What You Need to Do to Become a Fashion Designer

Thinking about becoming a fashion designer? Let us examine an overview of the industry and the steps to becoming a fashion designer.

What does a Fashion Designer Do?

Have you ever taken a look at the latest fashions gracing the runway and wondered how the designers dream up all those creations? Before a model ever steps out on the catwalk in some stunning creation, a talented fashion designer has been hard at work, sketching, studying market trends, choosing fabrics and textiles, and maybe even sewing some stitches on her newest design.

Fashion designers do all the above and more. They are artists whose palette is color and cloth and whose canvas is the human body. They create new fashion trends with their designs for all types of garments and apparel for men, women, or children.

What Opportunities Exist for Fashion Designers?

While many fashion designers work in general areas of the fashion market, others choose to specialize in an area, style, or trend. For instance, if handbags are a passion, the individual may focus on that one area of design and manufacture. Here are just a few of the many career opportunities in fashion design: sketchers, cutters, design directors, pattern makers and graders, sewers, fit technicians, or trend researchers.

Getting a Fashion Design School Education

The fashion industry is fast-paced and competitive, and those wishing to enter must keep up. Most individuals will need to have at least a two year degree in fashion design or a related industry, and a four year degree is preferable. Even the most gifted designers benefit from education to hone their current skills and learn new techniques. Obtaining additional education keeps one current with trends and may lead to more lucrative assignments.

Some common degrees for fashion designers are:

Associate of Science in Fashion Design

Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design

Bachelor of Arts in Fashion and Retail Management

Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Merchandising

Bachelor of Arts in Fashion

While there are many good schools and programs for those entering the field of fashion design, there are also those whose reputation for developing outstanding graduates in the field are legendary.

Here are just a few of the most prestigious schools for fashion design.

Pratt Institute

Parsons New School for Design

Fashion Institute of Technology

Otis College of Art and Design

Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise

Rhode Island School of Design

Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Savannah College of Art and Design

What Type of Salary Does a Fashion Designer Earn?

According to information gathered by Salary Wizard, "The median expected salary for a typical fashion designer in the United States is $44,339." Let us contrast that information with the statistics from the Bureau of Labor which reports median salaries in 2004 at $61,160. No matter which figure is more accurate, learning how to become a fashion designer puts one on the path to a financially rewarding career.

How to Become a Fashion Designer

Research all the options and various career paths and decide what facet of fashion design best suits your interests and individuality.

Obtain the necessary education and industry certifications.

If you think you might like to become a fashion designer but you are not sure, apply for an internship or apprentice program to let you try the career on for size.

Develop an outstanding portfolio showcasing your talent.

For aspiring teens who are considering this career, attending a summer fashion camp is an excellent way to have hands-on experience and find out if fashion design is really your passion.

Getting a job in fashion design may be difficult, but is worth the time and effort. This field is highly competitive, so individuals may have to start in entry level positions or take a job that is not exactly what they wanted, but gives them a start in the industry. In the fashion field, contacts are everything, so be sure to attend events and seminars, and build a strong network of industry connections. Set yourself apart from the competition by your professionalism, enthusiasm, and willingness to help. Follow these steps on how to become a fashion designer to achieve your dream.

Sources:

United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, "Fashion Designers," accessed 05/30/2010

Salary.com, Salary Wizard Basis Report, accessed 05/30/2010