Budding textile and fashion designers visit the Clothes Show

A Level Textile designers and BTEC Level 3 Fashion designers attended the last Clothes Show Live event at the NEC in Birmingham on Tuesday 6th December.  An inspirational day was had by all.   Particular highlights included the graduate catwalk show (see image), the knit and crochet drop in workshops and the University stands.

All about paper

Year 1 A Level Textile Designers started their course in September and have just completed their first project 'all about paper'.  Each student worked from the same design brief to complete a hand bound sketchbook, design sheets and a half garment made from paper.  Ideas developed taking inspiration from images of paper garments found on Google and Pinterest.  These young designers were asked to manipulate paper in response to techniques and technical terms choosing which types of paper they would each upcycle.  Papers were folded, curled, creased, scrunched, woven, sewn and gathered.  Design ideas were tried, sketched and photographed on the mannequins before final designs were constructed.  The students also had the opportunity to visit Unit 12, a gallery and studio space, owned and curated by Jennifer Collier.  Jennifer Collier's work is made from paper which she exhibits and sells internationally.  It was such a fantastic experience to meet Jennifer and see her making.

 

An exhibition of the students work is on display at the MADE Here shop in Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre.  Please pop in and take a look.
For more information about studying A Levels in Art and Design subjects please call 01782 254254, email info@nulc.ac.uk or visit www.nulc.ac.uk.

 

First year A Level Textile Design students visit Unit 12

First year A Level Textile Design students visited the fabulous studios and gallery ‘Unit 12’ owned by the talented designer maker Jennifer Collier on Thursday 13^th October.

This was a fantastic opportunity for students to get further inspiration for their own projects ‘all about paper’.  A selection of which will be exhibited in our own NULC shop MADE Here in Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre later this week.

Meeting Jennifer Collier and some of the other resident artists alongside seeing work first hand is a really valuable part of their studies.

For more information about studying A Level subjects in Art and Design call 01782 254254, email info@nulc.ac.uk or visit www.nulc.ac.uk

Students continue to work on 'Lost Boys' project

Students studying the BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at NULC have continued their involvement in the ‘Lost Boys’ project which is being run in collaboration with the British Ceramics Biennial and Professor Stephen Dixon from Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).

The project aims to research the underage soldiers who were enlisted during WW1 with findings being explored and presented visually through a range of collaborative ceramic outcomes.  On Tuesday 22 March, students visited the Staffordshire Regiment Museum in Lichfield to gather further research through photography and drawing.  Students toured the reconstructed WW1 trenches and were able to obtain an insight into what it would have been like to be on the front line and the conditions that the soldiers had to live in.  Following this there was a talk on uniform and the firearms used in battle – this included a handling session which enabled students to examine and photograph the equipment for their research. 

To conclude the day there was a workshop on research techniques which explored how to examine documentation to find out more about an individual soldier when exploring the archives at the Library.  Research gathered during the visit will be applied through two further ceramics workshops which will be run by staff from MMU Friday 22 April and Friday 20 May.

 

The ‘Lost Boys’ project has enabled students to develop valuable research skills and independence through the many facets of the project that have been encountered.  These skills are essential for anyone pursuing a career in Art and Design and will undoubtedly provide an excellent foundation for further development at University and beyond.

For more information about studying the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design call 01782 254254, email info@nulc.ac.uk or visit www.nulc.ac.uk