Surface Pattern Design & Textile Surfaces (Undergraduate)

SURFACE PATTERN DESIGN AND TEXTILE SURFACES

MAKE YOUR MARK IN

SURFACE PATTERN DESIGN OR TEXTILE SURFACES

From amazing fabric prints and wallpapers, to exquisite designs for ceramics, gift cards and floor coverings, daily life could be that much more colourful with the vision and imagination of highly experienced surface pattern designers and textile surface specialists.

At Staffordshire University, we will equip you with the skills to make your mark in this fascinating career area.

Join us on our Surface Pattern Design degree course and you will focus on the exploration of image, motif, scale, repeat, colour and composition.

As a Textile Surfaces student, however, you’ll experience a more tactile approach. For that reason, your course will involve the creation and manipulation of surfaces and surface decoration. You’ll mix fabrics and materials, combine different techniques and media, and explore stitch and embellishment.

Fiona Wilson, Award Leader

Whichever course you choose, you’ll learn from highly experienced lecturers and perfect your craft in our fully equipped workshops and studios, all to ensure that when you graduate, you’ll be well prepared for employment.

Then again, thanks to the entrepreneurial skills you’ll develop as you progress to become ‘The Staffordshire Graduate’, you could decide on self-employment – or even starting up a business. Whatever you choose, we’ll be there to help and advise you!

Thanks to our well-established links with industry, you can also take it for granted that we’re at the forefront of design. Our industry links can also provide exciting opportunities for work placements, ‘live’ project briefs, competitions and freelance work.

Over the following pages, our aim is to help you decide which of our courses is right for you. To find out more, please visit: www.staffs.ac.uk/art

BA (Hons) Surface Pattern Design and BA (Hons) Textile Surfaces

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I’D EVENTUALLY LIKE TO DO FASHION AND INTERIORS – MORE HIGH END STUFF. I’M GOING INTO TEACHING IN SEPTEMBER FOR SOME WORK EXPERIENCE. I’D ALSO LIKE TO INSPIRE A YOUNGER GENERATION AND TO TELL THEM YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU WANT TO DO IF YOU KEEP FOCUSED. Daniel Beckford BA (Hons) Surface Pattern Design

BA (Hons) SURFACE PATTERN DESIGN UCAS code: W740

BA (Hons) TEXTILE SURFACES UCAS code: W233

CONTENTS: 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 15

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

Introduction Key Facts Why Staffs?

Our Brilliant People A Better Campus Choose More Open Days Application Process

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HERE ARE JUST A FEW REASONS WHY WE BELIEVE YOU SHOULD STUDY WITH US. TO REALLY FIND OUT IF WE’RE RIGHT FOR YOU, PLEASE COME ALONG TO ONE OF OUR OPEN DAYS. WE’D LOVE TO MEET YOU.

KEY FACTS WORK-READY WORLD-READY

Study with us and we’ll equip you to become ‘The Staffordshire Graduate’ – a world-ready professional, with the knowledge, attributes and expertise that employers look for.

FIRST-CLASS SUPPORT

Rest assured, at Staffordshire University you’ll always be supported. Our friendly lecturers will be on hand to help and advise you. Advice and guidance is always available, and you will also have a personal tutor to go to at any time.

GRADUATE SUCCESSES

Our graduates have secured careers at well-known companies including Watermark Publishing, Accessorize, George at ASDA, Mothercare, Johnson Tiles, Design Works International in New York and CPH Fusion in Copenhagen!

Other graduates have made their name as highly successful freelance designers.

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WORLD OF WORK FACILITIES

Digital printing, laser cutting, hand screen printing, traditional rug tufting, sewing room, computer suite, design studio… plus access to photography, ceramics and more.

Our aim is to prepare you for future success. That’s why our facilities mirror the workplace.

HIGHLY QUALIFIED LECTURERS

All our lecturers have worked in industry, as self-employed designers or artists. They have a wide range of skills and knowledge and a wealth of experience that they are eager to share with you.

LIVE PROJECTS

Our industry links mean real-world briefs and challenges to get you used to the demands of the workplace.

Our students have worked on projects with Paper Rose Greetings Cards, Hallmark, Staffordshire Council, Emma Bridgewater Pottery and other big names. They’ve also created cushions for a garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

INSPIRED TEACHING

Our hands-on approach to teaching involves professional studio practice as well as practical demonstrations and workshops – all to help you maximise your talents and achieve your full potential.

