RISD’s Textiles Department offers a broad-based education in understanding and working with fabric, fiber and pattern. The program emphasizes a thorough understanding and integration of the design process, structure, materials and techniques. At the same time, faculty members encourage individual artistic expression, whether you are designing work intended for industrial production or creating one-of-kind fine art pieces.

As practicing professionals themselves, Textiles professors support your development as an artist and designer who will energize the field through your personal vision and understanding of the larger artistic, social and cultural context of the discipline.

With technology moving like the speed of light, Textiles is a field in constant flux. “Between new fibers, new machines, new applications, alternative techniques and accelerated interest in sustainability, we really have to stay on top of what’s going on,” notes Assistant Professor Liz Collins BFA ’91 TX/MFA ’99 TX, a practicing artist and designer known for her own innovative use of materials. RISD’s facilities support advanced work in weaving using multiharness handlooms, computer-interfaced looms and an electronic jacquard loom, and in knitting using hand-operated machines and an electronic knitting machine. The department also offers a digital textile printer, a fully equipped dye lab, silkscreen studios and a CAD lab with the latest in industry software.

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