Creative Hair and Media Makeup (Fashion and Editorial)

Immerse yourself in the creative world of fashion image-making with our Creative Hair and Media Makeup (Fashion and Editorial) Foundation Degree. This creative course allows you to develop specialist skills demanded by the fast-paced fashion makeup industry while our strong industry links and emphasis on practical learning prepares you for a successful career as a makeup artist working in the fashion industry. Our recent graduates have gained work for companies to include Urban Decay, Illamasqua, MAC Cosmetics and have been featured in publications such as Lucy’s and Scorpio Jin.

Our programme blends academic study with industry insight to provide a comprehensive understanding of the fashion and editorial industry. We encourage professional development, so as you study, you’ll gain industry experience. Throughout the programme you will experience demonstrations, practical skills development, lectures, sketchbook workshops, discussions and presentations, while building your professional portfolio.

As you study, you’ll learn specialist skills from our experienced lecturers such as specialist fashion makeup application, avant garde hair and wig styling, trend forecasting and face and body makeup techniques. You’ll have opportunities to showcase your work at events and work backstage on events, catwalks and shoots to help you to build your professional portfolio. We regularly invite industry experts, previous guest speakers have included Dan Wood (Boohoo), Laura Lawrence (Boss Model and Industry model management) and Illamasqua to deliver talks and run makeup masterclasses

You will train in our bespoke settings at Prime Studios located next to ITV and in our recently built facilities in Quarry Hill Campus in Leeds Cultural Quarter, neighbouring Leeds fashion and retail centre. Leeds has a thriving fashion scene with a rich history and you’ll also have the opportunity to gain practical experience at local events such as Leeds Fashion Ball, Leeds International Festival and national trade shows such as IMATS and United Makeup Artists Expo.

You will be part of the wider Creative arts department at University Centre Leeds and we foster a collaborative ethos through our Creative Arts Network platform and social events. You will have opportunities to make contacts and collaborate with other creative students from photography, performance, graphics, film and art backgrounds to elevate your projects and learn to work as part of a creative team.

Our modules focus on skills development and may include:

Year 1 (Level 4)

Fundamental Techniques for the Inclusive Artist - This module introduces students to the fundamental practical techniques necessary for the professional hair and makeup artist. This module is designed to build knowledge and understanding of skills in order to build students’ confidence in working with diverse clients and models as well as developing their practical and creative skills.

Character Design and Application - This module will introduce the skills required to design and create character makeup suitable for lens-based media. The module encourages a creative approach and practical understanding of the process of make-up design with special effects for fashion and editorial and prosthetics sectors.

Creative Professional - To be successful in the industry creatives need to constantly refine and develop their work, network with other practitioners and keep abreast of current trends and working practices. During this module, students will look inwards and produce a personal development plan, which will be referred to and updated throughout the programme.

Creative Hair and makeup - The purpose of this module is to introduce students to creative hair and make-up design techniques.
This will allow students to develop an understanding of the processes of constructing and exhibiting artistic hairstyles and make-up effects that are appropriate to the context; whilst understanding the relationship and necessity of applying both hair and make-up skills to create a comprehensive look.

Historical influences in Hair and Makeup - This module will develop students’ research and independent study skills to form critical analysis and interpretation of historical periods through the perspective of hair and make-up.

Year 2 (Level 5)

Fashion Makeup Trend Forecasting - This module aims to communicate key knowledge and understanding relating to trend forecasting and its place within the media makeup industry. The ability to identify current trends is an essential tool to accurately predict future desires of brands and consumers. Identifying the latest trends and creating innovative makeup designs is fundamental to the role of a modern-day makeup artist.

Advanced Fashion and Editorial techniques - The purpose of this module is to develop students’ creative makeup skills with a focus on the fashion and editorial industries. With teaching of advanced techniques, including body art, this module will allow students to create work according to current industry standards and expectations.

Avant Garde Hair and Wig Techniques - The module aims to deliver the fundamental skills required when providing bespoke hairpieces and hair styling for fashion and photographic work.

Working in the Makeup Industry - Throughout a series of taught sessions, students will explore theories to inform industry practices within the relevant creative industries and their importance in relation to their chosen sector. Students will also develop an understanding of experiential learning through a series of guest workshops, thus providing a framework for which the student sets out the learning objectives to be met during a work-based opportunity.

Managing a Showcase Event - In this module students will be given the opportunity to propose and design a creative project displaying both portfolio work and live installation to an audience, building entrepreneurial skill and giving them an individual artistic presence

All assessments reflect current industry expectations and practices and will include:

Practical applications
Portfolio work
Campaign spreads
Showcase exhibition
Pitch presentations
Research folders
Reflective logs