Anna Gitelson-Kahn is a textiles designer, educator and author whose passion is knitting. She received her BS in mathematics and computer science from Ben-Gurion University, Israel and her MFA in textiles from RISD. Before joining the RISD faculty, Anna taught for six years in the department of Textile Design at Shenkar College of Design and Engineering, Tel Aviv, Israel and served as knitting program coordinator. Prior to taking on the role of department head in RISD’s Textiles department, she served as graduate program director.
Anna has extensive experience in the field of knitting and has previously designed knits for interiors under her own label. She is passionate about teaching and sharing her knowledge with the next generation of artists and designers as well as professionals in the industry. Her recent book COLOR IN KNITTING: by designers, for designers (2023), written in collaboration with Jörg Hartman, head of fashion and technology at KARL MAYER STOLL, BU Stoll, delves into the methods of constructing multicolor knits using knitting structures, techniques and technologies. The book not only showcases the beauty of multicolor knits but also provides a solid foundation for readers to achieve their own goals when combining colors in knitting.
Her other collaborations range from consultancy to product development and include academic institutions, research facilities, textile industry leading manufacturers and consumer goods companies.
Courses
Fall 2024 Courses
TEXT 4842-01 - INDUSTRIAL KNITTING
LevelUndergraduate
UnitTextiles
Subject Textiles
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
FormatStudio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
TEXT 4842-01
INDUSTRIAL KNITTING
LevelUndergraduate
UnitTextiles
Subject Textiles
PeriodFall 2024
Credits3
FormatStudio
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2024-09-04 to 2024-12-11
Times: W | 11:20 AM - 4:20 PMInstructor(s): Anna Gitelson-KahnLocation(s): College Building, Room 143; College Building, Room 510Enrolled / Capacity: 12Status: Open
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This advanced knitting course investigates the design and creation of knit fabrics using specialized software and a computerized, industrial knitting machine. Students deepen their understanding of a wide range of knit constructions, learn new structures, and experience a different method of creating knit fabric and forms through weekly sampling work and then a final project that is a collection of fabrics for interior or apparel applications, or art pieces. The intended end use will guide students' pattern and material studies. Students are introduced to the knitting industry and exciting examples of contemporary and historical knitting and encouraged to forge new paths in the medium.
Prerequisite: TEXT-4832
Elective
TEXT 484G-01 - TEXTILE SEMINAR I
LevelGraduate
UnitTextiles
Subject Textiles
Period Fall 2024
Credits 6
FormatStudio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
TEXT 484G-01
TEXTILE SEMINAR I
LevelGraduate
UnitTextiles
Subject Textiles
PeriodFall 2024
Credits6
FormatStudio
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2024-09-04 to 2024-12-11
Times: TH | 8:00 AM - 1:00 PMInstructor(s): Anna Gitelson-Kahn, Mary Anne FrielLocation(s): College Building, Room 510Enrolled / Capacity: 12Status: Open
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course focuses on issues in the professional textile field, such as the effect of production parameters and end use on design decisions. While helping students become more familiar with the wide ranging market, from the most innovative to the traditional, this course aims at providing an awareness of how one's own work fits into this context. Lecturers include professionals from the field, who advise on the studio work required in this class.
This course is a requirement for second-year Graduate Textiles Students.
This project represents the culmination of a student's study in the Graduate Program. The design projects can encompass various textile fields in the areas of interior or apparel textiles. A specific architectural context, an area of apparel design, an investigation of a particular technique, or a visual design sensibility and language can provide a framework for the project. The work, executed using any established textile techniques or technique that a student has developed, should manifest advanced original concepts, high quality of execution, and a strong commitment to the field. Written documentation and analysis of the sources of the work, how it relates to the textiles tradition or larger field of art and design, and of the development of the project should accompany the studio work.
Estimated Cost of Materials: varies depending on student projects.
Please contact the department for permission to register. This course is a requirement for Graduate Textiles Students.
The student's project, designed in consultation with the faculty, can be in one of the textile areas or in combination with other disciplines at the school. The project, which will be evaluated by the faculty and visiting critics at the end of the semester, can entail a collection of designs or fine arts work representing the current conclusive state of student's work or an investigation of a new area. The level of concepts, skills, and commitment constitute a major part of the criteria in the evaluation of the work.
Mid-year graduates should seek department permission to fulfill 9 credits in Fall and Wintersession.
Estimated Cost of Materials: Varies based on use of advanced equipment; additional fees may incur.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. This course is a requirement for Senior Textiles Students.
