Course description
Content
Year 1
Semester 1 is a diagnostic stage of the course allowing you to study two out of the following: Fashion Design, Fashion/Textile Design and Textiles. Through a common introductory module, you are introduced to processes of exploratory drawing, ideas generation, design development and a range of processes and textile techniques within the workshops. The development of an individual visual language is key and you are encouraged to investigate and test notions of textiles and fashion in the development of your ideas. Before the start of the second semester, you opt for one of the three-degree pathways – Fashion Design, Fashion/Textile Design or Textiles. All routes are concerned with innovative ideas generation through the exploration of processes such as research methodologies, conceptually led pattern cutting, garment design and construction, styling and photography.
Year 2 - Fashion Design
At this level you refine your specialist design-led, technical skills and begin to establish a personal style. Within the programme you will encounter 'live' projects with industry as part of modules addressing professional practice. Projects will be based around garment design and production and magazine design and production.
The second half of the year builds on the specialist approach through diversification of the subject area. The Fashion Practices module covers fashion drawing and technical drawing, styling and photography and innovative cutting alongside garment production and finishing.
Year 3 - Fashion Design
This final level of the programme concentrates on self-directed study and aims at exploring and further developing your design philosophy. This culminates in a collection of either two or three dimensional works or a combination of both. Options for study may include fashion illustration, styling and photography, fashion prediction and marketing and garment design and construction for a collection. The work should be appropriate to your specialisation and future professional interests. A programme of studies in visual culture runs throughout the course culminating in a final major written project.
Year 2 - Fashion/Textile Design
During the first half of this year you will build your understanding of methodologies applicable to current professional standards in fashion/textile practice. Collection development and range building, together with presentation skills will be core learning. Pattern cutting, knitwear and print will be an integral part of the curriculum. The second semester builds on your knowledge acquired over the first part of the year by channelling it into a specialist area that is sought through a range of fashion/textile practices that include embroidery, knot print or fabric manipulation.
Year 3 - Fashion/Textile Design
This final stage of the programme addresses and consolidates what you have learned in the first two years of the pathway of study. This year of self-directed study aims at exploring and further developing your own design philosophy. This period culminates in a collection or presentation of two and three-dimensional work, appropriate to your specialisation and future professional interests. A programme of studies in visual culture runs throughout the course culminating in a final major written project.
Year 2 - Textiles
Level 2 of the course provides you with the opportunity to continue developing your practice through experimentation and invention, whilst enabling you to deepen your contextual awareness and criticality. You will continue to receive taught inductions in a variety of textile / non-textile processes which may include advanced knit, print and stitch alongside enamelling, laser cutting, i-movie editing and other new technologies. You will be challenged to test your creative and analytical thinking and to extend your skill base in the development of innovative ideas. At this stage of the course you are expected to begin to identify your own individual research interests for development through your practice. All students participate in the School's visual culture program that runs concurrently with studio practice.
Year 3 - Textiles
Level 3 is the final year of the course in which you begin to refine and consolidate your research, practice and skills. Students are encouraged to take greater responsibility for their learning and this level provides opportunity to build on the knowledge and skills already gained throughout Levels 1 and 2 of the course. It provides you with a challenging and intense period of study that allows you to develop increased creative dexterity. Although Level 3 students work towards the development of autonomy within their practice you will continue to be fully supported by a range of tutors.
During the first semester you are expected to define and develop a rigorous research enquiry for your work and to continue developing inventive and innovative textile solutions within the studios and workshops. This period of research and extended experimentation is followed in the second semester by the final phase of study in which you begin to resolve your ideas for final assessment and public exhibition. All graduating textile students participate in the School's degree shows and the high profile London Based exhibition 'New Designers'.
