The programme covers design for a wide range of contemporary design and commercial contexts - design for fashion and furnishing fabrics including accessories, carpet design, stationery products and packaging design; contemporary gallery pieces and design for public spaces/interiors.

What you will learn.

You will acquire practical skills in areas such as printed, embroidered, non-woven textiles and computer aided design including design for fabrics, paper and ceramics. The course combines traditional techniques alongside the use of the latest textile digital print technology.

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

What you will study.

Level 1 of the programme 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 textile design industry and creative industries.

At Level 2 you begin to establish your personal direction and begin to make use of the specialist areas available to you. You are able to explore design for a range of outcomes and to utilise the various practical workshops in printed, non woven fabrics, rug making, embroidery and digital printing for fabrics and papers. Innovation occurs when you have the opportunity to intermix these areas to create new and exciting outcomes. At this level you are also offered the opportunity to work on live projects, enter work for national and international design competitions and exhibit your work professionally at trade fairs.

At Level 3 you will be able to work independently and most of the year will be spent on developing a personal body of work via the Personal Project module alongside the production of a marketing portfolio. Your final exhibition at the end of the year will focus on your proposed project and many students at this level will also have the opportunity to exhibit at the New Designers Exhibition in London.

Special features.

• Opportunities for work placements and links with industry.
• Students work in light and airy design studios equipped with work spaces.
• Facilities for embroidery, needlebonding, felt making, gun tufting (carpets), printed and dyed textiles and computer aided design.
• Digital Textile Print Facilities available within the programme area.
• Broad lecture-based programme including historical and contextual studies.
• Visiting speakers and overseas study visits.
• Many of our students have gained prestigious awards through the Bradford Textile Society, New Designers Awards and the Society of Dyers and Colourists.

Careers and professional development

You will have the chance to visit galleries and museums, design studios and manufacturers, national and international textile trade fairs in the UK, Europe and USA which broaden your understanding of commercial practice. Links with industry, including enterprise activities, professional exhibitions, live projects, national design competitions and optional work placements enhance your learning experience. At level 3 the Professional Practice module prepares you for further training, employment and self employment.

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