This project-based course explores the role of sound in storytelling, research, and artistic expression. Students will engage in hands-on field recording, critical listening, and curating thematic sound archives, using these collections to create narrative-driven audio projects. Through readings and discussions, students will explore key theories in sonic arts, sound design, and sound studies, integrating these concepts into their work. The course encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, connecting sound with visual arts, literature, and digital media. Dialogues on contemporary issues in sound, such as its social and cultural impact, will be central to the learning process. By the end of the course, students will have developed a body of work that demonstrates technical skill and proficiency in creative storytelling using sound.

Elective

Spatial Audio focuses on the creation of immersive 3-D sound experiences. In this course, students analyze and explore how the sensation of space is activated in the listener by making works using spatial audio techniques. These methods include high order ambisonics, vector-based amplitude panning, multichannel surround, and binaural audio, among others. Throughout the semester, a series of exercises addressing technical and theoretical issues provide students with the necessary experience to produce midterm and final projects. Coursework involves computational approaches to sound design and composition with instruction in the audio programming language Max and digital audio workstation Reaper. Students have recurring access to a 25-channel loudspeaker array for the development of works. Readings from psychology, philosophy, the arts, and sound studies support class discussions and critiques. Students will need a laptop computer (Mac or Windows). Previous experience with digital audio software recommended.
Estimated Cost of Materials: $100.00

Elective

Intro to Sonic Arts provides a foundation in the creative and technical practices of using sound as an artistic medium. Students will be guided through the creation of original work while learning about recording and editing techniques, custom instrument building, and spatial audio design. Special attention will be given to cultivating critical listening skills, composition and improvisation techniques, as well as collaborative performance practices. No prior background is required, and the course is open to students from all disciplines. Students will need access to a laptop computer and headphones.

Estimated Cost of Materials: $100.00

Elective

Modular synthesizers offer a tactile approach to sound production that is consistently inventive by design. Emerging from the 1960s counterculture, they are a product of expansive thinking that challenged conventions in both instrument design and creative practice. Six decades later, the limits of possibility only increased. In Modular Synthesis Studio, we will learn and apply concepts of voltage controlled synthesizers to creative coding and embedded computing platforms. Imbued with the spirit of community, together we will design and build a one-of-a-kind RISD modular synthesizer by semester end, while also creating new sound-based works with the system. Assignments in this studio course will involve creative projects, class presentations, readings, and module fabrication. The class will provide students with a strong foundation in modular synthesis, audio programming languages, and the skills to develop physical and software instruments relating to their personal creative practices.

Students should bring a laptop computer and wired headphones to class.
Experience with programming and/or modular synthesizers recommended but not required.

Elective

Digital embroidery transforms hand-crafted couture into a work of fine art. Just like a tattoo where an image is created with needles and color, so embroidered fabric or paper is needle-stitched with colored threads. A basic knowledge of Adobe Photoshop is helpful, but we will also cover the fundamentals of creating a preparatory design file in Adobe Illustrator. This vector design file will then be artistically translated into a Pulse embroidery file that can be saved and sewn out as as a multiple or repeat pattern. The resulting personalized textile can be applied to fabrics for apparel or interior applications as well as fine art. A series of small assignments will build up a repertoire of techniques and culminate in a final project that summarizes the student's ability and artistic innovation. This course will explore top of the line Tajima Pulse software with the goal of creating personalized images that will be sewn out on a 15-needle Tajima commercial embroidery machine.

Elective

This course introduces the student to a wide variety of materials and processes involved in the production of both hand and industrially produced textiles. Topics include fiber properties and identification, spinning and yarn construction, natural and synthetic dyeing, traditional textile constructions and new technologies. Both historical and contemporary examples are studied, ranging from textiles in design to fine arts textiles. Class time is divided between lecture and lab work. Lectures are supplemented with readings, workshops and museum visits. Students conduct research on a class related topic of their choice and give presentations about their subject. Each student also prepares spinning and dyeing samples to be presented in an individual archive.

