Art & Design (Textiles)

This GCSE Textiles course will be of interest to any student who loves working with textiles. Students will be especially interested in the creation of designs and products using knitting, sewing, stitches and fabrics either for a functional or decorative purpose. Students will work in areas including art textiles, fashion design and illustration, costume design, constructed and printed textiles, surface pattern, embellishments using stitches, soft furnishings and textiles for interiors, digital textiles and art installation textiles. Any of these areas may overlap in the development of their work and they will be encouraged to learn a range of techniques so that design and making can be broad as well as detailed. Students usually complete three projects during their two year course and a controlled assessment is taken at the Easter of Year 11.

Students will follow the AQA Art & Design syllabus, specialising in Art Textiles. Students will gain one GCSE in Art & Design : Textiles and will have the opportunity to respond to a number of different themes. The portfolio of work developed in lesson time is worth 60% of the overall GCSE grade, with the remaining 40% being gained through a controlled assessment.

Knowledge and Understanding

Alongside improving your practical expertise, you’ll learn:

●     How sources relate to cultural, society, historical, contemporary, environmental and creative contexts which might be determined or influenced by functional or non-functional considerations

●     How ideas, feelings, forms and purposes can generate responses that address personal needs or external requirements such as client expectations

●     We will use a range of styles of presentation & communication as well as thinking about colour, line, form, tone, texture shape & pattern

Students will learn and develop a range of skill to suit what they design such as weaving, felting, stitching, applique, printing and construction methods alongside media and materials such as inks, yarns, threads, fabrics, digital imagery.

Students can currently continue to study AS or A Level Fine Art and/or Photography, with many going on to study Art, Craft and/or Design at Art Foundation and Degree level. Prospective employers and colleges of further and higher education, highly value the creative experiences an Art & Design: Textiles course gives to students as they are more flexible learners, demonstrate sharp analytical and problem solving skills, are able to articulate and develop ideas, are strong communicators and are critical thinkers, demonstrating empathy and cultural understanding of the wider world.

Transferable skills 

If you enjoy being creative, want to increase your practical skills and improve your analytical, communication and research abilities through fibres and fabrics then Art and Design Textiles is a great choice. The skills you gain make it a great complement to other subjects. Art and design Textiles brings a way of seeing things and making sense of the world around you in a creative and practical way. It can help you with further study and prepare you for the world of work. You’ll develop problem solving, creative thinking, investigation, research, communication and teamwork skills, and gain the ability to develop, refine and present ideas. Employers and universities regard all of these highly.

Careers 

A qualification in Art & Design Textiles can open doors to the following careers:

• Fashion design

• Graphic design

• Theatre designer

• Animator

• Illustrator

• Museum curator

• Photographer

• Product design

• Textiles design

• Advertising

• Interior design

• Fashion and media journalism

• Hair and make-up design

• Retail design

• Exhibition design

• Jewellery design

• Artist

• Visual media

• Teaching