Textile Design BA (Hons) at De Montfort University

This creative course covers an extensive programme of study that instils the relevant knowledge, understanding and skills required to become a practising designer in a global textile market. Industry experts will help you to explore ambitious textile solutions and carry out innovative visual research.

You can specialise in one of four areas of textile design – mixed media, print, knit or weave. Mixed media focuses on creating contemporary, innovative collections of textiles and products for interiors and fashion. Printed textiles translate imagery onto textile surfaces for both fashion and interior markets and you will explore inventive use of screen printing and dyeing processes.  

Constructed textiles, knit and weave, concentrate on design for fashion and interior markets. You will develop innovative collections through your use of yarn, fibres and dyeing and explore structure to its fullest extent. 

You will be based in our award-winning Vijay Patel Building, which provides both the space and the facilities to foster creative thinking, where ideas can develop and flourish for all of our art and design students. You can access industry-standard facilities within the print, knit and weave workshops which have print tables, digital print and knit machines, jacquard looms, digital sewing and embroidery machines, laser cutters and CAD packages.

Our aim is to prepare you for a career in the international textile industry, which offers countless opportunities to develop, progress and learn new skills. 

Key features

• DMU is ranked in the top two for Fashion and Textiles in the UK for ‘Graduate Prospects’, according to The Guardian University Guide 2020.
• You have the opportunity to experience all four specialist areas of textile design and the associated equipment and technologies on offer, enabling you to make an informed decision about the pathway you will choose for your second and third year. 
• Work on live projects with industry experts to gain valuable skills and experience. Recent briefs have been set by Hand & Lock, Hallmark Cards and Sainsbury’s.
• Responsible sustainable design is embedded throughout the course alongside CAD, design cultures and professional practice.
• Boost your career prospects with a placement year. Recent students have taken on placements at Alexander McQueen, Primark, Berghaus, ASOS, Joules, and Marks & Spencer.
• 100% of our Textile Design graduates from summer 2017 are in work or further study after graduating (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education 2016-17 report). They have gone on to diverse and creative careers at Aston Martin, Skinny Dip, Sainsbury Home, Jigsaw, Zoffany, Arcadia Group and Next.
• Gain valuable international experience as part of your studies with our DMU Global programme. Previous course-focused trips have taken students to New York, Berlin, Amsterdam and Paris. 
• We provide core workshop materials  at no cost, and give cash awards – £150, £200 and £300 in years one, two and three respectively – to support personal materials/printing costs*.