Textile designer
Textile designers create designs and patterns for clothes, soft furnishings and materials used in industry and manufacturing.
Also known as: Technical textiles designer
- Starter salary£22,000 a year
- Experienced£40,000 a year
- Typical hours37 to 42 a week
What you'll do
As a textiles designer, you could:
- work with customers and businesses to understand what they want
- create patterns by hand or with computer-aided design software
- use methods like dyeing and printing to make up samples
- produce hand-made products or send designs for manufacture
- research properties of new textiles and fabrics made from sustainable materials
- market and sell products online, at craft fairs or through retail outlets
- keep track of design trends and developments in manufacturing technologies
Working environment
You could work in a creative studio, in an office or at a manufacturing plant.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- design skills and knowledge
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
- analytical thinking skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of textiles development and technology
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
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 a subject like:
- textile design
- fashion and textiles
- art and design
- surface pattern and textiles
- textile technology
You can also do a postgraduate course in textile design if you have a related first degree or a lot of industry experience.
When choosing a course, it's important to check that it covers the technical skills and knowledge that employers want.
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
- a related degree or several years' relevant experience
College
You can take a college course in textiles or art, craft and design. These courses will teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need to get an assistant's job with a design company.
If you want to work in the development of industrial textiles, you can take a course in design and technology or product design.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:
- Fashion and Textiles Pattern Cutter Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Textile Technical Specialist Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
- Fashion and Textiles Product Technologist Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
These take around 2 years to complete and combine training on the job with off-site study.
Apprenticeships like these could help you to find a trainee position. This might be with a design company, or with a manufacturer, making technical textiles used in industries like healthcare, construction and aerospace.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Work
You could start work as a textile design assistant or technician. You would combine your work experience with on-the-job training and qualifications to become a textile designer.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a senior designer or production manager with a design agency, retailer or manufacturer.
You could work freelance, or move into college or university teaching on a textiles or art and design course.
You could also work in a research department for a company that specialises in developing technical textiles used in areas like aerospace, healthcare and sports equipment design.
Career tips
You'll usually need to present a design portfolio when you're looking for work or applying for courses.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join The Textile Institute and The Textile Society for professional development training and to build up your network of contacts.
Guides for this industry
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