Fashion Textile Design

On this specialist course, you will combine practical textile skills across print, stitch, embellishment and knit, with complementary fashion design skills in pattern cutting, construction, fashion illustration and digital portfolio promotion.

You will have the freedom to determine your own creative direction to design and produce innovative and original textile products that have a clear fashion outcome.

We will help you to become an adaptable and forward-thinking textile design specialist with an understanding of responsible and sustainable design. You will learn to enhance the value, luxury, and craft of our traditional practice by embracing the digital technologies that are shaping the future of the industry.

Key features:

• We are recognised as one of the country’s most sustainable fashion and textiles schools (Green Gown Awards, 2021) and one of the best fashion schools in the world for 2022 (CEOWORLD, 2022).

• Combine and specialise in textile processes such as knit, print and mixed media alongside fashion design development and exploration.

• 92% of students were satisfied overall with the course (National Student Survey, 2022).

• Gain valuable work experience by undertaking a year-long placement. Past students have landed roles at Helen Lawrence, Tommy Hilfiger, G-Star and Disney.

• Our graduates have gone on to work at established brands such as Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Ted Baker, French Connection, Next and Adidas Makers Lab.

• The award-winning Vijay Patel Building houses our cutting-edge facilities including workshops for print, knit, plastics, 3D and digital textile printing, metal, wood and leather. Industry-standard facilities will allow you to explore new creative directions for fashion-forward, luxury and innovative design outcomes.

If you are interested in advanced entry into Year 3 of this course, please visit the DMU website for the course details: https://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/pre-edu-2030/fashion-textile-design-ba-degree/fashion-textile-design-ba-degree.aspx

First year
Block 1: Inquire
Block 2: Explore
Block 3: Connect
Block 4: Futures

Second year
Block 1: Develop
Block 2: Communication
Block 3: Contextualise
Block 4: Advance

Third year
Block 1: Consolidate
Block 2: Refine
Block 3 and Block 4: Resolve

We want to ensure you have the best learning experience possible and a supportive and nurturing learning community. That’s why we’re introducing a new block model for delivering the majority of our courses, known as Education 2030. This means a more simplified timetable where you will study one subject at a time instead of several at once. You will have more time to engage with your learning and get to know the teaching team and course mates. You will receive faster feedback through more regular assessment, and have a better study-life balance to enjoy other important aspects of university life.

Structure
The focus of your first year will be to ‘Investigate’ through a grounding in research, concept development, 2D illustration, basic technical skills and design development. The second year aims to ‘Develop’ your skills and knowledge, building on the foundation gained in the first year. Your third year will ‘Consolidate’ your learning by bringing together all the skills you have learnt into a final garment that reflects your chosen area of focus and individual design aesthetic.

In your first and second year, you will learn in regular timetabled practical workshops, inductions, lectures, seminars, group tutorials, one-to-one tutorials, practical and theoretical talks. Most of your study time will be in practical workshops or studios. In your third year there is a greater emphasis on independent study and one to one tutorials.

The assessments are designed to build on each other as you progress in your studies and you will have opportunities to receive feedback on your work throughout your learning journey. Assessment can be varied, but generally will take the form of a visual presentation either as a catwalk, or digital display.

Critical thinking and research skills related to contemporary issues in the global fashion and textiles industry are integrated in each year, alongside career development skills and opportunities. Project briefs will enable you to produce work to a professional standard that responds to current industry demands and you will develop a personal portfolio that can be used to launch your career after graduation.

Our expert course team covers a range of multi-disciplinary specialisms such as fashion print, fashion knitwear, stitch and embellishment. You will also have the opportunity to meet and network with our many visiting lecturers from industry, who have included Phoebe English, Jane Bowler, Kat Marks and Sarah Williams.

Contact hours
In your first year you will normally attend around 21 hours of timetabled taught sessions each week, and we expect you to undertake at least 21 further hours of independent study to complete project work and research.