Textile Design

This exciting and diverse course is for creative minds who enjoy working in a tactile form. We will allow you 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 garments and learn how to create decorative/ interior textiles. You will be encouraged to explore personal interests, whilst also taking inspiration from key designers, artists and exhibition visits.  At the end of the year, our students exhibit their work in our summer Art and Design exhibition and enjoy 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 constructed textiles
• You will have the opportunity to make a garment and learn how to create decorative interior outcomes.
• 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 a degree course linked to the textile industry; examples include: Fashion Design, Interior Design, Costume for TV and Theatre and Textile Design.   In recent years, more degree courses have been accepting our students without the Art Foundation course; however, some still decide to pursue this one-year course before embarking on their final degree course. Alternatively, some students combine their A Level skill set from other subjects such as Languages and Business and progress onto courses such as Fashion Retail and Marketing degrees.