Art and Design: Textile Design

Course Overview

The course aims to nurture creativity and personal strengths through independent study. By providing a wide range of materials and introducing innovative techniques, students discover where their personal talents and interests lie.

The ‘design process’ and its development is an essential part of the course, therefore workshops in mark-making, colour-work and design process skills are covered. Here emphasis is placed upon the use of line, tone, colour, texture, shape, form and space in relation to all areas of the student’s personal project. Computer generated work is also encouraged to achieve surface pattern design.

Students will experiment with and use a variety of decorative techniques, such as hand printing (silkscreen, lino, mono), embroidery (both hand and machine), all forms of hand dyeing, such as batik, tie-dye and silk work. Fabric construction, manipulation and embellishment will also be covered. Students are encouraged to explore the use of both traditional and non-traditional materials, such as plastic, wire and paper.

Students will research the work of artists, designers and craft persons (contemporary and historical), illustrating an understanding and displaying influences of these artists’ work within their own work.

Areas of Study
Candidates are required to work in one or more area(s) of Textile Design, such as those listed below. They may explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas.

Fashion
Printed and/or dyed fabric and materials
Domestic textiles and wallpaper
Interior design
Constructed textiles
Textile installation

Duration:Two years | Qualification: A Level | Level: Level 3

Delivery

A Level Textile Design is delivered in the classroom, within a relaxed and friendly environment. Hours of study per week is 4.5 hours for both AS and A2 Level.

Coursework is produced and recorded into ‘design portfolios/design boards’ for each unit (1, 2, 3 and 4) and there is continuous assessment of all coursework throughout the course. There are four units of work:

AS Level Year 1

Unit 1 Coursework portfolio (internally set assignment)
Unit 2 Externally set assignment

A2 Level Year 2

Unit 3 Personal investigation (student set assignment)
Unit 4 Externally set assignment

Requirements

GCSE profile to include English and an Art based subject at grade C is recommended, or submission of a portfolio of work, although not essential.

Progression

A Level Textile Design opens many doors and can be fundamental in creating pathways for a whole array of university courses/Art and Design Foundation.

A graduate of Textiles could follow a career in fashion, surface pattern design, interior design, film/theatre costume design, fashion promotion/journalism, teaching or becoming a specialist textile artist/designer in textile jewelry, felt-making, printing, etc.