Entry Level Qualification 

12

Career Fields 

Arts & Design

For Specially Abled 

Career Entrance Exam 

NIFT GAT, UCEED, CEED

About Career 

Textile Designer is an expert who works in the textile manufacturing industry. As a textile designer, you will be designing, working on research and development, managing production, and quality control of fabrics of all kinds. As a textile designer, you will create designs for woven, knitted, or printed fabrics or surface ornamented fabrics. As a textile designer, you will be involved with the continual production of new designs.

As a textile designer, you will not only create the designs but also supervise the production process of raw materials into finished products. You will also be manufacturing carpets apart from the clothing line, drapes, towels, linen, rugs, etc.  You will need to be involved in the production as coloration, decoloration, design imprint, etc. are components of the production side. You will also do the quality check to ensure that designs are durable, there is no wrong print, etc. Many of you will use computer-aided design software to ensure these processes. Some of you will use heat transfer methods to print the design.

Key roles and responsibilities

As a textile designer, you will be required to fulfill the following roles and responsibilities:

1. You will liaise with customers to interpret their ideas and needs for new designs

2. You will be liaising with the marketing team, buying the team and technical staff including textile designers and textiles engineers.

3. You will research about different properties of different materials that are used in specialist textiles.

4. You will research to get new inspirational ideas.

5. You will experiment with different colors and textures.

6. You will be producing designs using computer-aided design (CAD) software.

7. You will be checking and approving samples of completed items.

8. It is very important for a textile designer to be updated with new fashion trends, design techniques, etc.

9. You will be new fabric designs and patterns for all kinds of materials including woven, knitted, and printed materials.

10. You will be drawing your ideas by hand or using computer programs.

11. You will keep yourself updated with the manufacturing technology.

12. You will be cordial while working with clients, technical staff, engineers, buying staff, etc.

13. You will research design trends to decide what can be sold.

14. You need to work within the allocated budget and deadline; while not compromising with the current trends and techniques.

15. You will understand the properties of materials and dyes and the production processes of textiles.

Career Entry Pathway 

Class 10 all subjects as per the scheme of studies - Class 11-12 with any subject as per the scheme of studies – Diploma course in Textile Design/ Fashion Design/ Knitwear Design.

After completing class 10 all subjects as per the scheme of studies, complete Class 11-12 with any subject as per the scheme of studies. If you have a keen interest in textile designing and have special creative skills, then you can study even after your 12 classes for three three-year diploma courses in Fashion Design/ Design/ Textile Design/ Knitwear Design/ similar subjects from various schools such as NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Tech) or NID (National Institute of Design).

After completing class 10 all subjects as per the scheme of studies, complete Class 11-12 with any subject as per scheme of studies. You may study for a Bachelor’s Degree (B.Des. or B.F.A.) in Fashion Design/ Accessory Design/ Textile Design/ Knitwear Design/ similar subjects.

After completing class 10 all subjects as per the scheme of studies, complete Class 11-12 with any subject as per the scheme of studies, then study for a Bachelor’s Degree in Textile Technology.

After completing class 10 all subjects as per the scheme of studies, complete Class 11-12 with any subject as per the scheme of studies, then study for a Bachelor’s Degree in any Discipline. Then you can go for a graduate degree (M.Des. or M.F.A.) or a PG Diploma in Fashion Design/ Accessory Design/ Textile Design/ Knitwear Design/ similar subjects. If you have completed 3 3-year diplomas (not a degree) in Fashion Design/ Accessory Design/ Textile Design/ Knitwear Design/ similar subjects from NIFT then also you can apply for PG courses at NIFT.

After completing class 10 all subjects as per the scheme of studies, complete Class 11-12 with any subject as per the scheme of studies, then study for a Bachelor’s Degree (B.Des. or B.F.A.) in Fashion Design/ Accessory Design/ Textile Design/ Knitwear Design/ similar subjects from any arts or vocational college/university. After that, you can go for further study by doing a master's (M.Des. or M.F.A.) in Fashion Design/ Accessory Design/ Textile Design/ Knitwear Design/ similar subjects.

After completing class 10 all subjects as per the scheme of studies, complete 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics along with any other subject as per the scheme of studies, then study for a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Technology. Now you can apply for a PG in Textile Technology. Many institutes also allow engineering graduates from any discipline to join PG in Textile Technology.

