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How to Find a Job with a Fashion Design Degree
Once you have received your fashion design degree you may ask which related fashion jobs are available to you. The answer is relatively simple; you need to market yourself to the nth degree. You may have the talent and an amazing fashion design degree, but no one else knows about it yet. While you are still at school, it is prudent for you to decide what aspect of fashion design you intend to focus on. The next step is to do whatever it takes to get there. Fashion design is a skills-based industry, this is no secret. Therefore creativity is the key to your success. Any potential employer will see your relevant skills only as the launching point of an amazing career. Slam that foot into the door and show them what you can do!
The first step in marketing yourself towards a fashion illustration job or similar involves the creation of a detailed, professional looking fashion design portfolio. If you have recently graduated, do not worry about losing out on a potential position, as employers are more than happy to take your best student work as an example of your skills. Spend as much time as possible on making your fashion design portfolio as presentable as possible, as this will be your chance to make an unforgettable first impression.
Having versatile skills is also an important point. No matter how amazingly talented you are, you will not be able to start out in your chosen fashion job as a head designer or the creative director. No matter what position a possible employer has available, you need to be seen as an asset to the company. Ensure that you have the creative skills, an ability to troubleshoot and developed critical thinking skills. Always impress your employers, no matter which role you eventually fill. This is the pathway to successful skills.
Be prepared and willing to do anything, this is the best advice we can offer any budding fashion designers. Be it answering the phone at Prada or cleaning the floors at Louis Vuitton. Any opportunity you can grab should be taken. Keep your eyes on the prize as they say.
For that extra boost of confidence, scan over the first jobs of some of the most famous designers in the industry:
·
Ralph Lauren was a door-to-door tie salesman.
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Coco Chanel worked as a retail saleswoman in a hosiery store.
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Salvatore Ferragamo worked in a boot manufacturing plant.
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Marc Jacobs was a stock boy for a
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Laura Ashley was a secretary.
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Manolo Blahnik was a jean buyer for a department store.
These are most certainly humble beginnings, yet the talent of these incredible brand names mentioned here did not just suddenly come from nowhere. These are designers who believed in their talent and were of course, willing to do whatever it took to break into the fashion industry. Always remember this.
Regardless of your desired position, chase your chosen fashion job with intense passion and dedication. Begin each working day with optimism and enthusiasm, and know that if you work long and hard enough, your will attain your desired fashion job.
Fashion Illustrator job (also known as Fashion Artist)
Job Description:
The Fashion illustrator conceptualises and designs apparel plus accessories by hand, or by employing specific computer software programs, such as AutoCAD. The illustrations are then deployed in advertising layouts for newspaper and magazine advertisements, direct mail catalogues, store ads, television commercials, films, brochures, flyers and department stores. The best part about having a Fashion Illustrator job is that you may work from a multitude of venues, such as: an advertising agency, a manufacturer, department store, as a freelance illustrator, or out of your own studio.
Outlook:
Many of the jobs once done solely by fashion illustrators are now also being performed by fashion photographers. However, fashion illustration and fashion artist jobs remain. Opportunities are available for well-trained and skilled illustrators with employers like pattern companies and fashion forecast firms for whom photographs will not suffice.
Qualifications
:
Education
- A college degree is not required, but two to four year degrees in Art, Drawing, Fashion Design or Fashion Illustration will be very helpful. Coursework in business is helpful for freelancers.
Experience
: Demonstrated ability, skill and style, in the form of a fashion design portfolio are required. In addition to print illustrations, online and electronic portfolios may also be required.
Personal Characteristics/Skills
: excellent computer skills, particularly with CAD software; excellent drawing skills; high level of creativity and artistic expression; ability for self-promotion; basic business know-how.
Career Path:
Fashion Illustrator Freelance > Staff Fashion Illustrator
Fashion jobs: The Fashion Designer
Also called: Clothes Designer, Apparel Designer
Job Description:
Fashion designer’s conceptualise and create new clothing and accessory designs. They must analyze fashion trends and work closely with production, sales and marketing departments to design, produce and promote a finished, ready-to-wear, saleable product for apparel manufacturers, specialty and retail stores, and at times, individual clients. Fashion designers usually specialise in a specific line of clothing such as sportswear, men, women, kids, maternity, bridal, and so on. More experienced designers may be required travel to promote their lines.
