Output details

The Art of Textile Design Research: Educator Approaches to Creative Practice

This output comprises a paper which examines educator approaches to creative practice and research in textile design HE in the UK and is therefore directed by the research questions: • How do textile educators approach their own creative practice and or research? • How are designerly or artistic methods utilised by textile educators for creative practice research? The multi-method approach used comprised a self-case study of the author’s evolving designer and educator role, a UK-wide online quantitative survey and seven case studies consisting of primarily qualitative interviews. The survey data provides broad contextual insight, whereas the case study examples give an in-depth perspective. Varying analysis techniques were applied to the different data sets and for comparative analysis. This paper centres on textile design HE in the UK, although the disciplinary and geographical context is set, the content has relevance to other creative disciplines and HE systems. Existing literature highlights that educator engagement in own creative practice is important to learning and teaching in art and design. Various factors existent in the HE system increase pressure placed upon educators and can be counterproductive to creative practice engagement. Emphasis on research is a key factor which has promoted a shift away from the prominence of educator professional creative practice. There is a scarcity of discourse surrounding relationships between creative practice and research in textile design. This output contributes significantly towards discussion in this field. Variation in approaches to textile educator creative practice and research exists. The key approaches evident are discussed in terms of designerly and artistic practices and future research suggestions provided. Presented at ‘The Art of Research Conference 2012’, this output was double-blind peer reviewed by an international panel and has been published online as a selected paper available from: http://designresearch.aalto.fi/events/aor2012/selected_papers_1.php.