The New Fabric: Applied Project Assignments

Here you'll find the revised, project-based assignment prompts. Each module now focuses on building a tangible component using the specified technologies. The goal is to develop practical skills that will be integrated into the final capstone project.

Module 1 Assignment: Market Analysis Brief

(This assignment remains foundational to establish strategic context before building.)

• Objective: To analyze the key economic drivers, growth opportunities, and strategic challenges within a specific regional fashion-tech market.

• Task Description: Choose one regional market: North America, Asia-Pacific, or Europe. Using the course research report and at least two additional reputable sources, write a professional brief that addresses:

  1. Market Sizing & Growth: Quantify the fashion-tech market in your region (value, CAGR) and compare it to the traditional apparel market.

  2. Key Drivers: Identify the top 2-3 factors fueling fashion-tech growth in the region.

  3. Leading Players & Innovations: Identify 2-3 key companies and the specific technologies they are pioneering.

  4. Strategic Recommendation: Propose the single biggest strategic opportunity for a brand looking to expand its tech footprint in this region.

• Deliverable: A 2-page (approx. 800-1000 words) professional brief.

• Evaluation Criteria: Depth of research; clarity of analysis; strength of the strategic recommendation; professional writing and proper citation.

Module 2 Assignment: AI Fashion Classifier

• Objective: To build and train a functional machine learning model to classify fashion items, demonstrating a practical understanding of AI in fashion.

• Task Description: Using Python with libraries such as scikit-learn or PyTorch, you will build a simple image classification model.

  1. Dataset: You will use the Fashion-MNIST dataset, which contains 70,000 grayscale images of 10 different fashion categories (T-shirt/top, Trouser, Pullover, etc.).

  2. Model Building: Preprocess the data and build a classification model (e.g., a simple Neural Network with PyTorch or a Support Vector Machine with scikit-learn).

  3. Training & Evaluation: Train your model on the training dataset and then evaluate its accuracy on the test dataset. Document your process and the final accuracy score.

  4. Analysis: Write a brief summary explaining how a more advanced version of this model could be used by a fashion e-commerce site for tasks like automated product tagging or powering a visual search feature.

• Deliverables:

  1. Your fully commented Python code (as a .py file or Jupyter Notebook).

  2. A 1-page report detailing your model's architecture, its final accuracy, and your analysis of its real-world application.

• Evaluation Criteria: Functional and well-documented code; model accuracy; clarity of the analysis connecting the technical project to a business application.

Module 3 Assignment: 3D Printed Fashion Accessory

• Objective: To design, model, and fabricate a physical object, demonstrating an end-to-end understanding of the 3D printing workflow for rapid prototyping in fashion.

• Task Description: You will design and 3D print a small fashion accessory or component.

  1. Concept: Choose a concept for a small, printable item. Examples: a unique button, a zipper pull, a small brooch, a buckle, or a single link for a watch band or necklace.

  2. 3D Modeling: Using 3D modeling software (e.g., Tinkercad for beginners, Blender or Fusion 360 for more advanced users), create a 3D model of your design. The design must be your own.

  3. Prototyping: Export your model as an .stl or .obj file and use the class 3D printer to fabricate a physical prototype.

  4. Reflection: Write a short reflection on the process. What were the challenges of designing for 3D printing? How could this process be used to quickly iterate on a design for a larger fashion item?

• Deliverables:

  1. The final .stl or .obj file for your 3D model.

  2. A photograph of your physical 3D-printed prototype.

  3. A 1-page reflection on the design and prototyping process.

• Evaluation Criteria: Originality and feasibility of the design; quality of the 3D model and physical print; insightful reflection on the prototyping process.

Module 4 Assignment: Digital Product Passport NFT

• Objective: To create a "digital twin" for a product by minting an NFT that serves as its certificate of authenticity and provenance, using a personal crypto wallet.

