Textile Design

UCAS code: W222

Here's what Leeds Arts University says about its Textile Design course.

Our Textile Design degree is a leading specialist course in print and surface design, renowned for producing commercially engaged creative designers. Amplify your passion for drawing, colour, and materials to become a dynamic designer in this exciting and diverse industry.

Supported by a team of specialists, this course offers an exciting mix of practical workshops and design thinking. You will explore your ideas through drawing, colour, design investigation, and surface and material experimentation.

You will work in the Textile Design studio, an inspirational and stimulating environment at the centre of our creative community. Here, students draw, paint, design, share and test ideas. You will also have access to other practical facilities like our printmaking, ceramics rooms and 3D workshops.

We encourage you to establish your own individual design identity, becoming confident and accomplished in developing print-focused outcomes. Applications span textiles and surfaces for fashion, interior products, gifting, and architectural settings.

You will gain industry experience through a combination of exciting live briefs, international competitions, and employment opportunities via our professional network.

You will learn traditional and crafted techniques such as screen printing and printmaking alongside cutting-edge design practices, surface embellishment, and manipulation processes. These include Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, AVA CAD/CAM, Wacom tablets for digital drawing and laser cutters.

Practical work is underpinned by context - developing an awareness of global issues and ethical concerns including sustainability and intellectual property. Employability, enterprise and entrepreneurship underpin teaching and learning in all modules.

Year one – You’ll discover fundamental design principles, exploring image making, composition, and colour theory and develop your drawing, painting, and digital skills, and experiment with various materials and processes. This year explores historical and contemporary perspectives on pattern design, with a focus on individual creative projects driven by research and playful experimentation.

Year two – You’ll enhance your ability to investigate, critique, and apply research methods with a focus on ‘sustainable futures’ through conceptual development, experimentation, and critical analysis. You’ll develop essential employability skills, and connect design theory with practice by developing your own projects that turn conceptual ideas into practical results.

Year three – You’ll be encouraged to shape your own programme of work, reflecting your personal design interests and creative style. You’ll gather and refine your accumulated knowledge and skills, developing a professional portfolio that will make you stand out in the design industry. This year is all about consolidating your practice, understanding your emerging creative direction, and exploring your strengths while continuing to experiment. You’ll demonstrate your full creative potential, preparing for the professional world, employability, or further study.