Textile designer
Textile designers create two-dimensional designs that can be used, often as a repeat design, in the production of knit, weave and printed fabrics or textile products.
Working in both industrial and non-industrial locations, they often specialise, or work in a specialist context, within the textile industry. The two major fields are:
Textile designers may also work in associated industry functions, for example, designing wrapping paper, packaging, greetings cards and ceramics.
Many textile designers are self-employed, while others work as part of a design team.
These include:
A degree in the following areas may increase your chances of entry:
Textile degree courses may have a specialist focus, e.g. constructed textiles, mixed media or printed textiles. You should check whether your choice of course is appropriate for the way you wish to work. For example, a mixed media course may be most relevant if you wish to work in decorative design, creating artefacts or in the craft industry. Most fashion degree courses offer a general background in all aspects of fashion design, but it is possible to specialise, for example, in contour design, knitwear, costume accessory design, clothing technology or production management. Some fashion degrees also offer students the opportunity to spend a year working in industry. Go to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) for a full list of university courses.
Whilst a relevant degree significantly increases opportunities, entry is possible with an HND in Fashion and Textile Design or Textile Technology. An HND in Surface Decoration can also be useful. Skillset: The Sector Skills Council for Creative Media - Fashion and Textiles provides a directory of textiles courses, colleges and universities, up to and including BA (Hons) level.
Entry without a degree or HND is possible, usually as a machinist or pattern cutter, but career development is slow without design training.
A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not essential, although postgraduate study provides the opportunity to develop and experiment with ideas and techniques and to extend personal expertise into related areas. Prospective postgraduate students will need a suitable portfolio and would normally have already attended a relevant degree course or have substantial prior work experience.
Assistant designer positions are usually gained on completion of a specialist degree or diploma course. Graduates who have not followed this route will need to gain experience (and develop a portfolio) by either joining a degree course or undertaking short, part-time courses to develop knowledge and expertise. Those from other disciplines may have more difficulty, although colleges are increasingly offering part-time foundation and degree study routes suitable for non-design graduates.
Funding for textile-related courses is available from the Worshipful Company of Weavers and the Textile Society .
Relevant paid or unpaid work experience, through holiday work or course placements, is an almost essential part of the process of getting into this industry. HotHive Textiles has a list of work experience opportunities in aspects of the textile industry.
Be proactive about looking for relevant work experience and try to gain practical knowledge of relevant technical processes.
As in other areas of art and design, employment opportunities, both permanent and freelance, are more likely to result from speculative applications and effective networking than from a routine vacancies search. It is important to build up relationships with more established designers, fashion houses and design companies in order to get commissions and placements. Course tutors may be valuable contacts as many, if not all, work in the industry in addition to their teaching work. Going in person to trade fairs and other events is another proactive and effective way to make contacts.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Training is often gained on the job - for example, if you are starting in a commercial design studio, you will probably need training in practical processes. Training provision will depend on the amount of practical and commercial experience you already have and the time that more experienced staff have available.
In addition to general textile design courses, such as the diploma at Level 3 in Design and Craft and the higher professional diploma at Level 4 in Creative Crafts, there are specialist courses in, for example, constructed textiles, tapestry and carpet design. Specialist courses are available at all levels and through a range of learning options. For details of relevant courses see Prospects Postgraduate Directory and other providers such as City & Guilds , the School of Stitched Textiles (SST) or the Textile Centre of Excellence .
If you are interested in computer-aided design (CAD), the Computer Textile Design Group (CTDG) is a useful forum that also provides advice and produces workbooks to help you develop various techniques.
Membership of relevant professional bodies provides access to further opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD) and is useful for establishing industry contacts. The Textile Institute and the Chartered Society of Designers (CSD) , for example, offer membership at various levels, depending on your qualifications and experience in the industry.
A common route of career development in the textile design industry is from junior designer to designer, then to senior designer. However, the exact path will depend on personal interests, preferences regarding working environment, experience gained and professional reputation.
Progression may take time, particularly at the start of a career. At higher levels, a designer’s work may involve more commercial and administrative activities, such as account and staff management.
For designers who choose to remain independent, the career path is less straightforward and very reliant on individual initiative and personal choices as to the type and volume of work undertaken.
As with initial attempts to break into the industry, career progression depends on your being proactive, making industry contacts and keeping up to date with new developments.
With experience, an established record and a supply of individual or corporate customers, some textile designers go on to set up their own design businesses. Whether they work in craft design, commercial textile design or as artists, this needs persistence, a hands-on approach and a good awareness of potential markets.
Alternative career options within the textile industry include embroidery designer, knitwear designer and tapestry designer.
Typical employers include:
Textile designers may also work for some of the above employers on a freelance basis, often through an agent. Working freelance may provide a route into working full time for a design studio or fashion/clothing retailer. With experience and good contacts, textile designers may go on to run their own business. For examples of how some individual designers work, see Design Nation .
Job vacancies can be difficult to find and many employers recruit from speculative applications. They also visit graduation shows in search of potential employees. Contact major exhibition centres and check trade publications for information on trade fair events, which are an excellent opportunity to network. Entering competitions is another good way to get noticed by employers.
Directories listing relevant companies can be found on the websites of professional and trade associations such as:
Your university careers service may also hold information. Having a clear idea of the fields of design that interest you will clarify which companies you need to contact.
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