Build a solid foundation for a career in textiles

Sheridan’s Crafts and Design programs represent the gold standard for Canadian craft instruction. Our award-winning faculty offer intensive, hands-on education in four disciplines: ceramics, textiles, furniture and glass. Immersed in a community of dedicated craftspeople, you’ll develop outstanding creative and technical skill and work in world-class craft studios. You’ll begin making art in the first week of the program; by the third year you might be showing your work in high-profile craft shows and exhibitions, while developing the professional contacts and business sense you need for artistic and commercial success.

Explore All the Possibilities

The Textiles Studio at Sheridan has been producing nationally renowned textile design professionals since 1968. Our graduates have established themselves at the forefront of Canada’s textile community as artists, designers, curators, educators and entrepreneurs.

At Sheridan you’ll be encouraged to experiment with your creativity and develop innovative textile design work. You’ll learn in one of the best-equipped textile studios in the country, where you can explore a full range of possibilities in printing, dyeing, materials and digital design. Our textile courses offer hands-on instruction in all major techniques, including:

• Felt-making
• Heat-setting
• Resist dyeing
• Photo image transfers
• Three-dimensional construction
• Surface embellishment
• Mixed media
• Digital design

Our small class sizes ensure plenty of direct faculty-student interaction. You’ll also attend workshops and lectures by visiting artists and designers, and have the opportunity to take field trips, exhibit your work, enter competitions, and collaborate with industry and art/design professionals.

Crafts and Design – Textile courses are held at the Trafalgar Road Campus in Oakville, Ontario.

PROGRAM PURPOSE


This program will appeal to students looking to combine professional studio practice with the entrepreneurial skills needed to build a successful career in Ontario’s vibrant culture sector. Program curriculum features traditional drawing and design courses; training in the latest computer software; courses in the history of art and design; and business courses in professional practice and arts marketing. In the studio and liberal arts courses, students can choose from a variety of electives depending upon their area of interest or career focus. Students will benefit from experienced faculty, some of the best arts and design training facilities in the country, and close proximity to galleries, museums and studios in Oakville and Toronto.

(including occupational areas where it is anticipated graduates will find employment)

The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is the centre of cultural activity in Canada. Successful graduates of this program will find employment opportunities in many areas of the culture sector including artist representative, gallery or gift shop retail assistant, graphic artist or photographer's assistant. Culture sector workers are often self-employed, and this program will help prepare graduates to open their own studios or businesses. Graduates can also continue their formal training in a variety of arts programs at Sheridan, including the Graduate Certificate program in New Media Design; or with university or college partners.

PROGRAM GOALS


The successful completion of this program will enable the graduate to:

  • Produce a portfolio of work including a comprehensive artist’s statement that reflects an advanced and sophisticated ability to communicate visually.
  • Solve complex problems related to the conceptual process involving project specifications, deadlines, budgetary restrictions and potential client directives.
  • Express artistic concepts and personal vision through the manipulation of a variety of media.
  • Enhance visual, written and verbal communication in the practice and promotion of personal artwork through the use of technology.
  • Communicate effectively in visual, verbal and written forms appropriate to the presentation and promotion of one’s work.
  • Evaluate contemporary developments and issues in visual and creative arts, as well as current trends in the market, in order to make informed decisions about one’s career in the arts.
  • Observe guidelines and regulations with respect to health and safety applicable to the use of art materials and methodology.
  • Evaluate historical and contemporary works of art from a critical perspective.
  • Conduct research for visual, written and oral presentation that directs problem solving, informs the creative process and reflects the influence of artistic styles and individuals from periods of history.
  • Create a career plan that reflects professional business practices and a knowledge of organizations and institutions that support the arts, for purposes of self-promotion and other art-related activities.
  • Prepare for exhibition of one’s work in public galleries, displays and shows, including the documentation of work through the effective use of photography.
  • Collaborate effectively with faculty and peers.

(vocational program learning outcomes must be consistent with the requirements of the Credentials Framework for the proposed credential)

PROGRAM CRITICAL PERFORMANCE


By the end of the program, graduates will have demonstrated the ability to formulate a personal vision and sense of individual artistic capability within the historical, contemporary and entrepreneurial contexts of visual and creative arts and design.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS


OSSD or equivalent or mature student status. No portfolio required

CODE TITLE CREDITS
TERM 1
ARTS 19999 Introduction to Object Drawing 3
DESN 19675  2D Design 3
COMM 19999  Essential Communication Skills 3
HIST 11456 History of Western 3
Plus Studio Courses:  
TXTL 18273  Introduction to Textiles 5
 
TERM 2
DRAW 20123 Figure Drawing 3
or    
ILLS 11958 Object Drawing 3
DESN 17913  3D Design 3
APPL 10261  Introduction to Digital Technology 3
HIST 15702 

Art, Crafts and Technology before the 20th Century

 
Plus Studio Courses:
TXTL 15348  Fabrics 2 5
TXTL 16303  Sewing 1
TXTL 17368  Dye Chemistry 3
 
TERM 3
Choose One of the Following:
DESN 21684  Material Exploration 3
DESN 24857  Production Technology and Resourcing 3
Plus
GNED General Education Elective
Plus
HIST 20464  Textile History 2
TXTL 20990  Surface Design 1 3
TXTL 21545  Dye and Print 1 6
TXTL 29994  Textiles Investigations 1 3
 
TERM 4
HIST 15680 Craft  in the 20th Century 3
APPL 20146 Digital Presentation 3
Plus Choose One of the Following:  
ILLS 23038 Presentation Drawing 3
ARTS 24717  Expressive Drawing 3
TXTL 21179  Surface Design 2 3
TXTL 21271  Digital Textiles Design 1 3
TXTL 27404  Dye and Print 2 6
   
TERM 5
BUSM 25649 Business Practice 3
COMM 36471 Independent Research Paper 3
GNED General Education Elective  
TXTL 27619  Textiles Investigations 2 3
TXTL 36416  Dye and Print 3 6
TXTL 39443  Digital Textiles Design 2 3
 
TERM 6
BUSM 26464  Professional Practice 3
BUSM 24178  Exhibition Production 3
TXTL 33463  Dye and Print 4 6
TXTL 37485  Textiles Studio Seminar 2
   
Note: Total credits vary based on studio choices. 
   
Courses subject to change. 

Employers and exhibitors recognize the quality of a Sheridan fabrics education, so graduates of our fabrics design program enjoy a variety of career options. Many of our students choose to focus their practice on one-off or commissioned work. Some specialize in small batch production or become costume designers for theatre and film companies. Other graduates opt to go into industry, becoming textile designers for large-scale manufacturers.

Students can explore career possibilities and gain professional contacts during a work placement that occurs in the third year of the program.

 

Program Eligibility

Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, including these required courses:

• One English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or ENG4U)

plus

• One senior-level visual arts credit at the (M) or (Open) level*

or

• A portfolio*

or

Mature student status. (See "Admissions" section for details.)

* Applicants who are unable to complete a visual arts credit will be required to submit a portfolio. A portfolio assessment fee will be charged.

Applicant Selection

Eligible applicants will be selected on the basis of previous academic achievement (the average of their six highest senior-level credits, including required courses), and the results of their portfolio assessment, if required.

Applicants who do not meet the admission requirements for this program will be assessed and advised individually and may be considered for other, related programs.

 

Program Offerings

Program Details

Faculty:
Faculty of Animation, Arts and Design
Program Code:
PCRDX
Duration:
3 Year Regular (PCRDX)
Designation:
Ontario College Advanced Diploma
Campus:
Trafalgar Road Campus
Start:
September