A degree in fashion design opens doors to many different job opportunities. Think of a career where you discover fashion trends for large retailers. A job where you write articles about costume designers for a fashion journalism magazine. But to work in the fashion industry, you need the right training and education.
Many fashion designers get their start by earning a degree. What degree do you need to be a fashion designer? Are certain degrees better than others? This article explores the education fashion designer employers look for in candidates. It also covers important information for fashion designers, such as:
- Degrees
- Job outlook
- Wages
Read on for information on which fashion designer degree will get you a job.
What is a Fashion Designer?
The fashion history timeline is long. Fashion started when humans began wearing clothes. Today’s fashion designers create clothing and jewelry. They design costumes for movie sets and outfits for action figures or dolls. They work with runway models, and plan the biggest fashion events in the world.
Some fashion designers work in fashion marketing where they create marketing plans to sell jewelry or clothing. Others focus on pattern making, coming up with their own unique designs. The point is that there are many different jobs for fashion designers.
Fashion Design Career Paths
With formal education, such as a bachelor’s degree in fashion design, you can qualify for jobs in fashion and costume design. Your job title can include:
Fashion Buyer
These fashion professionals are in charge of buying products and services used by their company or organization. The company uses the goods in production or resells them. These experts know their company’s fashion brand and are up on current industry trends. To work in this role, you must have good technical skills and a bachelor’s degree.
Fashion Designer
Fashion designers have an important job in the industry. They design different types of clothing and accessories. They work on everything from costumes to handbags. But to be good at your job, you must understand fashion history and foresee upcoming trends.
Graphic Designer
One interesting major for fashion design is graphic design. But what does graphic design have to do with fashion? A graphic artist or designer can use computer software to create designs for the fashion world. They also create designs for magazines and websites. Most graphic designers have a two-year or bachelor’s degree.
Industrial Designer
An industrial designer creates concepts and designs for manufactured products. These products can include everything from cars to toys. They work with the aesthetics, art, and business of these designs. Most industrial designers have a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline.
Other Careers for Fashion Design Students
- Costume design intern
- Fashion illustration consultant
- Fashion merchandising manager
- Fashion research specialist
- Fashion styling agent
- Garment construction engineer
- Modeling agent
- Technical design creative
How to Become a Fashion Designer
Becoming a fashion designer requires talent and effort. Aspiring fashion designers have a lot of talent, but they also have a degree. A bachelor’s degree, for example, can help you learn:
- Fashion designs and trends
- Fashion industry jargon
- How to improve your presentation skills
- Ways to develop your communication skills
Whether you plan to launch your own fashion business someday or improve your sewing techniques, a bachelor’s degree can help. Here are some steps to help you become a fashion designer.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in fashion design.
- Intern in the fashion industry.
- Learn how to use design technology.
- Showcase your skills and abilities.
Best Degrees for Fashion Design Jobs
The best degree to get for a career in fashion is a bachelor’s degree. It can help you develop skills needed to work in the industry. But what fashion designing major is the best choice? Is there only one bachelor’s degree for designer jobs or can you major in a subject other than fashion? Read on for the best degrees for future fashion professionals.
Art History
Not every fashion design school offers an art history major. Some fashion designer programs offer courses designed to help you improve your fashion knowledge. When students examine the history of fashion, they use this knowledge to inform future trends. An art history degree is a popular choice for those who aren’t majoring in fashion design but want to become fashion designers.
Business Management
Whether you work as an assistant designer or in computer aided design, having business knowledge can help your fashion design career. That’s why a business bachelor’s degree is one of the most popular programs for aspiring fashion designers. These programs offer fashion design courses in marketing and product development. They teach you about the different aspects of business management in the field. You learn the business side of working as a fashion designer.
Fashion Design
A fashion design program is the obvious choice for students wanting to become fashion designers. When trying to determine what subjects are needed to become a fashion designer, this one comes to mind. You can earn a bachelor’s degree in fashion design from an accredited college or university. It is a versatile degree that can prepare you for a career in any area of fashion design.
Graphic Design
Both computer-aided design and graphic design are popular majors for fashion design students. Since fashion designers create collections and products, knowing modern technologies used to design helps. You can earn a degree in graphic design with an emphasis on fashion design. You can also earn a visual arts bachelor’s degree with a concentration in graphic or fashion design.
Marketing
Fashion designers specialize in fashion. But they also learn about business and marketing used in fashion design. You can earn a BFA in Fashion Marketing. You can also earn a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a fashion design minor or concentration. This degree prepares students with insights on business trends, branding, and marketing in fashion. It helps you understand the business side of fashion designer work.
