Textile Design
BA (Hons)

You will study the breadth of possibilities for employment within the textile trade. You will look at areas such as, colour industry, yarn industry, fibre and yarn development, fabric manufacture, buying, freelancing, branding, and social media.

You will consider the knowledge skills and experience you will need in order to develop a professional practice in particular sectors, and think about planning your personal development towards these requirements.

You will be introduced to the importance of global markets and industry responsibilities and the impact of the consumer society. You will undertake a range of research and development activities including visits.

Your experiences and findings will be gathered into a reflective portfolio which will serve as a foundation for your professional development throughout and beyond the programme.

You will rotate through a series of studio sessions in small groups and learn initial techniques, with time to develop at a personal level. You will be encouraged to review your work in group critiques exchanging ideas with your peer group and tutor.

You will investigate colour, pattern, texture and form and exploit materials and processes.The work you produce should be suitable for either fashion or interior markets. You will begin to recognise and develop your personal and professional skills and create an individual plan for further development. The expected outcome of this module is a range of experimental fabrics that encourage you to use your aesthetic judgement and be suitable for either fashion or interiors

As you build up a skill base, the work in this module will demand a questioning and analytical approach and will form a sound basis for future creative innovations. This process acts as a preparation for the development of your intended market focus.

Experience is gained through workshops in drawing, research, and digital outcomes. An understanding of design development and market awareness will help provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge that underpin design practice.

The module follows a stimulating 24-week programme of studio activities and workshops. It responds to external influences of films, exhibitions, trends and events, giving you a broader view of the many inspirational influences that contribute to design.

Regular progress checks and tutorials throughout the year ensure you are fully supported in your learning and development.

The module will make you aware of the significance of historical and contemporary practices and how they inform the development of your area of study.

Learning will take place through lectures, seminars, gallery visits and tutorials, resulting in academic assignments. This will help to develop your skills in researching, essay writing, intellectual discussion and visual analysis.

You will be introduced to the skills needed to write professional CVs and cover letters and perfect your professional digital profile.

This module will also help you prepare for a year’s internship in industry should you wish to take an added qualification of a Diploma in Professional Practice.

Initially, live projects and working with the textile industry underpin this module. You will be encouraged to develop and refine your technical skills as appropriate to achieve increasingly professional outcomes. Entry to a national competition in the Spring semester gives the opportunity for peer evaluation at a national level.

A work placement or equivalent is an important part of this module and may result from your interaction with external contacts.

You will also be given the opportunity to work collaboratively with students from other programmes for example Fashion and Interior Design. This “Creative disruption” is a new initiative within the School of Art encouraging a diverse and dynamic learning experience, helping to foster studio culture and establish creative relationships between students.

You will become increasingly aware of your strengths, weaknesses and transferable skills and begin to define your personal identity. This will prepare you for writing your own design brief and formulising a body of design work that is totally independent and free from any commercial restraints. You will be encouraged to present this work in an exhibition type scenario at the end of the module.

You will develop your understanding of traditional methods and techniques and how to use digital processes to compliment these and explore beyond what might be achieved manually.

This module not only rehearses working to a brief set by either industry or a collaborative partner, but also working independently on your personal project. This encourages you to explore new ways of thinking and working that challenges your perceptions of both design restrictions and original design concepts.

You will experience sessions in methods of drawing, sketchbook work, printmaking, dye workshops and digital skills. These will encourage you to experiment and recognise your individual style. You will understand design development and how this relates specifically to Fashion and Interior markets. Your confidence will be established through the formation of a portfolio of personal research.

You are encouraged to take the initiative to expand your personal research from external sources and to begin to develop inspirational concepts.

In the regular progress tutorials and creative fora, you will become more resilient through constructive criticism and peer evaluation.

Material Matters builds upon your exploration of influences at level 4 and encourages you to reflect upon your textile practice in relation to what matters to you in the wider world both as a designer and as a person. Topics discussed might include gender, sustainability, materials, architecture and landscapes, global and local cultures, branding and the changing status of textile design.

The module teaches a number of research and communication skills that allow you to become articulate in spoken and written assignments. You will develop an ability to find confidence in your own voice as a reflective, thoughtful and well-informed practitioner.

During this period of work experience, students can gain a deeper appreciation of the responsibilities arising from both corporate and individual responses to such issues, thus enabling them to relate to the wider world when exploring a personal direction for potential career development.

With the support and guidance of personal tutor group seminars and related sessions linked to the module, you are required to select, plan, explore and experiment with work on your own textile practice-based project  Your concept should have the potential for visual and creative development to extend and progress your personal direction and ways of working.

You will start the practical groundwork for your personally developed concept. It may be necessary to try new techniques pertinent to your idea and sample design prototypes which could be for either fashion or interiors. Live briefs and competitions may also be considered as appropriate.

You are encouraged to be ambitious and to try to push the boundaries of your chosen subject, whilst consolidating techniques and technologies already encountered. You are required to produce a portfolio of individual practical work responding to your chosen brief 

The ability to efficiently plan and research play a major role in the effectiveness of the individual operating within the textile industry, as does a clear understanding of how to communicate your design concept and present it both visually and orally.

Visual research showing the origins of the concept should be apparent and an awareness of historical and /or contemporary sourcing

A portfolio of visual research material, including creative experimental work, sketchbook, design developments, fabric experimentation, identification of influences (both historical and contemporary), correspondence with potential sponsors, research boards etc. will be presented at the end of the module. You will also be required to present your proposal to a group of your peers and tutors.

A written statement of practice will clearly demonstrate your concept.  An oral and visual presentation will showcase your ideas and intended outcomes and enable you to stake claim to your particular design idea. The presentation of your work in a professional context (static exhibition) will give you the chance to showcase individuality and personal style. This mechanism is good practice for future application as a designer.

Considerations may also be made to global issues such as ecological effects, sustainability and new technologies. The opportunity of negotiating sponsorship with a possible company should also be considered.

Throughout the module you will be supported by small studio work-checks, individual tutorials with appointed members of staff and larger peer group design seminars. Assessment is by a visual portfolio, exhibition and oral presentation of practical work (mid semester).

Industrial awareness gained during the course will be reflected upon and included in your personal development plan helping to inform your career direction. You will develop a professional on line Blog/C.V to showcase your portfolio and employability.

The body of work produced should evidence the influence of past or contemporary practitioners and an awareness of globalisation and / or issues of sustainability or responsible sourcing.

Through an approved, self motivated project you are encouraged to work with independence, initiative and confidence and further develop your abilities of research, critical analysis and self organisation.

This module enables you to express the assimilation of knowledge and insight gained throughout the programme and to identify and develop areas of personal commitment that define your direction.

The emphasis is on independent learning but throughout the module your work will be supported by individual tutorials with a personal tutor and larger peer group design seminars. Assessment is by submission of practical work in an exhibition setting and a portfolio of work.