This course will introduce students to a variety of experiences exploring a range of textile media, techniques and processes, including both traditional and new technologies e.g. computerised embroidery and digital printing. It will give students the opportunity to specialise in areas of particular interest and allows the creation of designs and products of woven, knitted, stitched, printed or decorative textiles that might have a functional or non-functional purpose.
Students will learn to explore relevant images, artefacts and resources relating to art and design from the past and from recent times, including European and non-European examples which is integral to the investigating and making process. Students will also explore drawing for different purposes as part of this course and they will use sketchbooks to record their work throughout the project.
What will I study?
Students are required to work in one or more area(s) of Textile Design, such as those listed below. They may explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas:
- art textiles
- fashion design and illustration
- costume design
- constructed textiles
- printed and dyed fabrics
- surface pattern
- stitched and/or embellished textiles
You will learn the way sources inspire the development of ideas, relevant to textile design including:
- how sources relate to cultural, social, 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 meet external requirements, such as client expectations and any associated constraints.
You will also learn the ways in which meanings, ideas and intentions relevant to textile design can be communicated include the use of:
- figurative and non-figurative representations, stylisation, simplification, surface embellishment, constructional considerations and imaginative interpretation
- visual and tactile elements, such as colour, line, form, tone etc.
What skills will I develop?
Studying Textile Design will enable you to develop a wide range of transferable skills for further education, work and life:
- Creative and innovative thinking
- Use of imagination and experimentation
- Ability to critique and refine your own ideas
- Knowledge and understanding of all design and technological activity and influences
- Decision-making skills
- Develop high quality, imaginative and functional prototypes
- Communication skills
Component 1: Portfolio - 60% of GCSE
Students produce a portfolio that in total shows explicit coverage of the four assessment objectives. It must include a sustained project evidencing the journey from initial engagement to the realisation of intentions and a selection of further work undertaken during the student’s course or study. Non-exam assessment (NEA) tasks are set and marked by a teacher and moderated by AQA at the end of Year 11. Total marks available are 96.
Component 2: Externally set assignment - 40% of GCSE
Students respond to their chosen starting point from an externally set assignment paper relating to their subject title, evidencing coverage of all four assessment objectives. A preparation period, which will begin from early January, is followed by 10 hours of supervised unaided work in which students are required to realise their intentions. Non-exam assessment (NEA) is set by AQA; marked by the teacher and moderated by AQA at the end of Year 11. Total marks available are 96.