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Textile designer

Alternative titles for this job include

Textile designers create fabric designs and patterns for woven, knitted and printed materials for clothes and interior furnishings.

Average salary (a year)

£18,000 Starter

to

£40,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a textile designer

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in textile design. Other useful subjects include:

  • fashion and textiles
  • art and design
  • textiles and surface design

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • a foundation diploma in art and design
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You may be able to get into this career by studying for a college qualification like the Level 3 Diploma in Textile Design and Manufacture.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

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Apprenticeship

If you are interested in working with specialist technical textiles for industries like healthcare, manufacturing and construction, you could do a technical textile specialist higher apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

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Work

You could start work as a textile operative or design assistant, get relevant work experience and qualifications, and then move into textile design.

More Information

Career tips

You'll need to present a design portfolio when you're looking for work. You can also use your portfolio to make job applications to companies whose products match your style.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join The Textile Institute and The Textile Society for professional development training.

Further information

You can find out more about careers and training in textile design through the Crafts Council.

You can explore creative careers through Discover Creative Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • design skills and knowledge
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • knowledge of textiles development and technology
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • analytical thinking skills
  • persistence and determination
  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you may:

  • work with customers to understand what they want
  • produce sketches by hand or on a computer, using design software
  • make up samples for the customer
  • research design trends to decide what will sell
  • investigate new textiles made from sustainable materials
  • work with technical staff, marketing teams and retail buyers
  • keep up-to-date with developments in manufacturing technology

Working environment

You could work in a creative studio, in an office or at a manufacturing plant.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could progress to a senior design position or work as a textiles production manager.

You could also move into part-time teaching, university research or set up your own business.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a textile designer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

BA (Hons) Textile Design Degree (Fulltime)

  • Provider: CHICHESTER COLLEGE GROUP
  • Start date: 17 September 2024
  • Location: Worthing

Textile Design

  • Provider: ST BARTHOLOMEW'S SCHOOL
  • Start date: 01 September 2024
  • Location: Newbury

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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