Textile/Surface Design BFA Degree Program
http://fitnyc.edu/textilesurfacedesign
School of Art and Design
Applications accepted for fall only. NYSED: 00744 CIP: 50.0402
The Textile/Surface Design BFA program prepares students for design positions in the textile industries for fashion, accessories, interiors and related markets, and as freelance entrepreneurs. The curriculum focuses on the creative design process, product development, technical, and digital skills for woven, printed, and knit fabrics, carpet design, and decorative home products. Students gain valuable industry experience through a required internship. Curriculum below is for the entering class of fall 2024.
| Semester 5 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| MAJOR AREA | TD 313 - Advanced Photoshop and Illustrator | 3 |
| TD 334 - Complex Dobby Wovens | 3 | |
| TD 356 - Tabletop and Related Products | 3 | |
| RELATED AREA | choice - see Requirements*: Related Area Elective(s) | 1.5 |
| LIBERAL ARTS | HA 342 - History of Textile Design | 3 |
| choice - see Requirements*: Liberal Arts/Foreign Language G8 | 3 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| MAJOR AREA | TD 333 - Fundamentals of Jacquard Design | 3 |
| TD 357 - Applied Surface Design for the Home | 3 | |
| TD 414 - Digital Knit Design | 3 | |
| RELATED AREA | HP 315 - Home Textile Applications | 2.5 |
| LIBERAL ARTS | choice - see Requirements*: Liberal Arts/Foreign Language | 3 |
| Semester 7 | ||
| MAJOR AREA | TD 361 - Screen Printing Scarves: A Global Perspective | 3 |
| TD 452 - Custom Carpet and Rug Design | 3 | |
| TD 473 - Advanced Digital Studio | 3 | |
| LIBERAL ARTS | choice - see Requirements*: Liberal Arts/History of Art, Other World Civilizations requirement G9 | 3 |
| choice - see Requirements*: Liberal Arts Elective(s) | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE(S) | choice - General Elective(s) | 1.5 |
| Semester 8 | ||
| MAJOR AREA | TD 413 - CAD for Portfolio Presentation | 2 |
| TD 462 - Portfolio Collection | 3 | |
| TD 491 - Internship | 3 | |
| RELATED AREA | choice - see Requirements*: Related Area Elective(s) | 2 |
| LIBERAL ARTS | choice - see Requirements*: Liberal Arts/American History G10 | 3 |
| TOTAL CREDIT REQUIREMENTS | ||
| ELECTIVE(S) | 1.5 | |
| MAJOR AREA | 35 | |
| RELATED AREA | 6 | |
| LIBERAL ARTS | 18 | |
| Total Credits: | 60.5 | |
*Fall 2024 Requirements: See below.
Liberal Arts: 18 credits
- History of Art: 6 credits. HA 342 and CHOICE of one (1) HA course that meets General Education Other World Civilizations requirement (G9). See the full list of Art/Design History courses under HA: History of Art and Civilization.
- American History: 3 credits. CHOICE of one course that meets the General Education American History requirement (G10)
- Foreign Language: 6 credits. Two semesters of the same foreign language, one of which must meet the General Education Foreign Language requirement (G8). See the list of courses available in Foreign Languages.
Liberal Arts Elective(s): 3 credits. Select three (3) Liberal Arts courses from the following subject areas: AB (Arabic); CH (Chinese); EN (English); FI (Film and Media Studies); FR (French); HA (History of Art); HE (Health Education) HE 201, HE 301; IT (Italian); JA (Japanese); HI (History); MA (Math); MC (Modern Languages and Cultures); MU (Music); PE (Physical Education and Dance) PE 215, PE 216, PE 217; PL (Philosophy); PO (Portuguese); SC (Science); SP (Spanish); and SS (Social Sciences). See Liberal Arts Courses.
Related Area Elective(s): 3.5 credits. CHOICE of electives totaling 3.5 credits: BE 261, CD 123, CG 121, CG 212, CG 214, EP 311, FA 171, PH 118 or any available course in Accessories, Advertising, 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.
NOTE: TD 115, TD 131, and TD 224 must be completed prior to the sixth semester.
OVERALL BACHELOR'S DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
FIT's 2+2 degree structure requires an earned AAS or equivalent plus all the BS or BFA degree requirements.
This structure includes the following overall bachelor's degree graduation requirements:
- 120–126 total earned credits
- 30 credits in General Education credits approved by the State University of New York (SUNY)
BFA degrees NASAD and New York State guidelines:
- 12 credits art/design history
- 30 credits in Liberal Arts/General Studies
- 78–84 credits in major and related area, including a minimum of 24 credits in 300- to 400-level major and related area coursework
Upon graduating from the Textile/Surface Design BFA program, students will be able to:
- Independently research, evaluate, and analyze cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on textile surface design products and use information to develop creative and sophisticated design concepts.
- Think critically, including the ability to evaluate visual information and compare diverse perspectives as well as come to independent, sophisticated conclusions and interpret information to produce original designs for appropriate textile and surface design markets.
- Apply comprehensive textile design skills to design textiles through painting, weaving, screen printing, knit, and demonstrate intermediate or advanced skills in drawing, repeat creation, and color application.
- Apply intermediate level computer skills to complement traditional design skills and develop original designs using CAD as a tool including professional technical preparation of designs for production.
- Communicate ideas and articulate project concepts using visual, oral, and written presentation skills at a professional level, including the use of appropriate industry vocabulary.
- Identify and discuss global and cultural issues affecting the textile/surface design industry.