A Level Textiles/Fashion Design
Textiles/Fashion Design A Level is for people who enjoy using a wide variety of experimental and traditional textile / fashion techniques and processes to produce both fine art Textiles and original garments.
• Textiles (Fashion Design) is for people who enjoy using a wide variety of experimental and traditional techniques and processes including fashion illustration, experimental pattern cutting, feltmaking, batik, shibori, embroidery, printmaking and alternative mixed media for recycled garment construction to produce both fine art Textiles and original garments, plus fashion photography.
• Year 1: An Introduction to Textiles: The first term consists of teacher-led workshops. The teacher selects the broad project theme(s) and you ultimately produce an original piece.
• Year 2: Personal Portfolio: The second year is student led. Students decide on a suitable theme and techniques where you are encouraged to develop your imagination, artistic and investigative skills as well as your ability to critique your own work. You will also write a 1,500-3,000 word illustrated essay about a designer or artist of your choice.
All students studying A Levels must have at least five GCSEs at grade 9 – 5 in academic subjects, including English Language at grade 5. Two of these must be grade 6. Specifically for Textiles you will need to have GCSE Textiles (or Art/Graphics/3D) at grade 5 or above OR Level 2 BTEC Art and Design at Merit or above. If you do not have a GCSE or BTEC in Textiles (or the subjects listed above), you will need to show evidence of your artistic commitment through a portfolio of work.
Assessment is a combination of practical portfolio work (this is mostly practical, but also includes detailed and coherent annotation of your work within your sketchbook and an essay) and a practical exam (in which you produce your final piece under exam conditions).
Students will potentially continue to a one-year Foundation course in Art/Textiles (to decide on which Textile discipline to explore at degree level) followed by a degree in a particular field such as Fashion/Costume Design, Textiles (including constructed, printed etc) Fashion Promotion and Marketing or Photography. Textiles/Fashion can be useful to a whole series of different careers including interior design, marketing, illustration, TV advertising and website design.
LISA BECKLEY
- BA (Hons) Craft/Applied Art from Manchester Metropolitan University
- Over 14 years’ experience lecturing Art & Design and Textiles
- Students have progressed to Goldsmiths, London and other prestigious universities