Fashion designers initiate and oversee the entire creative process that goes into creating articles of clothing-from conception to finished garment.
Basically, this process begins when designers come up with a concept that they turn into a sketch. Next, they determine specifics such as the garment’s dimensions, what color it should be, what fabric should be used and create a pattern based on their conclusions.
The job title of fashion designer encompasses everyone from world renowned couturiers who make fashion haute couture gowns to artists who create ready-to-wear garments.
Top qualities of fashion designers
1. Good Business Sense
A successful fashion designer needs excellent business skills in order to stay within their budget and market their clothing.
2. Good Communication Skills
Designers need to be make both their instructions and expectations clear to everyone involved in making their vision a reality.
3. Competitive Spirit
Since the fashion world is extremely competitive designers must be willing to push themselves and continually strive to stay one-step-ahead of their competition.
4. Creativity
Designers need to constantly come up with original and creative ways to make the clothing they make stand out.
5. Artistic Ability
In order to effectively convey their ideas designers must be accomplished sketch artists.
6. Sense of Style
Having an eye for which fabrics and colors will compliment a garment is a talent all designers need.
7. Strong Sewing Skills
Designers need to be able to properly construct the garments they create.
8. Team Player
A successful fashion designer is one who knows how to collaborate with every member of their design and marketing team.
9. Knowledgeable of Current Fashion Trends
The ability to anticipate what the latest trends in fashion will be will help keep any designer at the top of their game.
10. Strong Visualization Skills
Great designers know how to visualize an article of clothing and be able to express that vision to others.
11. Computer Skills
Fashion designers need to know how to use computer-aided design (CAD) programs and be familiar with any graphics editing software that could help them improve their designs.
12. Decision-Making Skills
Knowing how to make the right changes and choices regarding your designs will be critical to your success.
13. Be Detail-Oriented
Fashion designers must have a good eye for small differences in color and other details that can make a design successful.
Where can I get a degree in fashion design?
As of Autumn 2020 Hocking College will begin offering a Fashion Design and Retail Merchandising degree. This program will provide students with a 2-year pathway to the vast fashion & retail industry in nearby Central Ohio.
The Fashion Design and Retail Merchandising program is strategically designed to deliver technical apparel development training, valuable product development & consumer research experience, entrepreneurial retail expertise, and industry-specific technology training necessary to succeed in the fashion industry now and in the future.
This degree program will prepare students to gain employment in creative or technical fields in the fashion industry at the corporate level, emerging small business level, or in entrepreneurship as a fashion based start-up.
For more information contact Program Manager, Coral Wedel at wedelc@hocking.edu or (740) 753-6425.
