Fashion Designers are responsible for designing clothing and accessories, using research to predict fashion trends, and oversee the entire process from selecting fabrics to pattern making.
Fashion Designers base their designs on predictions of future trends. Many rely on reports from organizations that conduct research into fashion trends and provide predictions on future trends, fabric choices, and patterns. Other designers prefer to conduct their own research and make their own predictions.
Fashion Designers personally select the fabric to be used in their designs. They create a prototype design and have it worn by a model, they then make necessary adjustments until they are satisfied with the design. Depending on the size of the firm a Fashion Designer may turn their design into a pattern to be mass produced or delegate that to a pattern maker.
Fashion Designers increasingly use computers in their work. While initial work is still most often done in hand-drawn sketches, computer assisted design programs assist designers in determining the lengths and sizes of materials and reduces the time spent adjusting a prototype.
A position as a Fashion Designer typically requires an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in fashion design. Take a look at the degrees being offered in many locations.