Textile Design (BA Hons - Single)

Overview

Contemporary textile design is central to the worlds of fashion, products and interiors. This course encourages you to explore the field with individual creativity through visual research, design and textile making. During your first year, you experience workshops in print, weave, knit and mixed media, using technological and traditional methods of design production in integrated studio/ workshop projects. In later years, you can increasingly pursue specific interests and material specialisation through both studio and contextual study. As you move through the course, you will recognise the commercial, ethical and industry standards through live projects and work placements developing professionalism and building links for your career. Industry links provide students with a clear understanding of future employment opportunities and possibilities. In the words of our external examiner ; ‘The level of engagement with industry and preparation for the workplace is a notable strength of the course.’

The teaching team includes professional textile artists, practitioners and designers alongside fashion, interior and product designers, who both lecture and mentor students supporting learning with confidence.

The course prepares students to enter the design profession in one of the following areas: a wide range of occupations within textile, fashion and interior design including self employed designer-maker, designer within industry, buyer, stylist, technologist and design journalism and for entry into courses at MA level.

The Faculty is bustling with creativity and energy. The course is taught within the creative hub of Brick Lane, and benefits from links with local design practitioners.

Course contents

**Course structure

Three levels, each of 120 credits. After experimentation, you focus on fabrics for fashion, interiors, products or art textiles. Students will study trend forecasting, specialist software, and fashion illustration in addition to specialist design through making.

Level 1 topics include:

• Visual Research and Communication
• Design Principles
• Critical and Contextual Studies 1
• Workshop Practice

Level 2 topics include:

• Creative Industry Practice
• Narrative or Human Scale
• Critical and Contextual Studies 2
• Design Details

Level 3 topics include:

• Major Project Realization
• Project and Design Development
• Research Methods & Dissertation
• Work Placement & the Entrepreneur or Design Competition

Assessment

You are assessed via project work & essays, individual and group design practice and a final major show & dissertation.

**Subject to validation

Careers

Career opportunities

The course prepares students to enter the design profession in one of the following areas: a

wide range of occupations within textile, fashion and interior design including self employed designer-maker, designer within industry, buyer, stylist, technologist and design journalism and for entry into courses at MA level.

During the course, students have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding whilst working on real-world creative briefs set by professional design bodies. There is also opportunity to enter designated professional competitions. There will be considerable emphasis on the professional presentation of project ideas. Recent live projects have included project work with Marks and Spencer and Ligne Roset.

Faculty Support and Consultancy:

The ‘Projects Office’ provides a supportive professional environment that allows students and staff to undertake consultancy commissions and research projects as well as providing project management support to live projects carried out by students as part of their course.

Students regularly win international competitions (such as Texprint, Society of Dyers & Colourists), and participate in external events including Alternative Fashion Week & international trade visits.

We have established links with professional multi-national companies such as Marks and Spencers & Ligne Roset, securing placements & prizes for students whilst studying. We work with diverse retailers, manufacturers and design studios for live projects, providing valuable experience of the textile industry.

Student profiles

What our students say

"The difference between London Met and many other universities is that the focus is on post graduate employment. There is a great focus on practical skills for the workplace and the importance of workshops and hands on experience. Art and design based modules run alongside business studies to help us upcoming designers understand the real working world. The highlight of my experience in London Met was the live project that we undertook with Marks and Spencers. Not only was this an incredible experience at the time, but by maintaining this connection I am now employed by M&S only a few short months after my studies ended. It is this approach to practical skills and focus on careers that London Met should be commended for."

Kate Woodhead 2011

"My time at London Met on the Textile Design course was brilliant! I was so stimulated and enriched by the projects and seminars I took, it not only taught me in depth Textile knowledge but also key life skills and it taught me a lot about myself. The teachers are open minded and supportive, always looking for new way to help you achieve your potential and bring out your creativity. The best thing for me was the variety of subjects you could study, I even tried my hand at textile jewellery designing which I loved! I enjoyed my time and experiences at London Met so much that I have just applied to do a post graduate course there!"

Hannah Brand 2009

Professional accreditation / exemption

We have established links with professional multi-national companies such as Marks and Spencers & Ligne Roset, securing placements & prizes for students whilst studying. We work with diverse retailers, manufacturers and design studios for live projects, providing valuable experience of the textile industry.

Applying and entry

Sept full-time: apply through UCAS
Sept part-time, Feb 2013  full/part-time: apply direct to the University - contact Admissions for an application form .

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you must have at least 280 UCAS POINTS including at least 2 A Levels in Applied art and design subjects or BTEC National Diploma or BTEC Foundation Diploma, or new diploma including A level specialist subjects in applied art and design.

Further information

Please contact the Admissions Office:
Tel: +44(0)20 7133 4202
Fax: +44(0)20 7133 2677
Email: admissions@londonmet.ac.uk or Gina Pierce