How to Prepare for a Career in Being a Fashion Designer

Some fashion designers have their own boutiques.

Fashion designers will create their own line of clothing. They may also work for clothing companies and department stores. This is a career that requires a lot of education, skill and training. Most employers seek individuals with a two-year or four-year degree in textiles or a bachelor's degree in fashion design. They should also have a keen eye for detail, an appreciation of beauty and an awareness of fashion. Fashion designers can earn between $42,150 and $87,210, according to the United States Department of Labor website.

Instructions

1. Practice sketching. This is an important skill you need as a fashion designer. Take an art class or illustration class geared to the human form. You will learn how to draw the human form, how to draw fabric or clothing and how to have an eye for detail.

2. Apply to a fashion design school. With a two-year or four-year degree, you can increase your chances of success. Ask your school guidance counselor about what some of the best fashion design schools are. Some schools may require you to send a portfolio of your sketches with your application.

3. Take marketing and business courses as part of your fashion degree. This will help you become knowledgeable about the business side of the fashion industry as well.

4. Learn how to use fashion design--related software. Some employers will require you to know how to use the software as well. Fashion design--related software creates your designs (or fabric patterns) on the computer. Some of the most popular software includes the CAD (Computer Assisted Design), Kaledo and Adobe Illustrator.

5. Create a portfolio of your designs. You will need a new portfolio to show to potential employers. Use the designs that you drew in school or created on your software.

6. Gain an internship. Some schools will set you up with an internship opportunity before you graduate, while others allow you to go at it on your own. This will help gain real world experience and maybe your first job.

7. Choose a business strategy. Decide whether you're going to design your own fashion line, or if you want to work for someone else. Knowing your strategy will help you choose the direction you want to go.

Tips & Warnings

• Learn how to use a sewing machine. It's important to have good sewing skills as well.

• To find the most opportunities in fashion design, live in cities such as Los Angeles or New York.

• Remember that the fashion industry is very competitive. You may not find a job right away as a fashion designer.

• The dropout rate is high because of the low starting pay and little opportunity for advancement.

References

• Fashion Net: How to Become a Fashion Designer
• United States Department of Labor: Fashion Designers
• Fab Job: Become a Fashion Designer
• Fashion Institute of Technology: Computer Essentials for Fashion Design