MA in Textile Design - a mature student's journey

As student liaison officer for BCU I emailed my fellow students after the course had finished to get their honest feedback without fear of their marks being affected (silly I know, but you do think about it). We did feedback electronically a few months ago, but a lot happened in the last few months too. The point made may have been expanded on to ensure the reader had a better understanding.  Lectures starting late, either because of technical issues or lecturers arriving late. No need to walk to Margaret Street (15-20 minute walk from Parkside campus) – although I understand there maybe an issue with space at Parkside someone commented that walking to Margaret Street took out an afternoon and on reflection at the end of the course this was time wasted. Not being able to use studio space due to BA timetabling. We had Friday allocated to us, not great if you are working or unable to attend on Fridays. Not being offered to share demonstrations of how things work in the stud...

Well, I'm all done. I now have an MA in Textile Design from Birmingham City University . My final grade was a commendation - one above merit and one below a distinction. The fashion show was on the 13th July, and my husband, brother and sister in law and their youngest Ruben and my best friend Leonie came to it. I had five pieces on the catwalk and I walked it too.  The rehearsals were a bit uncoordinated but then with so many people involved it was a bit like herding cats!  This is me. The last few weeks were a blur, but here are some highlights: The external examiner, Dr Kate Wells, from Derby University came along to make sure our marks are representative of the work produced. She gave me some relevant and inspiring feedback. There is a market for my work I need to go hi-end I need to have a USP of perhaps unique fabrics e.g. bamboo, hemp, organic in production So now its research, research and more research. Below is Renee.  To the...

Hand in was last week, 4th July. It was a bit anti-climactic if I'm honest. I thought there might be some fizz in the vicinity, but no, not a bad thing really because I was teaching in the evening. Went to the Uni bar with a fellow MA student, and had a pint of lime and soda, oh how times have changed! Today, I was at Uni setting up my static show, see below. I've kept it simple, some hooks to display my clothes and two dummies. There are only 8 of us displaying work though, I think it would've looked a lot better if all students were made to display, but I guess its either the fashion show or the static show for most people, for me I'm doing both. The fashion show is on Thursday, rehearsals are tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday. The more we practice, the better the show on the night. We have external examiners tomorrow and my final Viva is next Tuesday and that will be it, eek!