EXAM BOARD: AQA

SPECIFICATION: 7204 (Art & Design – TEXTILES)

TITLE: AQA Advanced GCE in Art and design (Textile Design)

COURSE INFORMATION

Students will be introduced to a variety of experiences that explore a range of textiles media, processes, and techniques, being aware of both traditional and new media. During the course, students will explore the use of drawing for different purposes, using a variety of methods and media on a variety of scales. Students will explore use of colour and documents all work in sketchbooks/ workbooks/ portfolio sheets/ journals to underpin their work.

Students will explore relevant images, artefacts and resources relating to a range of art, craft and design, from a range of time periods. This should be integral to the investigation and making process. Responses will be shown through practical and critical activities that demonstrate understanding of styles, genres and traditions.

Textile design students should produce practical and critical/contextual work in one or more areas of study, for example, fashion design, fashion textiles, costume design, digital textiles, printed and/or dyed fabrics and materials, domestic textiles, wallpaper, interior design, constructed textiles, art textiles and installed textiles.

Students must have knowledge and understanding of:

• Relevant materials, processes, technologies, and resources.
• How ideas, feelings and meaning can be conveyed and interpreted in images and artefacts created in the chosen area(s) of textile design.
• Historical and contemporary developments and different styles and genres.
• How images and artefacts relate to social, environmental, cultural and/or ethical contexts, and to the time and place in which they were created.
• Continuity and change in different styles, genres, and traditions relevant to textile design.
• A working vocabulary and specialist terminology that is relevant to their chosen area(s) of textile design.

ASSESSMENT STRUCTURE

This is a two-year course; students will be required to produce a Personal Investigation for their coursework component (60% of the awarded marks). This will be an extended practical project, supported by a 1000-3000 word written component. The Externally Set Assignment (40% of the marks) is another practical project where students are required to respond to themes set by AQA and culminates in a 15-hour controlled assessment period.

ROUTES FOR PROGRESSION

This A Level develops a number of transferable skills including the ability to work independently, project manage, communicate effectively, research and analyse. Career paths can include a clothing/textile technologist, illustrator, interior designer, and fashion designer.