COURSE CURRICULUM

In the first year of the textile design program, students are introduced to all four specialist areas: Print, Mixed Media, Knit, and Weave. This broad exposure helps in making an informed decision about the pathway to pursue in the following years. The first block focuses on inquiry, where students develop visual investigation skills through techniques like drawing, photography, and conceptual development. Specialism rotation follows, providing workshops that explore various textile techniques and materials such as colour, texture, and fabric construction. In the design development block, students work on developing textile design ideas based on contextual and visual research. The final block, Culture and Context, encourages personal reflection on the skills acquired and their application to individual projects while also learning about design history, visual literacy, and academic writing. In the second year, students specialize in their chosen area and build technical expertise. The Specialism Technical module focuses on practical skills, including colouration, yarns, and textile testing. The Communication module examines contemporary issues like sustainability and gender within the textile industry, while the Industry module requires students to respond to industry briefs, market research, and customer branding. The final block in the second year, Global Contexts, challenges students to create designs for non-western markets, addressing cultural and ethical considerations. In the final year, students refine their personal design direction, culminating in an individual textile design collection. This is supported by Design and Culture, where students link their projects to global and cultural contexts. The major project or dissertation in the final year allows students to demonstrate their acquired skills, either through a comprehensive design collection or a significant research project, preparing them for industry or further study.