BA (Hons) Textile Design: Print and Surface Design with Foundation Year

This four-year programme has been specifically designed to allow you to undertake additional level three study, to ensure you are successful on your chosen degree programme. The foundation course is an exciting step towards your chosen degree. It encompasses elements of fashion design, fashion business and textile design degree routes and provides a platform for you to share with and learn from others. It will help you build confidence and independence and we aim to excite, engage and challenge you, pushing you to develop into a capable student with a great fashion and textiles aesthetic and an enthusiasm to learn. Our stunning Parkside Building is a dynamic and creative environment and our students thrive on the creative buzz of being based within the heart of Birmingham. After successful completion of the year, you will have the flexibility to switch (should you wish to change direction) onto a number of related undergraduate degree programmes within the School of Fashion and Textiles. Progressing onto our Textile Design: Print and Surface Design option is perfect if you love drawing, and are intrigued by how pattern can transform a surface. You will explore the possibilities of image generation by working across hand and digital processes, and become confident with working with a range of dye and print technologies. You will uncover the potential of hybrid approaches, incorporating heat-treatment and laser-cutting technologies, testing out how pattern can work on a variety of material bases – textiles and beyond. You will become confident with creating different design compositions, and working with colour. Students on the course have secured placements at design studios, trend prediction companies, manufacturers and designer makers – companies where pattern is key! Our graduates have gone on to work as Studio Designers, Designer Makers, Material Designers and Illustrators.As a course we value diversity, nurture curiosity and place sustainability at the heart of decision making. Students develop their creativity, personal talents and professional awareness in a stimulating and supportive environment. All students are introduced to print, weave, embroidery and knit processes in the first year, enabling you to experiment with different methods to identify strengths and interests. In second year, we teach in career-focused groups, reflecting the nature of contemporary employment needs within the industry. This provides you with further opportunity to tailor your learning experience and fulfil your personal and professional aspirations. These reflect the breadth of professional paths that our graduates go on to pursue: • Styling and Trend Forecasting• Contemporary Culture and Craft• Surface Pattern and Technologies• Bespoke Fashion Textiles• Retail and PromotionYou will be taught by passionate and experienced tutors and supported by highly skilled technicians; many of whom have their own practice in Textile Design. Guest speakers and visiting tutors enrich the learning experience and provide additional industry insights. Employability is at the heart of our course and collaborative work, live projects, competitions and work placements help you to develop professional experience. Students have undertaken work experience in the UK and abroad at companies such as Mary Katrantzou, John Lewis, Trend Bible and Zara. Our strong links with industries including trend agencies, design studios, museums and galleries, provide opportunities that equip students with the skills for increasingly diverse career paths.Our final year students get the opportunity to showcase their collections via a range of platforms, including BCU’s Inspired Festival and New Designers in London. The diverse and innovative range of work on show exemp