Textiles Portfolio

Course detail

The Textiles Portfolio provides students with a thorough grounding in the different areas of textile design: Knit, Print and Weave. Underpinned by a philosophy of experimentation, visual research and conceptual thinking this exciting programme is designed to allow students to explore and expand their textiles practice while building a portfolio of work for professional practice or future study in diverse areas including textiles, fashion, fine art, costume, surface and jewellery design.

Aims of the course

• Provide a broad diagnostic experience in Textiles Design; supporting students to explore the expanded field of Knit, Print and Weave and their potential within a wide range of art and design disciplines. With a substantial emphasis on colour, texture and the exploration of new materials, students will draw together textiles for interior, fashion, fine art and narrative environments to discover the personal relevance of different methods to them
• Expand student’s design skills and personal practice. Students will advance their comprehension of textiles and challenge their ideas of how to design textiles through carefully constructed projects and workshops. Students will be expected to embrace experimentation, research and work at a fast pace
• Enable students to discover and develop their individual style. Students will learn to find inspiration in new and unknown areas, to identify their skills and potential in different areas of textile design, developing confidence in their practice and nurturing their individual style
• Deliver high quality teaching and small class sizes. The Textiles Portfolio is taught by staff from CSM BA Textile Design, BA Design for Performance, BA Jewellery Design and BA Fine Art, and supported by specialist creative workshops with alumni, visiting specialists and practitioners. The small class sizes on the Textiles portfolio mean that students get a lot of one-to-one tuition, and that Lecturers can support students to develop their own particular approach to Textile Design
• Support students to generate a portfolio of work for application to further study (BA/MA) or professional practice. The Textiles Portfolio aims to help students build a strong portfolio of work for application to further study or professional practice. Students will be given advice on presentation and best practice for their chosen pathway throughout the course, and fulfill projects that will make up the bulk of their portfolio.

Course dates

Autumn term
Stage 2: 3 October - 6 December 2017, 10 weeks
Tuesdays: 6pm - 9pm
Wednesdays: 10am - 5pm

Course structure

Textiles Portfolio is a full-time course providing one day and one evening tuition per week in each term/stage. Students are encouraged to make use the college facilities outside of class time and to attend regular extra curricular activities.

Each stage/term is taught on a progressive basis, providing the opportunity to study for up to one academic year. You are recommended to take all three terms, but other entry points are available providing your work, ability and experience is at the appropriate level for entry. The Textiles Portfolio attracts students from all over the world and therefore understands the needs of international students. There are three points of entry based upon the application dates for undergraduate courses in the UK:

Stage 1 (Apr-Jun): Individuals of varying ability are accepted at this point with the view that they have the potential to begin a BA or MA course in October the following year, after completing a full year of Textiles Portfolio.

Stage 2 (Oct-Dec): Students are only accepted directly to Stage 2 if we feel they have the potential and experience to produce a suitable portfolio of work within six months to present at interview. Most of the content for each portfolio will be produced during this term.

Stage 3 (Jan-Mar): We rarely accept students directly onto Stage 3 of the Textiles Portfolio as it does not give students sufficient time to prepare for BA/MA applications, however this term can be useful for students looking to develop their professional practice.

Curriculum

The Textiles Portfolio has been carefully designed to support students to develop their textiles practice and create their best portfolio to help them achieve their ambitions; whether they are hoping to go onto further study or professional practice. As a one-year course, taught on a progressive basis, each stage of the course offers different content and experience to the students attending the stage, and they are best experienced as a whole.

Subjects covered include, but are not limited to: textile design, print, weave, knit, research, how to contextualise work to the appropriate standard, drawing and mark making, media techniques, colour, layout and presentation, hand knit, crochet, embroidery, off loom weave, machine knit, printmaking (screenprint and digital), collage and visualization, digital design (photoshop and illustrator), photography, personal projects and research, and portfolio surgery. Teaching methods include: workshops, lectures, demonstrations, visits and individual tuition.