This course is a requirement for Sophomore Textiles Students.

Major Requirement | BFA Textiles

This course introduces the student to a wide variety of materials and processes involved in the production of both hand and industrially produced textiles. Topics include fiber properties and identification, spinning and yarn construction, natural and synthetic dyeing, traditional textile constructions and new technologies. Both historical and contemporary examples are studied, ranging from textiles in design to fine arts textiles. Class time is divided between lecture and lab work. Lectures are supplemented with readings, workshops and museum visits. Students conduct research on a class related topic of their choice and give presentations about their subject. Each student also prepares spinning and dyeing samples to be presented in an individual archive.

This course is a requirement for Sophomore Textiles Students.

Major Requirement | BFA Textiles

Students develop their chosen themes through drawing and executing a series of woven samples. The samples explore structures and materials relevant to the chosen subject matter. Students weave fine arts oriented or design projects which evolve from the investigation.

Prerequisite: TEXT 4802 - WEAVING I

Elective

Students work on a specific theme of their choosing and derive designs and concepts from this theme for work in fabric silkscreen. After completing assignments that focus on specific techniques and design problems, students plan and execute a more defined and larger project relying on the experience incorporated during the first part of the course. Fabric construction and dyeing techniques can be integrated into the work.

Elective

This course, a major component in the student's curriculum, is tailored to individual needs. It includes workshops and tutorials intended to strengthen technical skills and design vocabulary in the areas of weaving, knitting and surface design. Additionally, students pursue individual projects under graduate instructors. This semester's emphasis is on enlarging and solidifying the student's background and defining the direction for the work.

This course is a requirement for first-year MFA Textiles Students.

Major Requirement | MFA Textiles

Surface Design + CAD in Textiles is an introduction to designing printed textile surfaces, with an emphasis on the integration of hand-made artwork and the meaningful usage of computer design tools. Students will begin with rigorous conceptual development and research before moving on to artwork development, utilizing drawing, painting, or collage to create a rich library of pattern source material. Through the usage of Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Ned Graphics, students will learn to develop repeating patterns and engineered designs for printed textiles from original artwork. Emphasis will be placed on retaining the 'hand' while exploring properties of layout, scale, color and concept in the context of designing collections. Students will learn about the history and mechanics of repeat pattern design and how repetition, scale, color, texture, and variety can affect the success of a repeating print. Students will be encouraged to work thoughtfully within the constraint of the repeat.

The course schedule will center around the creation of a final project, a small collection of digital prints, with each assignment throughout the semester designed to help students work toward their collection development. The final project will culminate in mill-ready print files of original print designs, mock ups or application sketches, a collection of fabric swatches, as well as an understanding of what it means to develop a “collection” from start to finish. Projects in this course will produce a variety of work aimed at specific areas of the textile industry, namely interiors, fashion, and fine art.

Major Requirement | BFA Textiles

Surface Design + CAD in Textiles is an introduction to designing printed textile surfaces, with an emphasis on the integration of hand-made artwork and the meaningful usage of computer design tools. Students will begin with rigorous conceptual development and research before moving on to artwork development, utilizing drawing, painting, or collage to create a rich library of pattern source material. Through the usage of Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Ned Graphics, students will learn to develop repeating patterns and engineered designs for printed textiles from original artwork. Emphasis will be placed on retaining the 'hand' while exploring properties of layout, scale, color and concept in the context of designing collections. Students will learn about the history and mechanics of repeat pattern design and how repetition, scale, color, texture, and variety can affect the success of a repeating print. Students will be encouraged to work thoughtfully within the constraint of the repeat.

The course schedule will center around the creation of a final project, a small collection of digital prints, with each assignment throughout the semester designed to help students work toward their collection development. The final project will culminate in mill-ready print files of original print designs, mock ups or application sketches, a collection of fabric swatches, as well as an understanding of what it means to develop a “collection” from start to finish. Projects in this course will produce a variety of work aimed at specific areas of the textile industry, namely interiors, fashion, and fine art.

