The National College
Textile Design
BDes in Textile Design
BA in History of Art and Design and Textile Design
The course in Textile Design enables students to specialise in Embroidered, Printed or Woven Textiles and provides a broad textile educational base leading to career possibilities such as practising in-house designers, consultant designers or designer craftspersons. Emphasis is placed throughout the course on all design and production processes including in-depth computer-aided design development.
Course Description
After successfully completing First Year (Core), selected students can specialise in Textile Design.
Drawing and design studies are common to 2nd and 3rd year students and cover a broad programme of drawing and design experience.
In Year 2, the programme is a common one with students gaining a wide experience in each of the textile areas giving them a sound and comprehensive textile introduction. Towards the end of the year the students move into their specialist areas.
Years 3 and 4 include subjects and projects common to all specialisms, such as photography, computer-aided design and professional practice - as well as external and industry related projects and continuing technical and specialist studies.
Year 4 opens with specialist set projects and proceeds to a major self-set project resulting in a comprehensive design presentation for final degree examination.
Twenty percent of the course in Textile Design is devoted to studies in the Visual Culture including Marketing and Business Studies, and in 4th year, the preparation of a thesis.
Career Prospects
Graduates in Embroidered, Printed or Woven Textiles may pursue careers in studio based production, design and manufacture, free-lance design work in both general and specialist areas, design in industry or as design consultants in the retail sector.
Museum, conservation, gallery or arts management, and teaching - both 2nd and 3rd level and special needs, are also areas favoured by graduates.
Forecasting, interior design and fabric sourcing, as well as lifestyle range development for specialist interior retailers are now popular career choices.
Click here for Entry Requirements and Application Procedures
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