Fashion & Textiles

About The School of Art, Design & Digital-Creative / Leonardo Creative House

We hope you apply and join one of our courses. You will belong to the biggest curriculum area at West Suffolk College - The School of Art, Design and Digital-Creative. We are thriving, fun and ambitious. Studying ONE subject that you truly connect with (with no exams) is a liberating joy. You will love it!

This year we have over 500 students studying a broad range of creative courses across different levels. We are fortunate to have our own purpose-built building - 'Leonardo House' - on the main campus. Over many years we have all worked hard to be considered one of the very best Further Education creative centres in the UK. We care about what we do and strive to develop the next generation of professionals for the UK and global Creative Industries. Our culture is one of very high standards and freedom of individual expression. You will be working with like-minded individuals and professional specialist staff. Being part of Leonardo Creative House is a great thing. With hard work you will thrive and progress to a rewarding future.

Derek Johnson - Director of The School of Art & Design / Leonardo Creative House

The course - what is it all about?

The Fashion and Textiles course introduces you to a broad range of skills that are used within the design and construction of fabrics, fiber art, garments and interior pieces. At the end of each year you will focus on your individual interests and display this work in our End of Year Exhibition.

• Within year 1 you will undertake a range of projects and workshops introducing you to the basics of design drawing, print and pattern, constructed textiles, digital design, pattern cutting and construction.
• Within year 2 you will then further develop and apply these skills to a range of 'live' briefs, collaborations with industry companies, competitions and more independently focussed projects.

The courses and what you need to get a place

• UAL Level 1 Diploma in Art, Design and Media (1 year)
• UAL Level 2 Diploma in Art & Design (1 year)
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design & Communication (internal pathway: Fashion and Textiles) (2 years)

What level will you do? - Put simply - to gain a place a level 3 you will need at least four GCSEs grade 4 or above. We would like at least one of these needs to be in Maths or English. If you feel you may not achieve this then level 1 or 2 will be the perfect first step. These are outstanding courses. We are flexible to individual circumstances. At interview (do not worry it is a very pleasant meeting!) we will discuss levels and your entry skills. All will be fine!

The first step is to make an application for the area you are interested in. You will have the opportunity to discuss the different course options available during the interview stage and staff will confirm which course is suitable for your future plans.

What the course covers

Creative and Technical skills:

• Pattern cutting
• 3D fashion tailoring/making skills – media and processes
• 2D illustration and fashion design skills – hands-on and digital
• Colour - theory, application, method
• Printmaking – textile surface design and patten
• Photography – studio modelling
• Digital – various software – including Adobe CC (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Idea generation
• Exploration and experimentation of media and processes
• Independent development of studio work into own unique outcomes

Professional Skills:

• Working on 'live' assignments
• Meeting deadlines
• Working with focus and independence
• Communication
• Presentation of outcomes
• Online professional social media profile

How will I be assessed?

All courses and levels are assessed against submitted coursework by a deadline - work with NO sat exams. All are assessed at Pass, Merit, Distinction levels against the qualification unit criteria.

We are proud to be a University of the Arts London (UAL) accredited college. This is the largest creative awarding body in Europe.

NOTE: All level 3 courses carry the required UCAS points for university applications.

Where will it take me?

All courses and levels are assessed against submitted coursework by a deadline - work with NO sat exams. All are assessed at Pass, Merit, Distinction levels against the qualification unit criteria.

We are proud to be a University of the Arts London (UAL) accredited college. This is the largest creative awarding body in Europe.

NOTE: All level 3 courses carry the required UCAS points for university applications.
Where will it take me?

Level 1 and 2 students progress to levels 2 and 3.

Level 3 students progress to university or employment. Annually about 75% of our level 3 students decide to progress to university. They all successfully gain places.

Previous progression to courses such as:

• Menswear at University of Arts London
• Textiles & Fashion at Norwich University of Arts
• Print Design at Huddersfield
• Fashion at Ravensbourne University London
• Interior Design at Manchester Metropolitan University
• Fashion Design at Nottingham Trent University
• Fashion Marketing at Leeds Beckett University
• Textile Design at University of the Arts London
• Fashion Communication with Business Studies at University of Brighton
• Costume Construction at University Centre South Essex
• Fashion Textile Design at De Montfort University

Outstanding aspects and highlights

We love doing as many enriching things as possible. This ensures your educational experience is varied, challenging and positive. Recently Fashion and Textiles students have undertaken:

• National and international residentials.
• Collaboration project with Moyses Hall Museum in Bury St Edmunds as part of our Year 2 'Live brief' project.
• LCH: Threads Exhibition collaboration with ‘The Guildhall’ as part of their Creative Season.
• Entries into the 'Bio Art Attack' competition.
• LCH: Sewing Bee pressure test competition.
• 'McQueen' film viewing at Abbeygate cinema.
• Visit to Stephen Walters & Sons Silk Weaving company in Sudbury as part of our Year 2 'Live brief' project.
• Entering the national 'Wool4School' Fashion Design competition.
• End of Year 'Vexed' online exhibition.
• A creative food workshop making sushi with Edmunds Restaurant to inspire a range of colour palettes for our Japan project.
• An Exhibition showcase of year 1 and year 2 final pieces in Edmunds Restaurant with Japanese canapes provided for visitors.
• Apex 'Creative Journeys' - LCH talks by Creative Industry speakers