Course units
Year 1
Unit 1: Introduction to Textile Design
This unit is an introduction to your course, the College and the University. You’ll have talks and sessions on knit, print, stitch, weave and smart textiles, as well as a broader textile design and innovation introduction. There will be drawing for textile inspiration and design development sessions.
You’ll take part in studio workshops that explore images, objects and textiles in diverse cultural and historical contexts. You’ll be asked to consider “What is textile design?” and “What is research and how do I apply it?”.
Unit 2: Textile concepts and processes
This unit introduces you to textile design through talks, workshops and inductions into the textile workshops. You’ll gather visual information and research to explore concepts and design. You’ll begin to keep a technical notebook.
Unit 3: Textile orientations
This unit will expand your understanding of textile design: its applications, contexts, and debates. The past, present and future of textiles will be explored through talks, seminars and workshops. We’ll discuss the role of climate, racial and social justice in relation to textiles. You’ll be asked to create a reflective journal to document your learning journey.
Unit 4: Textile contexts
In this unit you’ll explore colour, materials and their application within textiles. You’ll choose an ‘interior spaces/exterior spaces’ or ‘fashion/body’ context for your work. You’ll also focus on a textile area: knit, print, stitch, weave or smart textiles. Work will take place in the studio, workshops and digitally or externally to suit your chosen direction. You’ll be asked to consider colour, materiality, scale and the impact of your work.
Year 2
Unit 5: Collaborative and collective practices
You’ll be introduced to different ways in which collaborative working can help you to focus and enhance your own creative strengths. You’ll have the chance to work with fellow students and creative communities.
Unit 6: Materials design – communicating textiles
You’ll build on the textile design skills and knowledge gained in Unit 4. You’ll explore and examine the role of colour, materials and finish in textile design, and what these qualities represent and communicate. You’ll consider a specific context or audience and what the colour, tactile and visual qualities communicate about your textile ideas and outcomes.
Unit 7: Developing textile integrity
This unit explores the relationship between your values as a designer (design integrity) and the properties of the textiles you produce (material integrity). You’ll develop a critical position on historical and contemporary debates that relate to the production of textiles and issues of climate, racial and social justice. You’ll begin to consolidate your position as a designer by furthering your knowledge of material and immaterial implications.
Unit 8: Textiles reimagined – innovative responsible design practice
This unit asks you to approach and explore your practice as an innovative, responsible and sustainable textile designer. The aim is to create new innovative work through responsible design practices. You’ll explore methods, processes and approaches that address the ever-changing landscape of textiles and fashion. You’ll consider the challenges and opportunities designers face today.
Year 3
Unit 9: Professional futures
This unit aims to address the 3Es: employability, enterprise and entrepreneurship. You'll reflect on your learning and skills across the entirety of your study. You’ll have an opportunity to showcase your outcomes and intentions. You'll consider your next steps as you enter industry or continue with your education.
Unit 10: Professional context 1
You’ll focus on the exploration of ideas and innovative and experimental practice, in preparation for your work in Unit 11.
Unit 11: Professional context 2
In this final unit, you’ll define your role as a designer and connect your practice to a wider audience and context.
Optional Diploma between year 2 and 3
Between Years 2 and 3 of the course, you’ll also have the opportunity to undertake one of the following additional UAL qualifications:
Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS)
This optional diploma can be taken between years 2 and 3. With support from your tutors, you’ll undertake an industry placement for a minimum of 100 days/20 weeks. As well as developing industry skills, you’ll gain an additional qualification upon successful completion.
Diploma in Creative Computing
This optional diploma in Creative Computing. This will develop your skills in creative computing alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate course, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Textile Design (with Creative Computing).
Diploma in Apple Development
This optional diploma can be taken between years’ 2 and 3. Over the extra year you’ll become an Apple developer, undertaking a learning programme which includes content from Apple’s official 'Develop in Swift' curriculum. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate degree, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Textile Design (with Apple Development).
