Materials
Basic Worktools
1 Laptop (portable computer), PC or MAC book Pro. We recommend you to buy a Lap Top with Core 2 Duo – good memory (as we have had students in the past whose computer kept crashing because the memory was insufficient for the programs we use at the Academy) and a graphic card minimum 512mb ram or higher. We also recommend a 17” screen. This is not a must but it is so much easier to see your design on a big screen. When you have purchased your computer, please practice working on it prior to school start.
Programs
Please make sure you get the programs in the same format as your laptop (for example a Mac formatted program will not work on a PC).
- Adobe Photo Shop CS3 (or higher) with manual.
- Adobe Illustrator CS3 (or higher) with manual.
How we recommend you purchase your computer programs via the English supplier:
http://www.academia.co.uk
Remember to buy the Original Student Version as they are much cheaper. Also ask for the latest version.
If you find these programs cheaper somewhere else, you are of course, free to purchase them there. You are the owner of your Laptop and the programs you purchase. Your Laptop and your programs are therefore your responsibility and not the responsibility of the Academy. Regarding the software. We suggest you don’t actually buy any just yet as it is rather expensive. Better to download the trial version just before you start the software program Instruction here in the later term, and then, as your instruction progresses, you can decide more easily which one you would like to “invest” in.
It could be an alternative such as “illustrator” or maybe “Colour Matters” instead...
What you will def. need for the first term is as follows…
The new James Laver book detailed at end of this message. “Costume and Design : A Concise History”(by him and also Amy de la Haye).
Book By Hilary Campbell - “Designing patterns: a fresh approach to pattern cutting” – orange cover with yellow pattern
- 1 x A4 book with clear plastic pages and A4 loose leaf, lined paper to fit inside.
- 1 or 2 x A3 “layout pad” (and an A4 as well if you see one. Any good art shop will have one).
- 1 x A4 sketching pad.
- 1 x A3 bleed proof “marker pad”.
- 1 x A3 Water colour pad.
- 1 x A5 sketch book ( hardback).
- 1 x A3 portfolio with clear folders inside.
- 3 x 2H Pencils and a two hole metal pencil sharpener.
- 3 x 3H pencils.
- 1 x meter rule.
- 2 x rubbers one for pencil one for coloured pencil.
- 1 x box of assorted B pencils.
- 1 x black felt pen ( as thick as 1 or 1.5mm).
- 1 x red marker thickness as above.
- 1 x blue or green marker.
- 1 x tape measure in cm and mm on same tape (some stop the mm markings after the first 10cm which is no good for us).
- 2 or more x boxes of dressmakers pins.
- Paper scissors (not kiddies ones).
- Pattern master available from Morplan.co.uk.
- 1 x “quick unpick” or seam ripper.
- 1 x domestic sewing machine – (email me if you do not have one already).
- LONG BLADE , Proper fabric scissors (which you must never use to cut paper).
- 1 x “pen and tablet” for your lap top – “WACOM BAMBOO” or similar is fine.
- 3mts of cheap, plain cotton fabric (any col. and about as thick as “school shirt” fabric, for experimenting with in the first term).
(Or in fact an old sheet would do). - And, if you have any room, old clothes, from ANYONE in the family, for a recycling project later on in the course.
Books
All books can be found used but at a slightly cheaper price through amazon.co.uk, just make sure the vendor ships internationally.
- Costume and Fashion – A concise History by James Laver.
- Designing patterns - By Hilary Campbell - a fresh approach to pattern cutting” – orange cover with yellow pattern.
- Adobe Photoshop CS4 Classroom in a Book (Paperback) by Adobe Creative Team.
- Adobe Illustrator CS4 Classroom in a Book (Paperback) by Adobe Creative Team.
- The cut of women’s clothes 1600 – 1930 by Norah Waugh, is a recommended purchase but not a must.
