Postgraduate Study in Design: MA & PhD

Areas of Study in Design

Department of Fashion & Textiles

The Department invites practice based proposals for MA research in the following areas: woven, printed or embroidered textiles, fashion or knitwear.

Fashion and Fashion Knitwear can be pursued through any garment design or accessory product area, and indeed for any specific customer base.

Textiles could be pursued to develop interior or fashion fabric design into collections and/or luxury artefacts; or through a textile art pathway resulting in gallery pieces, in two and/or three dimensions. The Department operates with an ethos that encourages a wide variety of approaches to materials and outcomes, and is supported by a diverse array of industrial and CAD/CAM equipment.

At interview candidates should demonstrate a general critical awareness of the socio-economic context of their existing practice in their specific area of fashion or textiles. This must be sufficiently supported by a portfolio that demonstrates a level of craftsmanship and design maturity that is reflected through their primary degree and career experience.

Over this 2 year, full-time, period of research, MA students are expected to continue to be informed by the emerging trends, issues and new insights that lie at the forefront of contemporary practice as it relates to their proposal. A written reflection on the development of the research, with regular self-evaluation, that underpins the responsibility for individual development, is central to the progress of the proposal. The studio-based practice will aim to establish their own work in the forefront of their specific contemporary arena. This could be through participation in exhibitions and/or entry in international competitions.

MA students are encouraged to extend their existing skill base and may participate in other workshops and have access to department machinery as appropriate. They are free to utilize a mix of disciplines and techniques, provided the resources are available within the expertise of the Department, or can be facilitated through industrial sponsorship. Specialist CAD/CAM can also be selected as an area for specific study or be integrated as part of an overall programme.

The first year is primarily investigative and exploration-based and should be research driven, however this must be reflected in a tangible body of work that is presented before continuing into the next year. An appropriate placement, with accompanying written report, is a highly desirable as part of the research process.

The second year is focused on the realization of a completed body of works or similar research outcomes, and is supported by a 5,000 word illustrated submission that reflects the progress of the proposal over the 2 years and locates the outcome in the relevant context. Tutorials with a supervisor and reviews with the MA assessment panel take place regularly according to a pre-agreed schedule.

Contact: Head of Department of Fashion & Textiles (acting): Dr. Helen McAllister: mcallisterh@ncad.ie