Textiles

Textile designers create fabric designs and patterns for woven, knitted and printed materials.

These fabrics can be used to make clothing, interior furnishings and other textile products.

A textile designer's main work involves: producing initial sketches by hand or on computer, using specialist computer aided design (CAD) software; manipulating digital designs until they meet customers' requirements; making up samples or having them constructed by technicians; researching design trends and forecasts to decide what is likely to sell; liaising with clients, technical staff, marketing and buying staff; keeping up to date with developments in manufacturing technology.

They often work closely with colleagues as part of a design team, and are involved with each stage of the design process . Freelance designers are involved in all parts of the textile production process. This could include printing fabrics by hand or producing decorative woven or embroidered textiles for wall-hangings. They also market their own work, either directly from a studio and at craft fairs, or indirectly through galleries or shops.

Starting salaries for designers can be around £15,000. Experienced textile designers can earn £25,000 upwards. Senior designers or design directors may earn £40,000 or more.

Income varies depending on the type of employer. Freelance designers may charge per design or per collection and rates vary widely. 

To be a textile designer you will usually need a BTEC HND or degree in textiles, art and design, fashion or a related subject. To get on to a degree, you will normally need a recognised art and design foundation qualification or equivalent.

If you already have proven work experience you may be able to start a degree course without the usual qualifications.

You could take a more practical route by doing courses such as City & Guilds levels 1 to 3 in Creative Techniques in Textiles. This may help you to develop the skills needed to become self-employed as a craftsperson, or to build up a portfolio of work to be considered for a degree or other higher education course.

You will need to present a design portfolio when you are looking for work. You can also use your portfolio to make speculative applications to companies whose products match your style.