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University of the Arts London

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2016)

Case Studies

Screen-printing for Textiles: Bridging the skills gap in higher education for industry-ready graduates

Published 2016-07-28

  • Kavita Kumari

Kavita Kumari
London College of Fashion

Abstract

This article focuses on the teaching efficacy of screen-printing for textiles in higher education. The paper discusses the effects of socio-economic challenges and student expectations about their employability after graduation. It compares data retrieved from questionnaires completed by industry professionals, recent graduates and current students, asking whether there is a need for skills based learning in a practical subject, exploring the impact of restricted teaching strategies. By highlighting limitations in learning outcomes that emphasize CAD-Photoshop when teaching repeat patterns, this paper demonstrates the importance of physical and practical elements of screen-printing for professional development.

Keywords

Screen Printing, Textiles, Action Research, Industry-ready Graduates, Skills-based Learning

HTML PDF

Author Biography

Kavita Kumari

Specialist Print & Dye Technician

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