KS5 OVERVEW - Textiles

Course content

This specification has been designed to encourage students to take a broad view of technology and design. The textile component of this course provides wide opportunities ranging from fashion and aesthetics to industrial uses of textiles, from creative and individual work to aspects of manufacturing, industrial and commercial practice. It offers candidates an opportunity to gain personal satisfaction and a positive experience from working with a variety of materials and techniques. The practical problem solving processes in this specification will encourage independent learning, creativity and innovation.

AS Product Design Textiles has three units:

• Unit 1:

• Students will investigate a wide range of components and materials used in the making of textile products. They will study a variety of materials studying the working characteristics, physical properties, cost and availability of materials.
  
  
• Unit 2:

• Students produce a portfolio to evidence their development in investigation, designing and planning. They are required to manufacture prototypes that display understanding and appreciation for form, line, colour and proportion, industrial and commercial practice. These outcomes should display originality, flair and quality.
  
  
• Unit 3:
  
  
  • Students will study a broad range of the manufacturing systems used to make, finish and decorate materials for use as apparel fabrics, household and industrial textiles. Through critical appraisal of specified products students will gain understanding of how materials and components are utilised to become parts of a design realisation, initially as toiles, prototypes or models.

All questions in this unit are compulsory and will be based on a theme that will be sent to centres from the examination board in March.

Three further units are required to be completed to form a full A level award.

Higher Education and Careers

In recent years many textile companies have been unable to compete with overseas competitors and a vast amount of manufacturing has gone abroad. However, the majority of companies within the UK are companies who have more niche markets specialising in technical areas, processes or design. Most of these companies find it increasingly difficult to find the right specialist person to fill these job opportunities, due to these changes, and it is not surprising that there is a lack of general knowledge of the range of job opportunities on offer. Many students are unaware of these opportunities and of the university courses and training made available to them, with many still opting for Fashion and Textiles design courses. In order to give them the edge students should consider courses that combine fashion with a technical module and CAD experience. Alternatively, courses that combine fashion with CAD or product and retail management. If students are interested in the technical side they may want to follow a path that focuses on textiles management or colouration. Courses on offer are quite varied.

Entry Requirements

Students should have completed a GCSE Design and Technology course attaining a Grade C or above in any area of the subject, although Textiles Design and Technology would be preferred.

Candidates should have a mature attitude to their studies and be committed to developing their skills as both designers and manufacturers.