Fashion Design Career Description
Entry-Level Jobs for Fashion Design Graduates
Applicants must be well organized, flexible, fast workers, and have the ability to work under pressure in often cramped working conditions. Fashionable grooming and neat appearance are essential. Most jobs require creativity and a good eye for trends in silhouette, color, and fabric. It is also important to have an understanding of the fashion industry (i.e., the "big picture") and the economic aspects of producing a line-that is, the enterprise must be profitable as well as creative to stay in business.
Assistant Designer
An individual in this role is responsible for executing designers' ideas by creating a first pattern from CAD computer files, slopers, or draping. Instructs and supervises the work of samplehands. Often required to keep records, order fabrics and trim, and do follow up and clerical work. Although job is primarily technical in nature, one may be asked to shop stores for trends, sketch, and possibly consult with designer about fabric choices and designs.
Requirements: Fashion Design degree, good knowledge of garment construction (sewing), computer skills, strong technical skills (making first patterns, draping, and sketching). Beginners must have a portfolio.
Cutting Assistant
This may be a beginning assistant position in companies where there are several assistant designers. Cuts, samples, alters patterns, generally assists in design rooms. Once ability is proven, may have opportunity to assist patternmaker or do draping.
Requirements: Fashion Design degree preferred, computer skills, good pattern making skills, draping skills helpful, knowledge of garment construction.
Sketching Assistant
In this position an individual sketches principally for designers' records - precise technical sketches of constructed garment swatched with fabric and trim. May sketch and prepare artwork for presentations. Writes specification sheets on how garments are constructed. Usually orders fabric, handles a variety of clerical and follow-up duties. May do market research.
Requirements: Fashion Design degree and computer skills necessary. Ability to do precise technical sketches rapidly, either by computer or by hand, sometimes both. Portfolio required.
Sketcher (Assistant to Designer)
This person sketches freehand or computer illustration-quality sketches for designers' ideas, may be asked to contribute own design ideas, may be deal with buyers, do promotional work. Hours are often long and irregular. Must be available to run errands and generally assist the designer.
Requirements: Fashion Design degree a must. Ability to do computer or freehand illustration-quality sketches at the fast pace. Outstanding portfolio required.
Sketcher/Stylist
An individual in this position works directly with principals of firm and product development staff. Shops stores for current trends, sketches ideas, works with patternmaker in developing these ideas, may not do technical work of draping and pattern making. Participates in fabric selection, coordination of the line; may be involved in working with buyers in merchandising the line.
Requirements: Fashion Design degree, excellent portfolio, good eye for trends in silhouette, color, and fabric.
Junior Designer
This person sketches original designs, executes own first pattern, frequently sews sample. Does market research in fabrics and trends. Must be able to provide company with new design ideas and make accurate predictions on what will be salable in coming season. Must be able to design garments within company's price range. Job is fast-paced and high-risk position because continuation of employment may be based on success of line.
Requirements: Fashion Design degree required. Strong creative ability as well as excellent computer and technical skills (draping, pattern making, sewing). Good eye for trends (silhouette, color, fabric). Portfolio must show evidence of strong creative ability in designing coordinated line of apparel.