Designing textiles online

What is the course about?

This course is for textile print designers, and students who want to build on their creative design work developing concepts and creative ideas while improving on technical knowledge in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
You will learn basic graphic and illustrative drawing tools to enhance pattern making skills for textile design. You will explore software using pencil tools, vectors and shape builder tools to help enhance drawings and extend on building existing brush palettes and further advanced knowledge on pattern structure.
You will work from an existing project or collection of designs while learning new skills to enhance your design and artwork.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

- Identify and expand pattern knowledge for your personal project building on existing drawing skills, developing imaginative responses to your starting inspiration/ mood board or designs.
- Experiment with ideas navigating Adobe Illustrator basic interface and test drawing tools for developing motifs for pattern design
- Extending the brush tool palette in Adobe Photoshop using vector drawings imported from Illustrator
- Work with scale for large tile designs for repeat patterns strengthening visual communication exploring more pictorial/illustrative pattern work
- Learn graphic/ illustrative drawing styles through the work of contemporary Illustrators and textile designers.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Navigate the Adobe Illustrator interface while using drawing tools to create basic motifs expanding your design work
- Expand designs or artwork using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, understanding the difference between software programmes
- Improve on decision-making skills to identify repeat pattern structures best suitable for your artwork an narrative
- Engage and share in supportive critical discussion of your own work and of others.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This is an intermediate Photoshop course but suitable for beginners in Illustrator. Ideal for learners who have completed a previous Designing textiles online course or, Photoshop stage II for textile design. We will be flipping between both programmes. You will have experience in creating repeat patterns like half drop and seamless repeats but may need a refresher on certain skills or using different tile sizes for projects.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

This course will be taught online using live sessions using Zoom and Google Classroom eLearning platform.
- Class discussion and critique, demonstrations, 1:1 tutorials
- A computer or laptop will be needed, not a tablet. A fully updated google chrome browser works best for zoom live sessions.
- You will need to login into our Google Classroom before our sessions start as all course materials and tasks will be held here. You will be emailed a joining code nearer the time.
You will require a good broadband connection as mobile data 3G/4G or a mobile dongle will not provide sufficient bandwidth at times when demonstrating in Adobe.
- It is expected that you will work on projects outside of the class time to develop your work as the course progresses to improve on designs and skills.
- Tasks will be set to a brief by your tutor for your project and development needs, one will be issued for discussion in session one.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will need a computer (not a tablet) with update-to date version of Adobe Creative Suite Photoshop and Illustrator and an up-to-date version of Chrome as a browser. Your computer must have a camera built in as we will be sharing screens in live sessions.

• Please use headphones with microphones during our sessions as this will block out all room noise
• Some basic drawings materials, black pens, a sketchbook or A4 white paper, note pad to take notes
• Using your phone to take images if you normally use a scanner
• A task will be issued before our first session based on your mood board of ideas or designs

When you enrol on a course at the City Lit, you are entitled to student discount on Adobe Creative Cloud.
Please note:
• You will need to create an Adobe account using your City Lit email address which includes your student number. (This is in the format 123456@student.citylit.ac.uk)
• You can access your City Lit email through your supplied Office 365 account.
• When your course finishes and you no longer have access to your student email, the software will continue to function on the installed machine for the remainder of the annual subscription.
• At renewal, you will need to create another Adobe account using your personal email.
• The Adobe account is not accessible to City Lit and technical support is extremely limited as a result.
• It is recommended that you do not use the online storage available on Adobe accounts as access to your work is subject to the continuation of your subscription.
• Adobe sales can be contacted on 0800-028-0148.
Please check on system requirements for Adobe creative cloud via the links below.
Adobe Creative Cloud for Students
Adobe Creative Cloud for Students - system requirements

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

We run designing textiles online each term, providing a progression path for learners to continue their studies and build upon their skills set.
City Lit also offers a range of courses that focus on digital, and 3D design that offers opportunities to develop your portfolio in our purpose-built studio. Please browse the website for upcoming course dates.

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to Friday from 10:30 – 12:00 then 15:00 – 17:00.