Print Design Project Notes
Subject Overview
Print Design Project takes students through the complete professional print design process — from design brief to a finished, exhibited collection. You'll construct a design brief and understand the design process, conduct forecast research and build a sketchbook, mood board and colour palette, and close with experimenting across mixed media (including hand printing), putting designs into repeats using CAD, and exhibiting the finished collection. This is a 4-credit core practical paper across 3 units, culminating in a planned exhibition at assessment time.
Subject at a glance
3
Units
12
Topics
4
Credits
3
Infographics
Unit-wise Syllabus
3 units — click WhatsApp below to get the full notes for each
Unit 1: Design brief & process
Developing a professional design brief, understanding the design process for a printed collection
- 1
Client and market
- 2
Product and end use
- 3
Target customer
- 4
Season and trend direction
- 5
Colours and techniques
- 6
Budget and timeline
Study guide
This unit teaches you to develop a professional design brief and to understand the design process for a printed collection. A clear brief keeps the whole project focused.
Unit 2: Forecast research & mood boards
- Forecast research
- developing a sketchbook
- making a mood board
- developing a colour board and colour palette
- 1Study trend forecasts
- 2Fill a sketchbook
- 3Build a mood board
- 4Extract a colour palette
- 5Develop motifs
Study guide
You carry out forecast research, develop a sketchbook, create a mood board and develop a colour board and palette. Keep a sketchbook with ideas, references and colour tests.
Unit 3: Print production & exhibition
- Experimental mixed-media techniques including hand printing on fabric
- developing a collection of prints in repeats
- understanding the industrial printing process
- using CAD for colour separations and repeat permutations
- illustrating end use
- planning and executing an exhibition of the print collection
- 1
Experiment
Hand printing, mixed media
- 2
Develop prints in repeat
- 3
CAD colour separations
- 4
Illustrate end uses
- 5
Plan the exhibition
- 6
Exhibit and present
Study guide
You experiment with mixed-media and hand printing on fabric, develop a collection of repeat prints, learn the industrial printing process, use CAD for colour separations and repeat permutations, illustrate the end use and plan and run an exhibition. Test each design in repeat before finalising.
Why Print Design Project Matters
A complete print collection shows your ability to carry a project from research to exhibition, which is exactly what employers look for in a textile designer.
How to Prepare for Print Design Project
- Keep an organised sketchbook and process record.
- Test prints on fabric as well as on screen.
- Plan the exhibition early and present professionally.
Print Design Project: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a design brief?
A design brief is a short document describing the aim, audience, constraints and expectations of a design project.