Category Archives: Art and Design

The School of Art and Design offers 17 majors to more than 3,800 students pursuing careers in fashion, art, and a wide range of design fields.

Instructor Spotlight: Radmila Gurkovsky

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Radmila Gurkovsky is a visual artist, educator and a creative arts therapist. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with BFA in 2008 and holds an MPS from Pratt Institute. Born in the dramatic yet fascinating climate of Siberia, Russia, surrounded by brutal and gloomy winter days she developed her interests in art at an early age as her escape into the vibrant, visual world of color, line and shape.  Having experienced frequent relocation with her family at an early age she believes to have been touched by many beautiful cultures to later bring that eclectic vision into her art making. As an artist and a creative art therapist Radmila uses her artistic upbringing along with expressive language refined during her professional development studies and offers it as a gateway into forming non-verbal dialogue that nourishes artistic perception and empowers creativity.

Radmila Teaches:

JSX 031 Basic Drawing Skills

JSX 038 Exploring Painting, Drawing, and Collage

Teaching Philosophy:

I encourage students to think creatively and experiment with a variety of styles and methodologies that help them discover their artistic selves. I’m a big fan of artistic tradition and believe that to be the window into forming unique artistic language of expression. I seek to offer my students a vision of art as a tool for self-expression that encompasses a holistic approach and one that inspects and strives to see the world with various mediums of expression.

Art by Radmila Gurkovsky

Instructor Spotlight: Lisbeth Jimenez

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Lisbeth Jimenez is an NCIDQ certified designer with a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She joined the commercial firm TPGArchitecture in 2016, and has a background in residential and commercial interior design. In her daily work, Lisbeth challenges herself to produce exceptional, transformational design concepts, creating beneficial spaces that positively impact her clients and their environment. With an enthusiasm to take on any project, Lisbeth thrives on the creative process of solving complex design challenges. Her most recent contributions includes an accessible bedroom/bathroom for George to The Rescue — a home improvement TV show on NBC. Outside of work, Lisbeth participates in interior design pro-bono projects, and has designed spaces for a number of non-profit organizations such as the Bowery Mission Center and Restore NYC. Her efforts have been recognized across a number of publications such as Fast Company and Interior + Sources.

Lisbeth Teaches:
HSX 055 55B SUN: Exploring Interior Design
Fall Semester      Spring Semester     Summer Semester

Teaching Philosophy:
My goal is to inspire students to measure their success by the amount of difference they make. With Interior Design, we have the ability to change people’s lives with the environments we design. Let’s make a difference together while being creative.

Industry Experience:

  • TPGArchitecture- NY commercial firm
  • Integrated Service Learning Project- NY volunteer Interior Design services
  • Lembo Design- NY High-End Residential Firm

Work by Lisbeth Jimenez

Instructor Spotlight: Jacqueline Quinn

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Jacqueline Quinn is a fashion designer born in Dublin, Ireland, who moved to New York City 25 years ago. Jacqueline’s alma mater is the Grafton Academy of Fashion Design in Dublin, and she is currently studying to get her Master’s in Fashion and Fine Arts. Diverse in her background both creatively and artistically, Jacqueline has been the head designer for DKNY dresses and was most recently the creative director and designer for Betsey Johnson. She is currently designing her own collection, “Jackie.” Jacqueline cites the iconic Jackie Kennedy as a major style influence and is working on a book outlining Jackie Kennedy’s fabrications and fashion influences.

Websites:
www.adorejackie.com     www.jacquelinequinn.com

Jacqueline Quinn teaches:
HSX 096 A Week in the Life of a Fashion Designer

Teaching Philosophy:
I love sharing the knowledge I have gained over the last 25 years of being in the fashion industry. I enjoy guiding my students and enabling them to use all of their creativity. I love seeing the authentic and ongoing learning process that develops into inspiration, creativity, and success.

Industry Experience:

  • Head Designer for Perry Ellis, Bill Blass, and DKNY dresses
  • Creative Director and Designer for Betsey Johnson
  • Styled for the Grammys in 2012 and 2013

Work by Jacqueline Quinn:

Preparing an art portfolio for college?

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Portfolio deadlines are coming up soooo soon! (FIT Fall 2020 deadline is FEBRUARY 1st)
Thankfully, FIT’s Precollege Programs still has 4-day workshops that can help you focus and finalize.

DATES :
Saturdays, November 16, 23, December 7, 14, 2019
Sundays, November 17, 24, December 8, 15, 2019
Helpful numbers:
  • FIT Admissions: 212.217.3760-For questions about specific deadlines, costs and specific requirements
  • FIT Registrar: 212.217.3820-For questions about transcripts or course history
Not sure what course to take? The Precollege Staff: Mary, Marta, and Ayana are here to help! You are welcome to call 212.217.4630 (press 3 to talk to one of us) or send us an email if you have any questions.
~Precollege Staff

Instructor Spotlight: Sooo-z Mastropietro

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Sooo-z Mastropietro, a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in Fashion Design and Textile Design, has taught art and fashion design in a variety of settings including the Quick Center at Fairfield University and the Aldrich Museum. Sewing since the age of seven, she turned to her own raw skills to define her self expression through her wardrobe. Her brand “Mastropiece” began as a silk painting business for wearable designs and now serves as a general umbrella for all things Sooo-z from fine art, to socks, to tableware. Her other endeavors have included community sculptural projects, curating, judging art shows, artist in residences, and classical bass playing.

Website: www.mastropiece.com

Sooo-Z Mastropietro Teaches:
JSX 011 Fashion Art: Silhouettes
JSX 013 Fashion Art: Faces and Figures

Teaching Philosophy:
I love it when my students realize they can do something they weren’t sure they could do after they’ve had a little guidance and inspiration. It’s about approaching the challenge, breaking down the problem, and rebuilding the answer into their own interpretation. It’s a great feeling to create something bigger than what you started with.

Industry Experience:
Sooo-Z has served as an art director, curator, and gallery director and now works on her own collection of fine art and develops select product lines. Her current work under the moniker, Knitiot Savant, is a unique fiber art form utilizing a triumph of fabric tubes, nuggets, and shreds. She has shown all over the country in juried shows and has appeared internationally in publications. Sooo-z recently had her installation, “MicroFiberOrganism,” featured at the newly re-opened library in Westport, CT.

Work by Sooo-z Mastropietro: