How to Become a Fabric Designer: Career Path Guide

If you want to become a fabric designer, you first need to determine if this career path is a good fit for your skills, interests and personality traits. If the following description sounds like you, then you’re probably well suited for a career as a fabric designer:

You have an artistic flair, with particular interest in textiles
You have an interest in fabrics and/or interiors
You have, or are willing to gain, an understanding of the properties of different textiles
You are willing to continuously improve your design skills
You have, or are willing to a degree related to fabric/textile design
You have perseverance, and are willing to look hard for work in a highly competitive industry

Below we’ve outlined what you’ll need to begin a career as a fabric designer. We’ve also included helpful information for this career, such as job description, job duties, salary expectations, educational requirements, a list of possible employer types, and much more!

Education Needed to Become a Fabric Designer

In order to become a fabric/textile designer, you typically need either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in fabric or textile design, or in a closely related field such as human ecology, fashion design, fine arts, or surface design.

Degree programs in areas closely related to fabric or textile design will likely offer areas of specialization; be sure to pursue coursework in an area of specialization in which you have career-related interests.

Many degrees in the area of human ecology, textiles and fashion design offer work placement and internship opportunities, these are a great way to get a feel for working in the industry (although each employer will likely offer a different experience from one to the next), develop industry contacts, and help build your portfolio.

Getting a job in fabric design is possible without a relevant education, usually as a machinist or pattern cutter, but career advancement is slow without formal design training.

Fabric Designer Job Description

Fabric designers, also known as textile designers, create two-dimensional designs that can be used in the production of knit, woven and printed fabric or textile products. Fabric designers often specialize in of two major fields; interiors or clothing. The interiors specialization includes upholstery, soft furnishings and some types of floor and window coverings. Fabric designers who specialize in clothing concentrate mainly on fashion or specialized clothing, such as sportswear and fireproof clothing.

No matter their specialty, fabric/textile designers must incorporate colour trends, learn about the production and application of textiles and use state-of-the-art industry technology and traditional art tools in the design and development of different fabrics and textiles.

Fabric Designer Job Duties

Liaise with clients and other members of other departments, such as buying staff, to plan and develop new designs
Interpret the ideas of clients accurately
Produce sketches, samples and mockups for presentation to clients and customers
Assess and improve upon completed items
Experiment with colour, fabric and texture
Must stay current regarding knowledge of new design and production techniques and textile technology
Source fabrics and other materials at trade fairs, markets and shops
Attend trade shows as an exhibitor or a delegate, which may involve appraising the work of competitors

Work Experience Needed to Become a Fabric Designer

Fabric designers may work as freelance designers or as casual or permanent employees of fabric design companies. Whichever career path you chose in the short and long term, there are certain actions you can take to increase your chances of success.

A good way to begin a career as a fabric designer is to join an internship or apprenticeship program. These programs will give you hands-on experience in fabric design. This will also allow you to make valuable industry contacts.

Whether or not you gain an internship or apprenticeship program, you must continuously hone your skills, so draw and paint at every opportunity. Buy fabric, as you will need to practice your designs on real fabric. Try painting your ideas on cotton, velvet or linen. Use your designs to make clothing, accessories and other items.

Although there may not be a quantifiable amount of experience you need to get a job or a contract as a fabric designer, gaining experience will afford you the opportunity to develop a portfolio and make valuable industry contacts.

Collect photographs and samples of your work to assemble in a portfolio. Your portfolio will be your visible resume; you will use it to market yourself to prospective employers or buyers. Don’t be afraid to show people your work out of fear they will steal your ideas, because the only way to get noticed is to have people see your work.

Your portfolio may be a collection of projects you’ve completed while in school, projects you’ve completed during an internship or apprenticeship, freelance projects you’ve completed, or projects you’ve completed purely for practice. By the time you start applying for contract or permanent jobs, your portfolio will speak for itself.

What Skills Does a Fabric Designer Need?

In order to become effective in a career as a fabric designer, and perform your job duties with competence, you need to posses a certain set of skills. These skills are usually acquired through schoolwork, practice, career experience and natural ability.

An artistic flair
A good eye for colours and patterns
A good understanding of the properties of different materials
Able to draw well freehand
Able to use computer aided design software (CAD)
Strong attention to visual detail
Able to sew and weave
Fashion design skills
Budgeting skills and the ability to work out costs
Marketing, financial and administrative skills (needed for running a business)

What Characteristics Do Fabric Designers Need?

In order to enjoy performing the duties of a fabric designer, you need to have certain personality traits. Taking enjoyment from your duties as a fabric designer is important, as it helps you maintain a positive attitude towards your work, which usually leads to having a long and successful career.

A keen interest in coulour schemes, patterns and textiles
An interest in fashion and/or interiors
A high level of self-motivation, perseverance and initiative
Imagination and creative talent
An interest in continuously improving design skills
A capacity to endure periods of limited income
The ability to handle criticism and rejection
Willingness to keep informed about new materials, trims and manufacturers’ practices

Who Creates Jobs for Fabric Designers?

Fabric designers are employed on a part-time, full-time, contractual or freelance basis by the following types of organizations:

Manufacturing companies that produce clothing, soft furnishings and other textiles-based products
Medium and large-sized fashion and clothing retailers
Fabric/textile design companies that produce bulk-manufactured items
Fabric/textile design companies that produce small batch and specialized items
Fabric/fashion design consultancies
Small specialist design companies
Interior design and decoration services