Textile Design BA (Hons) module details

Year one (Level 4)

Block 1: Inquiry

In this module you will develop your understanding of the necessity for visual investigation. You will explore a variety of methodologies for developing information gathering, drawing, photography, image making, documentation, experimentation, and conceptual development. You will explore approaches to critical reflection. In response to taught sessions you will expand skills, advancing and personalising a range of investigative techniques for use throughout the course. You will explore composition, layout, and prototyping for textile design to communicate your ideas to a variety of audiences. You will respond to a project where you will also be introduced to strategies for using contextual investigation and consider how that informs the development of your practical skills.

Assessment: 50% project and 50% coursework.

Block 2: Specialism Rotation

This module introduces you to the textile specialisms of Print, Mixed Media, and Construct, (knit and weave). You will receive an introduction to the design processes in each area by attending a series of workshops, exploring colour, pattern, image, texture, and form. These will be further developed through consideration of composition and layout, and then translated into final outcomes using materials technologies and processes relevant to each textile's specialism. You will explore practical skills in a range of specialist workshops and will record your development as part of your coursework technical file. The module includes a technical and theoretical exploration of colouration, yarns, fibres, and fabric construction. The module aims to equip you with knowledge, information and an awareness of environmental and ethical issues underlying the broader field of textiles.

Assessment: 100% coursework.

Block 3: Design Development

You will enhance your understanding of visual and contextual investigation and apply your knowledge to the development of speculative textile design ideas. Investigating a range of approaches to concept generation and design development. Consideration of layout, scale, colour, and materials will be addressed in taught sessions. You will respond to the sessions, developing the knowledge and skills that enable you to produce a collection of Textile design conclusions in response to a set brief. You are expected to communicate your project development and conclusions in a verbal and visual presentation to tutors and peers.

Assessment: 80% coursework and 20% presentation.

Block 4: Culture and Context

In this module you will reflect on the skills and knowledges you have developed in Textile Design. You will be supported in developing and executing an individual textile design project that will demonstrate your application of this knowledge to physical or digital outcomes. You will also explore techniques that can be used to critically evaluate and reflect on your learning, supporting their development in subsequent modules.

The practical content is further underpinned by theoretical content delivered by the Design Cultures department to contextualise current practice within an historical framework. You will consider origins and influences - how traditions develop and evolve in response to social and political contexts - as well as research methods, visual literacy, and the skills for academic writing.

Assessment: 50% project and 50% written assignment.

Year two (Level 5)

Block 1:Specialism Technical

The focus of the module is practical skills building and engagement with workshop facilities as a creative resource. You will investigate the processes, materials, and techniques of your chosen specialist area. There will be a range of technical workshop sessions to enable students to become effective practitioners in their field of study. You are also required to experiment and explore specialist processes in directed studies to develop your understanding and skillset. Sourcing and selection of materials and yarns, as well as in the combinations of processes and techniques is expected as part of your self-directed learning. You will also be supported in developing colouration skills, along with knowledge of fibres, yarns and fabrics and textile testing which will inform your approach. You will be supported in developing their reflection and analytical skills throughout the module.

Assessment: 70% technical development and 30% coursework.

Block 2: Communication

Design Cultures contextual teaching is included in this module. At Level 5 you will engage with issues and debates including sustainability, gender, and cross-cultural awareness. You will research and explore relevant historical, theoretical, critical, and global concepts to underpin your understanding of contemporary issues in the fashion industry.

You will undertake several tasks that will develop your skills in investigating, interpreting, and communicating design developments that are informing contemporary textile design practice, including trend research. Through seminars and practical workshops, you will test ideas and discuss contemporary approaches to realising design ideas.

Assessment: 50% presentation portfolio and 50% written assignment.

Block 3: Industry

You will respond to at least one industry brief. Through engaging with industrial practices, you will develop an awareness of customer, branding and market points which is fundamental to the textile design process for industry. The module will support you in continuing to develop textile design skills and knowledge of specific technologies and processes within the specialism areas.

