Certificate IV in Textile Design, Development and Production
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Full-time 1 year -
Location
Brunswick -
Fees
Next intake
February Entry score
IELTS 5.5
Duration
Full-time 1 year Location
Brunswick
Overview
This practical, hands-on, studio-based course gives you access to state-of-the-art facilities and industry-connected instructors to undertake project briefs.
Develop your knowledge and practical skills to create designs for knitted, woven and printed fabrics or textile products for a range of contexts, including fashion, interiors, homewares, craft and other commercial applications.
Your journey starts in the Certificate IV
In the Certificate IV you will develop skills in drawing, painting and illustration, design and concept development and textile history and contemporary practice. You’ll learn how to present your concepts using computer-aided design techniques.
Continue your studies in the Advanced Diploma
In the Advanced Diploma stage of the course you will develop sophisticated skills and expertise in colour, drawing, design and computing, enabling you to plan, develop and produce screen-printed, machine-knitted or woven fabrics for a variety of applications.
You will build on your skills to create experimental textile samples using a range of materials and processes, including dye technologies, digital printing, laser cutting and fabric manipulation.
With a focus on industry-based projects you’ll work with major and independent Australian and international companies, giving you the opportunity to be involved in developing a collection of textiles to technical and market specifications.
Study on your terms
You have the option to study the Certificate IV full-time during business hours or part-time with classes held two evenings per week.
Details
You will study in state-of-the-art facilities at RMIT’s Brunswick campus with globally connected and industry-experienced teachers that will allow you gain direct insights into the role of a textile designer.
What you will study: print, knit and weave
In RMIT's screen and digital print studios and the weave and knit workshops, you’ll undertake hands-on work with fabrics and textiles.
You’ll learn traditional skills and use new technologies to create experimental textile samples using a range of materials and processes, including dye technologies, digital printing, laser cutting and fabric manipulation.
You will build your skills and knowledge through practical hands-on studio time, lectures, workshops, presentation and group discussions, and use computer programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
Your studies will focus on different subjects including:
- colour studies
- computer-aided design (CAD)
- design and production (textiles)
- drawing
- experimental textiles
- fibres and fabrics
- machine knitting
- marketing
- screen printing
- specifications
- weaving
Learn from practicing textile designers
You’ll learn from teachers who are practicing textile designers. They are connected to the industry and have up-to-date knowledge of the latest industry techniques and trends.
Learn through industry projects and work experience
Throughout your studies you will complete design briefs, which will introduce you to industry practice and market viability. You’ll also learn about production and manufacturing processes in textiles, including the development of end products from your own textile creations.
You will undertake work experience, projects and learning with bespoke and major Australian textile companies.
Past students have worked with Kip and Co, Etiko, Warwick Fabrics, Silk Trader, Timorous Beasties (UK) and Kova Textiles (New York).
How your work will be assessed
You will be assessed throughout each semester via design folios, textile samples, reports, verbal presentations, group projects, research and practical assignments.
You can access online resources through the myRMIT student portal.
All programs are delivered in English.
In the certificate IV you’ll learn the skills and knowledge required to design textiles in a professional environment. On completion, you can continue to Advanced diploma level where you will undertake a range of industry briefs that provide real-world work experience.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
You can study overseas for one or two semesters at an RMIT-affiliated institution.
RMIT’s Global Mobility supports students to undertake an exchange or short term mobility activity with over 165 partner universities worldwide.
Certificate IV
1 year full-time – apply via VTAC
For local students only: Three years part-time – apply direct
The Certificate IV part-time option is offered two nights a week from 6pm to 9pm with six scheduled Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.
Advanced Diploma
One year full-time
Please note: You will be admitted to the Certificate IV level of the training package and upon successful completion you can apply to study the next qualification (Advanced Diploma)
International student visa holders can only study full-time.
Certificate IV: 1 year full-time
Advanced Diploma: 1 year full-time
Please note: You will be admitted to the Certificate IV level of the training package and upon successful completion you can apply to study the next qualification, the Advanced Diploma.
You will be admitted to the Certificate IV level of the training package and, upon successful completion, you can continute your studies in the Advanced Diploma.
This program will develop your technical and creative skills in textile design through practical, hands-on and studio-based learning.
Year 1
You will develop skills in:
- drawing, painting and illustration techniques
- design and concept development
- digital folio design
- textile history and contemporary practice.
You will also present concepts using computer-aided design techniques.
Practical workshops will develop your skills in design and construction for screen-printing, machine knitting and weaving, incorporating an understanding of fibres and dye technology.
In the certificate IV:
- Full-time classes are held during the day.
- Part-time classes are held two nights a week from 6pm to 9pm with six scheduled Saturdays from 10am to 4pm over three years.
- You will complete approximately seven hours of additional study and research per week.
Year 2
In the Advanced Diploma you will develop advanced technical and creative skills in textile design through practical, hands-on and studio-based learning.
