http://fitnyc.edu/fashiondesign
School of Art and Design
Applications accepted for fall only. NYSED: 00835 CIP: 50.0407
The Fashion Design AAS overseas program is offered in collaboration with Polimoda in Florence. Studying abroad in Florence offers the opportunity for students to be immersed in the culture of one of the most fashion-forward countries in the world. Students learn to think more creatively and flexibly—necessary skills for today's global competitive work environment. Refer to the Fashion Design AAS degree requirements and to the department’s website at fitnyc.edu/fashiondesign for courses to be taken in New York and Florence and for other information. Students may attend the Florence program as an incoming freshman or during their second year. Italian 1 is a requirement for second year students prior to departure. The courses listed below are offered in the Fashion Design program in Florence (FDF). Curriculum below is for the entering class of fall 2021.
One Year in Florence - Semesters 1 and 2
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| MAJOR AREA | FD 117 - Design Studio I - Introduction to Draping | 2 |
| FD 133 - Materials and Construction I | 2 | |
| FF 111 - Visual Design Concepts I | 2 | |
| FF 143 - Digital Design Studio | 3 | |
| RELATED AREA | TS 131 - Textile Principles for the Fashion Designer | 3 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION | choice - see Requirements* or Foreign Language* G8 | 3 |
| choice - see Requirements* | 3 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| MAJOR AREA | FD 127 - Design Studio II - Soft Draping | 3 |
| FD 134 - Materials and Construction II | 2 | |
| FF 121 - Fashion Research and Inspiration | 2 | |
| FF 161 - Fashion Art Studio | 3 | |
| RELATED AREA | FA 105 - Life Drawing * | 1.5 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION | choice - See Requirements* | 3 |
| choice - see Requirements* or Foreign Language* | 3 | |
| TOTAL CREDIT REQUIREMENTS | ||
| GENERAL EDUCATION | 12 | |
| MAJOR AREA | 19 | |
| RELATED AREA | 4.5 | |
| Total Credits: | 35.5 | |
One Year in Florence - Semesters 3 and 4
| Semester 3 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| MAJOR AREA | FD 217 - Design Studio III - Structured Draping | 3 |
| FD 243 - Apparel Design Studio - Patternmaking | 3 | |
| FF 211 - Visual Design Concepts III | 2 | |
| FF 245 - Digital Design: Flats and Floats | 1.5 | |
| ART HISTORY | HA 112 - History of Western Art and Civilization: Renaissance to the Modern Era | 3 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION | choice - see Requirements* or Foreign Language* G8 | 3 |
| Semester 4 | ||
| MAJOR AREA | FD 227 - Design Studio IV: Advanced Draping | 3 |
| FD 244 - Design Development: Digital Communication and Management | 1.5 | |
| FF 212 - Visual Design Concepts IV | 2 | |
| ART HISTORY | HA 212 - Renaissance Art in Florence G7 | 3 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION | choice - see Requirements* or Foreign Language* | 3 |
| TOTAL CREDIT REQUIREMENTS | ||
| ART HISTORY | 6 | |
| GENERAL EDUCATION | 6 | |
| MAJOR AREA | 16 | |
| Total Credits: | 28 | |
FIT's General Education and Art History Requirements for Art and Design Associate Degree Programs:
- Three (3) credits from each required General Education area, totaling 9 credits: G1, G2, and G3
- Six (6) credits from two (2) different areas in non-HA liberal arts courses in G4–G10
- Three (3) credits of any 200- or 300-level English literature or speech course
- Six (6) credits from Art and Design History courses: HA 112 (3 credits, required for all Art and Design majors), plus another 3-credit HA course
FIT's Gen Ed courses are organized into the following categories: G1 Basic Communication; G2 Mathematics; G3 Natural Sciences; G4 Social Sciences; G5 Western Civilization; G6 The Arts; G7 Humanities; G8 Foreign Language; G9 Other World Civilizations; G10 American History.
See list of Gen Ed approved courses under FIT's General Education Requirements and Courses. An FIT Gen Ed course cannot be used to meet more than one General Education area.
Certain majors require specific courses. Please review your DARS audit to determine if a particular course is required by your major to meet General Education credits.
Related Area Elective(s): 1.5 credits (minimum)
FA 105 or CHOICE of another Fine Arts course
Foreign Language:
IT 111, IT 112, IT 213, or IT 214
NOTE: IT 111 is required prior to arrival for Fashion Design students spending a full year in Florence. For those who select fall semester only in Florence, students have the option to take IT 111 prior to arrival or in Florence as part of semester 3 coursework.
History of Art and Civilization:
HA 112 (G5) and HA 212 (G7) are offered in Florence.
NOTE: If student attends FIT in Florence during year 1, he or she should complete the following courses in New York in year 2: Basic Communication (G1); Mathematics (G2); and Science (G3).
Students who successfully complete the Fashion Design AAS program will be able to:
- Create garments that reflect creativity and innovation through the use of foundational techniques achieved through shape, color, silhouette, proportion and fabrication.
- Adapt and develop artistic abilities to form original fashion designs with understanding of diverse fashion proportions, utilizing hand and digital rendering techniques.
- Effectively use appropriate, innovative technologies to conceptualize, create, produce and communicate fashion design and related concepts.
- Develop an understanding of ethical and sustainable principles in fashion design considering environmental, social, economic, and political impacts of climate change.
- Recognize and apply foundational concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion in the fashion design development process that honor communities and people who have been marginalized and excluded from the dominant fashion discourse.
- Utilize information and communication technologies to research, evaluate, create, and communicate information as it relates to fashion design concepts at a foundational level.