Ravensbourne launch Digital Technology for Fashion pathway

More than 65,000 captive viewers streamed Ravensbourne University London’s inaugural fashion and gaming venture, Rave Digital, live on Twitch in July 2020. Building on this landmark success as reported by Forbes, Twitch and Love Magazine, Ravensbourne University London is unveiling a first-of-its-kind Digital Technology for Fashion Pathway commencing September 2021.

Ravensbourne Senior Lecturer, Adam Andrascik, who fronted the Rave Digital initiative, believes this pathway will give prospective students the cutting-edge tools - from CLO 3D to Substance by Adobe - and knowledge to navigate and lead in this new emerging field. As this industry is continually evolving, each student’s final major project will be self-negotiated and result in a unique and personal digital outcome, exploring the latest developments and ideas, from digital garment production, AR and VR application to NFTs. The choice is theirs.

The pathway will be available to all BA Fashion students from the start of Year 2, whether they are enrolled at Ravensbourne or not. If they have studied at Ravensbourne previously, they will
have undergone a rigorous Year 1, with significant aspects of studies covering 2D design with a sampling of digital. On the digital pathway in Year 2, students will learn digital technologies and tools that will enhance their Year 1 2D work. The pathway gives students a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between 2D and 3D; how they can leverage these skills to create the collections and projects of the future.

In Year 3, students will take this knowledge and submit a final project proposal, deciding the level of digital integration. Encouraged to collaborate both university and industry-wide, students will be able to take advantage of the industry relationships cultivated by Ravensbourne. This will provide them with a better understanding of how digital design functions outside of the classroom and prepare them for future employment and leadership opportunities.

Last year’s six-week Rave Digital project served as a valuable case study: of the 10 students who took part, two have successfully pivoted into the digital fashion field, working for LA- based start-up and a digitally-focused streaming publication, while many others have taken their new found digital skill and integrated it into their personal practice.
The new digital pathway is part of Ravensbourne’s ‘Digital First’ transformation programme. Alongside an expansion in new course offerings and new strategic partnerships, ‘Digital First’ aims to re-invigorate the learning experience delivered to students. The transformation will allow the university to thrive in a more complex digital environment driven by human centred design and digital journeys.

Gurmit Matharu, the Course Leader for BA (Hons) Fashion commented, “The fashion course prides itself on being a mirror image of the fashion industry, students experience at first hand the realities of working within a challenging and evolving creative industry. Equipped with future proof skills, the new digital pathway will ensure our students remain ahead of the field, giving them a competitive edge upon graduation and beyond.”

Lee Lapthorne, Programme Director Fashion, commented, “Our students take on a strong digital sensibility from the get-go at Ravensbourne and our Tech team are forward-thinking, able to adapt and constantly come up with new innovative ways of working. Research suggests that both the luxury craft sector and digital fashion innovation will be the focus of the fashion industry and our students will graduate well equipped at the forefront.