This course reviews world art and social history starting in the eighteenth century to illuminate the symbology and meaning behind the aesthetic of each era, and the way in which the aesthetic finds universal expression in clothing. Examples from the collection of the RISD Museum are studied and slides are shown. Projects required are visually-based reports, written papers/journals and group presentations.
Art History credit for Apparel Design majors; Liberal Arts elective credit for nonmajors on a space available basis.

The first class meets at the entrance to the RISD Museum ~ Farago Wing.

Sections 01 & 02: Students concentrate on designing with 'cut and sew' knit fabric. Through draping with knit fabrics on the form, students learn to utilize the inherent properties of knits. Instruction in 'cut and sew' construction is combined with pattern making techniques, enabling students to execute their concepts as finished garments.
Estimated cost of materials and text $250.00

Major requirement, Apparel Design majors only
Registration by Apparel Design department, course not available via web registration

Section 02: This course is an introduction to the creative and technical possibilities of the knitting machine. Through the development of knit swatches, the course will cover the following essentials of sweater knit design including graphing, calculating gauge and tension, shaping of a knit body, exploration of a diverse range of knit stitches, professional finishing of a knit garment, and how to select the best yarn to execute your final garment. Students will also develop unique trims and finishes to enhance their designs.
Estimated cost of materials: $200.00
Section 01: This course provides Apparel Design students who have a solid foundation of machine knitting with the opportunity to expand their knowledge of knit structures and techniques and advance their creative ideas for knitwear. Emphasis is placed on experimentation, careful consideration of materials, and research, as ideas about form, color, pattern, texture, drape, and concept are explored. Through the semester, students will bring their experience of knit garment building and shaping, their range of knitting skills and techniques, and their ability to express ideas in knitting to a higher level of resolution that will result in a fully-fashioned garment.
Estimated material cost: $250.00
Must also register for: APPAR 3130/3132
Major requirement, Apparel Design majors only
Registration by Apparel Design Department, course not available via web registration

In Design/Drawing II, Junior students focus on designing for knitwear, experimenting three dimensionally as they explore the unique properties of knit fabrics. Color, texture, yarn and stitch variations are examined as students also design using the diverse properties of machine knitwear. Student build on existing drawing skills, learning new rendering techniques to communicate their knitwear designs. Students work with models to develop individual drawing styles while building effective portfolios.
Estimated cost of materials $200.00
Must also register for APPAR 3128/3132
Major requirement, Apparel Design majors only
Registration by Apparel Design department, course not available via web registration

During three integrated studios, students learn to expand the design process by developing professional collections from concept to presentation. Portfolio assignments are aimed at strengthening students' established styles and experimentation in new areas. Studios build on their draping, drafting and construction skills through individual instruction as they complete a collection for final presentation to the visiting critics. During studio, students also learn to use the computer as a design tool for product visualization and presentation.
Estimated cost of materials $1,000.00
Major requirement, Apparel Design majors only
Registration by Apparel Design department, course not available via web registration

The design component introduces research methods and conceptual skills, to be used with the medium of fabric. The drawing class focuses on the development of fashion croquis, drawing from the model, technical flats and presentation plates to effectively communicate the visual language of their design intentions. Students develop research methods and learn the importance of concepts, color and fabric stories.
Estimated cost of materials $250.00
Must also register for APPAR 3102
Major requirement, Apparel Design majors only
Registration by Apparel Design department, course not available via web registration

This introductory course lays the foundation for the design process through draping, pattern drafting and construction. Students make basic patterns and proceed with variations to develop pattern making skills and design concepts. Weekly textile seminars introduce students to fibers and yarns, fabric types, properties and uses.
Estimated cost of materials and text: $250.00
Must also register for APPAR 3122
Major requirement, Apparel Design majors only
Registration by Apparel Design department, course not available via web registration

Students of each discipline will travel to galleries, studios and factories in Turin, Milan, and Florence, learning traditional and hi-tech design processes that apply to Shoe Design. The goal of the course is for students to practice techniques of shoe design as a product that exists midway between the realms of Apparel and Industrial Design. They will also experience the intersection of creative perspectives and approaches from each discipline. The rich design culture of Italy, and Da Vinci's seven principles of creativity, will serve as inspiration and guide. Each student will actively explore their observations and nurture their evolving design process through journaling and interactive dialogue. Students work will be professionally photographed, and the course will conclude at RISD with a final Exhibition/Crit. Note: The course will spend the first and last weeks at RISD, with the other 3 weeks spent throughout Northern Italy. Dates of Travel: Week 2,3, & 4 of WS 2013.
Permission of instructor required
Estimated travel cost: $3,975.00 Estimated material cost: $100
Also offered as ID-3052. Register in class for which credit is desired
***Off-Campus Study***

Americans generate roughly nine billion pounds of used clothing annually, representing six percent of household waste destined for landfills - hardly sustainable practice. In this course, we take creative action to reduce that carbon footprint by exploring ways of restyling, reusing or upcycling found fashions. We source and shop for used garments, and then deconstruct, drape and reconstruct them by adding or subtracting elements. Utilizing both apparel and textile design approaches, students transform common clothing into textured, layered, dimensional and sophisticated fashion. Processes explored include fabric sewing, hand manipulation, surface embellishment and textile design techniques. No sewing skills or previous textile experience required.

