Art and Design (Textiles)

Course summary

Through expressive and theoretical studies, A Level Art and Design leads to a fuller understanding of the visual arts. Emphasis is put on the importance of recording the creative process. This is done through creative experimentation with media and processes, as well as keeping a work journal which tracks the development of ideas. The course encourages experimentation in Year 12 and is full of practical workshops. This enables students to demonstrate an understanding of past and contemporary art and design practice. Year 13 builds on these skills as students specialise and focus on a personal theme. Year 12 is a skills-building opportunity, in which students will embark on a series of short projects to develop their understanding of textile techniques and processes. Students will learn to create printed fabrics using traditional and digital design processes. They will also design and make fashion garments, using a wide variety of exciting fabric manipulation techniques such as free machine embroidery, embellishment, shabori, applique, weaving and fibre art. In the Lent Term they will start an independent project in which they will have the opportunity to steer their own creative journey through the analysis of contemporary art and fashion textile practices that will inspire a series of imaginative experiments. This work sits on a solid foundation of strong practical ability and creative risk-taking. During the summer term students are introduced to the Year 13 Personal Portfolio Unit. They are free to choose their own influences through artists research, gallery visits and open studios. They will refine and develop their creative outcomes supported by in-depth critical and contextual understanding.