Course Syllabus

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Textile Design In Scandinavia Workshop

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Semester & Location:

Spring - DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:

Elective 3 credits
Major Disciplines:

Design, Interior Architecture, Studio Arts
Faculty:

Malene Kristiansen, mk.kristiansen@gmail.com

Helle Vibeke Jensen, hebiinu@gmail.com
Program Director:

Henning Thomsen, ht@dis.dk
Time & Place:

Mon and Thu 16:30-19:30 in F24-202

Description of course: 

This course combines design and methods of printing for interior textiles with readings and discussion on the subject of textile design. It includes a workshop component, where printing methods will be taught and the student’s own designs can be realized, as well as site visits to designers, producers and realized projects in the Scandinavian context. The course runs for half of the semester in an intense format. It includes field studies to textile Designer / Design company and guest speakers from design industries or academia.

Textile Design in Scandinavia workshop is appropriate for students in studio art, interior design, architecture, design history, information design, creative management or business. Studio groups combine students of different standing and background. The course is taught vertically, and expectations relate to each individual student.

Students will work in analogue and digital media. User knowledge of Photoshop is required. Enrolment is limited according to workshop availability.

The key focus of this course is patterns. The word pattern refers to a motif, behaviour or occurrence repeated over time or in space. Repetition of a motif on a surface appeals to a sense of order and can create an enjoyable sense of rhythm due to eye movement from place to place within the pattern. Recognizing the repetition also plays a great role in the pleasure of looking at repeat patterns.

Repeat patterns form a special subgenre in the decorative arts and are especially associated with continuous lengths of textiles and paper. It is also possible to apply repeat patterns to facades, floors, clothing and other surfaces, with adaptations to the particular shape or limitations of the surface.

Learning objectives of the course:

  • To train students in the textile design process in a Danish context and to inspire design solutions based on knowledge of Danish and Scandinavian methods of textile design.

Approach to teaching:

The workshop is taught vertically, which means students of different standings and majors work together in one class. The emphasis will be the individual student´s research and design process, and the issue of designing and manufacturing within a Danish context.

Faculty:

Malene Kristiansen: Textile Designer (Denmark’s Design School, 1992). Has worked for H&M, Victoria's Secret, Hugo Boss, Romeo Gigli, and Hanne Bloch. Teaching positions with Designskolen Kolding and KADK, Denmark; Central St. Martins, England; Bergen Academy of Art and Design, Norway; University of Borås – The Swedish School of Textiles; and TextilLab, Holland. Currently Head of Bachelor Textile Design at KADK. With DIS since 2004.

Helle Vibeke Jensen: Fashion Designer (Denmark’s Design School, 1988). Own practice since 1995, working with illustrations and photos for books, posters, carpets, dresses, etc. Illustrated books published under own name. Illustrations to the Bible, 2016 edition from The Danish Bible Association. Recipient of multiple grants from the Danish Arts Foundations and others. Working as external reviewer for Textile Design and Graphic Design at DIS for many years. With DIS since 2018.

Required Reading:

Reading material can be found on Canvas.

Assignments and evaluation:

There will be 2 to 4 hours of homework every week plus short readings and assignments.

Assignment 1 - The Copenhagen pattern sketchbook.

This course requires a sketchbook from the first day of class. Note the following:

Begin collecting interesting components for the sketchbook from the first day, including: sketches, straight and halfdrop repeats patterns, color samples and exercise, photos, postcards, patterns, tickets, text notes, thoughts, maps, wrapping paper, thread, found objects, etc. Do not censor yourself - anything that catches the eye is valid! Do not discard anything! The sketchbook must contain between 5 and 15 ideas for patterns.

Assignment 2 – Textile Design Paper

Analyse a Scandinavian textile or wallpaper design in relation to:

  • Design: Style, function, materials and technique: print v. weave, rapport pattern, rapport size, and rapport type, amount of color etc.
  • Business perspective: Marketing, collection, branding, competitors and market analysis.

Put it in a context of your own wallpaper and textile design.

The paper must be 1.500 words, plus illustrations. There must be clear bibliographic references and a works cited page.

Final Presentation

  • Presentation of digital print on paper for wallpaper.
  • Presentation of digital print on fabric for applied textiles, cushions, blanket, tablecloth, etc. Description of the interaction between vertical print on paper and horizontal print on fabric. Prints must be presented in a virtual room.

The final presentation must communicate the student’s knowledge of repeat patterns, perception of patterns, sketches and colour samples on paper.

The presentation should also represent the student’s work as an overall solution, display their artistic skills on a professional level, and show the working process and method from sketches to final product. Students must present arguments for decisions concerning patterns, colors and materials made during the design process. Students will also have enhanced their design methods and abilities.

The final presentation must include:

  • Sketchbook / Visual Journal
  • Final wallpaper
  • Final fabric print
  • Documentation of research, analysis and investigations of your fabric and wallpaper design.
  • Experiments with colours, sizes and placement of objects.

The wallpaper plot and textile print should be mounted to a 120 x 120 cm board, provided by DIS. Students must defend all decisions made and show this in their process.

Field Studies

The curriculum includes visits to local designers, manufacturers and museums as a group and on an individual basis.

Expectations of the Students

This course requires students to be fully engaged in lectures and studio, and to participate actively in any discussions, workshops and studio activities. Students must complete the required readings before the applicable lecture.

Grading:

Assignment

Percent
Assignment 1: Sketchbook

15%

Assignment 2: Paper

15%

Process of Design project, engagement and participation

 30%

Final Presentation of Textile Design projects

 40%

 

Final Presentation Breakdown

Evaluation of daily studio work makes up 40% of the total final assignment grade. This includes assessment of process, progress, and activity. Late submission of the final presentation will result in downgrading of process grade.

Assignment presentations make up 60% of the total final assignment grade. This includes the completion of assignment goals agreed upon by the student and the instructor incorporating the following criteria: concept, execution of concept, drawings, process, participation, and presentation. Students will present their assignments to a panel of instructors including the student’s own instructor. Each student’s own instructor, in agreement with the other jurors, will determine grades.

Academic Regulations

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

Course Summary:

Date Details Due