Textile Designer

Textile designers create two-dimensional designs that can be used, often as a repeat design, in the production of knit, weave and printed fabrics or textile products.

Responsibilities

The day-to-day responsibilities of a textile designer include:

Producing sketches, designs and samples for presentation to customers
Making up sets of sample designs
Liaising with clients and technical, marketing and buying staff to plan and develop designs
Accurately interpreting and representing clients' ideas
Working out design formulae for a group of samples
Assessing and approving completed items and production standards
Working independently if self-employed, or liaising closely with colleagues as part of a small team
Using specialist software and computer-aided design (CAD) programs to develop a range of designs
Experimenting with color, fabric and texture
Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of new design and production techniques and textile technology
Developing new design concepts
Ensuring that projects are completed on time
Visiting sites and other sources of ideas for designs
Sourcing fabrics and other materials at trade fairs, markets and antique shops
Keeping up to date and spotting fashion trends in fabric design by reading forecasts in trade magazines and using internet resources
If self-employed, managing marketing and public relations, finances and business administration and maintaining websites.
Rendering and presenting design mockups for revision and feedback.


Requirements

2-4 year experience as a Textile designer or a similar role.
Experience in producing a range of printed materials including catalogs, textile prints, and Graphics.
An interest in fashion and textiles, and an understanding of trends and materials.
Good communication and team working skills.