University Catalog 2024-2025

Fashion and Textile Design (BS): Textile Design Concentration

You might not have heard of textile design before, but you’ve certainly seen it, from the color and knit of your favorite cozy blanket to the prints that made brands like Marimekko, Lilly Pulitzer and Anna Sui famous. Textile designers make all the choices that decide the look, feel and performance of memorable and functional fabrics and trims.

Textile Design is one of two concentrations open to students majoring in fashion and textile design. You’ll start out in a first-year studio learning the fundamentals of design before becoming more focused on your textile design experience in our state-of-the art labs and studios. Your college career culminates with a debut collection that you’ll exhibit in a public showcase.

Contact

For answers to questions about the admissions process, please contact:

Heather M. Lyerly
Senior Director of Academic Services
Wilson College of Textiles
919.515.1177
hemurphy@ncsu.edu

Meggie Metcalf
Associate Director of Academic Services
Wilson College of Textiles
919.515.0596
meggie_metcalf@ncsu.edu

Plan Requirements

Orientation
T 101Strategies for Success in the Wilson College of Textiles1
Mathematics and Sciences
MA 131Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A3
or MA 141 Calculus I
MA 231Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B3
or MA 241 Calculus II
CH 101Chemistry - A Molecular Science3
CH 102General Chemistry Laboratory1
PY 211College Physics I4
or PY 205
PY 206
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory
TMS 211Introduction to Fiber Science3
Major Requirements
TT 105Introduction to Textile Technology3
TTM 106Yarn Formation, Classification and Numbering Systems1
FTM 217The Textile Industry3
FTD 200Design Skills Workshop 13
TT 252Formation and Structure of Textile Fabrics 14
FTD 201Computer-Aided Textile Design and Color Studio 16
FTM 282Marketing and Brand Management Fundamentals in Textiles and Apparel3
PCC 302Technology of Textile Wet Processing4
FTM 310Entrepreneurship & New Product Development in Textiles3
ADN 281Drawing I3
D 100Design Inquiry I: Methods and Processes3
D 101Design Inquiry II: Methods and Processes3
FTD 104Fashion and Textile Design First Year Studio I6
FTD 105Fashion and Textile Design First Year Studio II6
Concentration Requirements
FTD 373Yarn Design Studio 13
FTD 374Surface Design and Texture3
FTD 375Woven Textile Design Studio I 13
FTD 376Knitted Textile Design Studio I 13
FTD 475Woven Textile Design Studio II3
FTD 476Knitted Textile Design Studio II3
FTD 479Senior Textile Design Studio6
18FTDFAS Advised Electives
FTD Advised Elective6
GEP Courses
Acad Writing Research 24
GEP Humanities6
GEP Social Sciences6
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion3
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
World Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Total Hours120
1

C or better

FTD Advised Elective

FTM 220Principles of Retailing and Supply Chain Management in Textiles3
FTM 310Entrepreneurship & New Product Development in Textiles3
FTM 315Fashion Product Design3
FTM 317Computer Aided Fashion Design 3
FTM 318Fashion Development Processes3
FTM 320Retail Merchandising in Fashion and Textiles3
FTM 380Management and Control of Textile and Apparel Systems3
FTM 382Brand Management in Textiles and Apparel3
FTM 384Visual Merchandising Principles and Management3
FTM 385Fashion and the Consumer3
FTM 387Textile Brand Communications & Promotions3
FTM 400Major Fashion Designers3
FTM 415Fashion Product Development3
FTM 416The Fashion Industry3
FTM 420Retail Buying in Fashion and Textiles3
FTM 431Quality Management and Control In Textile Manufacturing3
FTM 460Textile Market Research3
FTM 480Operations Management Decisions for Textiles3
FTM 481Product Costing in the Textile and Apparel Industry3
FTM 482Global Brand Management in Textiles and Apparel3
FTM 483Global Trade & Sourcing3
FTM 484Strategic Planning and Decision Making in the Textile and Fashion Industries3
FTM 485Textile Computer Integrated Enterprise3
FTM 486Supply Chain Management in the Textile Industry3
FTM 487Human Resource Management and Leadership in the Textile and Fashion Industries3
FTM 490Development Projects in Textile and Apparel Management1-3
FTM 491Special Topics in Textile and Apparel Management1-4
FTM 494International Industrial Internship in Textile Management3
FTM 497Senior Fashion Collection Studio6
FTM 499Textile Senior Project4
PCC 201Impact of Industry on the Environment and Society3
TT 341Knitted Fabric Technology3
TT 380Management and Control of Textile and Apparel Systems3
TT 431Quality Management and Control In Textile Manufacturing3
TT 451Advanced Woven Fabric Design3
TT 480Operations Management Decisions for Textiles3
TT 485Textile Computer Integrated Enterprise3
TT 486Supply Chain Management in the Textile Industry3
TT 499Textile Senior Project4
TT 551Advanced Woven Fabric Design3

Acad Writing Research

Acad Writing Research
ENG 101Academic Writing and Research4
WLEN 101Academic Writing and Research4
Transfer Sequence
ENG 202Disciplinary Perspectives in Writing3
ENG 1GEP3

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Critical Path Courses: Identify using the code (CP) which courses are considered critical path courses which represent specific major requirements that are predictive of student success in a given program/plan. Place the (CP) next to the credit hours for the course. 

