Bachelor in Apparel Design

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), located in Providence, Rhode Island, is a leading institution for art and design education with origins dating to 1877. RISD’s intimate studio environment and emphasis on craft, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration make it a compelling choice for artists and designers seeking rigorous training. The school’s compact campus and proximity to cultural institutions support a thriving creative community.

RISD offers a focused set of undergraduate and graduate programs that prioritize hands-on practice, critique-based learning, and independent artistic development. State-of-the-art studios, workshops, and exhibition spaces enable students to explore materials and processes across disciplines, while faculty who are practicing artists and designers provide mentorship grounded in professional experience. Collaborative projects and cross-registration opportunities with neighboring institutions broaden academic perspectives.

Student life at RISD centers on studio culture, exhibitions, and immersive projects that prepare graduates for creative careers, advanced study, and leadership in cultural sectors. Robust career services, alumni networks, and industry connections help students transition into professional roles. For international creatives seeking an intensive, practice-driven education, RISD delivers a concentrated environment where artistic growth and critical inquiry are prioritized.

The Bachelor in Apparel Design at Rhode Island School of Design is a four-year program for students who want to develop their unique design language and identity in the field. This Bachelor degree helps students establish a strong foundation in apparel design. Students learn to articulate their creative process and design concepts.

The curriculum focuses on embodied tactile materiality and ethical consciousness, with studios that explore apparel and bodily ornamentation as a means of identity projection. Students develop core design and construction skills, including interdisciplinary approaches to making, and learn to center their creative voices within their design process. They also focus on knitwear, experimenting with hand and machine knitting to explore the properties of knit fabrics.

Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Fashion Designers, Costume Designers, Textile Artists, or Apparel Production Managers, working with fashion brands, costume design companies, or starting their own labels. They can also work in related fields like textile design or fashion journalism.