You’ll complete a range of design briefs introducing you to industry practice and market viability. You’ll also learn about production and manufacturing processes in the textile, clothing and footwear sectors.
You will undertake work experience, projects and learning with major Australian and international textiles companies such as Warwick Fabrics, Silk Trader, Timorous Beasties (UK) and Kova Textiles (New York).
In the Advanced Diploma:
Full-time students attend 22 hours of classes per week and undertake approximately 15 hours of extra study and research per week.
Please note: each qualification level is a new enrolment in a new program. Full Time classes are held during the day.
Your eligibility for a government-subsidised place will be assessed before you enrol in each new program, and the results of these assessments will determine the fees you will pay.
Career
As a textile designer, you will create designs for knitted, woven and printed fabrics or textile products for a range of contexts, including fashion, interiors, homewares, craft and other commercial applications.
You can also work with graphics, packaging, greetings cards, ceramics, wrapping and wallpaper.
You can work as textile design assistants, knitters, weavers and screen printers, fabric wholesalers, and studio assistants (in screen printing companies and textile manufacturing companies).
You may also find work in other associated areas, such as:
- fabric importing and distribution
- design education and community arts
- department store fabric buying
- sustainable design
Typical work activities may include:
- liaising with clients to plan and develop original designs
- interpreting client ideas by producing sketches, mocked-up designs and samples for presentation to customers
- assessing production standards
- experimenting with colour, fabric, fibres and texture
- maintaining up-to-date knowledge of new design and production techniques and textile technology
- meeting industry specifications
- working to a design brief and timeline
This program is recognised and supported by the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Industries Training Accreditation Board.
Textile design is a specialised form of industrial design (ANZSCO 232312).
Admissions
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) with a minimum 50% average (check calculator below).
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post-secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
Entry requirements
You should submit a personal statement outlining:
- your reasons for wanting to study this program
- your intended career path
- your personal strengths and attributes relevant to the program
- details of any related work or voluntary experience
Folio: Please supply evidence of your creativity in the form of a folio which can include your portfolio, sketchbooks of ideas, garments and accessories. You may include work from secondary school, previous study and personal or work-related design experience (including sketchbooks), and the work can come from a variety of discipline areas (e.g. garment construction, design, wearable art, illustrations, accessories, photography).You should provide a variety of work that expresses your fashion, textiles and/or design interests and demonstrates your creative, conceptual and technical ability. Include both finished work and evidence of how ideas were developed. Include work that shows how you document your ideas and creative thinking and any work that demonstrates your potential to follow a design process.
Folios should be submitted electronically on a CD with files in PDF, JPEG, SWF, DCR or QuickTime format suitable to be read on Mac OSX or later, unless otherwise specified. Each electronic file should be no larger than 10MB. Each CD must be attached to your application and clearly labelled with your name and contact details. Submitted folios will not be returned.
Statement: You should include a statement with your folio which explains your work to help the Selection Officer understand the purpose and background (maximum 250 words).
Folio presentation: If short-listed, you may be required to present your folio to a selection panel. You may be interviewed, either in person or via phone/Skype.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 5.5 (with no individual band below 5.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 530 (TWE 3.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 50 (with minimum of 5 in Reading, 5 in Listening, 14 in Speaking and 15 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 42 (with no communication band less than 36)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 162 with no less than 154 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Upper Intermediate Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
Successful completion of the Certificate IV in Textile Design, Development and Production guarantees entry into the Advanced Diploma of Textile Design and Development. The Advanced Diploma is offered as an additional year of full-time study.
You may be eligible to begin your studies at the Advanced Diploma level if you already hold a Certificate IV in Textile Design, Development and Production or have the relevant knowledge and skills. You must still apply for the Certificate IV and will be assessed for entry into the Advanced Diploma.
Graduates of the Advanced Diploma of Textile Design and Development can continue their studies in the Bachelor of Arts (Textile Design).
When you successfully complete the Certificate IV in Textile Design, Development and Production you are guaranteed entry into the Advanced Diploma of Textile Design and Development.
When you successfully complete the Advanced Diploma of Textile Design and Development you are guaranteed entry into a range of RMIT programs.
You will receive 12 credits points of advanced standing into the Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Technology.
If you achieve a minimum GPA of 2.5 (out of 4.0) you are guaranteed entry into the Bachelor of Arts (Textile Design) with 2 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 96 credit points). If you achieve below the minimum GPA, you may still apply and will need to submit a folio. You will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry into other RMIT undergraduate programs.
Fees
The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place.
To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at ‘How to check if you are eligible’*.
The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide. Learn more about fees for vocational study.
You may be entitled to apply for a fee concession or exemption if you are in a Victorian Government subsidised place and you meet the eligibility criteria.
If your application for a fee concession is approved, you will be charged 20% of the standard government subsidised tuition fee for your program. You will also be charged a lower rate on your student services and amenities fee (SSAF).
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2019 is $303.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.