Textile Design

The specialization is an option within the curriculum of Fashion, Textile and Accessory Design.

High-level textile design education

The field of textile has deep cultural and economic meanings, encompassing knowledge and stories from different eras; tradition, and traditional techniques. In modern textile design both old skills and the latest developments in materials and technologies find creative application, which have brought revolutionary changes to the development and refining of textiles. New and exciting textile use often arises from the combination of forgotten skills with modern problem-solving and innovative technologies.

How does learning take place?

Over the course of three years, expertise is acquired about modern material culture, design theories, and methods; skills are developed for integrating them into the creative process. The education provides broad skills for developing ideas, technical knowledge for producing textiles, designing textile products, and developing them to be production-ready.

The curriculum includes theoretical and practical courses, both mandatory and elective. Small study groups ensure individual guidance and immediate feedback for the student throughout the learning process. In addition to specialized technologies, students also learn about the entire design process, from idea to finished product. Proficiency is also acquired in various necessary computer programs (including Adobe Creative Suite, Weave Point).

In addition to textile specialists, interior architects, visual artists, product designers, and fashion designers are involved in teaching and mentoring. Activities often take place in collaboration with other departments, universities, and companies. Collaborative projects provide designers with the necessary problem-solving skills, real-life work experience, and the opportunity to see their creations as actual products.

Future prospects

Graduates of the Textile Department have a wide range of career opportunities. With the acquired knowledge and skills, graduates can focus on personal creative practice in the design or art field, or work as textile designers in companies involved in fashion or interior textile design. Textile design graduates have also continued in doctoral studies, focusing on developing the field through research. Textile design alumni also work as stylists, accessory designers, product developers, display designers, illustrators, retail buyers, or apply their creative skills in other ways.

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Autor ja foto_ Emily Cai. Tööstuslik kudumine
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Katariina Kruus, Ann Müürsepp. Foto Gerda Nurk
Autor ja foto_ Arife Dila Demir.AURA, interactive light emitting textile installation, 2019

News and events

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Krista Leesi and Tallinn’s Patron Saint at Draakon Gallery

You are welcome to the opening of Krista Leesi's exhibition In Spe. Saint Victor and the Four Dragons at Draakon gallery on Thursday, November 28, at 18.00. The exhibition will remain open until January 4, 2025.  The exhibition draws inspiration from the martyrdom of Saint Victor, as portrayed on the main altar of St. Nicholas Church in Tallinn. The altar, crafted in the workshop of Lübeck ...
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EKA textile celebrates its birthday with the fictional-archaeological Textile Behemoth

Textile Behemoth, a fictitious archaeological printed textile by EKA's Erasmus student Nikolai Keller, which depicts the remains of the mythical creature Behemoth, described in the Bible, on fabric that was allegedly found during the excavations prior to the construction of the new building of EKA. The work measures 330cm x 150cm. The work is being completed within the course "Printed textile ...
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Textiles 110: Lecture by Hanna Norrna

On November 25 at 4:30 p.m., Hanna Norrna's lecture "Metamorphosis in Weaving" will take place in room A501.  The lecture focuses on creative practice centered around silk. Norrna grows her own silkworms, watches the transformation of caterpillars into butterflies and processes their cocoons into silk, which in turn is woven into fabrics. Mythologies, spirituality and materiality intertwine ...
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Textiles 110: Lecture by Hanna Kaisa Korolainen

On October 30 at 4:30 p.m., the lecture "The making of Inspiration" by Hanna Kaisa Korolainen will be held in room A501 The lecture focuses on the artist's research and opens up his work, which extends from textiles to other media as well. Hanna Kaisa Korolainen is a designer, artist and lecturer at Aalto University. He defended his doctoral thesis The making of Inspiration at Aalto ...
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Textile 110 – EKA Textile Department Jubilee Event Series

Textile 110 is a series of events celebrating the 110th anniversary of EKA's textile design education, as part of which a series of open lectures focusing on textiles will be held, a series of publications will be published, and a selection of works from the EKA Museum's textile collection can be seen throughout the year. The lecture series opens up the spectrum of diverse opportunities in ...
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Academic Staff Competition: Public Venia Legend Lectures

In April, the public lectures of the Venia legend of the candidates for the 2024 academic staff competition will begin. NB! The password for the videos is Faw1!.ec April 15 in room A-501 Associate professor of Glass Design, head of BA specialty, head of department (1.0 positions) at 11:30 Andra Jõgi lecture "Half empty & fully full" Associate professor of theory and history of Product ...
  • The Design & Crafts programme provides students with plenty of freedom as well as responsibility. The flexibility of the programme encourages student to try different ways to materialise ideas and learn new techniques and methods beyond their specialisation. The variety of courses and workshops provide a versatile and multifaceted education, giving students a lot of control over their individual paths.
    Marie Vinter
    MA Design & Crafts (Textile Design) ‘17

Student Work

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