|
Fashion Designers
Overview » Industry Pathways » Visual Arts 
Fashion designers design clothing and accessories. They probably are the workers who loved playing “dress-up” as children. These workers receive great satisfaction in creating that fabulous new hot style that everyone wants. Some fashion designers are self-employed and design for individual clients. Other fashion designers focus on specialty stores or high-fashion department stores. These designers create original garments, as well as clothing that’s in line with the current fashion trends. Most fashion designers, however, work for apparel manufacturers, creating designs of men’s, women’s, and children’s fashions for the mass market.
Designers held about 20,000jobs in 2006.
Salaried designers worked in a number of different industries, depending on their design specialty. Fashion designers generally worked in apparel manufacturing or wholesale distribution of apparel, piece goods, and notions.
Demand for fashion designers should remain strong, because many consumers continue to seek new fashions and fresh styles of apparel. Employment growth for fashion designers will be slowed, however, by declines in the apparel manufacturing industries
Designers in most fields are expected to face strong competition for available positions. This is a fun and enjoyable occupation, and many talented individuals are attracted to careers as designers. Individuals with little or no formal education in design, as well as those who lack creativity and determination, will find it very difficult to establish and maintain a career in the occupation.
Creativity is crucial in all design occupations. People in this field must have a strong sense of the esthetic—an eye for color and detail, a sense of balance and proportion, and an appreciation of beauty. Designers also need excellent communication and problem-solving skills. Despite the advancement of computer-aided design, sketching ability remains an important advantage in most types of design. A good portfolio—a collection of examples of a person’s best work—often is the deciding factor in getting a job.
In fashion design, employers seek individuals with a two or four-year degree who are knowledgeable in the areas of textiles, fabrics, and ornamentation, and know all about the trends in the fashion world. Set and exhibit designers typically have college degrees in design. A Master of Fine Arts degree from an accredited university program further establishes one’s design credentials.
Beginning designers usually receive on-the-job training and normally need one to three years of training before they can advance to higher-level positions. Experienced designers in large firms may advance to chief designer, design department head, or other supervisory positions. Some designers leave the occupation to become teachers in design schools or in colleges and universities. Many faculty members continue to consult privately or operate small design studios to complement their classroom activities. Some experienced designers open their own firms.
Typical annual earnings in 2007 for fashion designers were $62,810.
If you are interested in this occupation or are wondering about related occupations, use the links below to continue your exploration. Always remember, the more effort you put into exploring possible careers, the easier it will be for you to discover the best career choices for you!
For career information and links to employment resources contact:
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Occupational Information Network, O*NET Online: http://online.onetcenter.org/
For general information about art and design and a list of accredited college-level programs, contact:
National Association of Schools of Art and Design: http://nasad.arts-accredit.org
For information about planning and paying for college, visit Junior Achievement’s Financial Aid Center .
|