Summer Study Abroad - Textile Design

Why choose Textile Design?

During this intensive three-week course you will:

• experience a taster of the BA Textile Design degree programme at Central Saint Martins.
• learn from tutors who are practicing artists, designers and communicators; benefit from access to specialist facilities at one of UAL’s six Colleges.
• meet like-minded individuals from around the world!
• get involved in UAL life through social events and activities.
• All courses are assessed and you'll receive a record of study at the end of the programme if you wish to request credit from your home institution.

Entry requirements

English requirements

You should be proficient in written and spoken English and be able to participate in group discussions and make presentations. As a guideline we would expect you to have an English language level equivalent to IELTS score of 6.0 (list of language equivalencies). The Language Centre at University of the Arts London offers English courses for overseas students who wish to improve their English language skills.

Academic requirements

Suitable for beginners and those with previous experience, preferably having completed one year at university (undergraduate-level study).

Course details

This in-depth 3 week course combines visual primary research with studio practice. It focuses on the exploration and examination of composition, colour and design, through various printing techniques for textiles.

Studio and workshop sessions will be complemented by visits to different places of interest. This includes galleries, museums and textile retailers. Your print design work will be based on independent research, gallery and library visits. At the end of the course you should have a sketchbook full of ideas, a collection of printed fabric samples exploring various techniques and a final piece(s). You will show your work in a group exhibition on the last day of the course.

Week 1 will concentrate on building design and research skills and understanding the role of a textile designer. We will achieve this through gallery and museum visits, a group ‘repeat print project’ and a talk by a visiting lecturer. You will develop your research over a 2 day group project. You are going to design and screen-print a repeat pattern in the workshop.

Week 2 will focus on your individual design development and is largely studio based. We will introduce you to a variety of techniques.  These include hand painting, screen printing, dyeing and finishing techniques like foiling and flocking. to experiment with in the workshop, to create textiles that are suitable for fashion or interiors.

Week 3 will explore further techniques like printing using heat press and fabric manipulation to create 3D forms. This week very self-directed.  You will have individual tutorials with the tutors to develop your final concepts. We will encourage you to develop and make a final piece based on all the techniques you have learnt for your exhibition.

Tutor information

Kangan Arora runs a London-based creative studio specialising in print and pattern design, working across interiors, textiles, branding and packaging. A graduate of Central Saint Martins, she currently combines her own practice with teaching at CSM. Recent collaborations and projects include work for IKEA, REN Skincare, Urban Outfitters and Heal's. Visit Kangan's website.

Deborah Peasgood is an Associate Textile Print Lecturer on the BA Hons in Textile Design at CSM and Chelsea College of Art. She also works as a freelance textile designer for Interiors. Through her experience in teaching and designing she offers a very broad range of skills to students in design development, drawing and hands on screen-printing.

Dates and fees

Materials

Please bring with you to the first session: 

• A3 Sketchbook
• An assortment of black drawing media – pens, pencils , oil pastels etc with different thicknesses and textures
• Black Indian ink (available from regular art shops)
• Brushes of various sizes
• Apron
• Household rubber gloves
• Secondary and Primary Research from your chosen project theme
• You will be provided with all printing materials and fabric for initial sampling but we encourage you to bring a variety of different fabrics (approximately 1m each) to experiment with.

Summer Study Abroad Scholarship

We offer a Summer Study Abroad Scholarship for all of our 3 week Summer Study Abroad courses.

Find out how to apply

To be eligible, you must be 18 years or older, hold an offer to join one of our 3 week Summer Study Abroad courses, and be enrolled on an undergraduate degree programme outside the UK.

• The scholarships cover the tuition-fee only and depend on you successfully enrolling for the course. Our cancellation policy still applies.
• Scholarship winners will be asked to take part in promotional activities to promote Summer Study Abroad and the scholarship scheme.

Course handbook

Summer Study Abroad - Textile Design (PDF 490KB) course handbook.