Textiles Portfolio starts in Stage 1 with a diagnostic approach (giving students the opportunity to experiment in different areas of textile design) and students are expected to specialize as the course progresses, culminating in a final project in their chosen area in Stage 3 of the course that will provide a focus for their portfolio to support their application further study or future employment

Stage 1 (Apr-Jun): Stage 1 of the Textile Portfolio offers a broad overview of textile design, providing students with an opportunity to explore the fundamental elements and creative methods of textiles, while developing their approach to the subject. This stage comprises of an exciting mix of workshops and guest lectures delivered by CSM Textiles staff, alumni and professionals. Stage 1 is a diagnostic term allowing students to experiment with knit, print and weave, new materials and 3D design.

Stage 2 (Oct-Dec): Stage 2 of the Textiles Portfolio builds on ideas introduced in Stage 1 (Apr-Jul) with projects and workshops designed to develop students existing skills while nurturing individual creative style. Students can expect to work through a diverse range of briefs, broadening the range of work in their portfolios. Interview practice for future study and employment will help to shape students agenda. Stage 2 of the Textiles Portfolio requires students to be highly focussed and work at a very fast pace.

Stage 3 (Jan-Mar): Building on the ideas and skills introduced in Stage 1 (Apr-Jul) and Stage 2 (Sept-Dec) of the Textiles Portfolio, Stage 3 is the culmination of the one-year course. Stage 3 is highly focused on allowing students to specialize their skills and finalize their portfolio: final major projects will bring developing skills into fruition, enhancing portfolios with the depth and substance essential for applying to further study or employment; intense portfolio surgeries will prepare students for future applications to BA/MA and professional practice; invaluable specialist advice will be provided for professionals looking to establish themselves in their chosen field; students applying to a BA or MA at Central Saint Martins will have a portfolio review with the relevant BA/MA course director (this is ONLY available in this stage).

Pathways and routes

The Textiles Portfolio provides the opportunity to explore textiles and related subjects while developing a portfolio to apply to further study or professional practice. To support this we offer specialist pathways (subject specialisms) and routes (BA/MA/Professional Practice).

From Stage 2 onwards, students can choose to specialize in one of the following subject areas: Textiles, Jewellery, Costume for Film or Theatre, Fashion Print, Fashion Knit, Fashion Accessories, Surface Design, Fine Art.

BA Route for progression to undergraduate courses

Applicants to this route will be expected to evidence their experience in art and design, and specifically Textiles. Students hoping to progress to a BA course are recommended to take the full year of the Textiles Portfolio, starting in Stage 1 as this will allow you to explore and experiment in all elements of Textile Design and associated subjects.

MA Route for progression to postgraduate courses

Applicants for this route must supply evidence of successful study at undergraduate level and of their past experience within their chosen subject area. Students will also be expected to have a clear idea of the course they hope to progress to and the work they wish to undertake while on this course. This should be evident in your statement when applying for the course. If you have an undergraduate degree in your chosen area you may be able to join the course from Stage 2, however if you are thinking of changing careers or disciplines you should aim to take the full year of the Textiles Portfolio. Students on the MA Route will follow a personalised scheme of work whilst on the course.

Professional Practice Route

The Professional Practice Route is suitable for students who would like to explore Textile Design as part of a self-development programme and/or students looking to develop a portfolio for future employment. Students on the Professional Practice will follow a personalised scheme of work whilst on the course.

Self-Development: If students are new to the textiles as a subject we recommend that they start in Stage 1 as this will allow them to fully explore the scope and potential of the subject area. It is possible for students with more focused intentions to join the course at a later stage but they will need to clearly evidence their past experience, their intended areas of study and their future plans and ambitions within their personal statement.

Employment: Students looking to develop a portfolio for application to employment must supply evidence of undergraduate study or a period of professional practice within their portfolio. If students are looking to refresh their core skills and build a new portfolio we recommend they apply to Stage 1 of the course. However students who are clear about the areas of their portfolio they wish to strengthen and their future ambitions are welcome to apply directly to Stage 2 of the course, clearly identifying their study intentions and future plans within their personal statement.

Staff

Lecturer: Laura Baker

Associate Lecturer: Berni Yates