About Fashion Design Qualifications
We know there are many news about fashion design qualifications. Every year, fashion designers generate billions of garments, shoes, & accessories for a discerning & fickle body of consumers. They stay up-to-date with fashion trends by conducting research & attending trade & fashion shows. Over a period of 18-24 months–the standard block of time between a design’s conceptual stages & its completion; not the mad dash depicted on Project Runway–a designer incorporates his/her findings in to hand sketches, sometimes translated in to computer-aided design (CAD), & then begins the method of either delegating technical tasks, such as sewing, to others (typical of large design firms) or finishing this work themselves (more common in little firms or with those beginning out).
Keep in mind, though, that this profession is not all bright lights & glitter. Beyond the glamour lies an intensely competitive work surroundings that demands not only great creativity, but also knowledge of current trends, proficiency in sewing & patternmaking, as well as a flair for self-promotion. Prepared to climb the rhinestone ladder?
Fashion Design Schooling & Other Qualifications
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that most employers seek designers with 2- or 4-year fashion design degrees. Basic coursework for a bachelor’s degree usually includes textiles, sewing, CAD training, & fashion history. Fashion design students may also require to supplement their core curriculum with classes in business, human anatomy, & psychology. Aspiring designers can also gain [Next page...] valuable experience from internships or retail jobs, & ought to always maintain an impressive portfolio.
While the public picture places fashion designers in some posh Manhattan penthouse, following their own aesthetic whims in order to the rich & socially elite, only some of the most successful designers score high fashion gigs. Lots of others generate mass market deigns, open their own stores, or sell their designs to other retailers. Some even work for the entertainment industry, researching period pieces & generating costumes for films & tv shows. Whether self-employed or part of a large design team, all fashion designers must be prepared for frequent travel & the occasional all-nighter.
Job Outlook & Wage Information
Predictably, lots of are interested in the glamour & artiness of fashion design, & this makes for a competitive job market. The BLS notes that the best job prospects will be present in firms that generate mass-market designs. Advancement is feasible for those who are gifted, tenacious, & willing to start from the bottom.
