Textile Design - A LevelHead of Department: James Fraser-Murison

Email: james.fraser-murison@qmc.ac.uk

Fact File• For students planning a career in Art and Design, the A Level course will have the necessary breadth of work for entry onto a Degree or Foundation degree in Art and Design.• Some students study a one year full-time Art and Design Foundation course before progressing to degree level. A few students go directly into work related areas. Typical career options include textile design, interiors, fashion design, fashion promotion, three-dimensional design, including jewellery, costume and theatre as well as other related Art and Design options.• Combines well with many other subjects at A level including other Art, Design or Media A Levels

Course SummaryTextile Design is all about developing making skills and working with a wide variety of techniques and processes. In the first year, the course expands and develops students’ practical skills, knowledge and understanding of textiles. Techniques include: surface pattern design (dyeing, batik, print, embroidery and appliqué) and constructed textiles (felt-making, weaving and knitting). There will be time to experiment and explore lots of possibilities for idea development and potential outcomes in fashion, interiors and fine art.

During the second year the course seeks to build on the knowledge gained during the first year and develop the ability to work independently through sustained investigations, development of ideas and in depth analysis. Students will work on a variety of briefs but they will be more personally directed and in depth. The conclusion of the 2 year A level course will be for students to present two components of work in the form of a portfolio with an externally set assignment.

Specific entry requirementsIt is recommended that you have a grade 5 or above in an Art or relevant Technology subject. If this is not applicable, you should bring a small portfolio of work to your enrolment interview. Being open to experimentation and to trying new things, as well as having a creative outlook and a willingness to work hard is highly valued.

Progression skills and opportunitiesTextiles develops making and design skills and is good for entry onto any creative or Art and Design based degree course. We have students who are now costume designers, photographers,

designers, interior designers, fashion assistants and teachers. Students have gone on to study degrees at institutions including Central St Martins, Royal College of Art, London College of Fashion, Royal School of Needlework, UCA (Farnham, Epsom), UAL (Kingston, Camberwell), Manchester Metropolitan, Bournemouth, Falmouth, Brighton, Winchester and UWE (Bristol).

How is the course assessed?There are 4 assessment objectives which assess how students: develop ideas in response to contextual references, explore a variety of media, record observations, develop ideas and produce final outcomes and evaluations.

Assessment is 60% portfolio and 40% externally set assignment.

What topics will I be studying?Portfolio Component:Work for this component requires students to research, analyse and establish coherent and sustainable links between their understanding of their own emerging art and design practice with that of historical and contemporary references. This study will be part written and part practical work. A contextual 1,000 word essay is a mandatory part of this component. The aim of this component is to develop students’ ability to investigate and research art and design in depth and respond creatively to their findings. Students will also be required to resolve successfully the problems that emerge as an inevitable part of the process of creating art and design work.

Externally Set Assignment Component:The externally set assignment will represent the culmination of the A-Level course in Art and Design. Students will be given a preparatory period during which they will develop ideas relating to the given question. After this, students will produce their own work over a 15 hour timed period.

Will I need any specialist materials or equipment?The studio fee of £60 per year covers most of the materials that students will require.Students may wish to purchase additional craft materials to develop additional skills within their area of interest. There will be the opportunity to take part in a residential trip.

Textile Design - A LevelHead of Department: James Fraser-Murison

Email: james.fraser-murison@qmc.ac.uk

Fact File• For students planning a career in Art and Design, the A Level course will have the necessary breadth of work for entry onto a Degree or Foundation degree in Art and Design.• Some students study a one year full-time Art and Design Foundation course before progressing to degree level. A few students go directly into work related areas. Typical career options include textile design, interiors, fashion design, fashion promotion, three-dimensional design, including jewellery, costume and theatre as well as other related Art and Design options.• Combines well with many other subjects at A level including other Art, Design or Media A Levels

Course SummaryTextile Design is all about developing making skills and working with a wide variety of techniques and processes. In the first year, the course expands and develops students’ practical skills, knowledge and understanding of textiles. Techniques include: surface pattern design (dyeing, batik, print, embroidery and appliqué) and constructed textiles (felt-making, weaving and knitting). There will be time to experiment and explore lots of possibilities for idea development and potential outcomes in fashion, interiors and fine art.

During the second year the course seeks to build on the knowledge gained during the first year and develop the ability to work independently through sustained investigations, development of ideas and in depth analysis. Students will work on a variety of briefs but they will be more personally directed and in depth. The conclusion of the 2 year A level course will be for students to present two components of work in the form of a portfolio with an externally set assignment.

Specific entry requirementsIt is recommended that you have a grade 5 or above in an Art or relevant Technology subject. If this is not applicable, you should bring a small portfolio of work to your enrolment interview. Being open to experimentation and to trying new things, as well as having a creative outlook and a willingness to work hard is highly valued.

Progression skills and opportunitiesTextiles develops making and design skills and is good for entry onto any creative or Art and Design based degree course. We have students who are now costume designers, photographers,

designers, interior designers, fashion assistants and teachers. Students have gone on to study degrees at institutions including Central St Martins, Royal College of Art, London College of Fashion, Royal School of Needlework, UCA (Farnham, Epsom), UAL (Kingston, Camberwell), Manchester Metropolitan, Bournemouth, Falmouth, Brighton, Winchester and UWE (Bristol).

How is the course assessed?There are 4 assessment objectives which assess how students: develop ideas in response to contextual references, explore a variety of media, record observations, develop ideas and produce final outcomes and evaluations.

Assessment is 60% portfolio and 40% externally set assignment.

What topics will I be studying?Portfolio Component:Work for this component requires students to research, analyse and establish coherent and sustainable links between their understanding of their own emerging art and design practice with that of historical and contemporary references. This study will be part written and part practical work. A contextual 1,000 word essay is a mandatory part of this component. The aim of this component is to develop students’ ability to investigate and research art and design in depth and respond creatively to their findings. Students will also be required to resolve successfully the problems that emerge as an inevitable part of the process of creating art and design work.

Externally Set Assignment Component:The externally set assignment will represent the culmination of the A-Level course in Art and Design. Students will be given a preparatory period during which they will develop ideas relating to the given question. After this, students will produce their own work over a 15 hour timed period.

Will I need any specialist materials or equipment?The studio fee of £60 per year covers most of the materials that students will require.Students may wish to purchase additional craft materials to develop additional skills within their area of interest. There will be the opportunity to take part in a residential trip.

Cliddesden Road, Basingstoke, Hants, RG21 3HF Tel: 01256 417500 Email: info@qmc.ac.uk www.qmc.ac.uk