Are you thinking about pursuing a career in graphic design but want to learn more about the field before making any professional changes? This fast-paced, creative career is a great choice for those who have an interest in following fashion trends and sketching their own unique designs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates this field to have about 2,500 openings for fashion designers are projected each year through 2030, showing there is no better time to embark on a career in this field.
This comprehensive career guide will cover all the key areas of fashion design and working in this competitive field. Learning about the industry, the skills needed to excel, and educational requirements is important before making the switch to a new career.
What Does a Fashion Designer Do?
Fashion Designers are responsible for creating clothing, footwear, accessories, and countless other wearable items. These creative professionals sketch the designs for these items and also work on tasks like trend research, selecting patterns or fabrics, and marketing designs. Some designers choose to work independently, meaning they craft their own designs to market and sell. Other fashion designers work for a company with a team of creative professionals to market services and complete client projects.
There are several different areas of the fashion industry, with each being considered a niche or specialty focus. These include haute couture (runway fashion), high-fashion, and street fashion. Designers that choose to specialize in one specific area, such as children’s fashion or outdoor wear, can stand out from other applicants during their job search.
What Type of Training Does a Fashion Designer Need?
While some people choose to obtain a four-year degree before starting a career in fashion design, there are no set education requirements to begin working in this field. Students that choose the traditional education role often receive a Bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising. Taking this training route requires a large time and financial commitment, which may not be viable for someone looking to switch from their current career.
Another way to work towards a career in fashion design is to take certificate training courses or obtain an internship to gain hands-on experience. Taking an Illustrator Bootcamp class is a great way to master the software and complete prerequisites for more specialized courses of study. There are also shorter options like Illustrator in a Day that teaches fundamental software skills over a 6-hour class. Taking these types of courses is an excellent way to build your professional portfolio.
Skills Needed for Fashion Design
Working as a fashion designer requires a variety of both soft skills and hard skills. It’s important to have a balance between the creative and technical skills needed to excel in this type of position. While it may be helpful if you are a naturally creative person, many of the skills needed to work as a fashion designer can be learned through consistently working to improve your technique.
One of the most important technical skills fashion designers need to master is Adobe Illustrator, which is an industry staple for creating vector-based fashion graphics. Gaining a solid understanding of this software allows designers to create tech packs, concept art, and many other important functions.
These are the additional skills needed to excel as a fashion designer:
- Artistic ability
- Passion for fashion trend research
- Excellent sewing skills
- Strong communication
- Knowledge of fabrics and patterns
- Attention to detail
- Time management
Different Fashion Design Career Paths
Fashion design is a field that has many different niches and specialized areas to start your career. Choosing what area you want to focus on can help to narrow the training required to start your new career and help to simplify the process of applying for position openings. Some of the most common roles someone looking to work in fashion design may secure include:
- Fashion Merchandiser
- Fashion Buyer
- Assistant Designer
- Graphic Designer
- Stylist
- Costume Designer
It’s important to note that while many of these professionals choose to work for a company, nearly 27% of all fashion designers are self-employed. These fashion designers often create high-end or one-of-a-kind items and sell them independently.
Average Salary of a Fashion Designer
The average salary of a fashion designer will depend on several factors, such as level of experience in the field, location, and the type of employment. As of May 2020, the average salary for a fashion designer is $75,810. Though this wage can fluctuate, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the highest-paid fashion designers earn over $146,300 annually. These salary figures are for fashion designers who work in a traditional employment role and not those who work as freelancers or self-employed designers. The annual earnings for a self-employed fashion designer differ from those who are full-time employees, as there is no cap to their earnings, and they can control their workflow and overall availability.
Software and Continued Education
Whether you are researching more about starting a career in fashion design or have worked in the industry for some time, staying up to date with software practices and skill set trends is crucial. The fashion industry is fast-moving and constantly evolving, meaning there will be frequent updates to processes and design trends that these creative professionals must stay on top of. If you fall out of touch with software updates or recent fashion trends, it can end up hurting your portfolio or interactions with prospective clients.
One of the best ways to stay up to date with your fashion design skills is with the Adobe Illustrator for Fashion Design Bootcamp course. This in-depth class is great for those who currently work in the field and want to refresh their skills or those who are working towards a career change. The course does require prior knowledge of the software but covers all the important tools needed to excel in this type of career.
There are also graphic design classes that cover some of the software and design principles that are needed in fashion design. If you are ready to get started with your career change to fashion design, try searching for graphic design classes in your area.