Design Studies Graduate Program Specialization in Textiles and Clothing Forms

TheTextiles Specialization integrates and emphasizes three approaches to scholarly activity:

• Textile/clothing forms art and design for mastering conceptual, technical and aesthetic possibilities.
• Historical and cultural study of textiles drawing upon historical, aesthetic, anthropological, and material culture knowledge while considering comparative meanings and uses.
• Scientific study of physical and chemical properties of textiles and their interaction with dyes, finishes, and plasma.

Advisors for the specialization are Jenny Angus, Carolyn Kallenborn, Mary Hark, Beverly Gordon, Majid Sarmadi, and Diane Sheehan. See the Faculty page to learn more about them.

Textile/clothing forms art and design focuses on the conceptual, technical and aesthetic possibilities of textiles. Students formulate a plan of study that may incorporate courses in textile history, textile science or courses in the Art  Department. The aim is to produce a distinctive body of functional or fine art textiles for a thesis exhibit, and to train for a career as an exhibiting artist, designer or entrepreneur. Degrees are offered at the Masters, MFA and PhD levels.

History of textiles and clothing draws on historical, aesthetic, anthropological and material culture perspectives, while considering the comparative meanings, uses of, and insights into textiles and dress (fashion, costume and body treatment) in different cultures. Students can specialize in particular types of textiles or areas of the world, or focus on issues such as preservation or applications in museum settings. Collaborations with faculty in Art History, Folklore and other academic programs on campus are encouraged.

Textile Science provides in-depth understanding of the physical and chemical properties of natural and synthetic fibers and their interaction with dyes, finishes and plasma. Students become familiar with a variety of analytical tools such as Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Attenuated Total Reflectance, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR).  Degrees are offered at the Masters and PhD levels.

The collaborative opportunities and expertise of faculty in textiles and related areas, along with access to collections, analytical tools and technology on campus, create a unique and rich climate for graduate work. Graduates from this specialization have careers in higher education, as exhibiting artists and designers, as managers and curators in preservation or museum settings and in the textile industry.