Textile Design (including Year 0) BA (Hons)

Norwich University of the Arts

OVERVIEW

Textile Design at Norwich is for the curious, creative student who wants to explore surface, pattern, material, digital and traditional textile processes for interiors and fashion. As textile designers you are the muse of the fashion industry driving sustainable and ethical agendas and solutions. You will design for environments, body and artefact and be agents of change in how we think about consumption, inclusivity and how we interact with the textiles that we wear and live around every day.

The course supports you to identify personal professional interests alongside developing creative, technical and industry skills. A distinctive feature of textile design study at Norwich is the ability to explore all textile processes throughout the course, rather than specialise early in your studies.

Through hands-on practical workshops and design challenges you will utilise textile processes of print, knit, weave and stitch, alongside dyeing, fabric manipulation, surface embellishment and digital software, answering industry-relevant briefs. You will define your own creative practice built on knowledge, skills, critical reflection, and experimentation while building your graduate portfolio.

• YEAR 0

This course includes a Year 0, which promotes developing practical, technical and creative skills and confidence. Building on your prior experience, you will be introduced to some of our workshops to assist your skill development, with an increasing emphasis on professional standards and independent study. The course places emphasis on your personal commitment to study, while supporting you in your progression.

• KEY FEATURES
• Explore the infinite possibilities of materiality and make in textile design, through drawing, image and colour, material research informing pattern and design direction.
• Hands on learning is put into context through investigation and exploration, absorbing cultural histories and global awareness of sustainability and ethical provenance.
• Gain vital industry knowledge through the highly skilled and knowledgeable staff team as well as an extensive lecture series which broadens and stretches your understanding of the textile design arena
• Engage with industry agendas of sustainable practice and responsible design whilst addressing commercial and client needs of this multi million-pound global industry.
• Challenge and innovative with materials and processes of ‘make’ and tactile interventions, you will explore trad tech and digital tools to create design solutions that shape and redefine our industry.
• YOUR FUTURE

In your final year you will identify your unique contribution to the creative industries by preparing a strategy for your future direction, while evidencing skills and attributes through your portfolio work. Working with industry partners you will work on live briefs and competitions, receiving professional feedback and career advice in anticipation of graduate promotional opportunities.

Live projects, competitions and industry placements enable you to engage in and build external networks and opportunities, preparing you to be industry-ready for your self-identified career path beyond graduation.

Graduates of the course have secured diverse roles in textile-related positions and beyond, including education roles in school and post-16 providers, manufacturing companies such as Ivo Prints, Whitchurch Silk Mill, design studios including Next Home, Joules, and Bay and Brown, conservation work with the National Trust and costume with the Scottish Opera.

Many of our graduates establish their own businesses, including Kalopsia Collective, Rachel Parker and Amelia Ellwood. Our alumni provide a rich network of support and mentoring within the course delivery.

• OUR STUDENTS’ WORK