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Textile Design and Sustainability for 15 - 17 Year Olds

  • Level(s) of Study: Short course
  • Start Date(s): 5 August 2024
  • Duration: Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, one week
  • Study Mode(s): Short course
  • Campus: City Campus
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information

Introduction:

Become part of the creative action and develop your textile portfolio and sustainability knowledge on this summer course, perfect for the next generation of designers.

As a young, ambitious designer, you’ll be introduced to a variety of aspects of textile design, investigating fundamental principles of pattern repeat, design responsibility and developing print-focused outcomes.

The course provides you with knowledge about sustainable textile design and the skills to work creatively with natural materials.

  • You’ll be part of a design community in our creative studio culture; one that promotes discussion and collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas.
  • With a limited class size you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your portfolio.
  • Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied practices.
  • On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance.

Doing your Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award?

This course can count as your Gold DofE Residential.

DofE participants must book both the course and accommodation on campus for this to count towards your Gold Award.

Here's what our previous attendees have said:

‘I Gained skills to show in my portfolio, learnt more about the role sustainability plays when designing textiles and learnt how to use natural materials to dye fabrics. I have lots of work to display in my portfolio and learnt new printing techniques’.

‘I learnt a variety of new skills and techniques that I can use in the future, like heat transfer, lino cutting and designing specific motifs. I gained experience of what it would be like to take an arts subject at university’.

What you’ll study

From mastering screen printing with natural dyes to creating captivating patterns inspired by nature, each day is a hands-on exploration of artistic expression intertwined with sustainability.

You will build portfolio-standard work that’ll support a college or university application and gain new creative experiences.

During this course, you will:

  • understand design responsibility and material awareness
  • be introduced to textile materials and sustainable designs
  • follow tutor demonstrations to create your own artworks
  • learn about various textile techniques and surface decoration
  • explore mark making in experimental ways
  • dye fabrics and other surfaces with natural materials
  • learn about pattern repeat and Adobe Photoshop
  • create impact through your work and be inspired to develop your ideas.

You’ll be introduced to techniques through group demonstrations, samples, paper-based instructions, feedback and tutorials.

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll study during the course.

Experience our Natural Dye Garden, delving into the art of natural dyeing, including captivating techniques like shibori and soya milk applications. This day will also involve hands-on creation of technical files, laying the foundation for a comprehensive understanding of sustainable textile practices.

Immerse yourself in the art of screen printing as you create natural dye pastes and intricate pattern stencils. Engage in fascinating natural dye experiments, where you'll discover the nuances of colour modification using natural acidic and alkaline modifiers. This day promises to expand your colour palette and elevate your screen printing skills with sustainable and eco-friendly practices.

Unleash your creativity with leaf printing and explore heat transfers onto fabric. Drawing inspiration from the beauty of flowers, leaves, and plants, you'll experiment with various techniques during dedicated studio time. This day offers a perfect blend of artistic expression and hands-on exploration of sustainable textile design.

Delve into the intricacies of pattern repeat, both handmade and in the digital realm. Benefit from tutorials and one-on-one feedback sessions to gain a comprehensive understanding of creating seamless patterns. This day is designed to empower you with the skills needed to master pattern repetition using both traditional and contemporary methods.

Bring your new skills and creativity together to complete projects and finalise technical files. Engage in a constructive evaluation session, providing valuable insights and feedback. This day will provide you with a holistic understanding of sustainable textile design, ensuring you leave with a portfolio of eco-conscious creations and the confidence to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Further information on what you'll study

By the end of this course you’ll understand the importance of ethical approach to textiles.

You’ll have a portfolio of new drawings and designs, plus examples of textiles.

You’ll have real hand-on experience of what it is like to be a textiles student at university, and an understanding of what admissions tutors are looking for.

Social events

We appoint NTU Student Ambassadors who host social events on Monday and Wednesday evening to help you make friends across the whole of our summer school programme for 15 – 17 year olds, which are free to attend.

How you’re taught

This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University city campus.

You will receive 25 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.

96% of previous course attendees were satisfied with the course, received the attention they needed and would consider doing another short course at NTU.

Tutor Profile: Theodora Prassa

Theodora Prassa is an artist, surface designer and educator.

Theodora holds an MA in Fashion and Textile Design, NTU and an MA in Visual and Applied Arts from Aristotle University, Greece, where she also finished her BA focused on Fine Arts.

She has an active artistic presence and has her work exhibited nationally and internationally in various exhibitions and festivals. Her work has received awards and been commissioned and funded by Arts Council England, Goethe Institut, S.H.E.D, and Artcore.

She also works as Technical Specialist in Print and tutor at NTU. Previously, has been guest lecturer and worked in curatorial and educational positions in art galleries in Greece, Germany, and England.

Careers and employability

The course is designed to give you a real experience of university life, make new friends who share similar interests and develop your portfolio so that ultimately, you can make an informed decision about your future.

Previous students have gone on to study or work in designing, buying and merchandising, global sourcing, textiles product development, styling and trend prediction, marketing and teaching.

On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will further enhance your CV.

Doing your Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award?

This course can count as your Gold DofE Residential.

DofE participants must book both the course and accommodation on campus for this to count towards your Gold Award.

Campus and facilities

You will be based in the School of Art and Design on the City Campus.

You’ll find collaborative working spaces where you develop your sketches and concepts, dye facilities with a range of dye types, digital print facilities with fabric printers and hand screen printing, transfer print, and collagraph printing.

You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.

Entry requirements

Level: Beginner

Entry requirement: You should have an enthusiasm for animation and an interest in developing your creative and technical skills.

You must be 15, 16 or 17 years old at the time of the course in order to attend.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

Level: Beginner

Entry requirement: You should have an enthusiasm for animation and an interest in developing your creative and technical skills.

You must be 15, 16 or 17 years old at the time of the course in order to attend.

Fees and funding

The fee for this course is £525.

Payment is due at the time of booking.

Secure your place with a deposit:

If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.

You will also need to bring with you:

  • Notepad and pen,
  • A3 sketchbook,
  • Drawing pens and pencils.

All other materials will be provided.

You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.

The fee for this course is £525.

Payment is due at the time of booking.

Secure your place with a deposit:

If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.

You will also need to bring with you:

  • Notepad and pen,
  • A3 sketchbook,
  • Drawing pens and pencils.
  • All other materials will be provided.

    You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.

    How to apply

    You can book this course via the NTU online store:

    5 - 9 August 2024

    Browse all summer courses for 15 – 17 year olds.

    .

    You can book this course via the NTU online store:

    5 - 9 August 2024

    Browse all summer courses for 15 – 17 year olds.