Mannequins
If you have a keen sense of fashion and a strong interest in design, trends, fabrics and color, fashion design may be a good career for you. The field is highly competitive due to low turnover rate and few job openings. Most available jobs for new graduates will be found at large design companies that create clothing for department stores. The majority of these jobs are in New York and California.
Instructions
1. Pay close attention to fashion trends. Develop your senses of color, texture and detail. Keep a notebook to sketch ideas and make notes. Skill in drawing is important in this field; develop your art skills. Learn to sew and hone those skills.
2. Attend fashion shows and events. Fashion Week in New York City attracts designers and models from around the world. It is held twice a year, during the spring and fall. You will have a chance to see famous designs up close.
3. Work in the retail industry. Before you have enough college experience for an internship, a retail sales job at a clothing store or boutique will provide you with some basic knowledge. You will learn marketing techniques and will also get a feel for which clothing styles work best on different body types.
4. Earn a two- or four-year degree in fashion design. Though some designers are self-taught, the tough competition in this field is reason enough to pursue a formal education. Courses will include sewing, pattern-making, art and computer-aided design.
5. Take some business and marketing classes. One-fourth of fashion designers are entrepreneurs. Having some knowledge about run a business will be very helpful. You may also find it helpful to seek a minor in one of these fields to complement your major in fashion design.
6. Develop a portfolio. It is crucial to have examples of your work to land internships, jobs or apply to art school. A good portfolio will develop over the course of several years. Sketch your own innovative designs and include plenty of detail regarding color and textiles.
7. Seek an internship. Making connections and networking will be important when it comes time to interview for a job, and in the meantime, the exposure to design work will be a great learning experience.
8. Travel. Students who spend time in Milan or Paris will have an advantage due to the international aspect of this field. Travel to New York or Los Angeles, both cities of innovation in fashion design. While visiting, check out famous designers' boutiques.
9. Enter design contests. You will be driven to produce quality work, which will help your portfolio. An award or two will be an advantage as well.
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