Fashion designer
Career outlook for fashion designer
UK Salary Ranges
Entry-level
£20,000
£20,000
Experienced
£40,000
£40,000
Currently employed in Scotland
4,100
Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would design clothes and fashion ranges. You could design the popular clothes sold in high street shops. Or you could make the glamorous and expensive creations worn by actors, pop stars and celebrities.
You might specialise in particular types of clothing - for example in men’s, children’s or sportswear.
You’d design the items using your drawing skills and computer-aided design software. To make prototypes of your designs you will need to develop technical skills such as pattern cutting and sewing.
You would:
- Work to design instructions – known as a brief
- Analyse or predict trends in fabrics, colours and shapes
- Produce concept and mood boards with photos, fabric pieces and colour samples
- Develop basic shapes – known as 'blocks' – through patterns
- Estimate costs of materials and manufacturing
- Find suppliers for materials
- Supervise the creation of sample clothing items
- Give in-house presentations, for example to finance departments and merchandisers
You would often work closely with garment technologists and sample machinists.
You’d need to be interested in fashion and be able to spot trends. You’d need to have a good eye for colour and shape and appreciate the characteristics of fabrics and textiles.
It would be important to understand production processes and be commercially aware so you know how clothes will produced and whether they will sell.
You might liaise with manufacturers, often based overseas, to make sure that designs are reproduced accurately.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
Travel
UK employment status
Full-time
52%
Part-time
13%
Self employed
35%
Create a qualification route
We've found some examples of the qualifications that could help you get this job.
Discover my routeSearch course options
Thinking about your future? There are lots of courses available that could interest you. Use our course search to explore course options.
Find coursesSearch job opportunities
If you're looking for your new career our job search can help you. Discover interesting opportunities and decide your next steps.
Find a jobTop skills
Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.
- Building relationships
- Cooperating
- Creative
- Designing
- Innovative
- Problem solving
- Attention to detail
- Managing resources
- Time management
Skills Explorer
Your skills can help you choose the career that's right for you. You can build your skills through work, study or activities you do in your spare time.
Our Skills Explorer tool will help you understand what skills you have and match them to jobs that might suit you.
Use the Skills Explorer toolGetting in
Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Qualifications
Employers often require a Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7), Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) or degree (SCQF level 9/10) preferably in a design-centred subject.
You can enter Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) courses with National 5 qualifications and one Higher or a relevant NC/NQ/BTEC.
To enter a Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) you will need National 5 qualifications and one to two Highers or a relevant NC/NQ/BTEC or HNC.
To enter a degree (SCQF level 9/10) you will require a minimum of four Highers or a relevant HND qualification.
Useful subjects
Courses often require:
- English
- Art and design
- Maths
- Fashion and textile technologies
- Graphic communications
You will also need
A portfolio of your work when applying to courses or jobs.
Helpful to have
Qualifications that show creative skills and industry knowledge such as Skills for Work Creative Industries (SCFQ level 5) or relevant work-based qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualifications in Fashion and Textiles (SCQF level 2/3).