Our Bachelor of Science degree in Textiles & Fashion Design (TFD) prepares you for an exciting and creative career in design, sustainability and retailing. You’ll work in inspiring studio spaces with knowledgeable faculty who encourage creativity and teach coursework covering historical and contemporary design. You’ll work alongside peers who are both highly creative and superb craftspeople engaged in addressing real world problems and offering sustainable solutions.
Studios & Equipment
The following section includes a carousel of 2 stories. You may advance through the carousel by clicking on the buttons below.
Coursework
What you'll study
As a Textiles & Fashion Design student you'll study art, design, science and technology. Classes in humanities, science and social studies along with guest lectures from industry experts round out the broad knowledge and experience needed to succeed in one of the largest industries in the world. A complete list of Textiles & Fashion Design courses can be found in the UW–Madison Course Guide.
Learn from experts
At the School of Human Ecology, you’ll learn from and work one-on-one with experienced Design Studies professors and faculty who are experts in fields ranging from material culture, digital fabrication, circular design, textiles and papermaking. Outside the classroom, you can join design-focused student organizations or complete an internship in the U.S. or across the world, like in Vietnam where students learned traditional indigo dyeing techniques.
Learning opportunities
As a senior in the program, you can apply for an optional year of study toward an A.A.S. degree at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. The FIT experience provides industry specific skills that, paired with the institute’s creative liberal arts background and UW–Madison BS degree, create a highly-desirable employment portfolio. Connect with your advisor to learn more about FIT.
Showcase your work
At the end of each semester, you will have the opportunity to showcase your coursework in spacious, design-focused galleries in Nancy Nicholas Hall, made possible through the school’s partnership with the Nancy M. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture. The center includes the Ruth Davis Design Gallery, a premier space for student portfolio exhibitions and critiques, and the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection, a one-of-a-kind resource featuring more than 13,000 historical and cultural textiles that inspire and inform student work.
Being a Textiles & Fashion Design student means doing, not just studying. You’ll learn directly from visiting lecturers and industry pros, work on real projects with real impact and see your work come to life in student-run fashion shows and gallery exhibitions. You’ll explore fashion through the lens of sustainability, culture and innovation, while building skills in technology and entrepreneurship. This is where ideas turn into action, and where the future of fashion starts taking shape.
Careers
From the Midwest to Manhattan, our graduates consistently secure roles at leading companies in the retail and fashion industry. Textiles & Fashion Design alumni have successfully launched careers as designers, technical designers, costume designers, product developers and patternmakers, spanning from the Midwest to the fashion capital of the world. Through our visiting student program at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), seniors gain unparalleled access to the New York fashion market, helping them to land positions at major fashion retailers including Ralph Lauren, Macy’s, Express and American Eagle Outfitters. For those establishing careers closer to home, our alumni are thriving at places like ShopBop, Lands’ End, Kohl’s, Target and Duluth Trading Company. Our textile-focused graduates have found career success at Crate + Barrel and Kravet. Wherever your design aesthetic leads you, our strong network of alumni and employers is ready to help you succeed.
Careers in Textiles & Fashion Design
Designer
Costume Designer
Technical Designer
Patternmaker
Product Developer
Textile/Fabric Designer
Stay Connected
Keep up with what students and faculty are working on by following the major's Instagram account.
Student Stories
The following section includes a carousel of 4 stories. You may advance through the carousel by clicking on the buttons below.
Portfolio Submission
This optional portfolio submission is only for new prospective students applying to UW–Madison with the intended major of Textiles & Fashion Design. Submissions are reviewed periodically by TFD faculty to contribute to a more holistic decision by the Office of Admissions. All portfolio submissions must:
- Include 8-12 images, in focus, well-composed and clearly showing your creative work
- Minimum of four hand-created works in any media (textiles, fashion, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, etc.)
- Submit a single PDF file, merging all images, and no larger than 50 MB
- Name file “Lastname-Firstname-TFD Portfolio ID” (e.g., Jensen-Rachel-TFD Portfolio)
- When uploading you will be required to enter your email address, and for file description enter “Portfolio”.
For Regular Decision, portfolios must be submitted by January 22, 2026.
Textiles & Fashion Design Resources