You will develop an understanding of the need to conduct market research and develop greater awareness of the use of trend information as part of the design process. Lectures and practical workshops will support the development of the skills required to acquire, collate, and present this information to a range of audiences.

Assessment: 50% market investigation and 50% project.

Block 4: Global Contexts

In this module you will be tasked with developing a body of work that is targeted at a non-western centric market. In lectures and seminars, you will explore a variety of global markets and contexts for textile design. You will explore issues relating to cultures, beliefs and ethical practice and consider the impact on your design practice

You will be asked to consider your work in and how it is situated within a global context. You will be expected to develop your understanding of the challenges faced in protecting and improving the world we live in and consider how your practice can potentially have a positive impact and contribute and solve problems.

You will develop a range of design conclusions based on investigation and consideration of non-UK markets. You will evaluate your findings and construct a presentation that communicates this to a range of audiences.

Assessment: 50% project and 50% presentation.

Year three (Level 6)

Block 1: Exploration

This module provides the opportunity for you to create an individual textile design collection of work for fashion, interiors, or lifestyle. Through investigation and design development you may also propose design solutions for other contexts. This module represents the development of a personal design direction, which may be refined further in subsequent modules towards more detailed and resolved conclusions.

Writing your own brief for a context of choice, you will focus on creating an original body of work, exploring their design interests whilst conducting investigation focused on concept, design development and technical development. This will conclude, with a collection of design concepts. You will be supported in developing working practices that enable you to investigate and develop concepts to design conclusions. Throughout the module you are actively encouraged to compete in national competitions and live projects to further your career prospects and enhance your creative skillset.

Assessment: 50% investigation file and 50% design development.

Block 2: Design and Culture

For Design Cultures, you will consolidate your skills of research, organization, critical analysis, and communication to develop and agree a self-directed title for an extended essay or alternative assessment. A link between the written assignment and studio projects is encouraged to demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between theory and practice.

You will be supported in developing a collection of textile design conclusions that should be informed by the knowledge and skills that have been developed in prior modules. You will be supported in applying design development techniques that give them the opportunity to generate textile design conclusions. CAD workshops will inform digital design and presentation processes and you will negotiate specialism workshop access should you wish to produce physical textile design work.

In conclusion you will present a resolved collection of work that is informed by an iterative approach to design development and informed by relevant global and cultural issues.

Assessment: 50% project and 50% coursework.

Block 3 and Block 4: Major Project or Dissertation

Major Project represents the opportunity to consolidate individual practice and independent thinking. You will explore your own negotiated project and will be supported in creating a design collection to a professional standard. Through exploration of complex concepts and themes you will explore your design interests throughout the module

The module challenges you to expand existing skills and acquire new ones, which will facilitate the transition to industry. You will be supported in developing an understanding of the context within which you are designing and demonstrate awareness of market level in the form of extensive investigation. Outcomes will be resolved into a collection of textile designs or product.

This module also develops a portfolio of professional skills in preparation for industry or further academic study. Through seminars, lectures and visiting lecturers from industry, you will assess your prior experience, achievements, and knowledge, in order to identify career pathways. You will also be supported in developing a promotional portfolio (digital and physical) of work which demonstrates the ability to visually summarise projects, from concept to final visualisations. The portfolio will include images and text suitable for relevant audiences.

Assessment: 80% portfolio and 20% presentation.

A dissertation will respond to a significant research question relating to textile design, which is sufficiently, and appropriately challenging. A proposal will be submitted which enables you to explore and present knowledge and concepts of a complex nature, employing critical thinking in the analysis of texts, focussing on wider historical, cultural, contemporary, or global issues to support a written outcome. This will then support the development of the dissertation.

A structured chapter outline, and bibliography will be presented mid-project, to confirm and determine the approach to the dissertation. The results of your findings will be presented to academic standards and conventions in the form of a dissertation.

Assessment: 80% dissertation and 20% presentation.