Textile Design and Sustainability for 15 - 17 Year Olds
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£525
- Start Date(s): 4 August 2025
- Duration: Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, one week
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
4 - 8 August 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
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.
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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 Residential Award?
This course can count as your Gold DofE Residential Award and is an amazing opportunity to make new friends and memories. It will be fun and gently challenging, allowing you to follow your passion and discover talents you never knew you had.
DofE participants must book both the course and accommodation on campus for this to count towards your Gold Award.
You must also attend the social events that are planned on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and you must plan and attend your own social activities with other participants on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
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.’
'I have learnt new skills like screen printing and adobe photoshop for pattern repeat.'
'I really enjoyed the whole experience but in particular the gelli printing and the facilities.'
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.
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.
- Day One: Sustainable Textiles and Natural Dye Techniques
- Day Two: Mastering Screen Printing with Natural Dyes
- Day Three: Artistic Exploration through Leaf Printing and Heat Transfer
- Day Four: Pattern Repeats – Handmade and Digital
- Day Five: Project and Portfolio Building
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.
Student Work
How you’re taught
This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University city campus.
96% of previous course attendees were satisfied with the course, received the attention they needed and would consider doing another short course at NTU.
Contact hours
You will receive 25 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
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.
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.
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.
Please bring with you on the first day:
- An A3 sketchbook
- A basic selection of pens and pencils, for note taking and sketching.
- All other materials will be provided.
All other materials will be provided.
Read our booking terms and conditions.
Need accommodation?
Accommodation can be booked separately to the course; the rooms are only a few minutes’ walk from our studios and classrooms, and cost £259 per week, which is ideal if you're looking to be based in Nottingham's lively city centre and want an economical place to stay.
These are single rooms with a private bathroom in shared apartments in Nottingham Trent University’s city campus accommodation.
If you're aged 16 or 17 then you can stay unaccompanied with agreement from a parent/guardian (to support safeguarding, all guests aged 16 and 17 will be accommodated together in the same halls of residence and there is a dedicated Warden available).
If you're aged 15 then you can stay as long as you are accompanied by a parent/guardian (you must book two separate rooms and let us know so we can place you in rooms next to each other).
This option is particularly popular with students completing their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Award.
Find out more and book your accommodation here.
Looking to turn your one-week course into a two-week experience?
If you can match this with any second course, you’ll receive a 10% refund on your course fees (email the short course team with your order number to claim the refund).
How to apply
You can book this course via the NTU online store:
4 - 8 August 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
Browse all summer courses for 15 – 17 year olds.
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813