What Does a Fashion Designer Do

Because most fashion designers work for a company rather than themselves, it is important to understand that you are most likely to be a designer for the concepts and ideas of an established  Freelance fashion designer Job   brand or company. You will have some flexibility in your creativity; however, it will have to remain on brand, in line with corporate policies, within budgetary restraints, meet the wishes of the target demographics, and often find ways to reduce design and production costs.

You will spend your days drawing, designing, and developing new sample designs for approval. You will also be required to attend meetings and collaborate with other designers and design professionals on projects. Some days you might work with vendors and manufacturing to solve problems and you will have to complete extensive market research to determine the wants and needs of the target demographics of your business.

Most designers will work for a large apparel company. You might also work in fashion research to predict fashion trends and publish industry statistics. It is also possible to work for pet companies and toy companies. Some designers will work for an established fashion house or start their own fashion houses. Keep in mind that if you are a designer for any brand that is already established, you design under the name of the brand rather than your own name. You work as an anonymous designer on behalf of the brand and organization. It is also possible to work as a freelancer or to become an instructor or professor at a college or university if you complete additional degrees.

Skills to Acquire
A fashion designer must have a wealth of well-rounded skills both hard and soft, or rather, technical and non-technical. Technical skills will be required in terms of being able to produce designs from sketches and to be able to work with technology and computer software and hardware. Your soft and non-technical skills are just as important. These might include the following to secure the best jobs:

Creative and Artistic Superior Communication Detail-Oriented Prioritize Decision-Making Organized Great Time Management Meet Deadlines Stay on Budget
While you might have creative and artistic abilities, you must remember that you will still be working for/with a business, even if you have your own business. It will be essential to be able to work with others. You need more than your ideas for designs to be a success. It is important to understand business and the roles each person plays to make a design become an end product to sell.

Alternative Paths
Some people simply have a natural ability and inclination for this type of career. To others, it is something they have to work hard at to be successful. Have you been sewing since you were a child with your beloved family members or friends? If you are well versed in sewing and tailoring before the age of 18, you might be better served to skip a degree program and begin working straight away. You may require a degree for career advancement; however, you can always take online courses and night and weekend classes to complete your degree while you gain essential work experience and extra money to pay for your education.

Fashion Designer Career & Salary
Where Might You Work?
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Many fashion designers specialize in work for apparel, piece goods, and notions merchant wholesalers. This is followed by self-employment and apparel manufacturing. Designers who work for a wholesaler or manufacturer will design products that will be sold to marketers and retailers for end-user distribution. Other types of employers include the video and motion picture industries and many designers will become management for small companies and large enterprises alike.

If you work for yourself, you might create customized clothing for private clients, or you might sell your designs to manufacturers or brands. Keep in mind that you might be expected to travel to keep up on the latest fashion trends and that most employers are located in New York and California. You will not likely work a traditional eight-hour day job. You will be required to work as many hours as it takes to meet deadlines and client schedules. This has become the industry standard and it is simply understood and expected by many employees and employers alike. If you wish to keep more traditional hours, be sure to find an employer who is dedicated to the work-life balance of their employees.