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Textiles

Bachelor’s Program

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BFA | 4-year program

While RISD's Textiles department has a reputation for preparing students to become highly skilled designers in the field, equal attention is given to a fine arts approach, with special projects and classes focused on issues specific to creating one-of-a-kind works of art. As students develop artistically and their design and creative processes improve, they're encouraged to apply newfound technical skills and advanced techniques to making innovative two- and three-dimensional work.

Learning outcomes

Graduates are prepared to:

  • engage in the design process by framing a premise and iterating material responses as an idea evolves
  • understand the purpose and context of a finished work and how these may inform decisions made in the process of creating it
  • articulate inspirations, explain interpretations and defend solutions in one's own creative process
  • demonstrate strong visual and material competency - including in color, pattern, texture, structure and materiality - in regards to the creation of two- and three-dimensional work
  • demonstrate excellence in craftsmanship by creating wovens, knits and surface works that are well considered, deftly made and fully resolved
  • explain the current field in the context of art, architecture, design and technology
  • demonstrate broad historical and theoretical awareness of the textile field and its larger disciplinary, cultural and economic contexts
  • recognize environmental/sustainability and social concerns related to textile processes and manufacturing


Learning environment

The department maintains a close connection to the field through its alumni, group field trips, professional internships and guest speakers and critics. In recent years, students have worked on collaborative projects with companies such as DesignTex, Bed Bath & Beyond, Hanna Andersson, dkny and Merida Meridian, among others. The experience of developing design collections with professional partners and adhering to industry standards has proven to be invaluable as students embark on their own paths after graduation.

Inspiring community

Approximately 80 undergraduates and a dozen graduate students work together in various studios readily sharing ideas and offering each other feedback and assistance. In addition, the practicing professionals who teach in the department are fully committed to supporting the development of artists and designers who are eager to energize the field. Faculty work with students individually and in groups to help each Textiles graduate develop a strong personal vision and a deep understanding of all aspects of the discipline.

Curriculum

In the first year of the program, sophomores learn various methods of print design, silkscreen, weaving, knitting and dyeing before choosing to focus on either fine arts work or industry-related projects. Juniors concentrate on more advanced techniques by focusing on an area or areas of personal interest, developing individual concepts and broadening perspectives by taking courses in other disciplines. In addition to producing a final degree project, seniors pursue internships designed to strengthen connections to the professional world.

Foundation-year

Fall
Drawing I
Design I
Spatial Dynamics I
First-year Literature Seminar
Theory & History of Art & Design I
Wintersession
Non-major studio elective
Spring
Drawing II
Design II
Spatial Dynamics II
Topics in History, Philosophy and the Social Sciences
Theory & History of Art & Design II

Sophomore

Fall
Surface Design
Fibers and Dyeing
Liberal Arts electives
Machine Knitting
Wintersession
Non-major studio elective
Spring
From an Idea to Meaning
Weaving I
Fabric Silkscreen
Liberal Arts electives

Junior

Fall
CAD in Textiles
Textiles studio electives
Non-major studio electives
Liberal Arts electives
Open electives
Wintersession
Non-major studio electives
Spring
CAD in Textiles
Liberal Arts electives
Open electives

Senior

Fall
Textiles studio electives
Liberal Arts electives
Open elective
Wintersession
Non-major studio elective
Spring
Textiles Degree Project
Liberal Arts electives

Degree project

Senior year culminates in a final degree project that defines each student's personal area of interest, mode of working and future direction.

Application requirements

  1. Common Application

    You’ll begin and manage your RISD application process by completing the Common Application. There is a non-refundable application fee of $60 to use this service; eligible students may apply for a fee waiver.

  2. Academic transcripts

    Applicants must provide official transcripts of all secondary academic work through the most recent grading period. Your counselor may submit your transcript through the Common Application, Parchment, email or mail. If your academic credentials are not written in English, they must be translated into English by an approved translator prior to submission.

  3. Tests

    SAT or ACT

    All applicants are required to submit the results of the SAT or the ACT (American College Testing program). RISD will superscore your results. Subject tests are not required.

    RISD’s institution code number for the SAT is 3726; for ACT the code number is 003812.

    English language proficiency tests

    All applicants who speak English as a second language, including US citizens, must submit results from any one of these three options: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or Duolingo (an online English test). Since proficiency in English is a prerequisite for acceptance, applicants must attain an acceptable score on their chosen test; RISD requires a minimum result of 93 on the TOEFL, a 6.5 on IELTS or a 63 on Duolingo.

    Plan to take the TOEFL or IELTS well in advance of the application deadline since it may take three weeks for your scores to be sent to RISD by the test agency. Duolingo test results may take up to four days to be received by RISD.

    The language test requirement may be waived for applicants who have studied in an institution where English is the language of instruction. You must contact the Admissions Office to explain your school history and determine if you are eligible.

  4. Portfolio

    You will upload your portfolio in SlideRoom through the Common Application.

    Your portfolio should present 12–20 examples of your most recent work that showcases your thinking and making. The work should reflect a full range of your ideas, interests, experiences and abilities in the arts. This can include work in any medium, in finished or sketch form, and can be the result of an assigned project or a self-directed exploration.

    We recommend that you include some developmental research and/or preparatory work for one of your submissions. It is helpful to show your process of thinking and investigation so we can see how you develop your ideas. A sketchbook or journal page may be an appropriate way to share your process. Consider also including the finished piece and preparatory work(s) in a single image. There is an area in SlideRoom where you can include brief text descriptions for your submissions.

    We strongly discourage the submission of works in PDF format that include multiple pages, especially when there are numerous elements on a single page. These are difficult for reviewers to view and assess and are likely to exceed the allowed limit of 20 work examples.

  5. The Assignment

    Choose one of the following three prompt options and create two responses using any medium (no restrictions).

    • error
    • verify
    • forge

    Each of these prompts has more than one meaning or usage. You might want to begin by referring to dictionary sources to expand your initial reaction and inform your direction. We consider this assignment to be as much about process as presentation. We encourage you to consider your submissions as exercises in experimental thinking and risk-taking more than final presentations or examples of technical proficiency. No mode of expression is valued more than another, so feel free to explore the full range of possibilities.

    Upload your responses in the specific section of SlideRoom dedicated to these works. Do not include them in the Portfolio area of SlideRoom.

    If the file size of either response exceeds 10MB, embed a link to direct us to another viewing platform such as a personal website, YouTube, Vimeo, etc.

    Along with these works, reflect on the two responses you are sharing and provide a brief, written response to this question: What are the other directions or ideas you would explore as a next step?

  6. Writing sample

    Submit one example of your writing, up to 650 words. Remember, this is the limit, not a goal. Use the full limit if you need it, but don’t feel obligated to do so.

    You will find the writing prompts in the Personal Essay section of the Common Application.

    While we encourage you to adhere to the rules of good writing, we look for applicants who are not afraid to take risks in their expression. Please don't hesitate to use a writing style or method that may be outside the mainstream as you express a distinctive personal position in the samples you submit.

  7. Letter(s) of recommendation

    Although not required, these letters can be very helpful to your application. One letter is suggested, although as many as three may be submitted. Recommendation letters should be written by teachers or other professionals who have firsthand knowledge of your art or academic achievements and can comment on your potential as a student.

    Please use the Common Application to invite your recommendation writers to submit letters through that service. Letters may also be sent directly to our mailing address (see below) or emailed to [email protected].