This is an archived copy of the 2021-22 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.fitnyc.edu/.

http://fitnyc.edu/textilesurfacedesign

School of Art and Design

Applications accepted for fall only.      NYSED: 00833      CIP: 50.0402

The Textile/Surface Design AAS program prepares students for careers in the textiles, fashion, home furnishings, and related industries as textile designers, colorists, and freelance entrepreneurs. The curriculum focuses on the creative design process, product development, and technical and digital skills for woven and printed fabrics, and decorative home products. Curriculum below is for the entering class of fall 2021.

Semester 1Credits
MAJOR AREATD 112 - Textile Color Fundamentals2
TD 113 - Textile Surface Design: Styles Sources2
TD 126 - Textile Design Studio Practices3
TD 141 - Nature Studies1.5
GENERAL EDUCATIONchoice - see Requirements*6
Semester 2
MAJOR AREATD 114 - Computer Aided Print Design3
TD 138 - Introduction to Woven Design2.5
TD 251 - Techniques for Decorative Fabrics and Surfaces3
RELATED AREATS 111 - Fundamentals of Textiles3
GENERAL EDUCATIONchoice - see Requirements*3
choice - see Requirements*3
Semester 3
MAJOR AREATD 161 - Fundamentals of Screen Printing2
TD 207 - Adobe Illustrator for Textile/Surface Design2
TD 238 - Woven Design and CAD3
RELATED AREAchoice - see Related Area Electives*1.5
GENERAL EDUCATIONchoice - see Requirements*6
Semester 4
MAJOR AREATD 202 - Advanced Professional Practices3
TD 206 - Advanced Home Textiles2
TD 262 - Advanced Screen Printing3
ELECTIVEchoice - General Elective1.5
GENERAL EDUCATIONchoice - see Requirements*3
choice - see Requirements*3
TOTAL CREDIT REQUIREMENTS
GENERAL EDUCATION24
MAJOR AREA32
RELATED AREA4.5
ELECTIVE1.5
 Total Credits: 62
*Fall 2021 Requirements: See below.

FIT's General Education and Art History Requirements for Art and Design Associate Degree Programs: 

  • Three (3) credits from each required 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)
BE 261CD 123CG 121CG 214CG 212EP 311FA 131FA 132FA 171IN 201PH 118 or any available course in Accessories Design, Advertising  Design, Advertising and Marketing Communications, Fabric Styling, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Home Products Development, Illustration, Interior Design, Photography, and, Textile Development and Marketing or any course in the Creative Technology minor or any business or art course in the Ethics and Sustainability minor

Upper Division Alternative(s):
Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for admission to the Bachelor of Fine Arts programs in Fabric Styling and Textile/Surface Design, and the Bachelor of Science program in Textile Development and Marketing.

Upon graduating from the Textile/Surface Design AAS program, students will be able to: 

  1. Conduct structured research; analyze cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on textile surface design products and use information to develop creative design concepts. 
  2. Think critically, including the ability to evaluate visual information and compare diverse perspectives, as well as come to fundamental conclusions and interpret information to produce original designs for appropriate textile markets.
  3. Apply comprehensive textile design skills to design textiles through painting, weaving, screen printing, and demonstrate basic skills in drawing, repeat creation, and color application.
  4. Apply fundamental computer skills to complement traditional design skills and develop original designs using CAD as a tool including basic technical preparation of designs for production. 
  5. Communicate ideas and express project concepts using foundational visual, oral, and written presentation skills, including the use of appropriate industry vocabulary.
  6. Discuss global and cultural issues affecting the textile/surface design industry.