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Textile designers create fabric designs and patterns for woven, knitted and printed materials for clothes and interior furnishings.
You could work: evenings / weekends; attending events or appointments
In your day-to-day duties you may:
You could work in a creative studio, in an office or at a manufacturing plant.
You can get into this job through:
You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in textile design. Other useful subjects include:
You'll usually need:
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.
You'll usually need:
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.
You'll usually need:
You could start work as a textile operative or design assistant, get relevant work experience and qualifications, and then move into textile design.
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.
You could join The Textile Institute and The Textile Society for professional development training.
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.
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.