Tell me about it
Textile designers are concerned with the design of a range of fabrics or textiles that would be used mainly for producing clothes, car upholstery, curtains, furnishing fabrics, carpets or wallpaper.

The work can involve undertaking research for ideas and inspiration, experimenting with colour and texture, considering how a particular textile might be used and what properties it needs, producing design ideas, sketches and samples and presenting them to customers, checking and approving samples of completed items, and liaising with customers.

Textile designers often produce designs using specialist computer-aided design (CAD) software. They must keep up to date with new fashions and trends and they must be able to work within a budget.

Entry level
There are no minimum qualifications to become a textile designer. It is possible to enter the industry as a machinist or cutter and gain promotion to the design department. In practice, however, most textile designers have an HNC/HND or a degree.

For the HNC/HND option, you would need a minimum of one A level/two H grades or the equivalent in art and design subjects. For a degree, you would need a minimum of two A levels/three H grades, plus five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), or the equivalent. In England and Wales, students usually complete a year's foundation course in art and design before starting a degree. In Scotland, degree courses last four years and include a general year, so a foundation course is not necessary. Candidates who have completed a foundation course may be able to start in the second year. A range of postgraduate qualifications relating to textile design is also available.

Course admissions tutors also expect to see a portfolio of design work.

Making the grade
Most training is carried out on the job. There may be opportunities to attend short courses to update your IT, technical and creative skills. The Chartered Society of Designers (CSD) offers a range of seminars as part of its continuing professional development (CPD) scheme. Delegates are awarded a certificate on completion of each seminar and CSD members are also awarded CPD points. Members who achieve 100 CPD points in one year are awarded a Professional Practice Certificate.

You can also work towards NVQ Level 3 in Design. City and Guilds offer the Certificate in Design and Craft at Level 3. This qualification is studied part time over two years and has a textile option.

Freelance designers may find it useful to train in business-related skills such as marketing and finance.

Junior designers may be promoted to designer and then to senior designer roles. Opportunities may be limited in smaller organisations, so you may need to change employer in order to gain promotion. Some textile designers may move to related careers in textile manufacturing or buying.

Personal qualities
As a textile designer, you should have an eye for colour, texture and pattern, understand the properties of different materials and dyes, be aware of textile production processes, and be aware of new trends in the market.

You would need good communication skills for dealing with customers, IT skills for using sophisticated design software and an understanding of how developments in manufacturing technology can enhance your design concepts. Poor colour vision could present serious problems.

Looking ahead
Textile design is a very competitive field. Relevant paid or unpaid work experience and networking to make contacts in the industry are essential for anyone trying to find work.

Even well established designers can go out of fashion and find that buyers lose interest in their work. However, the textile business is one of the largest in the world and there should always be a demand for creative and talented people. You could work for a large manufacturer or a smaller independent design house. You could set up your own business and might use an agent to market your collections to prospective buyers. British design training is valued abroad and you might choose to work overseas.

Alternative suggestions
Other possibilities might include fashion designer, graphic designer, interior designer or photographer.

Take-home pay
Newly qualified designers earn between £11,000 and £18,000 a year. Experienced designers can earn between £20,000 and £32,000. Design directors earn between £25,000 and £40,000 a year. Freelance designers are usually paid a fee for each commission they undertake and new entrants may have to work for a reduced rate until they have established a reputation. If you use an agent to help you find work, you must pay the agent a percentage of each fee as commission.

Effects
Textile designers usually work normal office hours from Monday to Friday, although additional hours might be required to meet deadlines. Part-time work may be available. Freelance and self-employed designers may work from home and set their own hours.

Sources of information
Chartered Society of Designers: www.csd.org.uk
Skillfast-UK: www.skillfast-uk.org
Textile Institute: www.texi.org
UK Fashion Exports: www.ukfashionexports.com

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