Textile Design
Do you want to study a subject that is highly relevant in today’s society? Do you love textiles? From clothes to accessories, to interior design, is there something about the look and feel of textiles that appeals to you? Maybe, you’ve considered a career in textiles? Perhaps as a Textile Designer, seeing your unique designs manufactured into fabric, or maybe as an Interior Designer or Fashion Designer.
We study cutting-edge designers and organise trips to see current exhibitions at the UK’s most exciting galleries. Whenever possible we try to get involved in a live brief that enables students to get a feel for working in the industry. In the past we have created garments and produced a successful fashion show.
Students will be taught by enthusiastic and supportive members of staff that have many years’ experience in contemporary fashion and surface design. We actively encourage studying current trends in fashion and textiles, examining contemporary practitioners, and produce creative and experimental garments and textiles.
Our students enjoy and appreciate the opportunity to have the freedom to experiment, develop their skills as a designer, and explore options in many different media using conventional and unconventional processes. You will learn how to gather imagery to inspire you to create textile work or garments. Through the critical analysis of the work of textile artists and designers you will be introduced to a range of skills and concepts to broaden your vocabulary and knowledge.
Students will be taught many textile processes from the ‘basics’ to the ‘advanced’. Learning is encouraged through set projects and experimental workshop sessions in the studio. Students are encouraged to develop the ability to work independently, gathering relevant research material and extending practical work in the textile studio.
Key Features
- Textile Design is an innovative course that uses new technology and encourages you to work creatively with a range of materials and techniques.
- The course allows you to experience what it is like to work on real life fashion design projects, developing and manufacturing products using a range of techniques including pattern cutting and garment construction techniques.
- Throughout the course you will take ownership of your project work and learning which will help develop your skills to be an effective artist/designer.
- Students will develop a Portfolio which is invaluable when applying for design courses in Higher Education and for taking to interview.
- Most importantly Textile Design will give you life skills.
Over the two-year period, students will study:
- The basic elements of design including shape, colour, texture, pattern, harmony, scale, proportion, contrast and repetition
- The relationship between form and function
- Design work from different historical periods and cultures
- Life drawing
- How to research the contextual work relevant to their coursework theme
- A variety of textile methods including relief printing, lino printing, screen printing, heat transfer printing, tie-dye, batik, silk painting, dyeing, stencilling, embellishing, stitching, felting, appliqué, patchwork, quilting, weaving, knitting and embroidery
- Sewing, pattern drafting skills and garment construction techniques.
Year One
During year one you will be learning new textiles and fashion skills and techniques, you will be encouraged to explore pattern and surface texture by experimenting with paper, fabric, threads and mixed media to produce a fashion, textile or interior response to a given theme that is unique and you have taken risks to complete.
Year Two
The second year of the A-level will comprise of two components. In component one you will develop work for a personal investigation into a chosen project, issue, or concept supported by 1000-3000 words written material. This will count for 60% of your total A-level marks. In component 2 you will produce personal work in response to one of eight exciting starting points provided by AQA, which will count for 40% of your total A-level marks. At the end of the preparatory period, you will sit 15 hours supervised time (under exam conditions in the Textiles room) to produce your final response. You can choose to create final outcomes in such diverse areas as fashion, fabric design, surface decoration, art textiles, costume design and interior textiles.
Successful textile students can pursue careers such as:-
- Costume for Theatre & Film
- Fashion Buying
- Fashion Design
- Fashion Journalism
- Fashion Illustration
- Fashion Management
- Fashion Retailing and Marketing
- Interior Design
- Shoe Design
- Styling
- Surface Design
- Textile Design
Our past students are now Fashion Designers, Textile Designers, Graphic Designers, Product Designers, and Interior Designers having gone on to universities such as Central Saint Martin’s to study Fashion, University of Huddersfield to study Textiles, Leeds University to study Textile Design and Interior Design. Some even now work for companies such as Abbercrombie and Fitch in America as Fashion Designers and Monsoon as trainee buyers!
Throughout the course there will be visits to museums, art galleries and universities. There is also an optional international trip.
Related Courses
Skip Courses3D Design: Architecture and Interior Design
A Level 3D Design: Architecture and Interior is a hub for unleashing your creativity and imagination in the world of Architecture and Interior Design. Our course is designed to not[...]
3D Design: Product Design
3D Design: Product Design is a practical course in which you learn by doing, you will be able to create imaginative personal work.
Business Extended Certificate
Learners will undertake a programme of assessments designed to assess not only their knowledge and understanding of business, but also the way in which this knowledge and understanding can shape[...]
Art, Craft and Design
Art at Aquinas is an exciting and challenging subject that encourages students to be creative and show a more personal understanding of Art, Craft and Design. The aim of this[...]
Chemistry
Chemistry is a linear A level course that requires, and develops, a variety of skills from mathematical calculations and problem solving to analysis and practical skills.
Creative Media Practice
The Creative Media Practice qualification equips students with professional skills to work in the media and creative industries. The course is 100% practical and all work is assessed internally by[...]
English Literature
If you enjoy reading and discussing literature, you will enjoy this course. You will gain a detailed understanding of a broad range of poetry, prose and drama, while developing different[...]
Graphic Design
Graphic Design is a fast paced, successful linear Art & Design course where students will be introduced to a variety of design approaches whilst exploring a range of media, processes[...]
Media Studies
Students who take A Level Media Studies find that they are challenged in different ways to other subjects. We study areas of representation including gender, sexuality, age and ethnicity in[...]
Photography
Photography at Aquinas is an exciting and challenging subject that encourages students to be creative and show a more personal understanding of Photography.
Latest From Aquinas
Aquinas College features in national report that showcases outstanding performance in GCSE Maths and English Resits. The report, Making the grade: 10 recommendations to help students make progress in GCSE maths and English resits, is based on the approach taken by 11 sixth form colleges in England where post-16 students perform very strongly in these […]
Just before half term, we hosted a fantastic Sports Careers Event, giving students the opportunity to explore the exciting range of careers available within the sports industry! Through insightful talks and networking opportunities, students heard from professionals working in sport, including former Aquinas teacher and Stockport County coach Dave Conlon. A brilliant opportunity to make […]
Aquinas College came alive with vibrant colours, rhythmic music, and enticing aromas as students and staff gathered around with our Youth SVP to celebrate Culture Day on 20th October. The event served as an opportunity to work for the common good through a fundraiser for our Charity of the Year, MacMillan, and a joyous showcase […]
The Creative Media Practice team at Aquinas College has been recognised at the recent Sixth Form Colleges Association (SFCA) Awards, receiving nominations in two categories: Innovation & Change and Skills & Employability. The nominations celebrate the team’s innovative approach to teaching and learning, particularly its commitment to developing meaningful partnerships with external organisations and providing […]
