Textile Design

This exciting and diverse course is for creative minds who enjoy working in a tactile form. We will give you the opportunity to learn about traditional and contemporary processes.  You will learn key skills for the textile industry: including colour and surface pattern design, stitch and embellishment processes, and constructed and manipulated textiles. You will have the opportunity to make a garment and/ or learn how to create Fine Art textiles. You will be encouraged to explore personal interests whilst also referencing key designers and artists from group visits to exhibitions. Guest artists will host workshops to give a professional context to your work. At the end of the year our students exhibit their work in our summer Art and Design exhibition and enjoy their seeing their work in the annual college Fashion Show.

What skills will I develop?

• You will be encouraged to experiment using traditional and contemporary techniques. 
• You will explore printed, stitched and manipulated textiles.
• You will have the opportunity to make a garment and/ or learn how to create fine art textiles.
• You will explore the work of Artists and Designers to inspire your own developing creative work.
• Your sketchbooks will be filled with your thoughts, experiments and plans.

What topics will I study?

Component 1 – Personal Investigation: Coursework 

(Portfolio & supporting written material (1000-3000 words) – 60%) 

Students are required to conduct a practical investigation into an idea, issue, concept or theme, supported by written material. 

Component 2 – Externally Set Assignment 

( Preparatory studies + 15 hours supervised time – 40%) 

Students will create a body of preparatory work in response to an externally set question. Following the preparatory period, students will complete 15 hours of unaided, supervised time.  

Where does the course lead?

The majority of students go on to study on a one-year Foundation course at an art college. They can then progress to a degree course in Textile Design, Fashion, Interior Design or Art. In recent years some degree courses have been accepting our students without the Foundation course, but this remains the exception rather than the rule. Alternatively, students can combine Textile Design and/ or Fashion-related courses with other subjects at University such as Languages and Business.