Salary Range:
R14,400 to R200,000+
Entry level pay may range from R14,500 to over R17,000
Experienced pay may range from R20,000 to over R40,000
Top level pay may range from R75,000 to over R100,000
Outlook:
Demand for fashion designers should continue to be strong because consumers constantly seek new fashions and styles. With enough talent, patience and determination, those who want success can achieve it. As with many sought-after careers, expect long hours in the beginning and be ready for seasonal slowdowns.
Qualifications
:
Education:
a 2 or 4-year college degree in Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising or a related field is recommended but not always required.
Experience:
several years as an intern, design assistant, junior designer.
Personal Characteristics/Skills:
above average ability for creative expression; sewing skills; drawing and sketching skills; computer skills (especially with the use of CAD – computer assisted design); ability to distinguish between colours and judge fabric quality; knowledge of fashion trends and forecasts; knowledge of manufacturing and production process; persistence; ability to deal with ambiguity and rejection; able to handle stress due to deadlines.
Career Path:
Design Assistant > Assistant Designer > Associate Designer > Fashion Director.
Fashion jobs: The Fashion Buyer
Also called: Buyer, Apparel Buyer
Job Description:
A Fashion Buyer has the enviable position of purchasing apparel and accessories from designers, manufacturers or wholesalers for eventual repacking and resale to their customers. A buyer uses their sense of fashion, in-depth knowledge of trends and intense understanding of the intended customers desires to create a funky range of selected items inside their assigned stores. This process takes an excessive amount of time (designers and manufactures must fill the orders) and therefore a buyer must often make all purchases one or two years in advance! Other qualities needed include: being good at budgeting and being able to plan an inventory.
Entry level pay may range from R300, 000 to R45, 000.
Experienced pay is around R500, 000+
Top level pay may range from R700, 000 to R1, 000,000.
Outlook:
Good to Excellent. In these times, the general number of buyer fashion jobs on hand is likely to decrease; yet there are many more positions that have become readily available due to in-house promotions or restructurings. Worry not, for there are great prospects of advancement for the avid buyers as well. If you are a buyer who begins at the assistant buyer level, you will stand an excellent chance of becoming a senior buyer within three to five years.
Qualifications
:
Education:
A college degree in Fashion Merchandising or some related field is needed. A coursework module in Business and Fashion Design is also extremely useful.
Experience:
Necessary retail sales experience is a key component, as understanding the customers buying behaviour method is all part of becoming a successful buyer.
Personal Characteristics/Skills:
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Fashion-lover.
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Knowledge of fashion history and trends.
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Good analytical skills.
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Excellent budgeting and planning skills.
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Inventory management.
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Good negotiation skills.
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Flexible work attitude.
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Ability to deal well with deadlines and stress.
Career Path:
Assistant Fashion Buyer -> Fashion Buyer -> Divisional Merchandise Manager
Fashion jobs: The Fashion Stylist
Also called: Stylist
Job Description:
The Fashion stylists are responsible for realising the vision of a photographer or director, with regards to a fashion photo shoot, a layout, a music video, a commercial, a print advertisement and so on. As a Fashion stylist, you will often scout locations, assist in creating the specific mood for the shoot by choosing and creating the appropriate props, fashions, accessories and sometimes even the models to fit the ambiance of the shoot. Your chosen Fashion Job will have companies such as magazines, retailers, newspapers, advertising agencies and music production companies very eager to employ you. Many stylists have also chosen to begin their own business.
Salary Range:
R0 to R1, 000,000+
Entry level pay may range from R150-R2000.
Experienced pay may range from R500-R5000 per day.
Top level stylists can earn up to R1, 000,000 and more.
Outlook:
The aspirant fashion stylist should expect to work hard to make their way to the top. Some of the most flourishing fashion stylists have a widespread network of contracts which are within the fashion jobs industry. These are individuals who can quickly sort out any job, and within a budget to match. Additionally, clients which usually hire stylists have used them in the past, this helps for repeat business. Once a stylist is established with a good, professional reputation, one can expect business from all sectors of the fashion industry.
Qualifications for this specific fashion job
:
Education
:
A two or four year degree in Fashion Design, Art, Visual Merchandising or Fashion Merchandising is helpful but not required.