• Task Description: You will mint an NFT on a test network (e.g., Sepolia for Ethereum) that acts as a "Digital Product Passport" for the accessory you designed in Module 3.

  1. Set up Wallet: Set up a MetaMask wallet and obtain test Ether from a public faucet.

  2. Create Metadata: Define the "story" of your product. Create a JSON metadata file that includes:

     • name: The name of your accessory.

     • description: A brief story (e.g., "Custom-designed link, 3D printed in PLA, August 2025").

     • image: Link to a hosted image of your 3D printed object.

     • attributes: At least two traits (e.g., {"trait_type": "Material", "value": "PLA"}, {"trait_type": "Production Method", "value": "3D Printing"}).

  3. Mint the NFT: Using a simple minting platform (e.g., a provided smart contract interface or a service like Manifold), mint your NFT to the test network.

  4. Documentation: Document the process with screenshots.

• Deliverables:

  1. A link to the NFT on a testnet block explorer (e.g., Etherscan Sepolia).

  2. The JSON metadata file.

  3. A 1-page document with screenshots showing your wallet and the minting process.

• Evaluation Criteria: Successful setup of a wallet; correctly formatted metadata; successful minting of an NFT on a testnet; clear documentation of the process.

Module 5 Assignment: Sustainability Impact Model

• Objective: To create a simple quantitative model that demonstrates the business case for a proposed technology-driven sustainability initiative.

• Task Description: Building on the "Sustainability Initiative Proposal" concept, you will now create a simple financial or environmental impact model. Choose a major fast-fashion company and a specific tech-driven solution (e.g., AI for demand forecasting to reduce overproduction).

  1. Define KPIs: Identify 2-3 key performance indicators (KPIs) your initiative would impact (e.g., % reduction in unsold inventory, kg of C02 saved, liters of water saved).

  2. Build a Model: In a spreadsheet (Excel/Google Sheets), build a simple calculator that shows the potential impact. Use real (or realistically estimated) data for the company's production volume. Your model should allow a user to change an input (e.g., "Projected Overproduction Reduction %") and see the calculated financial and/or environmental savings.

  3. Write a Justification: Write a brief explanation of your model, its assumptions, and how you would present this data to an executive to make a compelling business case.

• Deliverable:

  1. A link to your spreadsheet model.

  2. A 2-page document explaining your model, its assumptions, and the business case it supports.

• Evaluation Criteria: Logical and functional model; clear justification of assumptions and data sources; compelling business case argument supported by your model's outputs.

Module 6 Final Capstone Project: Fashion-Tech Venture with Functional Prototype

• Objective: To synthesize all course skills into a comprehensive proposal for a new fashion-tech startup, supported by a functional, multi-part proof-of-concept.

• Task Description: Working in small groups, you will develop a complete venture proposal for a new fashion-tech company. Your proposal must be accompanied by a tangible prototype that integrates the skills learned in prior modules.

• Proposal Sections:

  1. Executive Summary, Problem & Opportunity, Solution, Business Model, Go-to-Market Strategy, Competitive Landscape, Team, Financial Projections, Risks. (As per original assignment).

• Required Prototype Components: Your venture must be supported by a proof-of-concept that includes:

  1. The AI Component: A working AI/ML model (from Module 2, but adapted for your venture's specific purpose) that processes data relevant to your business.

  2. The Physical Component: A 3D-printed prototype of your core product or a key part of it (from Module 3).

  3. The Digital Asset Component: An NFT (minted via your MetaMask wallet) that serves as the Digital Product Passport for your prototype (from Module 4).

• Deliverables:

  1. A 10-15 page written venture proposal.

  2. A 10-minute final presentation that includes a live demonstration of your prototype components.

  3. A single submission package containing your Python code, .stl file, and a link to your NFT on a testnet explorer.

• Evaluation Criteria: Viability and originality of the business idea; successful integration of the three prototype components; depth of research and analysis; strength of the business model; quality of the written proposal and oral presentation.