BANG UP-TO-DATE

Whether it’s new materials, techniques or market trends, our lecturers keep up-to-date with all the latest influences, to make sure your learning is always current. Several are actively involved in research, while others have developed their own design businesses.

DEVELOP IN THE WORKPLACE

Working alongside established professionals in your field is one of the best ways of developing your design skills. For that reason, we’ll help you find placement opportunities or internships – locally, nationally… even overseas!

SHOWCASE YOUR TALENT

To give you as much exposure to employers as possible, in your final year you’ll get to display your work at our Degree Show, and have the opportunity to be selected for the annual, prestigious New Designers exhibition in London.

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

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WHY STAFFS? BA (Hons) SURFACE PATTERN DESIGN

BA (Hons) TEXTILE SURFACES

YOUR OWN PERSONAL WORKSPACE

Our Surface Pattern Design award covers a diverse range of technical skills and career opportunities, from producing wonderful fabric prints, wallpapers and floor coverings to simply beautiful ceramics.

Study Textile Surfaces with us and we’ll encourage you to become a truly independent learner, with the knowledge to solve your own design problems and the ability to create wonderfully inspiring collections that can be applied to a variety of surfaces.

Whichever course you choose, you’ll be given your own dedicated workspace, conveniently located in an open-plan studio next to the print workshop, sewing room and computer suite.

Working in our open-plan studio environment, you’ll be able to practise your skills in the manipulation of media and exploration of decoration. You’ll be shown many and varied hand and machine stitch techniques, both on flat surfaces and through structural 3D stitch processes.

PRACTICAL WORKSHOPS

Study Surface Pattern Design with us and we will equip you with the skills and knowledge for a career in this truly fascinating area. In fact you’ll find that our entire ethos is to encourage you to develop as a true creative professional.

Designed to provide a real studio culture that encourages professional and innovative practice, our facilities are extensive and include fully equipped workshops and studios.

We offer screen-printing, dyeing and transfer printing. We have a digital fabric printer, as well as laser cutters, ceramic decoration facilities and a rugmaking room. Added to this, you can easily gain access to other facilities, workshops and technologies from within the School of Art and Design.

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To enable you to explore a diversity of materials and technologies, in order to challenge the ideas of what textile surfaces can be, you’ll have access to a wide range of facilities. These include screen-printing and dyeing, sewing machines, our digital fabric printer and laser cutters.

To give you the broadest technical expertise, both our teaching programmes include handson practical workshops and demonstrations by tutors and specialist technicians. Individual and group tutorials take place in the studio environment, where self-assessment, critical analysis and reflective practice are actively encouraged. Each member of our teaching team is highly qualified across their specialist area and continues to develop their skills and knowledge to ensure we are at the forefront of design and the requirements of industry.

VISITING PROFESSIONALS Every year, specialist visiting lecturers and extremely successful past graduates return to share their knowledge and to offer advice. Our programme of visiting lecturers has included the following renowned textile artists: Maxine Sutton, Sally Greaves-Lord, Karen Nicol and Alison Willoughby.

LINKS WITH LEADING EMPLOYERS To give you a real insight into the world of design, we have forged strong links with industry. These links provide exciting opportunities for work placements, ‘live’ industry projects, competitions and freelance work. Encouraging you to design to industry standards, they’ll also help you to consider the context and market you’re designing for.

They can lead to offers of sponsorship, study visits and self-employment. But, most importantly, they will give you the professional experience required by the design industry.

A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY Our students have the chance to visit and even exhibit at various trade fairs both at home and abroad, such as Premier Vision in Paris. In your final year, you’ll present your work to peers and employers at our Degree Show.

You could even be selected to exhibit at New Designers in London, where many of our past students have enjoyed great success – securing commissions, press coverage, work placements and employment.

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

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OUR BRILLIANT PEOPLE “I chose Staffordshire University because I loved the campus and the studio facilities. I already miss having that print room so nearby!

There were always tutors around to speak to and they were quick to respond to emails. My senior lecturer always went the extra mile and opened up the way I thought when designing.

I secured my current job at contemporary Danish design studio, CPH Fusion, after exhibiting at Premier Vision in Paris during my second year. I was offered a placement in Copenhagen after the company bought some of my fabric samples. They then asked me to return once I graduated, to work as their European Sales Rep. I get to travel to London, Germany, France, Sweden, Holland and other destinations virtually every week!

