FASHION AND TEXTILES (AQA)

Hessle Sixth Form College

Who is the course aimed at?     

This is a creative and thought-provoking qualification.

The course will give you the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and confidence to succeed in a number of careers, especially those in the creative industries.

If you have an interest in fashion and design, are creative and enjoy practical work then this could be the course for you.

What will you learn?     

The units studied are:

• Technical Principals                                                                                                            Materials and their applications Performance characteristics of materials      Methods of joining and use of components                                                                 The use of finishes                                                                                            Enhancement of materials                                                                                      Modern industrial and commercial practice                                                            Digital design and manufacture                                                                              Requirements for textile and fashion design / development Health and safety        Protecting designs and intellectual property                                                          Design for manufacturing, maintenance, repair and disposal                                Feasibility studies                                                                                                          Enterprise and marketing in the development of products                                  Design communication

• Design and Making Principals Design methods and processes Design theory             How technology / cultural changes impact designers work                                    Design processes                                                                                                        Critical analysis and evaluation                                                                            Selecting appropriate tools, equipment and processes                                        Accuracy in design and manufacture                                                              Responsible design                                                                                                    Design for manufacture and project management                                                            National and international standards in product design

In addition you will also be required to undertake a substantial design and make task and produce a final prototype based on a context and design brief that you have developed.

How will you be assessed?         

Course assessment is as follows:

• Technical principals                                                                                                  Written exam paper - 2 hours 30 minutes 30% of A Level

• Design and making principals                                                                                    Written exam paper - 1 hour 30 minutes 20% of A Level

• Design and make project                                                                                              Non-exam assessment 50% of A Level

How will you learn?       

• Teacher led activities and interactive teaching to introduce new material
• Practical activities surrounding design and product creation
• Discussion and group work to produce ideas and solve problems
• The use of subject text books and other resources
• The use of past exam papers and mark schemes

You will gain a real understanding of what it means to be a designer, from initial concept to the finished article.

Enrichment activities and independent learning?           

There will be informal drop in / revision sessions available to support classroom learning and aid student progress throughout the course.

What or where next?    

Textiles could take you into a number of exciting career paths. Becoming a textile designer is a natural outcome, but there are other job prospects like working as an interior designer or in fashion merchandising and buying. The advertising and marketing profession always needs creative people too, as does the manufacturing industry. You could also apply this A Level to your portfolio of skills as a teacher.

On completion of this course many students continue with their studies at university before embarking on their career later.

More information          

For more information about this course please see the specification below or contact the sixth form team.