Fashion Designer

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Overview

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Workplace

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Requirements

81% Match

Career Spectrum

Resources

Overview

Description
Larger apparel companies typically employ a team of fashiondesigners headed by a
creative designer. Some fashion designers specialize in one of clothing, footwear, or
accessory design, but others create designs in all three fashion categories.
For some fashion designers, the first step in creating a new design is researching current
fashion and making predictions of future trends using trend reports published by fashion
industry trade groups. Other fashion designers create collections from inspirations they
get from their regular surroundings, from the cultures they have experienced and places

they have visited, or from various art media that inspire them.
After they have an initial idea, fashion designers try out various fabrics and produce a
prototype, often with less expensive material than will be used in the final product. They
work with models to see how the design will look and adjust the designs as needed.
Although most designers first sketch their designs by hand, many now also sketch their
ideas digitally with computer-aided design (CAD) programs. CAD allows designers to see
their work on virtual models. They can try out different colours, design, and shapes while
making adjustments more easily than they can when working with real fabric on real
people.
Sample Job Titles: Clothing Designer, Costume Designer, Product Developer

Provincial Outlook

Estimated Salary

$26,084 - $55,923
Learn More

Education Level
Secondary School
On-the-job Training
College/Apprenticeship

Learn More

Compatibility

81%
Match

Related Occupations

Costumer

University

Learn More

Learn More

Learn More

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Workplace

Work Environment
Fashion designers work in wholesale or manufacturing establishments, apparel
companies, retailers, theatre or dance companies, and design firms.

More fashion designers work for wholesalers or manufacturers than for any other industry.
The lines of apparel and accessories of these wholesalers and manufacturers are sold to
retailers or other marketers for distribution to individual stores, catalogue companies, or
online retailers. In many cases, these designers are in-house designers. Although the
brands may be familiar to many consumers, the individual designers are largely unknown.
Self-employed designers typically design high-fashion garments and one-of-a-kind apparel
on an individualized or custom basis. Self-employed fashion designers who are able to set
up their own independent clothing lines often already have experience and a strong
understanding of the industry. In some cases, a self-employed fashion designer may have
a clothing line that bears their name. Most designers travel several times a year to trade
and fashion shows to learn about the latest fashion trends.
Designers also sometimes travel to other countries to meet suppliers of materials and
manufacturers who produce the final products.

Main Duties

Examine sample garments on and off models, modifying designs to achieve desired
effects.
Provide sample garments to agents and sales representatives, and arrange for
showings of sample garments at sales meetings or fashion shows.
Sketch rough and detailed drawings of apparel or accessories, and write specifications
such as color schemes, construction, material types, and accessory requirements.
Visit textile showrooms to keep up-to-date on the latest fabrics.
Attend fashion shows and review garment magazines and manuals to gather
information about fashion trends and consumer preferences.
Meet with sales and management executives or with clients to discuss design ideas.
Identify target markets for designs, looking at factors such as age, gender, and
socioeconomic status.
Direct and coordinate workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns and
constructing samples or finished garments.

Collaborate with other designers to coordinate special products and designs.

Select materials and production techniques to be used for products.

Important Skills

Artistic ability. Fashion designers sketch their initial design ideas, which are used later
to create prototypes. Consequently, designers must be able to express their vision for
the design through illustration.
Communication skills. Fashion designers often work in teams throughout the design
process and therefore must be effective in communicating with their team members.
For example, they may need to give instructions to sewers regarding how the garment
should be constructed.
Computer skills. Fashion designers use technology to design. They must be able to
use computer-aided design (CAD) programs and be familiar with graphics editing
software.
Creativity. Fashion designers work with a variety of fabrics, shapes, and colours. Their
ideas must be unique, functional, and stylish.
Decision-making skills. Because they often work in teams, fashion designers are
exposed to many ideas. They must be able to decide which ideas to incorporate into
their designs.
Detail oriented. Fashion designers must have a good eye for small differences in
colour and other details that can make a design successful.

