The California College of the Arts, founded in 1907, offers students a wide range of degree programs including architecture, fine arts, writing and textile design. The mission of the textiles program at CCA is to educate each student about the technical, material, and conceptual issues related to all aspects of textile design. Using a teaching method integrated with art, craft and design curriculum, students of this program are able to address historical and contemporary issues of textile design. The program contains three areas of concentration: textile printing, fiber sculpture and weaving. Within the three focus areas, techniques such as netting, twining, spinning, knitting, embroidery, dye technology, loom weaving, felt making, image transfer, hand painting and hand printing on fabrics, photo- and computer-generated imaging, and creating computer-aided structures are mastered and used in designing new textiles.
The University of Texas at Austin offers a wide array of classes that fall under the category of textile design. The Textiles and Apparel program incorporates principles from arts, sciences and humanities, specializing in constructing, designing, coordinating fashions and making patterns and samples. The required classes in general textiles introduce the chemical and physical properties of fabric construction, fibers, yarns and finishes. This gives the student a better understanding of the capabilities and limitations of each material, preparing each student for a career in the apparel industry.
Of the many programs of undergraduate study offered at Michigan State University, the Apparel and Textile Design program places emphasis on creativity and experimentation, joining design with art. Students are exposed to fine art, couture and technical design to inspire the creation of original garments. During the textile design program, such creations are taught to be designed with an understanding of global issues including material sustainability and cultural dress. Courses within the program include lectures on culture, gender, political aspects of historic costume and appearance as well as and how our modern dress has evolved.
The Cleveland Institute of Art is a National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredited school, founded in 1882. The Fiber and Material Studies degree program covers many subjects that are affected by, influenced from or involved with textiles. The students involved with this program study techniques such as pattern making, computer-aided design, weaving, stitching, sewing, dying and felt making. Courses of the Fiber and Material Studies program include sustainable design, intro to fiber, pattern design, pattern making and fabrication and advanced studio problems. Students of this degree program, in addition to the art and design specific courses, must also complete a liberal arts curriculum.