Course Description

The Preliminary course involves the study of design, communication techniques, manufacturing methods, fibres, yarns, fabrics and the Australian Textile Clothing, Footwear and Allied Industries. Practical experiences, experimenting and product manufacturing are integrated throughout the content areas and includes the completion of two preliminary textile projects. These projects develop each student's creative abilities and skills in designing, manipulating, experimenting and selecting appropriate fabrics for an end use.

The HSC course builds upon the Preliminary course and involves the study of fabric colouration and decoration, historical design development, cultural factors that influence design and designers, contemporary designers, end-use applications of textiles, innovations and emerging textile technologies, appropriate textile technology and environmental sustainability, current issues and the marketplace. This course involves the development of a Major Textiles Project, worth 50% of the HSC mark. The project is selected from one of the five focus areas and enables students to explore an area of interest.

Main Topics Covered in the Textiles & Design Course include:

• Design

• Properties and Performance of Textiles

• The Australian Textiles, Clothing, Footwear and Allied Industries

• A Major Textiles Project

Particular Course Requirements

In the Preliminary course students will undertake two preliminary textile projects. Preliminary Project 1 is drawn from the area of study Design and focuses on the generation and communication of ideas, design modification, manipulative skills, evaluation of ideas and of the project, and management of time and resources. Preliminary Project 2 is drawn from the area of study of Properties and Performance of Textiles and focuses on an analysis of fabric, yarn and fibre properties, experimental procedures, product design, fabric choice, manipulative and management skills, communication methods and the recording of information.

In the HSC course, the Major Textiles Project allows students to develop a textile project from one of the following focus areas:

• apparel,

• furnishings,

• costume,

• textile arts,

• non-apparel.

The selected focus area allows students to explore in detail one area of interest through a creative textile design process that integrates the areas of Design, Properties and Performance of Textiles and the Australian Textiles, Clothing, Footwear and Allied Industries.