... SECURED JOB IN COPENHAGEN

Doing the degree showed me the many different careers that exist in design - it’s by far the best thing I could have done. I loved the course - it’s not difficult dragging yourself out of bed when you’re going somewhere that you enjoy. If you are interested in the design world, I recommend the Surface Pattern degree because it’s almost endless as to what you can do.”

Alex Hobley, BA (Hons) Surface Pattern Design – graduated in 2013 and now working at Fusion CPH in Copenhagen

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... WORKING AS A DESIGNER FOR PAPER ROSE GREETING CARDS.

“I chose Staffordshire University because of its reputation within the field of Surface Pattern. At the Open Day, I was blown away by the studio and the facilities. The quality of work on the course was amazing, and the structure of the course was the best I had seen. Their connections within industry were extremely impressive.

The teaching team helped direct me towards the career I am in today, working as a Designer for Paper Rose Greeting Cards. Their depth of knowledge is remarkable.

In fact, some tutors run their design career alongside lecturing, meaning they are still in the loop with industry.

You’ll find that even after graduation, they are only a phone call away. This level of support makes you feel like you are always part of the Surface Pattern course.

The course technician helped me understand all the different techniques and possibilities, while my tutor was always there to help and guide me to push boundaries in my work.

I would say to any student looking to come to Staffordshire University - definitely do it! The time I spent here has been the best three years of my life so far. My course is one of the best in the country. If I could do my three years at university again, I would definitely go back to Staffordshire University. Having done this interview, I am re-living every moment with a smile.”

Sarah Tanser, BA (Hons) Surface Pattern Design – graduated in 2011 and now a Designer at Paper Rose

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

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A BETTER CAMPUS

AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY, WE’RE COMMITTED TO INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE – LITERALLY. OVER A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS, WE’RE SPENDING MILLIONS OF POUNDS ON OUR UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES, SO WHEN YOU JOIN US, YOU’LL BE COMING TO A PLACE WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO START OPENING DOORS AND BREAKING BOUNDARIES.

In recent years, our Stoke-on-Trent campus has undergone a massive transformation, with the students at the heart of our plans. From the amazing Science Centre to environmental improvements, we’re focused on building the best campus for our students.

But whilst it’s all well and good a university saying they care what students think, we’re putting our money where our mouth is.

This all stems from a decision to make Stoke-on-Trent the main campus of Staffordshire University. In 2016 the majority of students from our Stafford Computing and Technology courses will be

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moving to the Stoke-on-Trent campus. So we’re making sure that when you arrive, you enter a university that is fit for purpose. One with a great mix of study and social spaces. One that feels safe and thrives on the friendly reputation we’ve built.

What we found was that a modern edge-of-city campus is ideal. Close enough to the city for the social life, but far enough away to focus on studying. Great transport links around the city, but also great spaces around the campus.

The best of both worlds.

So, starting in Summer 2015, we’ll be working on the College Road and Leek Road sites of our Stoke Campus.

We’ll be creating great social spaces and easy access between the Students’ Union, venues and teaching rooms.

Bringing the best teaching facilities together with fantastic student areas – making it feel safe and easy to jump between your lectures and your life outside University.

As well as that, we’re also investing £12m in a new Computing and Games facility. This project, called Digital Kiln, will merge beautiful learning space with state-of-theart technology to support all sorts of courses from Cyber Security to Games Design.

This investment is continuing the work we’ve already started to create great social spaces and easy access between the Students’ Union, halls of residence, and other facilities. We’ve committed to doubling the investment that’s already started to create enhanced facilities. Come 2016, it’s going to have the buzz and the feel of the edge-of-city campus that students want.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Gunn Healthcare Centres of Excellence This redevelopment work isn’t just happening in Stoke-on-Trent though. Healthcare and Midwifery students won’t miss out with significant further investment in our Centres of Excellence in Stafford and Shrewsbury – adding new student spaces and learning resources to make these campuses totally self-contained and right up to date.

So, with all this to come, maybe it’s time you joined us at Staffordshire University?

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

KEY FACTS WORK STARTS: SUMMER 2015 ADDITIONAL £40M INVESTMENT IN STOKE-ON-TRENT CAMPUS MULTI-MILLION POUND INVESTMENT IN STAFFORD CENTRE OF HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE AND SHREWSBURY CENTRE OF HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE COMPLETION DATE: AUTUMN 2016.