Experience:
A previous retail experience is extremely helpful, as are internships with various fashion publication and apprenticeships under experienced fashion stylists.
Personal Characteristics/Skills:
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An eye for style.
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A high degree of creativity and resourcefulness.
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Loads of persistence and self-motivation.
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A broad knowledge of fashion history.
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Predicting trends and forecasts.
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Good interpersonal and networking skills.
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Technical know-how for setting up sets.
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Ability to market oneself.
Career Path:
Intern or Stylists Apprentice -> Assistant Fashion Stylist -> Staff Fashion Stylist
Here is some advice for hopeful fashion designers looking to find the perfect fashion job:
How is it possible to break into the world of fashion?
Question:
I've been dreaming about being a fashion designer job my whole life. I want to make my own clothes and go into business for myself. My fashion design portfolios are excellent, but I still need some assistance on what the next step is to be.
Answer:
Firstly, congratulations on deciding to pursue a career in fashion; further advice is as follows: We live in a digital age, this makes it a breeze to take photos of a home or independent fashion shoot, and to then distribute them on the internet. Why not use your friends and family as the model? There are also countless websites which offer free space for photos, so use Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and many others to let your unique expression. If you have a bit more cash to spend, register your site as a dot com and start spreading the word! Offer tips and advice on fashion, become indispensable and blog often to let the world know about your style.
Next step, try to secure an internship from a local designer, as the require help and are more than eager to help you to learn the ins and outs of their business. This is as helpful as any degree or diploma, as the practical experience garnered is invaluable. Also, it is the best way to tell if you are ready for a fashion job or not. You will have to endure long hours, poor pay and constant stress. The world of fashion is glamorous, but not for everyone.
If this lifestyle suits you, then it is time to begin your career. See if local designers or boutiques will host your fashion designs. Go as a spectator to a show and try to make it backstage as a helper, to immerse yourself in the spectacle of fashion. Once you have a solid plan, sign up as a junior designer and get your line on the runway for yourself! Remember, the fashion industry is a tough career to break into, but do not despair. Make your own individual style heard for yourself and you will become the fashion star you have always dreamt yourself to be.
Portfolio Creation - Fashion Career
Once you have selected an institution, you will need to focus on your fashion design portfolio. A good fashion design portfolio should demonstrate your ability in drawing, design development and problem solving, the use of colour and a fashion edge.
The fashion industry is a competitive career; you need to be prepared to market yourself effectively. Both the universities and the fashion jobs you apply for will expect you to present a fashion design portfolio, which is a collection of your work in a portable form. The fashion industry is a visual one, so you’ll be expected to present an impressive self-marketing tool, so don’t ever forgot how first impressions last.
Fashion design portfolio
sizes can range from A4 to A1, but the most suitable ones are A3 and A2. These sizes are large enough to showcase your work adequately. It’s important that you decide the correct size upfront, since every month you will be adding your work to this fashion design portfolio and you’d need them to be the correct size which you have decided upon. If you’ve made them too small, you can always blow them up with a colour copier, but its best to plan ahead. In the world of fashion, your work will be judged on how well your creations are presented, as well as your designs. Try to avoid folded edges and worn or torn pages. Your work needs to be enclosed in plastic sleeves that form part of the fashion design portfolio case, and it’s a wise investment! Mounting your work is time consuming and rather expensive, but it’s worth the extra money. When creating a fashion design portfolio piece, always follow these rules: Use foam board to raise areas of importance, this is to guarantee continuity. You should also use background board that compliments your colour palette. Another handy hint, use good quality glue and ensure that all corners are pasted down correctly. Also, unless your handwriting is meticulously neat, rather type out all headings and keep all lines that should be straight in a constant, clean line.
Display your work in order of completion, but showcase your best work at the start and end of the fashion design portfolio – these are the most memorable pages. You will be expected to talk about your work, so these two should be the real conversation pieces. Don’t include work that you’re not confident about.
Your fashion design portfolio should really only contain your fashion illustrations and nothing else. If you perform the graphic design as well, then leave that out, as you will be in a fashion illustration interview. It is more prudent to make a separate fashion design portfolio for your other categories. Always only use your favourite pieces to show in the fashion design portfolio, roughly ten to twelve works. You should always update the fashion design portfolio as you create new pieces, so take out your least favourite and replace with better, more exciting ones. If you have not worked before and you’re fresh out of school, you will have to sit and create a portfolio from scratch. Never use pieces that aren’t directly in line with the field you are applying for.
