Life As a Fashion Designer
Career Description Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.
Life As a Fashion Designer: What Do They Do?
- Read scripts and consult directors and other production staff to develop design concepts and plan productions.
- Visit textile showrooms to keep up-to-date on the latest fabrics.
- Research the styles and periods of clothing needed for film or theatrical productions.
- Examine sample garments on and off models, modifying designs to achieve desired effects.
- Attend fashion shows and review garment magazines and manuals to gather information about fashion trends and consumer preferences.
- Select materials and production techniques to be used for products.
Featured schools near , edit
What Every Fashion Designer Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Fashion Designers say are important on the job.
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.
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.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Other Fashion Designer Job Titles
- Fur Tailor
- Design Director
- Costume Director
- Shoe Designer
- Uniform Designer
Fashion Designer Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 23,800 jobs for Fashion Designer in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2.5% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 600 new jobs for Fashion Designer by 2026. There will be an estimated 2,300 positions for Fashion Designer per year.
The states with the most job growth for Fashion Designer are Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Pennsylvania, Vermont, or South Carolina. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Fashion Designer Salary
The average yearly salary of a Fashion Designer ranges between $36,420 and $155,470.
Fashion Designers who work in New York, California, or Alabama, make the highest salaries.
How much do Fashion Designers make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $98,380 |
| Arkansas | $61,800 |
| California | $95,250 |
| Colorado | $63,110 |
| Connecticut | $72,280 |
| Florida | $57,770 |
| Georgia | $72,010 |
| Hawaii | $50,800 |
| Kansas | $65,490 |
| Maine | $80,540 |
| Maryland | $64,500 |
| Massachusetts | $77,990 |
| Michigan | $62,070 |
| Minnesota | $52,540 |
| New Jersey | $69,640 |
| New Mexico | $67,960 |
| New York | $95,830 |
| North Carolina | $71,330 |
| Oregon | $75,710 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,840 |
| South Carolina | $75,110 |
| Texas | $76,240 |
| Utah | $43,610 |
| Washington | $66,600 |
| Wisconsin | $45,940 |
What Tools & Technology do Fashion Designers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Fashion Designers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite
- Financial accounting software
- Corel Painter
- Autodesk SketchBook Pro
Becoming a Fashion Designer
Individuals working as a Fashion Designer have obtained the following education levels:
What work experience do I need to become a Fashion Designer?
Where do Fashion Designers Work?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those who work as a Fashion Designer sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Szilas in the Budapest Museum of Applied Arts via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.