What to do?

Hi there! Could I ask which course you applied for? I'd say it's probably best to contact admissions to chase what is happening - email [email protected] or call 0121 331 6295

The course is Textile Design and thanks, I will contact admissions.

Hey there!

I saw that you're going to be studying Textile Design with us - I hope you get this sorted with admissions. I studied Textile Design here so if you have any questions about the course before you start, just drop a line!

All the best,

Lydia (BCU team)

What resources/equipment will the university provide for textile design students and what will I need to purchase myself? Does the university sell what I will need? Also what is the timetable like? How often will I be in university? Hours/days a week?

Posted from TSR Mobile

So in first year I was pretty much in 9-5 Mon-Fri and you get to cover all three pathways; embroidery, constructed and print. You can work in the uni longer than 9-5 though as it stays open in evenings and Saturdays.

There was a lot of tutor contact time in first year and technical demonstrations, lectures etc, but more independent study time is introduced in 2nd and 3rd year. 2nd year I was probably in uni 3 days a week and the other 2 were independent study. Final year depends on the project; trends/final project/dissertation, but there are points where you have a group tutorial or one-to-one once a week and the rest is self directed, but people were pretty much still in uni all day everyday to use the facilities - but this is your choice, some people work prefer working from home if they don't need the uni facilities.

Equipment wise you'd need all your own art supplies; sketchbooks, pencils, pens, paints, inks... whatever materials you like to use. This is all available from our on campus art shop and the guys in there are super helpful so if there's ever anything you need that they don't stock, they'd look at getting it in for you.

For screen printing, equipment is provided. You'll be able to use the uni's screens, squeegees, pigments and dyes. The only thing you'd need to purchase is the fabric/paper you print on.
Digital printing you will need to buy the fabric and you pay per meter that you print on the machines.
The art shop also sells basic fabrics i.e. plain white cotton for printing, but for anything else there's a couple of great stores near by, either Fancy Silk or Barry's Fabrics

For constructed and embroidery you have full access to all the looms, sewing machines, embroidery & embellishing machines. There have a large stock of threads and yarns and scrap materials, buttons etc. You'll also learn how to make and dye your own yarns. But again any other fabrics you plan on using you'll have to purchase.

I hope this helps!

Have you any idea what you'd like to specialise in yet?

Lydia
BCU

Thanks, that was very helpful. I'm thinking of specialising in constructed or embroidery, not 100% sure yet. Which one do you think is better? What did you specialise in?

Last question, can you leave your work at uni or will I need to take it home everyday and bring it in everyday? I'll be living at home and it could be difficult while travelling with large work pieces.
Posted from TSR Mobile

That's fine, you get to do all three throughout first year so you have plenty time to decide. A lot of people didn't know or thought they did and completely changed their minds after studying all three.

I specialised in print and surface design but I don't think any option is better than the other it just depends which you enjoy most and what you want to do with it. There's still opportunity to cross pathways throughout, so if you picked constructed you could still incorporate print or embroidery into your projects.

Again, it's completely up to you! Because there's a lot of open studio space and work areas you don't really have an assigned working space. Some people do leave work over night and people are respectful of others work but I would always take everything home just to be safe. Also that way I could continue working on things at home, plus you get used to carrying a A1 portfolio with you everywhere!

Lydia
BCU