Fashion Designers
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $38K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $54K
Median Salary: $75K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $101K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $146K
Demand
Core Tasks
Direct and coordinate workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns and constructing samples or finished garments.
Examine sample garments on and off models, modifying designs to achieve desired effects.
Sketch rough and detailed drawings of apparel or accessories, and write specifications such as color schemes, construction, material types, and accessory requirements.
Confer with sales and management executives or with clients to discuss design ideas.
Attend fashion shows and review garment magazines and manuals to gather information about fashion trends and consumer preferences.
Identify target markets for designs, looking at factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status.
Select materials and production techniques to be used for products.
Design custom clothing and accessories for individuals, retailers, or theatrical, television, or film productions.
Provide sample garments to agents and sales representatives, and arrange for showings of sample garments at sales meetings or fashion shows.
Adapt other designers' ideas for the mass market.
Determine prices for styles.
Draw patterns for articles designed, cut patterns, and cut material according to patterns, using measuring instruments and scissors.
Collaborate with other designers to coordinate special products and designs.
Purchase new or used clothing and accessory items as needed to complete designs.
Visit textile showrooms to keep up-to-date on the latest fabrics.
Develop a group of products or accessories, and market them through venues such as boutiques or mail-order catalogs.
Read scripts and consult directors and other production staff to develop design concepts and plan productions.
Test fabrics or oversee testing so that garment care labels can be created.
Sew together sections of material to form mockups or samples of garments or articles, using sewing equipment.
Research the styles and periods of clothing needed for film or theatrical productions.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Design
75%
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
English Language
64%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Production and Processing
61%
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Administration and Management
60%
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Sales and Marketing
57%
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Education and Training
56%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Customer and Personal Service
53%
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Mathematics
52%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Fine Arts
51%
Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Computers and Electronics
49%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Top 10 Skills
Active Listening
80%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
80%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning
78%
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Coordination
78%
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Judgment and Decision Making
78%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Social Perceptiveness
78%
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking
78%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Complex Problem Solving
75%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Management of Personnel Resources
75%
Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Reading Comprehension
75%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Top 10 Abilities
Oral Expression
83%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Oral Comprehension
80%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Originality
80%
The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Deductive Reasoning
78%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Fluency of Ideas
78%
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Inductive Reasoning
78%
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Written Comprehension
78%
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Problem Sensitivity
75%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Near Vision
73%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Speech Clarity
73%
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Top 10 Work Activities
Thinking Creatively
97%
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
91%
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
91%
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Getting Information
89%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
85%
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Scheduling Work and Activities
85%
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
84%
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
84%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
84%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Selling or Influencing Others
83%
Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Detailed Work Activities
Coordinate design activities.
Develop artistic or design concepts for decoration, exhibition, or commercial purposes.
Draw detailed or technical illustrations.
Write informational material.
Collaborate with others to develop or refine designs.
Conduct market research.
Monitor current trends.
Select materials or props.
Promote products, activities, or organizations.
Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
Build models, patterns, or templates.
Study scripts to determine project requirements.
Conduct research to inform art, designs, or other work.
Work Context
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Structured versus Unstructured Work
To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
Electronic Mail
How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
Letters and Memos
How often does the job require written letters and memos?
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Education
Majors
Major
Interests
Artistic
100%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Enterprising
86%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Realistic
58%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Social
34%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Investigative
24%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional
19%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Top 10 Work Styles
Attention to Detail
99%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Innovation
94%
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Dependability
93%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
92%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Adaptability/Flexibility
90%
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Achievement/Effort
88%
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Independence
88%
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Stress Tolerance
87%
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Leadership
86%
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Cooperation
85%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Work Values
Achievement
81%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Independence
77%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions
77%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition
67%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Relationships
58%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
29%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
