A Level Textile Design
What is it about at sixth form level?
Textile Design encompasses a very broad range of materials, techniques and processes, including a growing number of interdisciplinary approaches. These comprise woven, embroidered, knitted, printed, painted, dyed, manipulated, embellished and constructional methods which are utilised to produce a great variety of textile outcomes that include costume and fashion design, accessories and body adornment. The range is increasing as new materials and technologies emerge. Possible areas of study include: fashion, costume, digitally or traditionally printed and/or dyed fabrics, garments and materials, constructed textiles, textile installation and accessories.
Why study it and what skills does it develop?
Textile Design is an art subject and will count towards meeting the entry criteria for any Art and Design course at a higher level. It is also an excellent basis for studying and working in the textile or fashion industry.
What prior knowledge and skills are required?
A background in art such as a GCSE or IGCSE is preferred. You should have an interest in textiles and be keen to learn the techniques for how to manipulate them.
How is the course assessed?
A level
The A level is a two-year course and all assessment takes place at the end of the second year. There are two components. Component 1 is your personal investigation, which is the coursework component. Component 2 is the externally set assignment. You will be required to develop independently a personal response to one of a varied range of stimuli within specified time constraints. The assignment consists of a series of visual (including moving image) and written stimuli set by the exam board. You will develop your response over a preparatory study period. Following the preparatory study period, learners will be allocated a period of 15 hours sustained focus study to realise their response unaided and under supervised conditions. Component 1 is worth 60% of the A level and Component 2 is worth 40% of the A level.
Reading
5000 Years of Textiles
By J. Harris
Published by British Museum Press, ISBN 978-0714150895
World Textiles
By M. Schoeser
Published by Thames and Hudson, ISBN 978-0500203699
Basics Fashion Design 01 Research and Design
By S. Seivewright
Published by Ava, ISBN 978-2940411702
Basics Fashion Design 02 Textiles and Fashion
By J. Udale
Published by Ava, ISBN 978-2940373642
Exam Board and Specification Codes
WJEC Art and Design A653QSL
Greg Ioannou
Head of Department
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