Area of Study: Design

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions, in syllabus order. Each dot point has a focused answer, with exam-style questions and worked answers where available.

How do historical, cultural and contemporary influences shape textile design?

Historical design, cultural design factors and the work of contemporary designers, and how these influences inform inspiration, motifs and meaning in textile items

Historical design, cultural design factors and contemporary designers, and how these influences inform inspiration, motifs, symbolism and meaning in textile items.

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How do designers use the design elements and principles to create aesthetic and functional textile items?

The design elements and principles, and how they are applied to fabric, colour and form to communicate the aesthetic intent of a textile item

Design elements and principles, and how designers apply line, colour, texture, balance, contrast and emphasis to achieve aesthetic intent in a textile item.

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How does a designer apply the design process to develop a creative and functional textile item?

The design process: investigating, devising, producing and evaluating, and how each stage is documented in supporting documentation for a textile item

Design process: investigating, devising, producing and evaluating, and how each stage is recorded in the supporting documentation of a textile item.

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How do designers communicate and present design ideas during the development of a textile item?

The communication techniques used to record and present design ideas, including illustration, technical drawing, computer aided design, sample boards and presentation, and how each supports the development and justification of a textile item

Communication techniques: illustration, technical and working drawings, computer aided design, sample and mood boards, and presentation, and how each records, develops and justifies design ideas in a textile item.

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How do contemporary textile and fashion designers develop their work, and what shapes their design philosophy and significance?

The work, inspiration, design features and significance of selected contemporary textile and fashion designers, including their use of materials and technologies, their target market and end use, and their influence on trends and the textile industry

Contemporary textile and fashion designers: their inspiration and philosophy, design features, use of materials and technology, target market, and their influence on trends and the wider textile industry.

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How are functional and aesthetic requirements matched to fibre, fabric and finish for the end use of a textile item?

The functional and aesthetic requirements of textiles for different end uses across the focus areas, and how user, environment and performance needs are matched to appropriate fibre, yarn, fabric, construction and finish choices

End use applications: the functional and aesthetic requirements of textiles for different end uses, and how user, environment and performance needs are matched to appropriate fibre, fabric, construction and finish choices.

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