PRINT DESIGN
In the third semester; an introduction to basic print design provides a grammar of different repeats such as straight, half drop, three- point, mirror, ogee and non directional. The emphasis is placed on hands on learning where the motif is evolved from a source of inspiration and translated into different printing repeats. In the fourth semester; students are introduced to print design for the Textile Industry, local and global keeping in mind such technical aspects of industrial printing as repeat and colour limitations. In the fifth semester; the complexity of the print design course increases as students learn to work with co ordinates, a larger scale of repeats and develop an understanding of how to design a product keeping in mind the need of the market. In the sixth semester; the objective of the course is reinforced and given more weightage for students choosing it as a major.
WEAVING
This course focuses on the basic principles of woven fabric construction. In the third and fourth semesters; through a systematic process, students are introduced to the function of the loom, starting from warping, heddling, reeding and weaving. The recognition of different thread counts and basic weave structures such as plains and twills is taught through graphs and wrapping. In the fifth semester; students work with existing woven fabric collected from the market and analyze the weave structure. This fabric analysis helps construct variations of the weave structure into samples. A product is produced for either apparel of upholstery, ready to be adapted for industrial use. In the sixth semester; students make a choice for their majoring discipline. The students apply what they have learned in the past semesters and further develop their weaving skills, with emphasis on colour and construction. The required product is made to the specifications of the market.
DESIGN INTERVENTION FOR TEXTILE CRAFT
The objective is to revive and make marketable an existing or dying craft. The students are taught to meet challenges involving the marketing of a craft. Emphasis is on making the product functional and maintaining quality control without taking away the identity of the indigenous craft. The students learn to respect and value tradition along with humility towards the craftsperson. Stress is placed on the diversity of a product range which is both socially acceptable and economically feasible. The course is supported by research and documentation of the chosen craft, example ralli, namdas, susi, khes, mashru, pattu and regional embroideries. This course can be chosen as a majoring discipline in the 6th semester.
PRINT DESIGN \ WEAVING (MINOR)
The students work on assignments based on the local and international forecast for the coming year, for home textiles. The challenges of these assignments are concept development and problem solving, with requirements of the industrial and handloom sector. These assignments both print and woven designs are relevant to the majors.
PRINTMAKING (MINOR)
This course is specially designed for the students who have opted Printmaking as their minor. Major focus in this course will be on transferring the key skills applied in making prints in their own personal language which will help them in their upcoming thesis and discipline. It will also help them relate to other forms of printmaking. Some of the techniques taught will include etching, dry point, soft ground, mezzotint, aquatint, spit bite, sugar lift, photo etching and silk screen.
DESIGN INTERVENTION FOR TEXTILE CRAFT (MINOR)
The students will concentrate on revival and field research of a textile craft. The assignment will be a continuation of the Design Intervention course.
CRAFT DOCUMENTATION
This course has been introduced in an effort to document the existing crafts of Pakistan . It teaches identification, research and documentation of the selected craft in the craft person's environment. The students carry out field research in the rural sector and then document the origin, system and status of the craft through written and visual mediums i.e. notes drawings, photographic and film. This material adds to our resource and can be disseminated to collectors, institutes, students and NGO's in a book form or as craft maps.
BASKETRY
Basketry is the oldest textile technique. Students are encouraged to use naturally found material to explore different techniques in basketry. The created products are supposed to be of a two and three dimensional nature, for example table mats and baskets. A master craftsman is invited to demonstrate and teach the traditional basketry techniques.
DYEING
Students are familiarized with both natural and chemical dyes through lectures and hands on practice. Emphasis is laid on colour matching and fastness.
Natural dyes focus on the knowledge of the traditional methods of dyeing. Students are introduced to the indigenous roots and herbs which are locally available. The preparation of the dye baths in the traditional manner is demonstrated and a sample book of a variety of dyes is produced. A complete colour range is developed in cotton, silk and wool threads. Students are introduced to different types of chemical dyes and their properties. Various techniques of tie and dye such as chunri, stitch and clamp resist are explored, which are translated onto fabric samples.
OFF LOOM WEAVING
The students are introduced to off loom weaving through individual courses of basketry and tapestry. Each course is conducted separately in different semesters. In tapestry different weaving techniques are used to create a finished piece on a frame. This is a good balance of composition in a woven product. Materials used are cotton, wool, synthetic fibres and metal.
ORNAMENTATION
This course entails a build up of different ornamentation techniques in the form of a sample book. This will include the derivation of different stitches from traditional textiles, finishing and edging details. Students will be introduced to a variety of decorative materials such as beads, tassels, sequins and metal thread used in combination with 30 basic stitches and their variations. Students are also required to make a product which incorporates the techniques mentioned above.
LEARNING FROM TRADITION
This course is focused on encouraging the students to observe and respect the traditional embroidered craft. Students study a chosen sample and learn development of design. This project is carried out in phases, which include pencil sketching, replication, the study of the effect of colours when placed alongside each other, translation of the embroidery into an abstract composition based on a grid and weaving. The weaving process includes horizontal stripes done in rib weaving technique and plain weave.
