University of Rhode Island  
Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design

Course Description: TMD 402K The Art and Science of Fashion

The seminar is an advanced class designed to bring together subject matter from the entire Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design curriculum. Invited speakers will address a range of topics associated the art and science on fashionable textile and apparel products.  Topics include the art and science of textile printing, creating and manufacturing luxury handbags, the economics in the luxury jewelry market in relationship to the apparel market, and apparel pattern making and technical design. At the end of the semester, students will present their research on specific subjects not covered by the invited speakers.

Textiles used for interior design and apparel such as clothing, shoes, and handbags are identified as "fashionable" products.  A fashionable product is one  which is desired and used for a period of time by a large group of people, and then discarded and replaced by different and newer fashionable products.  Fashionable apparel and textiles are unique compared to other manufactured products (cars, for example), because they are influenced by contemporary art forms like popular music, as well as major visual art movements (Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Abstract Expressionism, etc.).  Rendering apparel design or creating textile print and weave designs requires competency in artistic methods.  Science is found at the design level with the use of computer assisted design.  Fashionable products also incorporate scientific innovations in computer aided manufacturing techniques.  And science is used to develop both high-performance synthetic fibers for textiles and new textile structures.

Scientific innovations in fashionable products directly influence the bottom line by reducing lead times and improving end-use performance.  Consumers are increasingly sophisticated in their understanding of art, and apparel and interior design, due to wide-spread media exposure on television, the internet, and magazines.  Understanding the artistic and scientific influences on fashion is imperative to remaining financially viable, communicating  intelligently in the industry, creating appropriate design, and predicting the future of fashion in this increasingly competitive market.

All the details are available in the syllabus 

1 cr. students attend guest lectures and student presentations, and write a one-page summary.  See guidelines for a good summary!

2 cr. students perform all requirements for 1 cr. plus research a specific topic for presentation to the class.