Textile Design

In this program, you are provided with a solid theoretical and a practical foundation in textile arts. It gives you the opportunity to specialize in professional disciplines including machine knitting, surface print design (for printed textiles and other end products) and weaving. Computer-assisted design is combined with a hands-on approach giving a creative and practical education in textile design that fits the needs of industry, freelance work as well as contemporary studio practice.

Through applied research, critical discourse and self-reflection, you engage in experimentation and creative problem solving. You learn about written and visual communications for artists and entrepreneurs, art history, drawing, and 2D/3D design. You create a portfolio that celebrates the power of your imagination and can be used to launch your career.

By the end of this program, you will have demonstrated the ability to create a personal body of work representing technical skill, aesthetic sensitivity and cultural awareness, and have the capacity to work within the creative economy.

Duration

Textile Design is a 2-year studio-based diploma program exploring a range of traditional and non-traditional techniques and is achieved in 6 semesters of study from September to June.

Most students start with taking our Foundation Visual Arts Program (see Apply Now). If you already have a certificate in visual arts, have previous post-secondary experience or in the visual arts, you might be eligible for direct entry into this diploma program.

Interested in finding out more?
Contact: The Registrar’s Office, toll free, 1-877-400-1107 or email nbccdrecruiting@gnb.ca

Areas of Study

Computer-Assisted Design
Designing for Industry and Production
Repeat Pattern Structure and Colour Forecasting
Silkscreen Print
Weaving and Off-Loom Techniques
Dye Methods
Felting and Tapestry
Machine Knitting
Textiles Colour Theory and History

Course List

Fall 1

The Whole Cloth Experience: Machine Knit
The Whole Cloth Experience: Weave
Surface Design: Colour, Structures and Digital Tools
Acid and Fibre Reactive Dye Methods
Manipulating Fabric: Patterns and Sewing
Students Select 1:
- Design Concepts
- 3D Digital Design
Students Select 1:
- Directions in Drawing: Traditional and Contemporary
- Life Drawing: Structure and Form
- Watercolour: Exploring Water-Based Materials
- Drawing and Narrative

Winter 1

Hand-Printing Methods
Spinning
Designing for Felt
Students Select 1:
- Knit: Stitch and Design
- Weave: Four Harness Structures
Evolution of Textiles
Students Select 1:
- Marketing and Online Promotion: Fashion and Textile Design
- The Business of Craft: Practices and Opportunities

Spring 1

Natural Dye Methods
Silk Painting and Batik

Fall 2

Designing for Production
Explorations in Fibre and Fabric
Students Select 1:
- Knit: Stitch and Structures
- Weave: Multi-Shaft
Students Select 1:
- Knit: Computer-Assisted Design
- Weave: Computer-Assisted Design
Students Select 1:
- Preparing for Professional Life: Fashion and Textile Design
- The Business of Craft: Marketing and Sales

Winter 2

Felting: Complex Applications
Students Select 1:
- Knit: Designing for Collections
- Weave: Complex Applications
Students Select 1:
- Knitting: Patterns for Market
- Slow Cloth: Weft-Dominant Weave Structures
Students Select 1:
- Marketing and Online Promotion: Craft
- Portfolio: Design and Online Presence
Students Select 1:
- Designing Bodies
- 3D Digital Design and Production
- Painting in Acrylics
- Imagery, Sources and Development
- Book Art Design
- Art for Social Change

Spring 2

Students Select 1;
- Senior Practicum
- Senior Project

Career Possibilities

With an entrepreneurial focus, this program prepares you to establish your own small business, be employed or continue in Advanced Studio Practice Program at NBCCD or at other leading institutions in Canada and beyond.

Professional opportunities upon graduation include:

Textile and Fashion Accessory Designer
Knitwear Designer
Weaver
Artisan, Craftsperson or Other Visual Artist
Theatrical Costume Designer/Maker
Entrepreneur/Business Owner

Admission Requirements

$50 Application Fee (1)
An official transcript of marks indicating Certificate – Foundation Visual Arts (FVA) from NBCCD OR
- An official transcript of marks indicating at least 1 year post-secondary education
- OR equivalent experience (2)
Portfolio Submission
Interview

(1) The $50 application fee is in Canadian dollars, applies to Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents and is non-refundable and subject to change without notice. International applicants pay a $100 Canadian application fee. See International Students for more information.

(2) Equivalent experience is determined by the College assessing your combination of learning and experience through recognition of prior learning. If you are 21 years of age and have past experience, you may be assessed as a Mature Applicant.

Interview
The College may contact you for an interview, it is important to consider why you want to study with us and your future goals.

Portfolio Requirements

Direct Entry Portfolio Requirements

To ensure that you are well-prepared to bypass the Foundation Visual Arts Program (FVA) and enter directly into an NBCCD Diploma Program, we need to assess your abilities and knowledge of the foundations of visual art. Please read Direct Entry Requirements for full instructions.

All exercises must be original and created within the last 6 months. Your examples must be presented digitally and saved in either JPEG or PDF format at 150 dpi on a USB memory stick. Please be sure to carefully label your jump drive with your name and contact information. If you would like your memory stick to be returned, please provide a self-addressed envelope.

You may instead choose to submit your portfolio digitally by attaching your files to an email. Please do not send your files through Google Drive or any other file sharing program. If your submission size exceeds 9mb, please split your portfolio into multiple emails, all containing your name and contact information.

Please mail or drop off your jump drive or submit files electronically to:

Registrar
New Brunswick College of Craft and Design
457 Queen Street
Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1
Canada

NBCCDRegistrar@gnb.ca

Checklist:

CV/Resume
Letter of Intent
Three Observational Drawings
Three 2D Design Exercises
Two 3D Design Exercises
Three Colour Theory Exercises
Compare & Contrast Essay
Image List

Apply Now

Go to the Admission Requirements to start the application process. This page will also provide more details and info on where to mail your transcript of marks, cash, cheques and/or money order.