Career Cluster

This cluster includes the elements of design, production,

exhibition, performance, writing, and publication of
multimedia content such as visual arts. This cluster also
includes the performing arts and design, journalism, and

Arts, Audio/Video

entertainment services.

Technology and
Communications

Outlook

Job Outlook

Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick

Not Available

Newfoundland and Labrador

Not Available

Nova Scotia

Not Available

Northwest Territories

Not Available

Nunavut

Not Available

Ontario

Prince Edward Island

Not Available

Quebec
Saskatchewan
Yukon

Not Available

Job Outlook based on NOC 5243 (Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers)

View Regional Data

Salary Ranges

Canada

$23,475 - $60,201

Alberta

$26,084 - $55,923

British Columbia

$26,084 - $80,233

Manitoba

$26,084 - $69,466

New Brunswick

Not Available

Newfoundland and Labrador

Not Available

Nova Scotia

$23,371 - $69,549

Northwest Territories

Not Available

Nunavut

Not Available

Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan

$24,122 - $72,366
Not Available
$23,266 - $50,206
Not Available

Yukon

Not Available

Salary Ranges are based on hourly rates for NOC 5243 (Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers) and an estimated 2086
hours per year

View Regional Data

Employment Growth

2012

105,882

2013

107,855

2014

109,477

2015

111,070

2016

112,459

2017

113,532

2018

114,602

2019

115,713

2020

116,544

2021

117,468

2022

118,449

Employment Growth based on Stats Canada Occupation Group 524

Requirements

Education Level

Secondary School

On-the-job Training

College/Apprenticeship

University

Requirements

A university degree in fine arts or visual arts with specialization in theatre design,
clothing design or exhibit design or completion of a college or art school program in
theatre design, clothing design or exhibit design is required.
Creative ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, is required.
Use of computer-aided design (CAD) software may be required.

Subject Areas

Creative Arts

English

Related Programs

Languages

Design d'intrieur
Universit de Montral

Fashion Design
Technician

Fashion: Fashion Design

St. Clair College

Craft and Design

New Brunswick College of

Career Spectrum

Interests

Your Interest Type is

This occupation is a

THE DESIGNER (AR)

GOOD MATCH

Match Results

Your Results

Occupation Results

Artistic

Realistic
75%

54%

100%

50%

Conventional

Social
54%

48%

6%

22%

Enterprising

Investigative
35%

33%

83%

11%

Knowledge

Your top subject area is

This occupation is a

ENGLISH

SLIGHT MATCH

Match Results

Your Results

English

Occupation Results

Physical Education
78%

72%

18%

10%

Business

Mathematics
67%

67%

33%

21%

Science

Social Science
67%

44%

7%

20%

Languages

Technical & Trades

44%

44%

19%

16%

Creative Arts

Computers
39%

39%

46%

28%

Motivations

Your top motivation factor is

This occupation is a

ACHIEVEMENT

SLIGHT MATCH

Match Results

Your Results

Achievement

Occupation Results

Relationships
75%

67%

78%

50%

Recognition

Support
56%

56%

61%

17%

Independence

Working Conditions
53%

44%

72%

72%

Compatibility
Examine sample garments on and off models, modifying designs to achieve
desired effects.

Definitely

Provide sample garments to agents and sales representatives, and arrange for
showings of sample garments at sales meetings or fashion shows.

Definitely

Sketch rough and detailed drawings of apparel or accessories, and write

specifications such as color schemes, construction, material types, and
accessory requirements.

Somewhat

Visit textile showrooms to keep up-to-date on the latest fabrics.

Somewhat

Attend fashion shows and review garment magazines and manuals to gather
information about fashion trends and consumer preferences.

Definitely

Meet with sales and management executives or with clients to discuss design
ideas.

Just a bit

Identify target markets for designs, looking at factors such as age, gender, and
socioeconomic status.

Just a bit

Direct and coordinate workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns and
constructing samples or finished garments.

Definitely

Collaborate with other designers to coordinate special products and designs.

Somewhat

Select materials and production techniques to be used for products.

Definitely

Resources

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Art Director

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