Textile Technologies, Materials and Nanomaterials courses

About Textiles - BA (hons) Degree in Cardiff Metropolitan University

Course Overview

​Textiles are the very fabric of life. A tactile, sensory and aesthetic medium tied to geographical locations, natural resources, human relationships and technological developments, expressed through a tapestry of texture, form, colour, pattern and meaning.

The BA (Hons) Textiles degree course at Cardiff Met explores the diversity of the medium for contemporary sustainable practice, blending traditional processes and emerging digital technologies.

Synthesise traditional and modern processes in print, stitch, dye, fabric manipulation, knit, and elementary weaving and explore emerging digital technologies. Apply your skills to surface pattern design, 2D and 3D construction for interiors, stationery, fashion, and art markets.

You will prepare for professional practice through working with cutting edge studio practice, collaborating with other disciplines, exploring methods and theory, working on live briefs with real clients and undertaking self-directed projects.

You will be supported in developing your own unique style, giving you the confidence, vision, and professional awareness to take the next steps into your future.

​Course Content​

Your core subjects will be drawing, colour workshops, traditional studio design techniques and CAD/CAM technologies – to give you a strong foundation in both hand-based and digital skills. As you progress, you’ll begin to be drawn towards one of the following specialties:

• Digital embroidery design and software technology
• Traditional hand and machine stitch & embroidery techniques, hand and machine embellishment, including fabric manipulation, beading and finishing skills
• Traditional silk-screen printed and hand applied textiles techniques, hand and machine embellishment
• Digital textile and paper designs using Mimake industrial digital printers and laser cutters
• Photoshop & Illustrator software
• Creative drawing & colour theory
• Design development and repeating-image pattern-making
• Key research skills, to include field trip visits to exhibitions & trade fairs
• Fabric identification
• Chemical & natural dye techniques
• Analytical  & evaluative skills with ability to record and disseminate
• Professional presentation skills – oral and exhibition

From the beginning, you’ll plan for your future career – and the course is structured to give you plenty of industry exposure. There are opportunities for work experience, research projects, public exhibitions and travel. You’ll have regular contact with designers, makers and consultants who will give you a unique insight into the variety of career paths you could take – like further study, joining an agency or building a client list. 

In your final year, you can opt to complete a dissertation or a business plan. The choice is yours, depending on where you want to take your career.

Employability & Careers​

Whilst your learning is designed to develop you into a rounded and capable artist/designer and intellectual, your curriculum is similarly structured with your potential in mind.

As such, the emphasis that will have been placed upon your work ethic, both creatively and academically, is matched with significant focus on real world experience; from building contacts and undertaking placements to live briefs and, should you choose so, support in forming your own business.

You can elect to take a route through your second and final years of studies where you can engage with businesses or launch your own for the moment you graduate. In your final year, rather than submit a dissertation, you have the option of devising a detailed business plan.

Throughout your time at CSAD, you will be meeting and hearing from professionals within your industry, honing your skills and ideas for commercial and professional advantage. Cross-disciplinary projects will prepare you for teamwork later on, whilst live briefs will prepare you for deadlines and the demands of tight specifications.

Academic qualification equivalents

• Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, include one English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or ENG4U), minimum 60%

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS      :      6.0 overall* with no sub score lower than 5.5
• PTE         :      Overall - 52, Reading - 51, Speaking - 51,Listening - 51,Writing - 51

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