Surface Pattern and Textiles MA

Students on this course cultivate an innovative view of surface design. They are challenged to ruthlessly explore pattern and decoration, reflecting on the social, cultural and aesthetic context for surface pattern design and textiles in the 21st century. New relationships like that of surfaces and light are being investigated, while new materials and technologies continually challenge designers to develop fresh ideas and methods. You can choose to focus purely on textile surfaces, the manipulation of fabric, exploration of tactile textile surfaces, embellishment, print and decoration. Students get to research and experiment with traditional techniques and new technology to create innovative textiles and surface pattern designs for a range of materials including ceramics, plastics, and paper. They use our cutting-edge digital equipment to develop designs for wallpaper, tableware, floor coverings, interior products, stationary, giftware, garments and jewellery. We help our students find their own creative process and to develop their own direction and style which enables them to choose a rewarding career.

Learning Environment and Assessment

Practical and theoretical elements will be assessed both during and at the end of each module. Assessment strategies for the Practice modules will usually involve portfolio assessment, presentations, summaries of reflective journals and the learning agreement. There are intermediate exit awards at appropriate stages.

Opportunities

Graduates go onto a range of jobs and careers. Some choose to set up their own businesses, such as Georgia Wilkinson who has her own brand of interior textiles and products. Other graduates go on to work in design studios for textile print, fashion print, wallpapers, floor coverings etc. or work as freelance designers or textiles artists with their own studios, running workshops and undertaking commissions. Some people go onto a career in teaching, lecturing or academia and it is possible to progress onto PhD or Professional Doctorate study after graduation from the MA course.