BA (Hons) Textile design

Constructed Textiles
Embroidery
Printed Textiles
Retail Management
surface design

Introduction to the Course

Textile design offers the opportunity for increasingly diverse career outcomes. This course celebrates that diversity.
 
The course combines personal choices available at each level with a structured specialist approach.  Embracing digital technology and traditional craft skills, your creativity, personal talents and professional awareness will be developed throughout the course, leading to a textile design degree in one of four exit pathways – constructed textiles, embroidery, printed textiles or textile retail management.   A fifth pathway (surface design) will be offered for September 2008 subject to validation.  Supportive tuition in specialist and combined groups throughout the course fosters the interchange of ideas.   The diverse experience of the academic staff reflects the course ethos. All are practising designers/ visual artists, many working internationally.  

Features of the course include

• A first semester’s intensive experience of all specialist areas - Constructed Textiles (weave, knit, rugs and non-wovens), Embroidery, and Printed Textiles - to help you to make or confirm your decision about your future specialist focus.  
• In second year an elective selected from approximately 20 options offered across the faculty (typical examples currently include Jewellery, Ceramics and Glass, Fashion Photography, etc)
• Contemporary live projects (for example Burberry)
• An optional international study visit to reinforce current awareness of colour and trend predictions and cultural exchange.  
• The work placement that provides a realistic experience to help confirm your future career aspirations and provide exposure to prospective employers.
• The retail management pathway option in the final year following two years of design study.  This pathway offers an alternative opportunity for students interested in a career in the retail sector.
• A theoretical background in historical, cultural and business studies supports the practical and conceptual aspects of design.

Your Learning Experience

There is access to both digital technology and traditional textile craft workshops.   Equipment includes a Mimaki digital printer, jacquard loom, computerised AVL studio looms, computerised embroidery machines, in addition to traditional facilities including a rug gun for tufted rugs, print tables, transfer press, knitting machines, looms, etc.   In addition to textile specific equipment, there is access to faculty computer provision, and by negotiation access to ceramics and glass kilns etc.

The course actively fosters links with industry and organisations including museums and galleries providing a continuously updated contemporary educational experience.