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 1 4
TT 105 Introduction to Textile Technology 3
D 100 Design Inquiry I: Methods and Processes 3
FTD 104 Fashion and Textile Design First Year Studio I (CP) 6
T 101 Strategies for Success in the Wilson College of Textiles 1
 Hours17
Spring Semester
D 101 Design Inquiry II: Methods and Processes 3
FTD 200 Design Skills Workshop 2 3
MA 131 Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A 3
FTD 105 Fashion and Textile Design First Year Studio II (CP) 6
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours16
Second Year
Fall Semester
FTD 201 Computer-Aided Textile Design and Color Studio (CP) 2 6
FTM 217 The Textile Industry 3
PY 211 College Physics I 4
TTM 106 Yarn Formation, Classification and Numbering Systems 1
ADN 281 Drawing I 3
 Hours17
Spring Semester
TMS 211 Introduction to Fiber Science 3
TT 252 Formation and Structure of Textile Fabrics (CP) 2 4
FTD 373 Yarn Design Studio (CP) 2 3
FTD 374 Surface Design and Texture (CP) 3
MA 231 Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours17
Third Year
Fall Semester
FTM 310 Entrepreneurship & New Product Development in Textiles 3
FTD 375 Woven Textile Design Studio I (CP) 2 3
FTD 376 Knitted Textile Design Studio I (CP) 2 3
CH 101 Chemistry - A Molecular Science 3
CH 102 General Chemistry Laboratory 1
GEP Humanities 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
FTD Advised Elective 3
FTM 282 Marketing and Brand Management Fundamentals in Textiles and Apparel 3
GEP Social Sciences 3
FTD Advised Elective 3
 Hours12
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
FTD 475 Woven Textile Design Studio II 3
FTD 476 Knitted Textile Design Studio II 3
PCC 302 Technology of Textile Wet Processing 4
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 3
 Hours13
Spring Semester
FTD 479 Senior Textile Design Studio 6
GEP Social Sciences 3
GEP Humanities 3
 Hours12
 Total Hours120
1

C- or better

2

C or better

Career Opportunities

From art galleries to Nordstrom and The North Face to MIT, our textile design graduates are sought out by leading employers in just about every industry. Here are just a few of the places our alumni work.

  • Apparel: The North Face, Kohl’s, J. Crew, Nordstrom, Abercrombie & Fitch, St. John Knits 
  • Home Textiles: Valdese Weavers, Glen Raven, Mohawk Flooring 

Career Titles

  • (Assistant, Associate) Textile Designer: Develop printed or woven fabric designs that align with the larger creative direction of a brand or line. This includes trend research, mood board development, and yarn and color selection before developing a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) file for review. Associate and lead designers have more say in setting the creative direction than assistant designers.
  • Print Designer: Create surface print designs for fabrics used in apparel, interior design and more, work with the creative team to make sure those designs fit within the company’s larger brand, and then communicate those designs effectively to overseas vendors. 
  • Knit Designer/Knitwear Designer: Develop knit fabric designs – taking into account yarns, colors, stitches – for home and apparel uses. 
  • Woven Designer: Use knowledge of yarns, textile processing, woven technology and more to develop woven textile designs for home, apparel and other applications.
  • Product Designer/Developer/Manager: Design products (eg. backpacks, scarfs, pillows, shoes) with a special focus on the textile and raw materials and work with merchandising, production, technical design and more to ensure the product design is executed correctly. 
  • Materials Developer: Develop the custom material and fabric for a product while considering technical performance needs, testing, sustainability and sourcing. 
  • Trims Developer: Design trims (zippers, piping and more) and branding elements (how logos are displayed) for apparel, home and automotive industries.
  • Color Specialist: Conduct consumer research and apply knowledge of color theory, fiber science, and color science to build a brand’s color palettes and make sure those colors are represented correctly in a product. 
  • Studio or Lab Manager: Makes sure all machines are operating, oversees purchasing of studio materials and equipment, and ensures students, artists or other employees reach their production goals. 
  • Freelance Designer/Entrepreneur

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