Textile/Surface Design

About the course

This creative and challenging programme covers design for a wide range of contemporary design and commercial contexts - from design for fashion and furnishing fabrics including accessories, carpet design, stationery products and packaging design, to contemporary gallery/craft pieces and design for interior fabrics and wallcoverings.

The course is taught by a team with extensive experience of selling and exhibiting textile/surface design work professionally, and brings together the university’s strengths in textile design, arts, research and development.

As Bolton can claim to be the birthplace of textile design and engineering in the UK, you will be studying at the historic home of textile manufacture and innovation in the UK.

Creativity is supported and encouraged both by the team of tutors and external speakers and visitors.
What you will learn

You will develop in-demand skills and your own creative flair – and learn how to present and market your work effectively in a competitive environment.

Your broad portfolio of practical skills will include: drawing and illustration as a precursor to design; printed, embroidered, and non-woven textiles; and computer aided design for fabrics, paper and ceramics.

You will also learn how to design, make, sell and exhibit your work to a high professional standard, building your awareness of current practice of textile/surface design within the wider creative industries in the UK, Europe and USA. This will be supported by overseas visits to ‘design capitals’ such as New York, Milan and Paris.

What you will study

Level 1

Level 1 gives you an opportunity to learn new approaches to design including: drawing and applied colour and an introduction to some of the practical processes via relevant design projects; computer aided design; critical / contextual studies and an awareness of the fashion and textile design industry and creative industries.

Level 2

At Level 2 you will establish your personal direction and begin to make use of the specialist areas available. You will explore design for a range of outcomes and utilise the various practical workshops in printed, non woven fabrics, rug making, embroidery and digital printing for fabrics and papers.

You will innovate by mixing these areas to create new and exciting outcomes. There is the opportunity to work on live projects and you may exhibit your work professionally at trade fairs.

Level 3

At Level 3 you will mainly be working independently, spending most of the year developing a personal body of work via the Independent Practice modules, alongside the production of a marketing portfolio. You will also have the opportunity to enter national design competitions via the Advanced Textiles module. Your final year-end exhibition will focus on your proposed project and there is the opportunity to exhibit at the New Designers Exhibition in London.

Special features

• This course keeps pace with this fast moving, creative industry and offers ‘live projects’ and opportunities for work placements.

• You will work in light and airy professional design studios equipped with work spaces as well as facilities for: embroidery; digital printing; non woven textiles; garment manufacture; felt making; gun tufting (carpets); printed and dyed textiles and computer aided design.

• We are proud that many Bolton students have gained prestigious awards through the Bradford Textile Society, New Designers Awards and the Society of Dyers and Colourists.

• This is a practical and theoretical degree course. Lectures in historical and contextual studies will enable you to trace the development of the contemporary textile industry. Because the University of Bolton enjoys a superb reputation in the teaching and development of textile subjects and is a leading centre of design and innovation, we can attract outstanding visiting speakers and offer exciting overseas study visits.

• You will benefit from small group learning and one-to-one support from expert tutors throughout your course. As well as excellent teaching facilities and supportive atmosphere, the University of Bolton campus also offers 24/7 IT access and WiFi for all students.

Careers and professional development

This course gives you the edge. You will broaden your understanding of commercial practice with the opportunity to visit galleries and museums, design studios and manufacturers as well as fashion and textile trade fairs in the UK, Europe and USA.

Textile/Surface Design graduates are currently using their experience to pursue careers as studio designers, in fashion retail roles, as self-employed designer-makers and entrepreneurs, and as teachers in educational establishments or art gallery environments.

Links with industry, including enterprise activities, professional exhibitions, live projects, national design competitions and optional work placements will enhance your learning experience.

Professional practice modules prepare you for further training, employment and self employment.

On graduation you will automatically become a member of the university’s Alumni Association, gaining access to a wide range of university facilities, including libraries, journals and periodicals as well as professional and employment advice, throughout your career.

Mode of attendance: Full-time