What is a Textile Designer?

Have you ever wondered what a textile designer is, does, and what their key responsibilities are? Or perhaps you’re interested in pursuing a career as a textile designer and you’re curious as to how to get started?

A lot goes into being a successful textile designer. Here’s everything you need to know about the profession and what it takes to become a textile designer.

What is a Textile Designer?

A textile designer creates designs and patterns for fabric. Textile designers usually work in the fashion industry and their designs appear on clothing. However, many textile designers also work in the interior design industry, with their designs appearing on pillows, towels, curtains, upholstery, and wall coverings. 

Textile designers work with fashion houses, fabric manufacturers, design teams, retailers, and buyers.

In order to thrive in this profession or even get your foot in the door, you will need a good eye for colour, pattern, fabrics, and texture. What’s more, you’ll need a slew of industry contacts and an impressive portfolio to make it to the top. But more on that later!

What Does a Textile Designer Do?

Here are some of the day-to-day responsibilities of a textile designer.

  • Producing sketches and designs: textile designers are expected to be good artists and designers. They should know how to create visions on Photoshop and other online editing tools. It’s important for textile designers to be able to produce sketches and designs to show as a presentation to customers. It is up to the designer to create something eye-capturing and compelling that will encourage customers to buy.
  • Creating sample designs: before creating products for the consumer market, textile designs are expected to create sample designs that must be approved before launching in a store. They’ll need the approval of certain authoritatives before they can appear in stores.
  • Experimenting with colour, fabric, and texture: textile designers are creatives that use their innate creativity and vision to create eye-pleasing pieces. They’ll experiment with colours, fabrics, and textures to create a desired piece.
  • Keeping up to date with trends: textile designers need to stay on top of trends in order to meet the market demand. They do this by reading forecasts in trade magazines, visiting fashion shows and events, and using internet sources. Even social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest can be useful sources for getting familiar with hot trends.
  • Sourcing materials: it is the responsibility of the textile designer to source fabrics and other materials at markets, trade fairs, and shops.

How Much Does a Textile Designer Make?

Salaries vary depending on location and employer. The average starting salary for a textile designer is around £15,000 to £20,000. A junior designer with a minimum of 1-2 years’ experience can earn between £22,000 to £25,000. Textile designers with 4-5 years’ experience can make up to £28,000. Salaries for senior textile designers are from £30,00+.

Once again, the salary of a textile designer depends on the company or client, and the location. For example, if you’re living and working in London, employers may offer more than in other locations.

How to Become a Textile Designer

Interested in becoming a textile designer in the fashion industry or interior design field? Here are some tips for boosting your chances of landing yourself a role as a textile designer.

  • Get a bachelor’s degree. A degree in textile design or fashion design always looks good on your CV. In addition to providing you with the know-how to become a textile designer, it shows employers that you possess the required knowledge. Getting a degree enables you to learn invaluable design techniques such as color theory, surface design, screen printing, and digital printing. If you cannot get a degree, seek training in the field of design and learn how to use design software, such as Photoshop.
  • Complete an internship. Internships offer the opportunity to learn on the job while helping you distinguish your specialized focus. What’s more, an internship can land you your first job in an entry level position at a design firm. 
  • Gain work experience. Nothing looks more impressive to an employer than someone who’s already worked at a design firm or even as an assistant to an established textile designer. It shows you have hands-on experience, which is invaluable to employers. Just make sure you get work experience in the relevant field, otherwise it won’t really be beneficial.
  • Build an impressive portfolio. Since you’re seeking a job in design, it’s essential that your portfolio best reflects your design work and skills. Your portfolio can include sketches, illustrations, and notes on the design techniques for each. It is important to explain your design choices and techniques to clients so they gain a better understanding of your work. You can also collaborate with fashion design students and professional designers who can use your work in their clothing. 
  • Make connections: connections are key in any industry. The more people you know, the more likely it is you’ll get career-boosting opportunities. It also gives you a chance to learn from the best. You can connect with people in the industry via LinkedIn, at networking events, or at professional organisations. Ask around to see what events are coming up that are worth attending for the sake of your professional progression.
  • Follow trends: it is a textile designer’s responsibility to keep up with current textile trends so that they can apply them to their own work. Keep a scrapbook of designs you like so you can return to it for inspiration when you’re designing.
What is a Textile Designer

Being a textile designer is a creative and dynamic profession with a lot of opportunity for growth. It is certainly possible to pursue a career as a textile designer with dedication, commitment, and training. 

Provided that you follow the tips above, it is indeed possible to land a job as a textile designer. However, you’ll need to work your way up the ladder to get your desired job role, whether for a company or as a self-employed designer with a slew of high-paying clients.