Textiles

Textile designers are expected to work in a multi-disciplinary way to create ideas, concepts, materials and techniques for different applications; for example, in fashion and clothing, theatre or film production, as well as fabrics for interior applications and packaging. Textile design can also be interpreted as a personal and individual fine art discipline.

Course Content

We follow the Edexcel A-Level specification which requires students to generate and develop ideas, research and record practical and written observations, experiment with media and processes, and refine ideas in one of the following areas:

• Textiles for Interiors
• Fine Art Textiles
• Fashion Textiles

Lower Sixth

Component 1: Personal Investigation (internally set and assessed by the teacher)

Component 2: Personal Investigation (internally set and assessed by the teacher)

The above tasks do not count towards the overall A-Level mark but develop the skills required for success at the end of Upper Sixth.

Upper Sixth

Component 1: Personal Investigation (60% of total qualification)

Internally set, assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by Edexcel

Component 2: Externally Set Assignment (40% of total qualification)

Released to students 1st February, assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by Edexcel.

Trips and Extra-Curricular Activities

Sixth-Formers are encouraged to visit galleries, trade fairs, fashion shows and local exhibitions. Films, architecture, music, literature and nature are also important influences in the design world. We welcome outside speakers from the design industry to support the Sixth-Formers’ understanding. Sixth-Formers are encouraged to enter the Young Fashion Designer competition hosted at Kent College.

Career Opportunities

Textile design is both a creative and academic course and it can be combined with any other subject. It combines creative, practical and analytical skills with knowledge and understanding, which will support a range of careers and university courses. These could include fashion/textile design, fashion illustration and promotion, fashion marketing or buying, print design, pattern cutting and textile art. Recent destinations have included:

• London College of Fashion, Fashion design
• Brighton, Fashion with Business Studies
• Central Saint Martins, Foundation Diploma in Fashion and Textiles