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Postgraduate DiplomaDesign, HMI & Product Applications open

Diploma in Functional and Backlit Textiles

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in functional and backlit textiles: 8 modules covering technical interior textiles, textile functionalisation, backlit textiles, integrated textile electronics, design and perceived quality, manufacturing and assembly processes and validation and regulations, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Select fibres and textile structures according to interior requirements.

02

Specify durable functional finishes that comply with REACH.

03

Design backlit textiles using optical fibre or LEDs.

04

Integrate electronics into textiles with reliable connections.

05

Assess the perceived quality of the textile both unlit and lit.

06

Plan industrial manufacturing and assembly processes.

07

Validate functional textiles against flammability, ageing and UNECE R21 requirements.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Technical textile designers developing interior fabrics with added functions.
  • Textile materials engineers specifying fibres, finishes and laminates.
  • CMF designers exploring illuminated and smart surfaces.
  • Embedded electronics engineers integrating sensors and lighting into fabrics.
  • Interior lighting engineers working on backlit panels and headliners.
  • Textile laboratory technicians running abrasion, fastness and flammability tests.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the automotive industry.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • FMVSS 302 (flammability of interior materials)
  • ISO 3795 (burning behaviour of interior materials)
  • ISO 105-B06 (colour fastness and ageing to artificial light at high temperatures)
  • ISO 12947-2 (Martindale abrasion resistance)
  • UNECE R21 (interior fittings)
  • UNECE R10 (electromagnetic compatibility)
  • IEC 62471 (photobiological safety of lamps)
  • Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH) (registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals)
  • Adobe Substance 3D
  • Ansys Speos
  • Clo3D
  • KeyShot
  • Altium Designer
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Fibres: polyester, polyamide, wool and viscose
  2. 1.2Woven, knitted and non-woven fabrics
  3. 1.3Foam laminates and linings
  4. 1.4Mechanical and comfort properties
  5. 1.5Abrasion and pilling requirements
  6. 1.6Colour fastness to light and rubbing
  7. 1.7Flammability according to FMVSS 302 and ISO 3795
  8. 1.8Emissions and odour of textiles
  9. 1.9Recycled and bio-based textiles
  10. 1.10Lab: Martindale abrasion test
  1. 2.1Repellent and stain-resistant finishes
  2. 2.2Antimicrobial treatments and their regulation
  3. 2.3Thermal management and breathability
  4. 2.4Heated fabrics
  5. 2.5Conductive textiles and capacitive sensors
  6. 2.6Acoustic fabrics and absorption
  7. 2.7Functional coatings and laminates
  8. 2.8Durability of functions after washing and use
  9. 2.9Restricted substances in finishes
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: assessment of a repellent finish
  1. 3.1Woven and side-emitting optical fibre
  2. 3.2Translucent fabrics over LEDs
  3. 3.3Micro-perforations and light patterns
  4. 3.4Light diffusion and homogeneity
  5. 3.5LED selection and colour control
  6. 3.6Integration into door panels and headliners
  7. 3.7Hidden-until-lit effects
  8. 3.8Thermal management beneath the textile
  9. 3.9Visual inspection of the lit effect
  10. 3.10Lab: prototype of a backlit textile panel
  1. 4.1Printed and embroidered conductive tracks
  2. 4.2Connection between textile and rigid electronics
  3. 4.3Pressure and presence sensors
  4. 4.4Touch-sensitive textile surfaces
  5. 4.5Reliability of connections under flexing
  6. 4.6Encapsulation and protection against humidity
  7. 4.7Electromagnetic compatibility UNECE R10
  8. 4.8Low-voltage electrical safety
  9. 4.9Repairability of smart textiles
  10. 4.10Practical exercise: capacitive textile switch
  1. 5.1Structures, patterns and jacquard
  2. 5.2Colour and melange effect
  3. 5.3Touch and hand of the fabric
  4. 5.4Unlit versus lit appearance
  5. 5.5Consistency with other materials
  6. 5.6Colour tolerances between batches
  7. 5.7Wrinkles, seams and transitions
  8. 5.8Digital visualisation of textiles
  9. 5.9User clinics with samples
  10. 5.10Workshop: design of a jacquard with an illuminated pattern
  1. 6.1Technical weaving and knitting
  2. 6.2Cutting, sewing and welding of textiles
  3. 6.3Lamination and thermoforming
  4. 6.4Overmoulding onto textiles
  5. 6.5Integration of light modules during assembly
  6. 6.6In-line quality control
  7. 6.7Material yield and scrap
  8. 6.8Manufacturing costs
  9. 6.9Industrialisation with suppliers
  10. 6.10Case study: assembly process for an illuminated headliner
  1. 7.1Interior fittings UNECE R21
  2. 7.2Flammability and emissions
  3. 7.3Photobiological safety IEC 62471
  4. 7.4Climatic ageing tests
  5. 7.5Durability of LEDs and optical fibres
  6. 7.6OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification
  7. 7.7REACH substance requirements
  8. 7.8Component validation plan
  9. 7.9Non-conformity management
  10. 7.10Practical exercise: DVP&R plan for an illuminated textile panel
  1. 8.1Concept and use case
  2. 8.2Selection of fibres and structure
  3. 8.3Lighting strategy
  4. 8.4Electronic integration
  5. 8.5Functional prototype
  6. 8.6Laboratory tests
  7. 8.7Perceived quality assessment
  8. 8.8Industrialisation plan
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme is compatible with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Adobe Substance 3D, Ansys Speos, Clo3D, KeyShot and Altium Designer, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Cases are studied on real procedures for textile abrasion, fastness and flammability tests, backlit panel prototypes and perceived quality clinics with samples. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.

Standards covered: FMVSS 302, ISO 3795, ISO 105-B06, ISO 12947-2, UNECE R21, UNECE R10, IEC 62471, Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH).

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of FMVSS 302, ISO 3795 and ISO 105-B06 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Adobe Substance 3D, Ansys Speos, Clo3D, KeyShot and Altium Designer, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:an illuminated functional textile project, from concept and fibre selection to the lighting strategy, electronic integration, a functional prototype, laboratory tests and an industrialisation plan, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Define concept and textile
Set the use case and select the fibres and textile structure.
Plan lighting and electronics
Define the lighting strategy and the electronic integration.
Build the prototype
Produce a functional prototype of the illuminated textile.
Test and assess quality
Run laboratory tests and assess perceived quality unlit and lit.
Final project
Present the industrialisation plan and report, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Technical textile designerTextile materials engineerCMF designerEmbedded electronics engineerInterior lighting engineerTextile laboratory technician
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with Adobe Substance 3D, Ansys Speos, Clo3D, KeyShot and Altium Designer, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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