AS/A2 Textiles

AS/A2 Textiles

Why study Design Technology Product Design Textiles?
Product Design in Textiles is an exciting course that explores aspects of the fashion and textiles industry. Lessons are interactive and vibrant, providing a stimulating experience to learn and develop skills in areas of design and making. Students especially enjoy completing the coursework portfolios and creating a complete garment.

Study Textiles if you:

• Are interested in fashion design and catwalk trends.


• Enjoy research and illustration techniques.


• Like handling and researching properties of fabrics.


• Are keen to learn and develop practical skills such as construction and embellishment. Have a flair for design.

Please note that Design Technology Product Design Textiles cannot be combined with Design Technology Product Design Graphic Products to form part of a course.
What will I study and how will it be assessed?
AS
A broad insight into the many aspects of Textiles and fashion industry. It is not necessary for you to have previous experience in Design Technology Product Design Textiles.

You will be taught how to use a sewing machine, making, pattern drafting and fashion illustration skills. All learning and assessment activities are designed to be interactive and stimulating, both in the design areas and outside the classroom. Visits play an important part of learning: we research fashion trends outside of College, go out to buy and handle fabric and visit exhibitions and trade fairs.

Unit 1
50% of AS Mark (25% of total GCE marks).
Written Paper: an exciting and challenging element of the course, investigating and handling different types of fibres and fabrics, to make design decisions when creating fashion and interior collections.

Unit 2
50% of AS Mark (25% of total GCE marks).
Coursework: a creative sketchbook-based project on the designing and making of a garment, focused on fashion trends. This project involves experimenting with a range of fabrics and decorative techniques to create a unique garment.

A2
The A2 follows a natural progression from the first year. You will be expected to work more independently, developing skills learnt in the first year. As with the first year, visits are essential in supporting learning: we research fashion trends, buy and handle fabrics and visit the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Unit 3
50% of A2 Mark (25% of total GCE marks).
Coursework: a unique project, designing and making a garment inspired by the collection of a fashion designer, in combination with creative salvage. The project involves experimenting with a range of fabrics and decorative techniques to create an individually designed garment.

Unit 4
50% of A2 Mark (25% of total GCE marks).
Written paper: an overview of the different aspects of the textile industry, from trend analysis, illustration and collection planning to garment manufacture. Students will explore these aspects, linking topics to practical garment design.

Does Design Technology Product Design Textiles link well with other subjects?
Textiles can form part of a chosen programme of study, or can be used to complement a range of practical or design based courses.

Where might Design Technology Product Design Textiles lead me?
The Design Technology Product Design Textiles industry is the UKs sixth largest manufacturing sector, the market value reaching over 170 billion last year alone. Supporting this sector requires a steady supply of creative individuals who can design and develop new fashion and interior products. The scope of a future in Design Technology Product Design Textiles ranges from fashion forecasting, designing and fabric technologists through to pattern cutting, marketing and retail.

Many of our students go on to study a design related course at degree level, while others choose a foundation course before specialising in a particular area of design. Previous students have successfully completed courses ranging from product design to fashion marketing.

Textiles offers a great opportunity to learn and develop an interest in fashion and design. The course is demanding but exciting.

An A2 student comments: The Textiles course is great: it allows you to be really creative, and to express yourself in a friendly and enjoyable atmosphere.