Chelsea Textile Design [Textile Machinery and Equipment]

Content: what students can expect

Opportunities for developing and collaborating on pioneering work within the textile industry
Study to be underpinned by a supportive theoretical framework, as well as instruction in professional contemporary practice
To have access to Chelsea's shared workshops including ceramics, casting, laser cutting, photography, metalwork, woodwork and audio visual editing suite. View the Chelsea facilities section
Focus and debate about environmental issues as well as the designer’s role in acting responsibly to these
To participate in and develop skills through individual and group tutorials, workshops, online resources and postgraduate talks designed to introduce students to a range of visiting artists, designers and other practitioners

Structure

Unit 1: Exploring and understanding research-led practice
Unit 2: Contextualising research-led practice
Unit 3: Realisation of research-led practice

Studio practice involves evolving and developing a personal programme of studio work and related research. Theoretical Studies provides a framework for students to develop a critical research paper, enabling them to locate their ideas and practice in relation to contemporary debate on cultural and theoretical issues.

Throughout the course students participate in individual and group tutorials, developing their skills through Personal Professional Development workshops and on-line resources while the postgraduate talks are organised that introduce them to a range of visiting artists and practitioners.

Work experience and opportunities

Textile Environment Design (TED) is a unique research unit based at Chelsea that investigates the role designers play in the field of sustainable design. It is a resource students, researchers and designers can benefit from and contribute to. Recent students have used TED's extensive library of contacts to establish a unique and sustainable craft design project based in Thailand.

Staff

Lorna Bircham - Course Leader

Lorna Bircham is an active member of Chelsea's TED (Textile Environment Design) research group. She has been involved in several research projects, including an exploration of Tencel fibres exhibited at the Science Museum, and weave product development in Assam, India.

Staff

Sophie Gorton
Katherine May
Jane Murrow
Sarah Risley

Visiting Staff

Careers

MA Textile Design graduates have gone on to careers as textiles practitioners and designer-makers either working with, or establishing their own, major and independent fashion labels.

Recent graduates have gone on to designing prints for Ralph Lauren in New York, working on sustainable craft design projects in India as well as in-house designer for Heritage Cashmere.

Other course alumni have gone on to freelance design work, interior product design or other industry related careers, while some go on to undertake further research.