FdA Textiles (with BA Top Up option)
Design: Jess Wright
COURSE OVERVIEW
From fashion to interiors, from soft to hard, textile design is a fascinating and richly creative world. On this course you’ll enjoy a broad reaching creative study of the discipline and its applications including: surface print, stitch embellishment, dyeing and mixed-media construction.
You’ll have the chance to focus on a variety of specialist areas, including textiles for fashion, textiles for interiors and textiles as design/crafts. Traditional skills are taught together with expertise in design development, production and contemporary invention.
We prepare you for a successful career by helping you develop a practical, professional and entrepreneurial outlook. You’ll be ready for the challenges the textile industry has for you and the talent to invigorate and influence it.
EXPERTS AND EXCELLENT RESOURCES
· As well as a highly experienced course team, you’ll hear guest speakers from a wide variety of creative textiles industries.
· You’ll work in large modern design studios, with industry–standard facilities and excellent tools and equipment.
· You’ll use equipment ranging from digital fabric printers and laser cutting machinery to traditional print/stitch and manipulation equipment
· Digital workshops will add to your studio learning and take place in large specialist suites.
YEAR 1
In Year 1 you’ll develop your design knowledge and practical ability through textile workshops and studio teaching.
· You’ll be introduced to a variety of applications and to the fundamentals of critical theory.
· You’ll increase your knowledge of textiles: how they’re designed, produced and used.
· You’ll be given a work placement in the third term to learn more about the working life of a textile designer or maker.
· Our students have recently enjoyed placements with Matthew Williamson, Mollie Regan Textiles, Ruth Cross, Mudpie, Print Tank, Tatty Devine, Hobbs, Bruce Oldfield, Hand and Lock, Donna Wilson, Lizzie Allen and many more.
YEAR 2
Year 2 will focus on your individual interests and ensure your professional and technical skills mature through first hand experience with industry specialists.
· You’ll work with fellow students and industry throughout this year (for example, working on live briefs such as ‘’Collection 18’ with fashion students and entering major national and international competitions).
· At the end of the year you’ll produce a final project, a graduate portfolio and associated works to demonstrate your readiness for your future career.
· Students who successfully complete this Foundation Degree will have a guaranteed route of progression to the third year of BA (Hons) Textiles.

BA (HONS) DEGREE (TOP UP)
We do not
currently anticipate being able to accept direct entrants to this
course in 2012/13.
This additional year offers the opportunity to refine your existing
creative practice, develop your skills and reflect upon your
experience and direction formed from previous study. The course
nurtures students to develop into original, mature and autonomous
textile practitioners, encouraging them to lead rather than respond
to industry trends. It offers a supportive learning environment for
practice-led textile students, encouraging research and development
in the advancement of their practice towards fashion, interiors or
art/crafts.
This BA (Hons) award is not offered as a three year course and
is only available to those articulating from a Foundation Degree.
Students may also apply to the third year of other Honours Degree
courses, where their suitability will be considered by the relevant
course team. Students who are not currently studying at the
University College may also apply to the third year of this BA
(Hons) course if they hold the relevant subject qualification.
Applicants to the final year of a BA (Hons) qualification may be
required to undertake Bridging Studies to prepare them for studies
on the Honours degree course.
For further details, please go to the BA (Hons) Textiles Top-Up course page.
INTERVIEWS AND PORTFOLIOS
You will be expected to show a real commitment to and enthusiasm
for this subject. A lively interest in colour, surface, texture and
drawing should be displayed, with a developed understanding of
contemporary textiles and their usage. A general awareness of
contemporary art and design is also desirable.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR
We look for enthusiasm,
creativity and a fascination with all things fabric, together with
a willingness to learn and to engage with others. Your portfolio
should show examples of drawing and sketchbooks which demonstrate
good use of colour and mixed media. Evidence of textile work is an
advantage but not a necessity as we teach all the fundamental
requirements of the discipline during the first year.
SKILLS AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Throughout the course you will be encouraged to experiment and
develop your creative and technical skills, to become aware of
contemporary practice within textiles and to become familiar with
the demands of the relevant creative industries. Professional and
study skills will also be an important aspect of your learning to
ensure that you are prepared for employment and adaptability within
the textile and related industries.
Graduates from this course may find employment in a variety of textiles and surface pattern related work; you might become a studio textile designer, a freelance designer for fashion fabrics or interior fabrics, a textile maker or a textile artist. Some of our graduates might find themselves in other related areas of the textile and design industry such as buying, trends and forecasting, or PR. Some graduates may also enter the teaching profession or progress to further study at Masters level.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS COURSE
More student
work, together with a look at our studios, recent projects,
exhibitions, industry links and details of our course staff, can
all be viewed in the ‘Showcase’ for this
course.
COURSE LEADER
Anne-Marie Howat
CONTACT
Admissions
Tel: 01202 363228/363225
Email: admissions@aucb.ac.uk

Design: Kelly Lawso
- Mode of Study: Full-time
- Course Duration: 2 years
- Institution Code: A66
- UCAS Code: W233
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- Entrance and Other Requirements
- Application and Interview
- Course FAQs
- Fees
- BA (Hons) Textiles Top Up
- Open Days
- View Student Work
- Textiles Showcase
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