Design Practice III//Negotiated Briefs//LCA Surface Pattern Degree Book & LCA Prospectus 2012.

Yesterday, I picked up the latest copy of the Leeds College of Art 2012/13 prospectus, as designed by 2012 BA (Hons) Graphic Design graduates, Aaron Skipper and Arthur Carey, which proved to be a good source of inspiration for the conceptual and design development of the BA (Hons) Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern degree book which myself, Claudia, Kirsty and Kirsty will be pitching for this year.

I'm a real fan of the subtle spot varnish finish on the bold, geometric type on the cover, and the great utilisation of photography throughout, which really helps to add a more personal touch, something that we are particularly looking to do through interviews with both the students and tutors throughout the degree book. Seeing this design be realised in a contemporary and truly professional- standard print has really inspired me to move forward and hopefully, soon, start making real progress with the development of the conceptual editorial and layout designs.

Design Practice III//Negotiated Briefs//BA (Hons) Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern Course Information.

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As part of the design development and research for the BA (Hons) Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern degree prospectus collaborative brief, I decided to start from the very basics, in terms of finding out more about the nature of the degree programme, what it offers throughout the three year course, and the accolades which have been achieved by the students throughout the years. Below, written information direct from the Leeds College of Art University website, which offers more insight into the degree programme.

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LEEDS COLLEGE OF ART
HIGHER EDUCATION

BA (HONS) PRINTED TEXTILES & SURFACE PATTERN DESIGN
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"This very prestigious programme produces outstanding graduates who go on to exceptional international careers. Even while still at the College, students regularly sell their work to textile and surface pattern design industries, and they win some of the world’s most esteemed design awards. This year our students undertook internships in the studios of companies such as Liberty, Abercrombie & Fitch, Alexander McQueen, Diane von Furstenberg, DKNY, Miss Selfridge, Paul Smith, Rob Ryan, River Island, Timorous Beasties, Topshop, Designers Guild, Tigerprint, Hallmark, Zandra Rhodes, Deborah Bowness, Rob Ryan, Oilily, White Stuff, Vogue, Claire Coles, Drawn in Light, Mary Katrantzou, Next, Fromental, and many others...

This programme has an outstanding global reputation. We look for talented, hard-working people who will develop their own ‘handwriting’, both anticipating and setting future trends. In exchange we offer incomparable tuition, experiences and opportunities.

As a student, you’ll have the significant advantage of your own permanent studio space. We place major importance on drawing, but you’ll also translate your ideas into digital formats. You’ll use cutting-edge computer suites plus professionally equipped workshops for dyeing, screen-printing, heat-transfer printing, digital printing and laser-cutting. The emphasis is on originality and innovation, and the highest standards of work and professionalism.

Whilst on the programme students are given opportunities to sell their work at trade fairs. We have exhibited for many years at Indigo in Paris, a leading fashion fabric fair, and also at MooD in Brussels or Maison et Objet in Paris for those specialising in interior fabrics.

We also show student work at international book fairs, and the New Designers Exhibition, London, is an opportunity for our graduating students to present themselves and their work to a professional audience and to meet potential employers.

First-year students have a week-long study trip to Amsterdam or other cultural capitals while second-year students have a choice of two visits to Paris. A further visit to New York is scheduled every three years, open to students on all three years.

WHAT YOU WILL STUDY

Year One you will explore drawing, colour and design and a range of print methods both ‘traditional’ and digital for paper and fabric. We will help you find, develop and express your own personal interests and approach to designing.

Year Two innovation is the focus and striving to develop a personal ‘handwriting’ that you can apply to your choice of design contexts.

Year Three you will plan your own programme of work in your chosen area of specialisation to give you the experience and professional portfolio you require to confidently present yourself to the design industry.

The Textile Fellowship some students stay on after graduating and use our facilities to do professional collaborations and/or set up your own business with the support of course tutors.

WORK PLACEMENTS

Our students are in high demand and very quickly secure work placement opportunities with top studios.

Accolades

In 2012 our students have won the following national and international design awards;

Tigerprint Award, New Designers 2012, Winner
Harlequin Award, New Designers 2012, Winner
Texprint Winner 2012
Surtex, New York, 2012, Winner
Worshipful Company of Dyers Award, 2012, second and third prizes
Prestigious Textiles Award, 2012, second and third prizes
Clothworkers’ Foundation Award for the fashion market, 2012, Winner
Clothworkers’ Foundation Award for the interiors market, 2012, third prize
Association of Fashion and Textiles Award, 2012, Winner, second and third prizes
Ideal Wallpaper Design of the Year, 2012, Finalist
SDC International Design Competition, 2012 North of England, Runner up
Zizzi’s Fresh Talent, 2012, Winner
Print Odyssey, 2012, Winner
Beta –fashion.com Scarf Competition, 2012, Winner
2 Travel Bursary Awards to Premiere Vision and Indigo, Paris 2012
Bradford Textiles Society Grand Prize Winner
Muraspec Wallpaper Competition 2012, Winner

Destination careers

Graduates of this programme are highly sought-after, joining the design studios of influential companies. Many find jobs in fashion prints and interior products and furnishings; wall coverings; cards and gift wrap; media and publishing; fashion marketing; styling; buying; and interior design. Others set up their own businesses, producing work for private commissions or major brands."

Design Practice III//Negotiated Briefs//BA (Hons) Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern Book Collaboration.

Design by BA (Hons) Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern graduate 2012, Lisa Martin

Yesterday, whilst discussing the brief and an overview of the Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern brief collaboration with Claudia Griffin, and looking at past prospectus books, we agreed that, and found, that the majority of Graphic Design collaborations for each of the degree prospectuses were in groups of four, due to the high demand of the brief, along with balancing other important projects and responsibilities at the time.

Discussing potential working partners, we were immediately drawn to the idea of working with Kirsty Cave and Kirsty Alderson, not only friends of ours, but also a great working partnership. As people we felt we could easily talk to, whether it be with negative or positive feedback (and I'm sure that is mutual between all of us), being able to be openly constructive around one another, and with a great balance of skill sets and interests, I believe we'll be a great working team.

Of course, both Claudia and I were delighted when both Kirsty's agreed to join the collaboration, and we look forward to meeting up with them later on today to discuss potential development for the project along with planning our written brief for the return to Uni (and our presentations) later on next week.

Design Practice III//Negotiated Briefs//BA (Hons) Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern Degree Prospectus.

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For one of my ten negotiated briefs for the first half of the academic year, I plan to enter the competition/live/collaborative brief to design the BA (Hons) Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern Leeds College of Art end of year show/degree prospectus. 

Traditionally, third year Graphic Design students collaborate with one another to create the degree prospectuses, and this year, the vast majority of the students from the Graphic Design programme did just that, with a couple of exceptions, such as the Visual Communications degree programme.

Myself and housemate Claudia initially talked about working together to design the BA (Hons) Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern degree prospectus, not only because we're close friends and work well with one another/have similar tastes, but also for our interest in the degree (both claiming it's what we would have chosen if not for Graphic Design), and the real benefit of the fact that we are currently living with four third year students currently studying on the programme, which would be a perfect source of inspiration, insight and feedback source throughout the design process.

Really excited to start researching past designs and hopefully creating a really professional-standard design outcome.