CDM

Printer Friendly Format

Fashion Designers

 

Job Description

Design clothing and accessories. Create original garments or design garments that follow well established fashion trends. May develop the line of color and kinds of materials.

 

Interests

The Arts - High scorers on The Arts scale usually:

• prize independence
• enjoy creative activities such as music, writing, entertainment, and art
• appreciate the artistic works of others in museums, theatres, and books
• actively seek opportunities for self expression

Business - Business people usually:

• see themselves as skilled with words
• seek careers where they can lead others
• enjoy convincing others to think the way they do
• can persuade others to buy their products

Crafts - High scorers on the Crafts scale usually:

• prefer to work with tools and objects rather than with people and words
• like to build things
• want to see practical results from their work
• enjoy mechanical activities
• like work that requires physical strength

 

Tasks

People in this occupation usually engage in these work activities:

1.  Collaborate with other designers to coordinate special products and designs.

2.  Attend fashion shows and review garment magazines and manuals in order to gather information about fashion trends and consumer preferences.

3.  Design custom clothing and accessories for individuals, retailers, or theatrical, television, or film productions.

4.  Draw patterns for articles designed; then cut patterns, and cut material according to patterns, using measuring instruments and scissors.

5.  Examine sample garments on and off models; then modify designs to achieve desired effects.

6.  Select materials and production techniques to be used for products.

7.  Sketch rough and detailed drawings of apparel or accessories, and write specifications such as color schemes, construction, material types, and accessory requirements.

8.  Adapt other designers' ideas for the mass market.

9.  Confer with sales and management executives or with clients in order to discuss design ideas.

10.  Determine prices for styles.

11.  Develop a group of products and/or accessories, and market them through venues such as boutiques or mail-order catalogs.

12.  Direct and coordinate workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns and constructing samples or finished garments.

 

Skills

People in this occupation usually describe themselves as having these abilities:

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.

Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

 

Knowledge

People in this occupation usually describe themselves as having education or training in these areas:

Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Fine Arts - Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

 

Education / Training

For fashion design jobs, employers seek candidates with a 2-or 4-year degree who are knowledgeable in the areas of textiles, fabrics, and ornamentation, as well as trends in the fashion world.

A liberal arts education, with courses in merchandising, business administration, marketing, and psychology, along with training in art, is recommended for designers who want to freelance.

Beginning designers usually receive on-the-job training lasting between 1 and 3 years before they can advance to higher-level positions.

 

Instructional Programs

Fashion/Apparel Design - A program that prepares individuals to apply artistic principles and techniques to the professional design of commercial fashions, apparel, and accessories, and the management of fashion development projects. Includes instruction in apparel design; accessory design; the design of men's', women's', and children's' wear; flat pattern design; computer-assisted design and manufacturing; concept planning; designing in specific materials; labor and cost analysis; history of fashion; fabric art and printing; and the principles of management and operations in the fashion industry.

 

Wages

In 2016, the US annual wage range for Fashion Designers was between:

$46,020 - $92,550

 

Outlook

It is anticipated that in 2022, employment for Fashion Designers will number 21,700.

There will be a decline of -60 new positions annually (-0.27%). This means that this occupation is declining slowly or moderately.

 

Similar Jobs

This is a list of jobs in which the workers share many of the same Interests, tasks, skills, knowledge, and education/training as Fashion Designers

Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers - Plan and erect commercial displays, such as those in windows and interiors of retail stores and at trade exhibitions.
Interior Designers - Plan, design, and furnish interiors of residential, commercial, or industrial buildings. Formulate design which is practical, aesthetic, and conducive to intended purposes, such as raising productivity, selling merchandise, or improving life style. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design.
Graphic Designers - Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.