BLOCK PRINTING
This course aims to teach the techniques associated with the preparation of colours used in block printing. The students are taught the technicalities, preparation of the printing table and the actual printing process. Visits to block printing studios and units are made to see the professionals at work.
SCREEN PRINTING
Students are introduced to the technique of screen printing. An understanding is developed of the technicalities involved, such as the making and stretching of frames, exposing of negatives, mixing of the printing colour and the actual printing. All aspects of making dyes\ pigments are taught through the distribution of colour in a specific pattern. A field trip to various screen printing units is also undertaken.
COLLECTION FOR INTERIOR SPACE
This course is conducted to develop a holistic approach for the use of textiles (home furnishing) in a given space. It encourages students to successfully work with more than one pattern and texture and is specifically designed towards the study and practice of interior design.
PRODUCT DESIGN
This course enables the student to construct and develop a product keeping in mind its cost, functionality, finishing and current market demands. He/she develops an understanding of the translation of concepts into three dimensional forms, using material best suited to the chosen source. This encourages the student to experiment with different mediums, weaving and printing techniques and ornamentation.
HISTORY OF TEXTILE (SEMINAR COURSE)
The history of textile is focused towards the knowledge of our rich cultural heritage, along with global evolution of textiles. This course encourages research on different textiles, supporting studio courses as far as possible. It is treated as a seminar course where dialogue and research is encouraged. The research comprises of information gained through books, magazines, existing dissertations and other resource material.
DRAWING
Drawing is an essential component of the textile design programme and supports all the elements of design. In the third semester; the students are trained in observation, proportions, perspectives and nature drawing in pencil and water colour. In the fourth semester; the course focuses on detailed, realistic replications rendered in pencil, pen and ink and water colour. The fifth semester focuses on various rendering techniques such as cut colour, dry brush and simplification of compositions through different mediums which include acrylics, poster colour and pastels (oil and chalk). The mixture of these mediums in one composition helps explore its diversity. In the sixth and seventh semester; the level of instruction becomes more intense, focusing on the three mediums of poster colour, acrylic and water colour. An addition of perspective drawings and mind challenging exercises along with realistic still lives enhance the student's creative skills.
PHOTOGRAPHY
The photography course revolves around a visual exploration of the various aspects of textiles including but not limited to weave structures and embroideries. Students are introduced to basic colour photography and its technicalities, including how to handle a camera, thoughtful arrangement of the subject and an understanding of the play of light. The emphasis is on aesthetic judgment and technical skill.
PRINT MAKING
The purpose of introducing print making to the textile design course is primarily to explore the different techniques of collograph, chincoley, line etching, soft ground, aquatint, dry point and top roll incorporating material such as paper, fabric, wood shavings and trims. These techniques may subsequently be used to print on fabric.
COMPUTER GRAPHICS
This is an introductory course for the use of computer in the Photoshop programme, focusing on design and colour ways for use in textiles.
INTRODUCTION TO CLAY
The Ceramic course enables students to work with a totally diverse medium in three dimensions. It is structured to develop a basic understanding of clay and its relevant processes. Students work with hand building methods and are familiarized with elementary firing techniques. This course offers a different perspective for the students of Textile Design thus broadening their vision.
MINI THESIS
The mini thesis is conducted in the 7th semester to evaluate the student's potential for concept, skill and creativity for promotion to the final semester. The students are judged on their ability to meet requirements, print design, woven design and revival of craft (traditional and contemporary), to understand and link art work with technique involved for the relevant production unit. The student is required to prepare a range of samples \ designs in the chosen
THESIS
In the eighth semester the student is required to undertake a final thesis project. The students have the choice to design a collection/range of apparel, furnishing fabrics, home textile or textile art. All design should be developed from a theme or source. The students must have the ability to meet the requirements for the composite mill and craft sector in print design, woven design and revival of craft, to develop links between ideas and images, to understand and link artwork with techniques involved for the relevancy production unit and to execute fabric art for panels. The thesis is assessed by an external jury panel on the basis of their ability to develop a design, composition, use of colour, level of skill, exploration of medium and understanding of technical and production aspects.
DISSERTATION
The student is required to prepare a seven thousand to eight thousand word research document on a topic of his or her own choice. This document will be submitted at the end of the seventh semester. The choice of topic is recommended, although not required, to aid the student in determining his/her thesis project. The Dissertation is required to embody specific, relevant and accurate information about the chosen topic, and to be a thorough and insightful discussion of this information. The Dissertation is to be undertaken with the guidance of a Dissertation Advisor. The Dissertation, together with an oral examination (viva), is assessed by an internal jury panel. The student must pass the dissertation to be eligible to undertake the thesis and graduate.
INTERNSHIP
In the summer break between the 7th and 8th semesters students are sent for a 6 week internship to textile mills, N.G.O's working with textile craft, weaving units (mechanical and hand loom) to gain hands on experience.
Important: Curricula, courses and course descriptions are continuously under review. The Indus Valley School reserves the right to, alter, substitute, eliminate from or add to the list of courses and details at any time without notice.
