CAD for Textile and Fashion Print Design
- Level(s) of Study: Short course; Professional
- Course Fee:
£695 (August 2025) or £765
- Start Date(s): 4 August 2025, 4 October 2025, 24 January 2026, 18 April 2026
- Duration: Saturdays 10 - 4 pm, five weeks or Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, one week
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
On this practical course you’ll learn how to digitally experiment and develop your own designs to enhance your creativity and technical skills. Using a variety of Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including Illustrator, Photoshop and Firefly (Generative AI) you will have the opportunity to create innovative digital textile/fashion/gifting designs and patterns.
If you have an interest in textiles, fashion or surface pattern design in general this course will enable to utilise digital design techniques to expand your creative skillset.
Ideally, you’ll bring to the course textile, fashion or art print designs that you’re currently working on or are inspired by to allow you get the most out of the personalised practical projects.
Whether you are new graduate looking to develop your initial skillset further, already working in the industry or you just have an interest in surface pattern design this course is ideal for designers at the start of their career or for those looking to develop their digital techniques further.
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You’ll be part of a design community in our creative studio culture; one that promotes discussion and collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas. -
With a limited class size you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your designs at home or work. -
Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied practices. -
On successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate of attendance and a digital badge.
Here’s what our previous attendees said:
“Stephen is one of the best teachers I have ever come across.” FJ
“Brilliant course. Stephen was very helpful and knowledgeable. I would definitely do another course.” SG
“It has made me fall in love with the Uni and textiles, and has inspired me to apply for my MA at NTU.” LT
“From not having any knowledge of this subject prior, I have learnt so much in such a short amount of time. The tutor was amazing - he was so passionate and positive.” MM
“I enjoyed Stephen’s style of tutoring and enthusiasm throughout. The course was spot on – from start to finish. I would not hesitate to attend another course led by him.” PS
'I enjoyed learning Illustrator, building my confidence in design, and meeting like-minded people that I hope to stay in contact with. Stephen was an amazing tutor.” CC
“Our tutor was available to suit our personal needs during the course, so everyone got what they expected. Working with our own artwork was great as well.” JF
'I wanted to do this course to refresh my skills from my Degree Course, which I completed around 10 years ago. From doing this course I can now successfully use Photoshop and Illustrator to make repeat patterns to apply them to fashion and interiors. I've also gained knowledge into where to generate ideas and where to sell my work online.' AFN
'I most enjoyed being creative and having the opportunity to chat about our individual projects with the group. The tutor Stephen was very encouraging, and I was happy with how much time we spent on each element of the course.' AFN
'I did this course because I wanted to learn how to design using Adobe Software. I've now learnt the skills that I need to produce products for my business.' KG
What you’ll study
This course will be taught on Apple Mac computers and whilst no software experience is required, you should be confident in saving files and basic computer functions.
- Learn how to digitise and develop your designs using computer aided design (CAD) following ‘step by step’ tuition and demonstrations
- Learn how to create repeat patterns and placement prints using Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including Illustrator and Photoshop to utilise your area of specialism
- Learn about different pattern repeats styles and layouts
- Experiment with digital painting and drawing tools, image manipulation, pattern repeats, texture and colour
- Learn how to create colour palettes to apply to your designs
- Learn how to implement AI (artificial Intelligence) into your design workflow to generate new concepts based around your own design style
- Learn how to use AI (Adobe Firefly and Newarc.ai) to generate new design styles, enhance your own designs and generate further inspirational ideas
- Learn how to apply your design to photographic mock-ups to help visualise your ideas further
- Be introduced to techniques through group demonstrations and benefit from one-to-one tutorials to aid your development
- Research current trends in textile design and fashion print
- Learn where to digitally showcase and sell your design work
- Have the opportunity to develop your own designs in your area of interest and personal style
- Be introduced to using mobile devices for further digital creativity including Adobe Capture and Adobe Fresco
- Learn how to create and save digital print ready files in the correct industry format
Student Work
How you’re taught
This course will be delivered in person on our City Campus.
By the end of the course, you’ll have a have a good understanding of how the computer software can be used in different specialist areas to enable you to digitally reproduce your designs for commercial use.
You’ll also start to create a portfolio of new digital artwork that can be used for work or to enhance a CV, or be a part of a college application.
Contact hours
You will receive 25 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Careers and employability
Certificate of attendance and digital badge
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate of attendance and a digital badge powered by .
Your is more than just a certificate – it’s secure, verifiable, and protected against fraud through encryption and blockchain technology.
They also come with detailed metadata, including an overview of the skills you have achieved on the course, evidence of completion, and assessment criteria if appropriate.
Share your achievements seamlessly with friends, customers, and potential employers online, and proudly add your badge or certificate to social media platforms such as LinkedIn, so all the right people can see it.
Campus and facilities
You will be based in the School of Art and Design on the City Campus.
You will have access to a Computer Aided Design (CAD) suite equipped with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.
You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.
You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.
Entry requirements
Level: Professional
Entry requirement: You should bring to the course textile or fashion print designs that you’re currently working on or which inspire you, so as to ensure you get the most out of the practical projects.
You must be over the age of 18 to attend this course.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £695 (August 2025) or £765.
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
- If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.
Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.
Please bring with you to the first session:
- A notepad, pen, sketchbook and pencils
- A USB stick
- Ideally you will bring to the course textile designs that you are working on already or which inspire you so as to ensure you get the most out of the practical projects.
You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.
Need accommodation for a week long summer course?
Accommodation can be booked separately to the course; the rooms are only a few minutes’ walk from our studios and classrooms, and cost £259 per week.
These are single rooms with a private bathroom in shared apartments in Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé’s city campus accommodation, which is ideal if you're looking to be based in Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé's lively city centre and want an economical place to stay.
Find out more and book your accommodation here.
How to apply
You can book your place via the NTU online store:
Browse all our fashion, textiles and costume short courses
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813