Major Requirement | BFA Textiles

This course investigates pattern in the context of jacquard weaving. Students develop their ideas on paper and execute their designs on the computer, which are used for drafting the structures as well. At least one design from each student is woven on the electronic jacquard loom. Students explore their patterns through color and material experimentation at the loom. During the course, each student develops a small portfolio of jacquard designs. Slides and samples of historical and modern application of the technique are also studied.

Prerequisite: TEXT 4806 - DOBBY WEAVING, TEXT 4826 - CAD IN TEXTILES

Elective

While learning about the technical possibilities of the manually operated knitting machine, students explore color, pattern, materials and structure. Finishing techniques, such as felting and dyeing are introduced. Through weekly assignments, students develop a sample library that serves as a resource for subsequent work. A final project involves planning and sampling for a final garment of the students own design, that is then executed at the end of the course. Consideration of the garment form, its proportion to the body, and the coherence of these elements are integrated into the course.

This course is a requirement for Sophomore Textiles Students.

Major Requirement | BFA Texti

While learning about the technical possibilities of the manually operated knitting machine, students explore color, pattern, materials and structure. Finishing techniques, such as felting and dyeing are introduced. Through weekly assignments, students develop a sample library that serves as a resource for subsequent work. A final project involves planning and sampling for a final garment of the students own design, that is then executed at the end of the course. Consideration of the garment form, its proportion to the body, and the coherence of these elements are integrated into the course.

This course is a requirement for Sophomore Textiles Students.

Major Requirement | BFA Texti

This elective course is intended for those whose main interest is pattern but who also want to acquire skills to apply this to woven structures. Using both handlooms and dobby looms, students will explore structural possibilities for building patterns in weaving. Material quality, color, and potential end use will be part of the criteria for analyzing work. Exercises in drafting -- both by hand and on the computer -- as a means of understanding woven structures in a three-dimensional way and generating new structures for patterns will be a strong part of this course.

Prerequisite: TEXT 4802 - WEAVING I

Elective

In this senior level course emphasis is placed on the development and definition of individual direction. Students' work can range from installations to two-dimensional pieces and can employ any techniques and materials, from weaving, printing, knitting, or any improvised construction techniques.

Estimated Cost of Materials: Varies based on use of advanced equipment. Additional fees may incur.

Elective

In this second-year course, the emphasis is on clarifying student's specific area of interest, format of the work, its context, and personal concepts. Students will begin to develop a writing style and practice that parallels the richly developed language of their visual work, laying the foundation for their graduate written thesis.

This course is a requirement for second-year Graduate Textiles Students.

Major Requirement | MFA Textiles

This senior level course is offered to those students interested in designing and making apparel fabrics and accessories. Students are encouraged to explore a variety of techniques including silkscreen and digital printing, weaving, knitting, sewing, and invented techniques, along with designing on paper for industrial and hand production. While students will initially develop their ideas through samples and drawings, they gain a thorough understanding of the relationship between fabric and the human form, and will eventually bring their work to final form as prototypes or finished designs on paper. Researching the field will generate topics for discussion in class.

Elective

This course approaches the development of machine knit fabrics and forms as one process, where aspects of form are developed along-side fabric patterns and structures. Students learn advanced construction techniques and knit structure drafting and shaping, in order to further develop their design processes and ideas for knits. Emphasis is placed on experimentation, careful consideration of materials, and research. Ideas about color, pattern, texture, drape, concept and working large scale are explored. Fully-fashioned garments are the primary three-dimensional forms to which students apply their ideas. Throughout the semester, students bring their experience of 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. Hand knitting, embellishment, dyeing, printing, finishing, felting and other processes are encouraged and can be integrated into the fabric design and construction.

Elective