Textiles (art)

A Level                     

QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO START THE COURSE

6+ in Art or in DT textiles.  A portfolio of relevant work may be considered

Plus the standard LaSWAP entry requirements for our A level pathway

Please note that Textiles is a specialisation within Art A level, therefore it is not usually suitable to take Textiles alongside another Art A level (Fine Art, Graphics, Photography)

IS THIS COURSE FOR YOU?

Textile design is a versatile discipline that involves the creation, selection, manipulation, and application of a range of materials and processes in order to produce fabrics for different purposes. Textile designers are expected to work in a multi-disciplinary way to develop ideas, concepts, materials, and techniques for diverse creative applications, including fashion, clothing, and contemporary art practice. 

Students studying Textile Design are encouraged to experiment, take creative risks, and explore innovative approaches to materials and surface design. The course welcomes proactive learners who are eager to test ideas, challenge conventions, and develop their own visual language through practical exploration and personal expression. 

 YEAR 12 AND 13 COURSE SPECIFICATION

In Year 12, students will follow an induction period where they develop integrated knowledge, skills, and understanding of the following: 

• The creation and development of fashion design ideas, including drawing or recording skills, digital design, and the preparation of toiles or samples. 
• The appropriate skills to combine and explore a range of materials and approaches. 
• The skills of modelling, cutting, joining, and embellishing in textiles or a range of appropriate media. 
• A working knowledge of a range of textile techniques chosen from other textile disciplines, including constructing fabrics, dyeing, printmaking, and embroidery. 

After reviewing their strengths and areas of interest, students are encouraged to move towards independent and creative learning through the development of a personal project. The personal project takes place from May of Year 12 until February of Year 13. During this project, students carry out in-depth research linked to a theme of their choice, developing practical ideas and test pieces, conducting market research and product analysis, and producing a final practical outcome. Alongside their practical studies, students complete a written investigation of 1,500–2,500 words. 

From February of Year 13, students undertake the Externally Set Assignment, developing an independent project based on a theme set by the exam board. 

LEARNING AND SKILLS

GENERAL ART AND DESIGN SKILLS:

Students are required to develop the skills to:

• record experiences and observations in a variety of ways using drawing or other appropriate visual forms; undertake research; gather, select and organise visual and other appropriate information
• explore relevant resources; analyse, discuss and evaluate images, objects and artefacts; make and record independent judgements
• use knowledge and understanding of the work of others to develop and extend thinking and inform own work
• generate and explore potential lines of enquiry using appropriate media and techniques
• apply knowledge and understanding in making images and artefacts; review and modify work; plan and develop ideas in the light of their own and others’ evaluations
• organise, select and communicate ideas, solutions and responses, and present them in a range of visual, tactile and/or sensory forms.

Students should also:

• understand how ideas generate starting points for art and design practice and form an integral part of the creative process
• understand how images and artefacts relate to ethical and political contexts
• undertake sustained development and refinement of ideas
• develop their visual language to communicate ideas
• demonstrate skilful use of the formal elements, including line, tone, colour, shape, pattern, texture, form and structure
• record evidence of their progress, in an on–going critical and analytical review
• respond to a theme, stimulus or ideas
• make connections between their investigations and creative intentions
• realise intentions
• produce and present outcome(s).

FASHION TEXTILES SKILLS:

Students will develop integrated knowledge, skills and understanding of the following:

• the creation and development of fashion design ideas, which will include drawing or recording skills, digital designs and the preparation of toiles or samples.
• the appropriate skills to combine and explore a range of materials and approaches
• the appropriate skills of modelling, cutting, joining and embellishing in textiles or a range of appropriate media
• a working knowledge of a range of textile techniques chosen from other textile disciplines including constructing fabrics, dyeing, print making and embroidery
• links to the broader areas of fashion, such as marketing, promotion, photography and styling.

EXAMINATION AND ASSESSMENT

EXAM BOARD: EDEXCEL 

ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES AND WEIGHTINGS

 FUTURE PROSPECTS

Students of our Textile Design course may progress directly to an undergraduate degree or undertake a foundation course to further refine their craft. Typical degree routes include Textiles, Surface Pattern, Fashion, Fashion Design and Marketing, Costume Design, Fashion and Product Development, Fashion and Merchandise Management, Design and Communication, and Fashion Technology. 

We have strong connections with the University of the Arts London (UAL) and Ravensbourne University London, who deliver on-site workshops and portfolio sessions. We encourage and support students to consider their future pathways early on in the course, helping them explore creative industries, higher education, and freelance opportunities. 

Careers include:

Fashion Designer • Textile Designer • Print Designer • Surface Pattern Designer • Knitwear Designer • Embroiderer • Costume Designer • Fabric Technologist • Fashion Buyer • Merchandiser • Product Developer • Pattern Cutter • Visual Merchandiser • Fashion Stylist • Fashion Illustrator • Fashion Photographer • Fashion Journalist • Trend Forecaster • Colour Consultant • Textile Technologist • Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker • Materials Researcher • Textile Conservation Specialist • Costume Supervisor • Wardrobe Assistant • Prop Fabricator • Soft Furnishing Designer • Interior Stylist • Set or Stage Designer • Exhibition Designer • Art Director • Creative Director • Accessories Designer • Sustainable Fashion Consultant • Brand Developer • Fashion Marketing Executive • Fashion PR Assistant • Social Media Content Creator • Design Studio Assistant • CAD Designer • Fabric Sourcing Specialist • Sampling Technician • Print Technician • Fashion Show Coordinator • Design Teacher • Art and Design Lecturer • Freelance Designer • Textile Researcher • Fabric Innovator • Materials Engineer • Fashion Retail Manager • Trend Analyst.