In the first year of the extended diploma qualification you will have the opportunity to explore your creativity developing some of the essential skills that underpin all creative disciplines.  With access to a designated studio, print-room, mac suite and industrial sewing machines you will learn through experimentation using a broad range of 2D, 3D and digital processes.

Projects will help you to gain a contextual understanding of art and design and support you to make and articulate personal connections and interpretations.  You will have the opportunity to take part in exhibitions and gallery visits and to develop your skills through independent and group learning.

In the second year projects enable you to develop a more specialist understanding and to apply your creativity in response to a series of fast paced industry relevant briefs. The programme encourages you to combine traditional and digital textile techniques, pattern-cutting and garment / costume production to create a portfolio of work suitable for fashion, textile or costume design, fashion styling, pattern-cutting and illustration. Regular contextual lectures on the history of art and design, photography and fashion, will underpin and complement your studio work.

As well as contemporary practice, you will learn the historical and vocational skill sets to ensure a broad based knowledge of the subject area and the wider Creative Arts. In addition to your main study programme you will also engage in GEM and GAP activities to develop your English, maths and employability skills to enhance your progression to Higher Education or to employment.

Fashion, Textiles and Costume Level 3 – Course Content

The first year of this course consists of the following units;

• Introduction to Visual Language
• Introduction to Research Skills
• Introduction to Critical and Contextual Awareness
• Introduction to Materials, Processes and Technical Skills
• An Integrated Approach to 2D Problem Solving
• An Integrated Approach to 3D Problem Solving
• An Integrated Approach to Time-Based Problem Solving
• Developing an Art and Design Project
• Opportunities for Progression

The second year of this course consists of the following units:

• Characteristics and Contexts in Art and Design
• Preparation for Progression in Art and Design
• Engaging with an Audience in Art and Design
• Project Proposal and Realisation in Art and Design

5 GCSEs (grades A*-C/9-4), including English and maths, plus an art or design subject, or satisfactory results in a relevant Level 2 qualification (Merit/Distinction), and an interview with a portfolio of artwork.

Opportunities exist throughout the fashion and textiles industry. Successful completion of this course could lead to jobs as a designer for fashion, textiles or costume, fashion stylist, illustrator, wardrobe assistant or supervisor, event coordinator, merchandiser, production manager or buyer.

On successful completion of the first year Diploma programme you can continue your study of Fashion and Textiles onto the second year: Extended Diploma at Level 3; alternatively you can choose to study for the Art and Design Foundation Diploma, or other further/higher education courses.

The second year Extended Diploma programme will prepare and guide you through the UCAS application to progress to a degree course, such as the BA (Hons) in Fashion and Textiles at Colchester Institute or to employment within the Creative Arts sector, or an Advanced Apprenticeship in Fashion and Textiles (Apparel).