This interdisciplinary course offered through the departments of Apparel Design and Industrial Design will focus on creating innovative solutions for manual dexterity in extreme environments, such as in the vacuum of space. Although NASA has worked hard to improve the glove for its astronauts, the basic underlying design for the glove has not changed significantly over the last 40 years. Students will explore the technical constraints imposed by the external environment while also considering the human hand as an instrument capable of remarkable motion and dexterity. Although the hand is incredibly adaptable, gloves that meet required levels of protection in these situations place extreme limitations on the ability to accomplish even simple, straightforward tasks. Given the results of NASA's past efforts, any significant improvement on existing designs will require exceptionally innovative and creative new approaches in glove design.

Students will be exposed to innovative materials and technologies and challenged to create glove prototypes. Studies of the anatomy of the hand, general engineering, life sciences, physics and technology principles will be explored to overcome the challenges of dexterity outside of earth's atmosphere.

APPAR majors only(br> This class is jointly taught with ID, and also offered as ID-3117 for ID majors. Students outside these two majors must have approval for enrollment by the instructors.

Students will research how fashion meets technology for the 21st century-from DIY to haute couture. As the field of wearable technology expands and fashion as art becomes more relevant, students will be challenged to explore the intersection of fashion, art and technology while using the body as a vehicle. This course will encourage new ways of thinking about body adornment via innovative design, additive manufacturing, experimentation with materials (hard and soft), and embracing technology.
Through a series of workshops and assignments, students will develop a working knowledge of traditional flat pattern making techniques combined with techniques and technologies of the future, such as 3D printing, LED?s, smart fabrics, and thermochromic inks. Computer skills such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator are mandatory. There is a prerequisite of 3D digital drawing capability for students interested in 3D printing.
Estimated cost of materials: $35.00-$150.00

This is an introductory, collaborative course offered by the Apparel and Textile Departments. This course focuses on the development of ideas, color, texture and pattern in relation to the human form. Basic textile and apparel techniques will be taught and assignments will be given to develop skills with an emphasis on the investigation of an individual direction. Techniques explored include fabric manipulation techniques, including stitching and cutting. Draping and sketching methods will be used to develop shape and silhouette.
Also offered as TEXT-3048

Shoes are an everyday commodity; but do you know how many are steps involved? In this course, students will handcraft a basic pair of cemented construction shoes from start to finish. This includes beginning by creating a basic pattern, draping the last, cutting (clicking) the leather, sewing (closing) the upper, building a stacked leather heel, and finishing the sole. We will approach the requirements of constructing a shoe through choice of material, characteristics of leather, and how to utilize them in laying out the pattern. In the process of the construction from pattern to shoe, we will work with basic tools for handcrafted shoemaking including a shoemaker's knife, closers hammer, buff stick, lasting pincers to name a few. Students are expected to complete one pair of shoes and begin work on a second pair, applying and expanding upon the techniques learned in the class.
Estimated Cost of Materials: $225.00
Apparel majors only
Also offered as ID 2494 for ID majors

Students focus on tailoring techniques and the design of tailored apparel. Drafting and classic tailoring techniques are taught and students explore shape and structure through experimentation on the form and creative pattern making. During this process, students use these technical skills to design and execute a jacket and companion piece.
Estimated cost of materials $400.00
Major requirement, Apparel Design majors only
Registration by Apparel Design department, course not available via web registration

During the spring semester, Junior students focus on form and proportion as they explore the structural possibilities inherent in the art of tailoring. Students design multiple collections, examining the properties of cohesiveness and conceptual expansion. Projects in men146s wear and children146s wear expose students to new directions for their creativity as they learn new computer techniques. Individual drawing skills are strengthened as students refine their portfolios.
Estimated cost of materials $200.00
Major requirement, Apparel Design majors only
Registration by Apparel Design department, course not available via web registration

This senior level course focuses on the design of collections and the development of each student's unique interpretation of apparel design. The senior collections are a culmination of their skills and an exploration of their design vision. Originality, problem solving, and an organized design process are defined as essential elements of a successful degree project collection. Seniors refine and build their portfolios. Projects are aimed at enabling students to express a diverse but cohesive design vision. CAD instruction in Kaledo software gives students an additional creative tool.
Estimated cost of materials $1,000.00
Major requirement, Apparel Design majors only
Registration by Apparel Design department, course not available via web registration

Building on basic techniques taught first semester, students proceed to more complex cuts for bodices, sleeves, skirts and pants through techniques of draping, drafting and construction. One finished garment is required.
Estimated cost of materials $125.00
Major requirement, Apparel Design majors only
Must also register for APPAR 3123
Registration by Apparel Design department, course not available via web registration

The design course builds on design process skills from the first semester through assignments that focus on research and its application, conceptual development, and team dynamics. Varied facets of apparel design are explored through lectures, museum research, classroom discussion, and creative exploration. The drawing component of the class focuses on print and texture rendering, drawing the fashion figure, layout design, and use of varied rendering media.
Estimated cost of materials $150.00
Must also register for APPAR 3121
Major requirement, Apparel Design majors only
Registration by Apparel Design department, course not available via web registration