Bachelor of Design (Textile Design) - 2010
- Available at Wellington
- Switch to 2009 information for this programme
Textile design as a subject is very broad with a great many possibilities including fashion, interior, or gallery outcomes. Students develop skills in colour, texture, pattern and surface applications.
Introduction
Programme overview
The Textile Design programme is flexible offering a range of studio opportunities including screen and digital fabric printing, sustainable colouration, mixed media, digital knit, weave and web design. An intellectual and creative environment is provided encouraging critical debate to help focus and contextualise work. We train students to create opportunities, to identify new concepts, and to participate in the global industry. Design development across disciplines is encouraged, drawing on well-established links with creative, commercial, cultural and heritage organisations. Students and graduates achieve outstanding success in New Zealand and international competition such as the World of Wearable Arts, and the International Society of Dyers and Colourists Awards.
Planning your degree
In your first year you build a base of art and design knowledge and skills through the core papers, alongside students taking other art and design majors. As you will be required to include history and theory papers throughout the rest of the degree, we recommend that unless you have taken English throughout high school, you select the Written Communication skills paper. Select the remaining papers to allow you to pursue an area of interest.
For Parts II to IV you take the core textile design papers and each semester you personalise your degree by selecting elective papers from within the textile design options or from other design or fine arts papers.
Back to topCareer opportunities
Graduates have pursued careers designing wall coverings, furnishings, and apparel fabrics, art and design for films and theatre, secondary and tertiary education, consulting for colour and lifestyle trend predictions, styling in marketing and merchandising sectors of industry.
Student profile
Rachel Higham - 2006
"My time at Massey has provided me with many opportunities to further my passion for design and has equipped me with many useful skills. These skills range from practical hands-on skills necessary as a textile designer through to the conceptual and research skills needed to underpin the work. Because of the ability to mix with other disciplines through electives I have been able to develop a versatile and extensive set of skills, integrating areas such as fashion and photography with my textile major. I have thoroughly enjoyed the many facets of textile design and to discover my individual focus and passions. The course has not only provided training in textile design itself but also the practice of being a textile designer - skills such as business, cultural studies, and studio practice have all equipped me to act as a designer in today's society."
Juliette Hogan
"In my final year of study I received a scholarship to study at the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York which was such a fantastic opportunity and I think, really helped me to develop my personal design sense. It was great to be able to spend time in what is considered by some to be one of the two better fashion schools in the world and feel that my education from New Zealand was equal to, if not superior, to what was being taught there. Prior to taking up this scholarship I worked as a design room assistant to Workshop and Helen Cherry. Again this was a great opportunity to participate in the entire design process and learn a little bit more about how the industry works here in New Zealand. It also enabled me to form relationships with people that would become so important to me when I returned home from my travels.
In January 2003 I set up my own label and started wholesaling within New Zealand. It's definitely been an interesting journey over the last three years. I couldn't imagine doing anything else with my time - I'm so passionate about what I'm doing, it definitely hasn't been a walk in the park. This year I showed at New Zealand Fashion week and have had such a great response from it. The business is definitely moving along in the direction I'm wanting it to and I get so excited about each new season and the possibilities that may come with it."
Katie Lockhart
Career highlights since graduating: Karen Walker Assistant Designer; Freelance stylist for Case da Abitare - Italy; Freelance interior designer for Suzy Hoodless - London; Store designer for Swanndri NZ; Store designer for Karen Walker; Creative Director 'To Sir With Love'.
