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Occupation Details

Fashion Designer



Fact Sheet

Selecting appropriate colours for new season designs

Fashion designers develop new styles and products for clothing, apparel and accessories by creating original designs, or by adapting fashions to suit local conditions and trends, and cutting and machining sample garments based on these designs.

Duties and Tasks

Fashion designers may perform the following tasks:

  • illustrate concepts by producing storyboard and specification drawings
  • use computers to manipulate and develop patterns and modify designs
  • research and develop fabrics and accessories for production of garments
  • make patterns, or work closely with patternmakers, to draft patterns from sketches or specification drawings
  • select fabric, colour and trim, and undertake cutting and machining of sample garments
  • fit samples and discuss them with management, sales and manufacturing staff, and contribute to costing estimates
  • finalise specification sheets with detailed sketches and trim details
  • approve final samples before they go into production
  • liaise with production staff during mass production of garments, and participate in quality control
  • travel overseas to gain information on current fashion trends
  • control merchandising and retailing of garments

Quick Facts

School subjects that include some aspect of ART provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases an art-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
School subjects that include some aspect of HOME ECONOMICS provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases a home economics-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Use of precision or semi-precision tools or instruments or deft hand movements are required for these occupations. Included are jobs where poor co-ordination or incomplete use of hands or fingers may make tasks dangerous or difficult to undertake. Jobs requiring full use of hands/fingers are excluded.\par
These jobs require you to be able to see clearly to examine items close-up. It covers jobs where poor vision e.g. tunnel vision, could make the work place unsafe or the job difficult to undertake, e.g. draftsperson working with detailed drawings; checkout operator reading dockets; work requiring good hand-eye co-ordination for working with precision or semi-precision tools.
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed area protected from the weather. Jobs requiring mainly indoor work are excluded.
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing skills.
Included are jobs associated with the production, design and repair of clothes, curtains, carpets, footwear, leather and canvas goods.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH IDEAS, to creatively express, present or perform them. An appreciation of design, style, form, beauty or related concepts used to develop or interpret an idea are important. Activities include writing, painting, singing, dancing, decorating, designing and performing.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH THINGS, using the hands, or special tools or equipment to make, fix, install or adjust them. Activities include doing practical and physical tasks, and may require an understanding of how equipment or machinery works.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH PEOPLE, to sell to, influence, motivate, negotiate with, or serve them. Activities include selling, promoting or providing goods or services, bargaining, or presenting a point of view.
Jobs in this group usually require completion of secondary education and/or completion of some further study of a vocational nature, such as a Diploma or an Advanced Diploma.
Jobs in this group usually require completion of a recognised Bachelor Degree, or extensive relevant experience. Some jobs also require post-graduate study, such as a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master Degree.

Personal Requirements

  • enjoy artistic and creative activities
  • creative flair and drawing talent
  • good communication skills
  • good colour and design sense
  • good hand-eye coordination
  • able to work independently or as part of a team
  • able to work under pressure

Related Courses

Queensland

See State Specific Information below for further education and training options.