Community of Apparel, Textile and Design (ATD)

What We Do

The ATD Community supports and advances design scholarship and creative practice through a variety of initiatives. We: 

• Offer networking and collaboration opportunities through events, meetings, and conference activities.

• Facilitate peer review and scholarly exchange to elevate creative work within the discipline.

• Develop resources and educational materials that strengthen teaching, research, and creative practice in design-related fields.

• Promote innovation and creative exploration within apparel, textile, interior, and related design areas.

• Provide professional development opportunities for educators, designers, and students.

• Host juried showcase annually during AAFCS conference that recognize excellence in apparel, textile, and design scholarship. 

Overview of ATD Juried Showcases

The ATD Juried Showcases are competitive exhibitions that highlights original work in apparel, textile, and related design fields. ATD design scholars and practitioners, both students and professionals, are invited to submit design projects, research-based work, or creative explorations for review by a jury of design experts. The showcase provides a platform for recognition within the design community, allowing participants to present their work to conference attendees and have it published in the design catalogue and annual conference proceedings. It celebrates innovation, creativity, and scholarly contributions that advance the field of textile and apparel design.

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ATD Juried Showcase Design Categories 

Design entries will be accepted in any of the three design categories:

1. Apparel: this category will include garments or clothing items designed to be worn on the human body in a three-dimensional space. In other words, clothing is shaped and structured to wrap around the body’s contours, allowing for flexibility, movement, and functionality. Each entry should be a complete/total look covering the upper and lower part of the body.
2. Textile-Based Designs or Accessories refers to materials or textiles-based design that is produced in two-dimensional forms. This category typically includes scarves (printed, embroidered, intricate woven patterns), hats, gloves, belts, jewelry, etc.
3. Interior: any material used to enhance the interior space of a building. This category will include materials like fiber art, macramé, wall art pieces, lampshades, home furnishing items etc.

ATD Design Submission Category

The ATD juried showcase is open to AAFCS members as well as non-members. You may submit your designs in any one of the categories:

1. Student Entry, include undergraduate or graduate students
2. Professional Entry, includes all other entries like faculties, designers, artists etc. 
3. Educator Entry, includes up to 5 designs from grade 8-12 students. (see Exception Student Showcase)