Textiles students take on industry-inspired design challenge

Textiles students here at Ashton Sixth Form College have recently completed an exciting industry-focused project, developing bespoke print designs tailored to specific target customers and fashion brands. Taking inspiration from real-world fashion branding and product development processes, students applied their research to create commercially viable textile outcomes, which were then showcased across a range of professionally presented products. 
The project produced a diverse range of design ideas, from footwear and ballet-inspired fashion to  resort and holiday wear, and even the rebranding of hiking gear - demonstrating the students’ creativity and versatility when responding to different markets and brand identities. 

This project is part of the employability pathway embedded within the Textiles course, designed to give students a deeper understanding of how design functions within the creative industries. The brief mirrors industry practice, encouraging students to develop their work in response to customer needs, refine ideas based on feedback and think critically about commercial and aesthetic decisions in a design context. 

Judged by Industry Expert and Ashton Alumnus 
The work was assessed by Jessica Banks, a former Ashton Art student who has gone on to forge a diverse and successful creative career. Jessica is a multidisciplinary practitioner. Her career highlights include working as a Studio and Technical Assistant at Big Sky Studios, contributing to promotional campaigns for major brands like Love Island. She is an award-winning photographer, recognized for her work in Eizo Colour. As the director, stylist, and costume designer for the independent film Toula Gallery, she created costumes from scratch. Additionally, as a Fine Art Framer at Sully’s, she has prepared artworks for Tate exhibitions—including pieces by Van Gogh, Quentin Blake, Beatrix Potter, and Tim Shaw—while liaising directly with Tate curators.

As part of the event, prizes were awarded to the most outstanding final designs:

Verity Woodward was recognised for her beautifully considered print concepts for Toast and Karst, capturing the subtle elegance and tactile quality of those brands.

Lilly Hague won for her innovative interior design concepts, developing premium diffusion lines for IKEA and John Lewis, blending bold print with practical, design-led functionality. 

Winners were presented with certificates and a £50 Trafford Centre voucher, to celebrate the achievement and professionalism of their innovative concepts.  

This project has not only allowed students to enhance their creative portfolios, but also provided valuable experience in working to a client brief, developing professional presentation skills and receiving constructive feedback from an industry expert. It marks a key step in preparing our learners for future study, careers and creative enterprise.