps subject matter at a level considered being good to very good, an active listener and participant in class discussion. Writes well. Accomplishes more than the minimum requirements. Work in and out of class is of high quality.
Example : "B" work indicates a high quality of performance and is given in recognition for solid work; a "B" should be considered a high grade.
C ( Evolving Fashion Forecaster Pretty Good & Gets the Job Done ) Demonstrates a satisfactory comprehension of the subject matter. Accomplishes only the minimum requirements, and displays little or no initiative. Communicates in writing at an acceptable level for a college student. Has a generally acceptable understanding of all basic concepts.
Example :"C" work represents average work for the students in a program or class. A student receiving a "C" has met course requirement , including deadlines.
D ( Developing Fashion Forecaster -Incomplete & Confusing ) Quality and quantity of work in and out of class is below average and barely acceptable.
Example : "D" work is passing by a slim margin.
F ( Beginning Fashion Forecaster -No Understanding ) Quality and quantity of work in and out of class is unacceptable.
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