I've been asked to go back into uni, to give some advice to third years on the Fashion Management with Marketing course just getting into their Final Major Projects. I am quite flattered to have been asked, and am excited to meet the students and hopefully give some useful advice.
In preparation I have been thinking about what I learnt, pros and cons of the project, problems that occurred, recommendations and any other information that may be relevant and help with their project.
SWOT analysis of the FMP
Strengths:
- Using an idea that is entirely your own means you can tailor it around your preferences and capitalize on your abilities.
- Design you own brief means you can go as deep into the subject as you like.
- There are so many resources available if you make the most of them. Make the most of these within the University and elsewhere.
- Expert help - your tutors, Israr and Lisa are great and always willing to help - their advice is very effective and can go a long way.
- You can tailor this project to what you actually want to end up doing as a business venture/linked with your career.
- The FMP is suitable for people with a range of skills and abilities; you choose your own output so it can be as visual/written as you like. This enables the project to be easy to understand by a wide range of viewers.
Weaknesses:
- 12 weeks isnt that long so you must be quick in deciding your topic.
- You may not have learnt the necessary skills for your preference so you'll have to use time wisely learning these things.
- Less lectures and seminars, a lot of freedom compared to previous study, so its easy to get distracted.
- If you feel like you haven't achieved a lot since previous tutorial it is easy to feel demotivated and want to not attend the next, but you must go - even if its for a chat.
- As there is so much to learn - programs, research, new ideas etc you can feel bombarded, you need clarity.
- Other peoples ideas seem better - you can take inspiration from others but focus on your own.
- Keeping up with other projects at the same time can be hard - you must use your time wisely - keep a time schedule and stick to it.
- Living with other students can sometimes mean not having very good atmosphere at home to do work - Go to the library!
Opportunities:
- Quite a lot of people in industry willing to help - send emails, talk to people - great to get feedback from industry professionals.
- You can be as creative as you like if you work hard - the resources available mean you can learn new programs to make your work better than average.
- You can use this project to bring to job interviews to show off your skills and your creative thought process and professional output.
- This project will encourage you to think commercially all the time, thinking as a consumer - what is missing in the market, is there something your friends/family talk about that they wish they had or could have etc - maybe a brand that exists that you don't think is headed in the right direction, and you have an idea you believe to be sustainable - research into it if you can pove it then perfect.
- Helpful if you know someone who works in the company, or you work there yourself, try communicating with the head office before you start your project - it will make your project so much easier if you have access to business information and can develop a good relationship where they want to help you do well.
- Try to arrange a week of work experience/store visits/visit to head office.
- Social media and digital branding now makes information and customer feedback so accessible and instant, great for research - can even communicate via facebook directly to customers - why not send emails to some of the fans on the Facebook page of your chosen company.
Threats:
- You must take note of all activity revolving around this project. Not keeping a journal will lead to you struggling with evaluation.
- Not keeping reference throughout - Harvard reference will help add on marks - it is still necessary even if you aren't producing a report.
- Just picking an idea that pops into your head with no justification, working backwards and then finding out there's no market for your idea.
- Using a range of mediums may lead to mistakes - grammatical, or not having enough ability on the program you chose to use.
- Time management - dont let it slip. Make sure you do something ever day even if its reading a few relevant articles, or speaking to customers of the brand.
- Being demotivated when you get criticism to your idea, or negative feedback - must focus on the positives and keep trying to improve. Criticism is necessary as long as it is constructive, don't let it get you down.
