Portfolio Development Recommendations

Below are courses suggested by the Chairperson of each department as courses that would assist a student in preparing a portfolio for their major.  Not all courses are a part of the degree program and not all are offered every term to Continuing Education students.  For more specific advisement, contact the department directly.

If you plan to apply to an Evening/Weekend Degree program, you can view suggestions for courses to begin before you are accepted.

View Portfolio Requirements and tips.

• Accessories Design Department (AAS)
  • LD 261 Sketching Accessories
    2.5 credits (part of degree program)
• Communication Design Department (AAS)
  • CD 121 Studio Skills
    1.5 credits (NOT part of degree program, for portfolio building only) 
  • CD 171 Intro to Typography
    1.5 credits (NOT part of degree program, for portfolio building only)
  • CD 122 Digital Layout I
    1.5 credits (NOT part of degree program, for portfolio building only)
  • CD 261 Portfolio Development
    1.5 credits (NOT part of degree program, for portfolio building only)
  • FA 141 Drawing 1
    1.5 credits (part of degree program, especially for students with no drawing background)
  • PH 118 Beginning Digital Photography
    2 credits (NOT part of degree program, for portfolio building only, especially for students with no photography background)
• Computer Animation and Interactive Media (BFA)
  • Admissions Requirements: All applicants are required to have an A.A.S. degree from an accredited college or 60 credits in a bachelor’s degree program, from an accredited institution, including all of the liberal arts course work required for the A.A.S. degree at F.I.T. A degree in art or design is recommended but not required. Applicants should have an art background, with an emphasis on drawing. All applicants must have completed the following course work or the equivalent prior to application: CG211, CG212, CG213 & CG221.
• Fabric Styling Department (BFA)
  • Professor Petit, Coordinator: “Photoshop and Illustrator would be useful for doing boards.”
• Fashion Design Department (AAS)
  • AR101 Fashion Art and Design
    1.5 credits (NOT part of degree program)
  • FF111 Fashion Art and Design 1
    2 credits (part of degree program) 
  • FD131 Sewing Techniques
    1.5 credits (part of degree program)
• Illustration Department (AAS)
  • IL 111 Fashion Illustration 1
    3 credits (NOT part of degree program)
  • IL 123 General Illustration 1
    1.5 credits (part of degree program)
  • IL 131 Illustration Life Drawing 1
    1.5 credits (part of degree program)
  • IL 133 Anatomical Life Drawing for the Illustrator 1
    2 credits (part of degree program)
  • IL 143 Fashion Drawing 1
    2 credits (NOT part of degree program)
• Interior Design Department (AAS)
  • FA 141 Drawing 1 (especially for students with no drawing background)
    1.5 credits
  • ID 151 Basic Drafting Techniques (take together with ID 133 or prior to ID 133)
    1.5 credits (NOT part of degree program)
  • ID 133 Presentation Techniques 1
    1.5 credits (part of degree program)
  • ID 172 Design, Color, and Lighting Principles & Theory (primarily for individuals who are not sure if they want to do Interior Design; is a good intro to ID, but does not do much to prep a portfolio)
    1.5 credits (NOT part of degree program) 
• Jewelry Design Department (AAS)
  • Any Basic 100-Level JD Design & Drawing courses
  • FA 104 Sculpture: Basic
    1.5 credits (part of degree program)
  • FA 107 Basic Design
    1.5 credits (part of degree program)
  • FA 141 Drawing 1
    1.5 credits (part of degree program)
  • SD 141 Nature Studies
    1.5 credits (part of Design-Option degree program)
• Menswear Department (AAS)
  • FF 111 Fashion Art and Design 1
    2 credits (NOT part of degree program)
  • Applying directly from high school? Recommend two Pre-College courses:
    • HMW 151 Introduction to Menswear Design
    • HMW 157 Introduction to Menswear Sewing
• Photography Department (AAS)
  • PH 114 Intro to Digital Photo
    1 credit (not offered for CE students)
  • PH 116 Photography Basics
    2 credits (NOT part of degree program)
  • PH 117 Principles of Photography incl. Darkroom Instruction
    2 credits (NOT part of degree program)
  • PH 118 Beginning Digital Photo (The Chair recommends this course most, it is the most current of the CE course offerings)
    2 credits (NOT part of degree program)
• Textile/Surface Design Department (AAS)
  • SD 112 Textile Color Fundamentals
    2 credits (part of degree program)
  • SD 121 Studio Practices
    3 credits (part of degree program)
  • SD 141 Nature Studies
    1.5 credits (part of degree program)
• Visual Presentation and Exhibition Design (AAS)
  • DE 101 Principles of Display and Exhibit Design: Small Scale
    2 credits (NOT part of degree program)
  • DE 102 Principles of Display and Exhibit Design: Large Scale
    2 credits (NOT part of degree program)
  • DE 125 CAD for Visual Presentation (requires approval from Chairperson)
    2 credits (NOT part of degree program)
  • DE 141 Display Graphics l
    2 credits (NOT part of degree program)
  • DE 143 Styling for Visual Presentation
    2 credits (NOT part of degree program)
  • Any of the above courses would help a student who needs to build a portfolio.  For students without drawing skills, they should consider a basic drawing class in Fine Arts.