The development of the Major Textiles Project in a chosen focus area (apparel, furnishings, costume, textile arts or non-apparel), the role of supporting documentation, and the criteria against which the project and documentation are marked

What this dot point is asking

You need to understand how the Major Textiles Project works: choosing a focus area, developing a textile item through the design process, documenting that process, and meeting the assessment criteria. The project is a major part of the HSC course, marked externally, and it ties together everything from the Design and Properties and Performance areas. Knowing how it is structured and judged helps you plan a project that scores well rather than one that simply looks finished.

The five focus areas

You develop the project in one focus area that suits your interests and skills. Apparel covers garments and clothing. Furnishings covers items for interiors such as cushions, quilts, soft furnishings and homewares. Costume covers theatrical, historical, dance or performance dress. Textile arts covers wall hangings, art pieces and experimental work where the textile is the artwork rather than a functional product. Non-apparel covers functional items that are not worn, such as bags, accessories and equipment. Each focus area still requires the full design process and documentation; only the type of end product differs.

Developing the project through the design process

The project is built on the same design process used throughout the course. Investigating defines the end use, target market and design criteria, and gathers research and inspiration. Devising generates and experiments with ideas, trialling fabrics, colourways, techniques and surface treatments and resolving a preferred solution. Producing constructs the item with appropriate fibres, fabrics, finishes and construction and finishing techniques to a high standard. Evaluating judges the item against the original criteria throughout and at completion. Because the process is cyclical, you loop back to refine samples and solve problems as they arise.

The role of supporting documentation

The supporting documentation is the evidence of your thinking and is marked alongside the item. It records the statement of intent and design criteria, investigation research, annotated design development and experimentation, justified selection of materials, finishes and techniques, management of time and resources, and ongoing and final evaluation. The documentation is where you prove that decisions were deliberate: why a fabric was chosen for its drape, why a seam finish suits the end use, why a colourway was selected. Markers reward clear links between decisions and criteria far more than decorative presentation.

How the project is assessed

The project and documentation are marked externally against published criteria. Markers look at the quality and difficulty of manufacture, including accuracy, consistency and the suitability of techniques to the fabric, and at the resolution of the design. They assess the depth and quality of the design development and experimentation, the justification of materials and techniques, the management of the process, and the honesty and insight of the evaluation. Attempting an appropriate level of difficulty and resolving it well scores better than attempting something simple flawlessly or something ambitious that is poorly executed.

Planning for a strong result

A strong project is planned to show the whole process, not just a finished item. Choose a focus area and product that let you demonstrate a range of skills at a manageable level of difficulty. Document experimentation as you go rather than reconstructing it later, justify every significant decision against your criteria, and keep evaluating throughout so problems are caught early. Manage your time so producing does not crowd out investigation and devising. The aim is a resolved item supported by clear, justified, well organised documentation.