Concentrations For A Fashion Designer Major
Did you know a concentration can help you specialize your degree? This means you can get a degree in business but take classes in fashion design. You’ll graduate with knowledge in both disciplines, which can make you a competitive candidate for a job with a fashion company.
So, what is a concentration? A concentration is a subject you study alongside your major. It compliments your degree. Here are some concentrations you can explore while enrolled in fashion programs.
Costume Design
Learn the different elements of costume design. Explore construction, craft, and history as it relates to costumes. If your plan is to work in film or theater, this concentration can help you specialize your degree in fashion. A costume designer can work on:
- Concerts
- Fashion shows
- Fashion styling events
- Music videos
- Theater productions
- Tours
Fashion designers with an interest in costume work should take theater courses in college. These classes can give aspiring fashion designers access to working with costumes and fashion collections. You can also get experience working with fashion designers through internships and mentorships at local theater productions.
Fashion Journalism
You find this concentration in undergraduate fashion media programs. Coursework covers different aspects of fashion with a focus on journalism. Topics include new journalism and media. You also cover journalistic ethics and how to write magazine articles and features. To work as a fashion editor, experience in this discipline helps.
Fashion Merchandising
Fashion merchandising explores the relationship between:
- Brand
- Consumer behavior
- Product development
Students earning this concentration combine their fashion and design major with different aspects of business. They also learn retailing and merchandising. Your studies help you to improve your presentation skills as you prepare projects and give presentations.
Fashion Promotion
Fashion designers with fashion promotion knowledge are a valuable asset to any team. This type of promotion explores the relationship between branding and creative marketing. You take courses in fashion social media and e-commerce. You also learn about event planning and fashion show production. Students learn how to improve their presentation skills through projects and team-building activities. Fashion designers employed by dance companies and theaters have a fashion promotion background.
Product Development
Product development teaches students about the development process of fashion design. You learn about the different stages of fashion, from conception to sales. Your studies cover topics like:
- Marketing a fashion line
- Sales processes in the fashion industry
- Technologies in fashion
Career Outlook for Fashion Design
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a 3% employment growth for fashion design jobs from 2021 to 2031. This is a slower than average rate due to different factors we will explore. But despite its limited employment growth, we should see about 2,300 new jobs for fashion designers each year over the next decade.
Why do we expect to see growth in the fashion industry? Most fashion designer job openings should result from the need to replace workers who retire or exit the work force.
New Fashion Trends and Designs
We should see increased demand for new fashion designs thanks to the influx of social media influencers. New and aspiring fashion designers have taken to Instagram and TikTok to show off their latest fashion trends. Other fashion designers hired by retailers use social media to sell to consumers online. They put their technical skills in fashion merchandising to the test.
Consumers also drive growth. Their preferences increase demand for fashion designer jobs. Over the next several years, the fashion industry expects to see an increased desire for sustainable fashions. We see sneakers made from wool and recycled plastics, and handbags made from recycled water bottles. As consumers grow more environmentally conscious, so will fashion designers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions for aspiring fashion designers.
Do you need a master’s degree in fashion?
No. You don’t need a master’s degree to work in fashion design. But your education, experience, and skills can lead to better job opportunities. With a master’s degree in fashion design, you can work in:
- Accessory design
- Fashion design schools
- Fashion merchandising
- Fashion product development
- Fashion styling
You don’t need a degree for a designer job, but it does help.
How do I find fashion colleges near me?
There are a number of online resources that help you find fashion design colleges. Aspiring designers of fashion should turn to accredited programs for their bachelor’s degree. You can refer to the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) website for a list of accredited fashion institute and college programs.
How much money can I make with a degree in fashion?
The average salary for a fashion design professional is $77,450/year. But the highest 10% of earners in this industry can expect about $130,000/year. Motion picture and video industries pay the highest wages. You can expect to earn about $116,000/year working in motion picture and video.
Is fashion design school worth it?
Since the industry is competitive, getting a degree can pay off. A bachelor’s degree in fashion design can give you an edge over your competition. This can help when applying for an entry-level or management position. Showcase your skills and talent, and you’re one step closer to landing a job in fashion design.
What types of fashion design can I work on in college?
During your college years, your design courses prepare you for general design. But there are specialty courses you can take. These courses allow you to explore your interests and tailor your bachelor’s degree. Unique courses for fashion designers include:
- Costume designers in history
- Fashion history and pattern making
- Fashion illustration and design
- Fashion merchandising for the fashion designer
- Knitwear design and sewing techniques
Where do most fashion designers work?
Most fashion designers work for a fashion company or organization. They work for intimate apparel companies or large retailers. Some fashion designers work for wholesale or manufacturing establishments. Others find work in fashion design at design firms. With a bachelor’s degree in fashion design, you are eligible for work in any type of fashion space.
BDP Staff
February 2023
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