Career and School Info for Fashion Designers

Localize Your School Search

Search by State

AB AL AR AZ BC CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MB MD ME MI MN MO NC NE NJ NM NV NY OH OK ON OR PA PR QC SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY

Schools in All States

Degrees and Schools

Four-year bachelor's degrees in fine arts are offered at many colleges, universities, and two-year associate's degrees in fashion design are available through many vocational schools. Private art and design schools frequently offer both degrees as well. If a fashion designer aspires to have her/his own store or business, he/she may choose to also study business, fashion merchandising and marketing. Most programs require that applicants provide creative samples or complete basic art courses.

Many schools are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, demonstrating that they have met a set of rigorous criteria.

Classes

Most fashion design educational programs require a combination of coursework and practical experience through internships. Students usually study:

• Fashion history
• Introduction to color theory
• Pattern-making
• Textiles and ornamentation
• Tailoring and sewing
• Sketching
• Computer-aided design (CAD)
• Design of specific types of clothing

Students might also submit their designs to amateur or student contests.

Online Classes and Programs

Getting a degree in fashion design through an online program can present a convenient solution to a demanding schedule. However, these schools may not offer internship opportunities or job placement programs, and the virtual nature makes it difficult to develop relationships with contacts in the industry that can lead to employment locally. Additionally, very few if any online programs are currently accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Since employers may hold such accreditation in high regard, and other educational programs may only accept course credits from accredited schools, it is important to research any online program offering carefully.

Employment Requirements

An associate's degree in fashion design or a bachelor's degree in fine arts is usually preferred by employers. Demonstrated knowledge of fashion trends, fabrics and ornamentation, such as a portfolio, is essential for consideration.

How to Evaluate Fashion Designer Schools

When comparing two- and four-year programs, aspiring fashion designers should consider asking the following questions:

• Accreditation - Has NASAD accredited the school? Is an online program also accredited by direct-learning organizations?
• Course offerings - Does the program offer a comprehensive list of courses, including business and marketing?
• Career goals - Do the program offerings support specific career goals? For example, a designer may be unsatisfied with a school that primarily emphasizes fashion merchandising.
• Tuition and financial assistance - Are scholarships, loans and work study programs available? How much guidance is provided to students in taking advantage of these resources?
• Contests and shows - Does the program organize student contests and shows in the community as opportunities for learning and exposure?
• School and class size - Because of the mentoring style of teaching involved in design, class size is important. What is the student-faculty ratio in key courses?
• Faculty - Are teachers currently working in the fashion industry?
• Career assistance - How successful is the career assistance program in placing graduates?
• Location - Is the school located in a city that is preferred for a future career? This can help with establishing relationships with industry professionals during school.

Fashion Designer Job Description

Clothing, shoes and accessories are created by designers who work in fashion. There are many different kinds of apparel, including: business wear, casual wear, sportswear, formal wear, maternity, intimate apparel and outerwear. Shoes, winter boots, hiking boot, sandals and slippers are all included in footwear while hats, scarves, purses, belts, hosiery and eyewear are all considered accessories. Fashion designers conceptualize and produce designs for these products, incorporating different fabrics and materials to create apparel that will appeal to people of different age groups, body types, geographic regions and interests.

A fashion designer's responsibilities can include:

• Analyzing and researching fashion trends.
• Obtaining and reviewing samples of new textile products through attending trade shows or visiting manufacturers.
• Selecting textiles including fabrics, fasteners and other materials.
• Conceptualizing and sketching or drafting apparel designs with computer-aided design (CAD) software.
• Creating patterns for technical designers to work from.
• Development of prototypes for fittings and adjustments.
• Oversight of sample production for presentation at fashion shows and marketing to retail buyers.

Although some fashion designers specialize in just clothing, footwear or accessories, many work in all three areas.

Costume design for movies, TV production and the performing arts is also done by fashion designers. In some cases they must research fashions of a particular era, or work with directors to choose suitable attire. Other fashion designers create clothing for pets.

Fashion designers who work for smaller businesses may do sewing and pattern-making in addition to design, while employees of large companies frequently occupy a role as part of a team, and are involved chiefly in design. Most fashion designers work for apparel manufacturers that sell mass market products. A few work in high fashion, either creating custom designs as self-employed designers, or selling their designs through their own shops.