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 2026.
| Semester 5 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| MAJOR AREA | TD 304 - Textile Surface Design for Lifestyle Products | 3 |
| TD 305 - Experimental Textiles and Fabric Manipulation | 3 | |
| TD 334 - Complex Dobby Wovens | 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/World Languages (WLNG) | 3 | |
| Semester 6 | Credits | |
| MAJOR AREA | TD 313 - Advanced Photoshop and Illustrator | 3 |
| TD 333 - Fundamentals of Jacquard Design | 3 | |
| TD 414 - Digital Knit Design | 3 | |
| RELATED AREA | HP 315 - Home Textile Applications | 2.5 |
| LIBERAL ARTS | choice - see Requirements: Liberal Arts/World Languages | 3 |
| Semester 7 | Credits | |
| 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, World History and Global Awareness (GLBL) | 3 |
| choice - see Requirements: Liberal Arts Elective(s) | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE(S) | choice - General Elective(s) | 1.5 |
| Semester 8 | Credits | |
| 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/US History and Civic Engagement (USCV) | 3 |
| TOTAL CREDIT REQUIREMENTS | ||
| ELECTIVE(S) | 1.5 | |
| MAJOR AREA | 35 | |
| RELATED AREA | 6 | |
| LIBERAL ARTS | 18 | |
| Total Credits: | 60.5 | |
Fall 2026 Requirements: See below.
Related Area Elective(s): 3.5 credits. CHOICE of electives totaling 3.5 credits: BE 261, CG 121, CG 212, CG 214, EP 311, FA 171, PH 118 or any available course in Accessories, Advertising, Advertising and Marketing Communications, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Home Products Development, Illustration, Interior Design, Photography, Styling for Creative Media 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.
Liberal Arts and Sciences Course Content Requirements
(24 AAS credits* + 18 BFA credits = 42 credits total)
- English: 6 credits.
- EN 131 meets SUNY GE: Communication-Written (COMW) and Communication-Oral (COMO)*
- CHOICE any 200- or 300-level EN literature or speech course*
- Mathematics: 3 credits.
- CHOICE of any MA that meets SUNY GE: Mathematics (MATH)*
- Natural Sciences: 3 credits.
- CHOICE of any SC that meets SUNY GE: Natural Sciences (NSCI)*
- Diversity: 3 credits. CHOICE of any course that meets SUNY GE: Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (DVRS)*
- US History and Civic Engagement: 3 credits.
- CHOICE of any course that meets SUNY GE: US History and Civic Engagement (USCV)
- History of Art: 12 credits.
- HA 342
- CHOICE of one (1) HA course that meets SUNy GE: World History and Global Awareness (GLBL)
- CHOICE of two (2) additional HA courses (HUMN)*
- World Languages: 6 credits.
- Two semesters of the same world language, one of which must meet SUNY GE: World Languages (WLNG)
Liberal Arts Elective(s): 6 credits.* Select three (3) Liberal Arts courses from the following subject areas: AB (Arabic); CH (Chinese); EC (Economics); EN (English); EL (English Language and Literacy); 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); PC (Political Science); PE (Physical Education and Dance) PE 215, PE 216, PE 217, PE 220; PL (Philosophy); PO (Portuguese); PY (Psychology); SC (Science); SO (Sociology); SP (Spanish); and SS (Social Sciences). See Liberal Arts Courses.
NOTE: TD 110 and TD 131 must be completed prior to the sixth semester.
*Credits from AAS will apply as appropriate
FIT’s 2+2 degree structure requires an earned AAS or equivalent plus all the BS or BFA degree requirements. For more information, please see Requirements for Degree Completion.
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.