Your front piece should be your best one, with the end also inclusive of strong designs. Rather only use your best works, than try to fill up the portfolio with the meagre stuff. Always include good, rough sketches from your sketchbook (please do not forget to keep a sketchbook). When you speak to the interviewer, remain positive about your work and don’t make jokes or funny comments about it, Even if you’re thinking about it.
It must look professional; therefore all your fashion portfolio designs must be the same size. If most of them are A3, then blow up the rest of the images to be that size. Ensure that the copies look good.
When deciding on the layout of your fashion design portfolio, keep all the landscaped ones together and the portrait versions in a group too. It's best to print them out in such a manner that you won't have to keep turning the book to see them upright. If possible, add backgrounds or borders for effect.
Design an amazing front page and go with a fashion illustration theme, not forgetting to include your contact details. If your fashion design portfolio sleeves are getting scuffed, then replace them or get a new portfolio. Keep extra copies of your work so that you’re able to give them away as samples. If possible, you should make a reference list of previous clients; if you’ve done fashion illustration work for them. Also, try to not let your presentation become too complicated. If you do provide an online presentation, make sure you have a physical one as backup.
Marketing
Yourself
You should go to sites such as
www.portfolios.com
,
www.dexigner.com
,
www.art-dept.com
and
www.illustrationweb.com
as these are all great sites that you can load your portfolios onto. It will be an online showcase, displaying all of your contact details. This enables you to network freely in the industry.
You should also try to perform a mailing campaign and post off colour copies and printed samples of your strongest illustrations to companies you wish to work for. Always perform the research first and never send original illustrations off. Send them each with your contact details on them, individually. Type up a professional covering letter, making sure to include a card which they can respond with, as well as a self addressed stamped envelope to make it easier for them! Always ensure that the contact person’s name is spelled correctly.
Include a list of former clients, or college references. If you are fresh out of college, your professionalism will definitely impress them! Write a list of all the people you have sent these to, as well as what responses you’ve gotten. Do not feel too dejected if many people don't respond, as this is the professional world and feelings aren't taken into account.
Setup a regular mailing campaign and mail colour copies, plus postcards or printed samples of your very best illustrations to publishers or companies that you would like to work for. Do your market research first! And lastly, always be on time for appointments and courteous during any interview.
Is college necessary?
Many talented illustrators/designers are self taught. This talent can’t be taught, only polished with a set of new skills and techniques. Some illustrators have degrees in art and have found art school to be a valuable resource and learning situation. You can decide what works best for you; as you will learn new skills throughout your career. Your best bet is a strong portfolio of work as your prospective employer might overlook the formal training if they see the raw talent and professionalism in you. Do not only concentrate on good illustration skills and talent, having a good business mind is imperative to your success.
The odd thing is that very few schools offer courses in the business of design/illustration; you will need to source those skills yourself. Most design students leave college very bright eyed and bushy tailed, only to be disillusioned when realising that it’s a harsh world out there. The relaxed days of college are over! Be realistic and know that you’re going to struggle initially.
Whichever road you take, you should also have a backup career in mind. Very few illustrators can start out working fulltime in any illustration field unless they happen upon a staff position, which are few and far between. You are going to need other career to support you while you develop your career as an illustrator. If you are young, then concerns like dental insurance and health insurance may seem inconsequential but they are important. Some freelance illustrators have their second or part-time job in a creative field, while other illustrators find that working in a non-art related field helps keep their creative level high for their illustration work.
Good Traits for an Illustrator
The misconception is that all you need is talent, which is almost never enough. The market is flooded with raw talent and most are not going to succeed in the field of design or fashion illustration. Most of the gifted ones can’t succeed because they might not have the simple characteristics of a good employee, such as punctuality, working to a deadline, working as a team or being computer literate. The estimate is that one to ten percent of all illustration/fashion students will succeed as professionals.
Any work as a freelancer needs total self motivation, a good business mind and extremely organised working habits. You have to be able to take criticism and persevere. Always be knowledgeable about your field, as you need to be able to negotiate contracts and understand copyright laws.
