Fashion and Textile Design - Fashion Design, Textile Design

Year 1

In Year 1 you will develop your core skills and knowledge of Fashion and Textile Design. You will explore a wide range of visual methods, processes and media including computer assisted design technologies, photography, traditional hand drawing and mixed media

Year 2

Your understanding is further developed through a series of dynamic studio projects and workshop based activities. Emphasis is placed on encouraging the translation of design ideas through making including pattern cutting, drape and garment construction and knit, print and mixed media textiles. Client projects, field study trips and organising the course Fashion Show develops your professional practical experience.

Year 3

Year 3 consolidates your skills and extends your specialist knowledge through self-directed study and the development of professional skills within external contexts. You will work on industry projects and have the opportunity to undertake a work placement or an exchange to one of our European partners.

Year 4

You will select a named pathway determined by your own individual interests and potential. You will explore your specialism in depth by developing a self-directed proposal for work which is guided by your academic/personal tutor. Depending on your specialist route, you will take part in a number of graduate events including the Graduate Fashion Show and New Designers in London.

Learning Methods

Learning through doing is an integral part of this course and enables you to gain first-hand experience of the industry. You will be provided with dedicated studio space to develop your own thoughts and ideas, an integral part to your learning journey. You will have the opportunity to combine Fashion and Textile expertise through design, research, development and innovation in materials and processes.

You will take part in live projects with a range of design studios, manufacturers and external organisations, attend external events and competitions and hear from industry experts.

You will participate in undergraduate exhibitions such as the Graduate Fashion Show in your final year, along with New Designers Exhibition in London.

Activity Summary

Year 4

• Lectures- 40 students per group,1 hour per week
• Seminars- 40students per group,1 hour 4 times per term
• Tutorial- 1 student per group,20 minutes per fortnight
• Project Supervision- 40students per group,20 minutesper week
• Practical class or workshop- 40students per group,6 hours per week
• Supervised time in studio / workshop- 40students per group,10 hours per week
• Independent Study- 40students per group, 300 hours per term
• Field Work-Discretionary
• External Visits- 40students per group, 2 days in London in term1

How long is a BA (Hons) Fashion and Textile course?

The duration of a Fashion and Textile degree is 4 years. This includes lectures, workshops, independent study and other activities.

Independent Study

Throughout the course particular emphasis is placed on your development of independent learning through self-directed design project/s. By Year 4 you undertake independent study fully, reflecting on your previous 3 years’ experience of building expertise and specialist knowledge within your chosen pathway towards professional practice level.

Staff Delivering on This Course

Staff on the course comprise academics with expert knowledge within all areas of the course delivery across Fashion and Textile Design. All staff have experience of working within the industry and some staff have worked as consultants and designers for international agencies and businesses. The course has specialist teaching support in all areas of the subject including knit, mixed media, printed textiles and garment manufacture.

Industry experts contribute to the programme as Professional Associates and through the Guest@Grays lecture programme, which invites national and international artists and designers to speak about their work.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed eachyear:

Year 1

• 1written assignment, including essay
• 3portfolios

Year 2

• 2 written assignments, including essays
• 3portfolios

Year 3

• 2 written assignments, including essays
• 3portfolios
• 1oral assessment

Year 4

• 1dissertation
• 1 portfolio

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Placements

You will have the opportunity to undertake a 10-week placement in Year 3, Term2.

This will enable you to gain first-hand experience of the dynamic commercial world and diverse opportunities of Fashion and Textiles and give a real insight into professional practice. Past placement opportunities have included J.W Anderson, Jonathan Saunders and House of Holland, who all show at London Fashion week. In addition students gained internships with textile design companies including Donna Wilson, Bespoke Atelier and Timorous Beasties.

You are responsible for finding the placement with support from the placement office and academic staff.

Study Abroad

In Year 3, Term2, there is the opportunity to undertake a period of international study exchange with our partner colleges across Europe, Canada and the US. For more information, please visit:

Job Prospects

Our graduates are creative and passionate about fashion and textiles. Career opportunities include fashion and textiles design within industry, self-employed designer-maker and related fashion and textiles opportunities in marketing, buying and promotion.

Is Fashion and Textile Design a good career choice?

Previous BA Fashion and Textile Design graduates of Robert Gordon University have gone on to pursue the following careers:

• Freelance designer
• Designer-maker
• Studio textile designer
• CAD designer
• Knitwear designer
• Accessories designer
• Buyer
• Colour forecasting/predictions

A number of our graduates have established their own design companies such as Donna Wilson, Dreamland Clothing, Emma McDowall and Dead Sleekit.

There is also the option of extending your academic experience through postgraduate study at Gray’s School of Art or other postgraduate institutions.