Students in this introductory course will learn the basic techniques of machine knitting and explore the possibilities of structural effects, color, pattern, and material quality within those techniques. They will also learn about finishing methods--such as felting, dyeing, and simple printing--that can be used on knitted fabric. Students will create a knitted fabric or finished piece for an end use, be it apparel, furnishings, or art pieces.

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

Through drawing and painting we will investigate different subject matter in the development of a personal vision and point of view to create meaningful and moving work. We will work from live models, still-lifes and objects, and explore the use of icons, symbols and images through experimentation with a wide range of media and processes including charcoal, pen and ink, acrylics, objects and collage. Beyond this, the main goal of the course is the development of a working process to strengthen conceptual and expressive abilities. This approach will allow students to communicate concerns with originality and creativity in ways that can later be applied to work in any discipline and medium.

Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. This course is a requirement for Sophomore Textiles Students.

Major Requirement | BFA Textiles

Through drawing and painting we will investigate different subject matter in the development of a personal vision and point of view to create meaningful and moving work. We will work from live models, still-lifes and objects, and explore the use of icons, symbols and images through experimentation with a wide range of media and processes including charcoal, pen and ink, acrylics, objects and collage. Beyond this, the main goal of the course is the development of a working process to strengthen conceptual and expressive abilities. This approach will allow students to communicate concerns with originality and creativity in ways that can later be applied to work in any discipline and medium.

Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. This course is a requirement for Sophomore Textiles Students.

Major Requirement | BFA Textiles

This course, a major component in the student's can entail two types of activity: 1. Participation in sophomore, junior or senior level courses to strengthen technical skills and design vocabulary; Including Design for Printed Textiles and Fabric Silkscreen and 2. Individual projects undergraduate advisors to clarify personal concepts and format of the work. This semester's emphasis is on enlarging and solidifying the student's background and defining direction for the work.

This course is a requirement for Graduate Textiles Students.

Major Requirement | MFA Textiles

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

This is an elective course for students who want to continue studying woven pattern. Using the NedGraphics software for pattern and Point Carre jacquard software for drafting woven structures, students will develop patterns through experimentation with material and color. The intended end use of the fabric will be a consideration throughout in the design decisions.

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

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

This project represents the culmination of a student's study in the Graduate Program. The design projects can encompass various textile fields in the areas of interior or apparel textiles. A specific architectural context, an area of apparel design, an investigation of a particular technique, or a visual design sensibility and language can provide a framework for the project. The work, executed using any established textile techniques or technique that a student has developed, should manifest advanced original concepts, high quality of execution, and a strong commitment to the field. Written documentation and analysis of the sources of the work, how it relates to the textiles tradition or larger field of art and design, and of the development of the project should accompany the studio work.

Estimated Cost of Materials: varies depending on student projects.

This course is a requirement for Graduate Textiles Students.

Major Requirement | MFA Textiles

This senior level course is offered to those interested in pursuing work for an interior end use, such as furnishing fabric, wall covering, or carpeting to be produced by hand or industrially. At the start, students select an architectural space as a framework. Through analysis and sampling, they will arrive at their own design solutions, which will be showcased as a collection at the end of the class. Researching the design field will generate topics for discussion in class. Techniques include surface pattern, printing, weaving and knitting, along with invented techniques.

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

Elective

This advanced knitting course investigates the design and creation of knit fabrics using specialized software and a computerized, industrial knitting machine. Students deepen their understanding of a wide range of knit constructions, learn new structures, and experience a different method of creating knit fabric and forms through weekly sampling work and then a final project that is a collection of fabrics for interior or apparel applications, or art pieces. The intended end use will guide students' pattern and material studies. Students are introduced to the knitting industry and exciting examples of contemporary and historical knitting and encouraged to forge new paths in the medium.

Elective

This advanced knitting course investigates the design and creation of knit fabrics using specialized software and a computerized, industrial knitting machine. Students deepen their understanding of a wide range of knit constructions, learn new structures, and experience a different method of creating knit fabric and forms through weekly sampling work and then a final project that is a collection of fabrics for interior or apparel applications, or art pieces. The intended end use will guide students' pattern and material studies. Students are introduced to the knitting industry and exciting examples of contemporary and historical knitting and encouraged to forge new paths in the medium.

Elective

In this course you will learn about the material properties and design possibilities of fiber. We will explore how sustainable design practices are integral to the eventual end use of textiles, be it as yardage, fully fashioned garments, interior applications, structural use, or sculptural material. Via case studies from regional and international sustainable designers, we will investigate fibers. As a guidepost for our syllabus we will learn about the 17 sustainability goals articulated by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. With our focus on the textile industry, this course will introduce the theory and practice of circular design, regenerative agriculture, TEK, biomaterials, and manufacturing processes with reduced environmental impacts. Lectures and readings will be enlivened with in-class experimentation, guest speakers, weekly design assignments, and a materials journal. Over the semester we will investigate opportunities and solutions for creating art with a more positive legacy for our planet.

Elective

This course focuses on issues in the professional textile field, such as the effect of production parameters and end use on design decisions. While helping students become more familiar with the wide ranging market, from the most innovative to the traditional, this course aims at providing an awareness of how one's own work fits into this context. Lecturers include professionals from the field, who advise on the studio work required in this class.

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

Major Requirement | MFA Textiles

This course continues from Textile Seminar I and focuses on issues in the professional textile field, such as the effect of production parameters and end use on design decisions. While helping students become more familiar with the wide ranging textile market, from traditional work to the most highly innovative, this course aims to provide an awareness of how one's personal expression fits in to this context. Lecturers include professionals from the field, who advise on the studio work required in this class.

This course is a requirement for Graduate Textiles Students.

Major Requirement | MFA Textiles

This hands-on course will prepare Seniors for life after RISD and the start of their professional careers. With a focus on discovering and articulating each individual's personal goals in connection with students’ selected senior studio (Interior Fabrics, Fine Art Textiles, Apparel Fabrics), students will develop strategies to put them on course towards a fulfilling, sustainable and growth-oriented career. Students will be engaged with many of the concerns a practicing designer faces, financial, social, legal and other-wise as they navigate the various industries they derive their livelihood from. A primary concern of the course will be developing skills and materials that students can use in the pursuit of opportunities, including design or art portfolio, design briefs, grants and residency applications, work and process documentation and archiving, and website development. Additionally, guest speakers and Textile alumni will provide students access to experts in relevant fields.