Textile/Surface Design AAS

FALL SEMESTER

Deadline: February 1 - SlideRoom Fee (USD): $10
(Revised for 2025 applicants)

The Textile/Surface Design Department portfolio requirements consist of a written essay and a portfolio of original artwork. The Department wants to understand your creative process in written and visual form by creating original art that reflects your unique self-expression.

The Textile/Surface Design program prepares students for a variety of careers in textile design industries for fashion, accessories, interiors, bedding and decorative home markets, as well as freelance entrepreneurs.

The Associate in Applied Science program (AAS) prepares students for positions in the textile design industry in the areas of apparel and home furnishings. Traditional hand painting, CAD, woven design and screen-printing are an intricate part of the curriculum.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts program (BFA) course work advances to include designing for carpet, knit, home products, tableware as well as designs for apparel and home furnishings. The program integrates traditional painting with digital applications and is structured to provide students with the multi-disciplined skills needed to meet industry demands.

Please submit a short essay and a portfolio of 13 pieces of original artwork.

FORMS

Textile Surface Design AAS Essay

Please respond thoughtfully and note that your answer does not replace the essay that you are required to submit as part of your FIT/SUNY application.

Be as authentic as possible. We are interested in getting to know you. Keep in mind that AI can't understand  your unique journey, values, and personality, which are crucial  elements for crafting a compelling and authentic essay.

  1. In 350 words or less, describe a designer whose textiles have inspired you and why. Briefly describe the path that has led to your choice of major and describe your educational goals. What do you feel is the greatest strength you can bring to the field of textile/surface design?

PORTFOLIO

Make sure you follow the guidelines and submit all required elements. Add  a brief description including the medium and size of each submitted piece.

We evaluate your work based on the following aspects:

  • Attention to line, form, and shading
  • Competency in the use of different media
  • Effective use of color
  • Creative expression
  • Sense of composition and layout

Your portfolio must include 13 pieces.

Please submit your best and newly-created artwork in the following categories:

  1. One floral drawing created from live observation
    This drawing must include flowers, leaves, or other plant life and can be done in pencil, color pencil, or charcoal. Minimum size is 8” x 10”.
  2. Six drawings and/or paintings
    Subject matter is open to your interpretation including but not limited to, natural elements such as flora and fauna, human figures, portraits, still life, landscapes, and cityscapes. When creating your original artwork, we recommend that you draw from observation and do not copy photos.
  3. Six additional pieces of artwork
    Such as drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, printing, knits, wovens, fine art, computer aided design, et al. The use of  Generative Artificial Intelligence tools is limited to two pieces. You must add a description of the platform, prompts, and parameters used. Describe what percentage of AI generated content you incorporated into your own artwork, and how. Explain why your submission is original work.

Provide 13 items. Images (up to 5MB each) and PDFs (up to 10MB each)