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CHOOSE

MORE AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY, WE WANT TO GIVE YOU AN EDGE OVER THE COMPETITION. WE WANT YOU TO TAKE AWAY SOMETHING EXTRA. SO WE MAKE SURE YOU’LL GET SOMETHING EXTRA WHEN YOU’RE HERE. A LOT EXTRA ACTUALLY. To help you open doors as well as your mind, we’re spending millions of pounds on our edge-of-city campus. When you’re here, you’ll be able to work with brilliant academics and access a whole load of cutting edge facilities; from animation studios to photography darkrooms to surface decoration workshops. Past students have gone on to exhibit at prestigious galleries, museums and festivals across the world.

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You can also get more back with grants, loans and bursaries to help fund your study whilst enjoying a cost of living ranked the third lowest in the UK.

MAKE MORE OF YOUR TIME HERE • Improve your skills with online training platform Lynda.com and access over 3,000 online tutorial videos • Want to get fit while you study? Take advantage of our special student rate gym memberships • Don’t just learn while you’re with us, earn. Take a job at the Students’ Union, become a paid Student Ambassador with Unitemps or turn working while you study upside down with a seasonal role at Alton Towers Resort • Then spend. We’re a hop, skip and a short walk from shops, boutiques, restaurants, bars and clubs • Catch the latest musicals, opera, drama at the Regent Theatre and Stafford Gatehouse

MORE WAYS TO STUDY YOUR WAY • Grants, loans and bursaries to help fund your study • More hands-on, real world learning, fewer lectures • Hit the books whenever you want - access to our 24- hour library • Get all the software you need including access to the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite and download Microsoft Office 365 on up to five devices for free • Professional guest lecturers - previous presentations included Microsoft, Marvel Comics and Epic Games

At Staffordshire University, you’re in the best place to do more, with City Centre shops, boutiques, restaurants, theatres, bars and clubs all just a short stroll away.

Plus, with student rate gym memberships and over 100 sports, clubs and societies to join – including skydiving, snow sports and our very own Beard Society – you can experience more too.

So, if you’re looking for a place that gives you exactly what you need to succeed (and more), then open the door and your mind to Staffordshire University.

A CAMPUS WITH MORE TO OFFER • We’ve spent and continue to spend millions of pounds on our edge-of-city campus • We’re a place literally in the middle of things with easy access to Manchester, Birmingham, London • Get your film fix at our on-campus Film Theatre • Take advantage of our brilliant and friendly Student Support team • Stay fit and well with our NHS Healthcare centre with two doctors • Enjoy a cost of living ranked third lowest in the UK

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

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There’s only one real way to experience Staffordshire University, and that’s to come and see it for yourself.

University is where you’re due to spend the next few years of your life, so before you decide on somewhere, it makes sense to have a good look around.

That’s where an Open Day comes in. This is your opportunity to get to know the place. Test it out.

Immerse yourself in every aspect of Staffordshire University and see if it’s right for you.

We’ll give you the chance to see everything, from the Students’ Union and the library to the IT suites and our impressive sports facilities. We’ll also show you the halls of residence, so you can start planning exactly where to put your TV and laptop.

You’ll then meet our expert lecturers, see live demonstrations of lab and studio sessions, and delve deeper into your chosen subject with an informative talk.

Advice is available on managing your student finances and ways to fund your study, as well as tips on writing a strong personal statement to include in your application.

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Best of all, you’ll have time to speak with current students about their experiences of Staffordshire University – which means you can hear exactly what it’s like to be at the heart of things in the centre of the country. It’s the best way to get a real feel for life here.

Our Open Days give you an idea of everything Staffordshire University has to offer, so you’ll be ready to make one of the most important – and most exciting – decisions of your life.

LEARN MORE OR BOOK YOUR PLACE AT

www.staffs.ac.uk/opendays GO ONLINE TO WATCH OUR VIRTUAL TOURS

APPLICATION PROCESS NOT RECEIVED THE OFFER YOU WANTED?

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CLEARING

The UCAS clearing process gives students another opportunity to find a place.

MISSED THE UCAS DEADLINE?

Don’t worry, apply via UCAS until the end of June and if we have vacancies left on your course we’ll consider your application. We accept CLEARING applications from mid July.

Visit: www.staffs.ac.uk/clearing

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

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For more detailed information on courses or studying at Staffordshire University, visit: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

www.staffs.ac.uk/socialmedia The information in this guide is correct at time of publication, but may be subject to change.

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