Become a Fashion Designer

Learn how to become a fashion designer and discover what is required to land a fashion design job.

Fashion Design Job Description

To become a fashion designer you'll need an eye for beauty and trends as well as strong technical knowledge of garment design and construction and business savvy.

Successful fashion designers have a good mind for business. Being a fashion designer means working closely with marketing staff, sales people and individual clients.

In addition to creating garments that are aesthetically appealing, fashion designers must also reflect current trends in their work and meet the needs and expectations of their target customers. For example, designers must consider the cost, materials and time required to create their garments, determine how those decisions impact the final prices of their items and adjust those decisions if necessary to meet the expectations of their target market.

Designers may travel frequently to observe trends worldwide, supervise garment production in other countries and promote their lines. Those who work for smaller companies will spend time overseeing the production of their garments and supervising pattern makers, pattern cutters and sewers.

Typical tasks for fashion design jobs include:

• Coordinate staff in creating patterns and constructing samples and/or finished garments
  
• Assess sample garments and modify designs as needed
  
• Sketch apparel or accessory design drawings and note specifications such as color, material types, construction details, etc.
  
• Work with sales and management personnel or clients to discuss design ideas
  
• Research target market expectations and factor these expectations into designs
  
• Attend fashion shows and review trade magazines gather information about fashion trends
  
• Choose materials and techniques to be used for items garments and/or accessories
  
• Provide samples to agents/sales representatives, and schedule showings of sample garments at sales meetings or fashion shows

Skills and Knowledge Required

To become a fashion designer, one must have a strong aesthetic sense, including an eye for color and a sense of balance and proportion.

Fashion designers must have excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Sketching ability remains important but computer aided design tools are also used in the industry.

A strong portfolio is crucial when job searching in the fashion design field.

Designers must have sewing and pattern making skills. They may not do this work, but they must understand the processess in order to give appropriate instructions for constructing a garment.

A strong understanding of business is necessary because many fashion designers are self employed. Courses in marketing and merchandising can be helpful.

Personality Traits

People who are fashion designers are typically artistic, enterprising and realistic. Artistic occupations involve working with designs and patterns and tasks that are done without following a clear set of rules. Enterprising jobs are a good fit for people who enjoy initiating and carrying out projects, leading people and making decisions. Realistic occupations include tasks that are practical and hands on in nature.

Job Opportunities and Earning Potential

The vast majority of fashion designers in the United States work in New York and California. Employment in this field is expected to grow less than average through to 2018. ^{Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor}

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, annual wages for fashion designers ranged from approximately $32,000 to $130,000, with the median wage being approximately $64,700 in 2008. ^{Source: United States Bureau of Labor}

Education for Fashion Design Careers

While there are no specific educational requirements to become a fashion designer, most fashion designers have a degree, diploma, or certificate in fashion or accessory design and, because many fashion designers are self employed, some aspiring designers complete combined business and fashion degrees. These programs are available at a number of fashion designing schools. You can check with The National Association of Schools of Art and Design, which accredits many schools that offer fashion design programs.

It will be crucial to create a strong portfolio of your work in order to become a fashion designer.

Many people in fashion design jobs start out by obtaining hands-on experience through training with experienced designers for several years before embarking on their own.

For tips on how to complete your own research on how art jobs not featured here, or for tips on how to find information on being a fashion designer for countries not included here, please see the article Art Career - How to Research Art Careers