After completing class 10 all subjects as per the scheme of studies, complete Class 11-12 with any subject as per the scheme of studies, then study for a Bachelor’s Degree in any stream. Then you can go for a graduate Degree (M.Des. or M.F.A.) in Fashion Design/ Accessory Design/ Textile Design/ Knitwear Design/ similar subjects. After completing your PG, now you can apply for a PhD in Fashion Design/ Accessory Design/ Textile Design/ Knitwear Design/ similar subjects.

After completing class 10 all subjects as per the scheme of studies, complete 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics along with any other subject as per the scheme of studies, then study for a Bachelor’s Degree in Textile Technology. Now you can apply for a Post Graduate Degree in Textile Technology. Many institutes also allow engineering graduates from any discipline to join for a Master’s degree in Textile Technology. Now you can apply for a Ph.D. in Textile Technology.

Required Qualification & Competencies 

To become a Textile Designer, you can do a Diploma or a Degree in any one of the following fields or a related field:

1. Textile Design

2. Apparel and Textile Design

3. Fashion and Apparel Design

Competencies Required

Interests

1. Artistic: You should have an interest in Artistic Occupations. Artistic occupations mostly involve working with creative ideas, art, and designs. These occupations involve abstract or conceptual thinking, and creative self-expression and often do not follow any set processes or rules for getting things done.

2. Enterprising: You should have an interest in Enterprising Occupations. Enterprising occupations involve taking initiative, initiating actions, and planning to achieve goals, often business goals. These involve gathering resources and leading people to get things done. These require decision-making, risk-taking, and action orientation.

3. Realistic: You should have an interest in Realistic Occupations. Realistic occupations involve more practical and hands-on activities than paperwork or office work. Realistic occupations often involve physical activities for getting things done using various tools and equipment. 

Abilities

1. Abstract Reasoning: The ability to understand ideas that are not expressed in words or numbers; the ability to understand concepts that are not clearly expressed verbally or otherwise.

2. Deductive Reasoning: The ability to apply general rules and common logic to specific problems to produce answers that are logical and make sense. For example, understanding the reasons behind an event or a situation using general rules and common logic.

3. Fluency of Ideas: The ability to come up with several ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

4. Inter-Personal: The ability to build and maintain good relationships with others at workplaces and elsewhere.

5. Originality: The ability to come up with unusual or innovative ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

6. Selective Attention: The ability to concentrate on a task over a long period without being distracted.

7. Spatial Ability: The ability to visualize three-dimensional objects by looking at the objects on paper or visualize objects mentally in three dimensions.

8. Verbal Reasoning: The ability to think and reason with words; the ability to reason out ideas expressed in words.

9. Visualization: The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

10. Written Comprehension: The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Knowledge

1. Creative Design: Knowledge of various techniques, methods, and specifications for creating and developing designs for various products and materials such as textiles, clothes, interiors, furniture, accessories, jewelry, animation, graphics, materials, film, video, web, user interfaces of digital devices, photography, etc.

Skills

1. Artistic and Visual Design: Skills in creating and developing designs that are visually appealing and attractive.

2. Critical Thinking: Skills in analysis of complex situations, using of logic and reasoning to understand the situations and take appropriate actions or make interpretations and inferences.

3. Graphic Design Tools: Skills in using various graphic design tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, etc.

4. Judgment and Decision Making: Skills in considering the pros and cons of various decision alternatives; considering costs and benefits; and taking appropriate and suitable decisions.

5. Material Design and Craft: Skills in creating and designing various items using different materials such as clay, wood, iron, gold, silver, gems, etc.

6. Problem Solving: Skills in analysis and understanding of problems, evaluating various options to solve the problems, and using the best option to solve the problems.

7. Reading Comprehension: Skills in understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Personality

1. You are always imaginative in most situations.

2. You always prefer to experience new things and have new experiences or you mostly do.

3. You can always act independently or could do so in most situations.

4. You are somewhat organized in your day-to-day life and activities.

5. You trust others sometimes but not always.

6. You are helpful to others sometimes.

7. You are mostly impulsive in your actions and behavior.

Career - Job Opportunities & Profiles 

1. You can join many fashion retail outlets, studios, and fashion design firms as an Assistant Fashion/Textile Designer.

2. Many designing firms will hire you as a Junior Designer, such as a Junior Textile Designer, or Junior Fashion Designer.

3. Manufacturing and retail firms will hire you as an assistant textile designer.

4. You will join as an Operations Trainee if you want to enter the production side of the business.

5. You can join as an Assistant Sales Manager if you want to sell textile rather than produce it.

6. If you are keener towards the quality control side of the business process, then you can join as a Quality Control Trainee / Quality Assurance Trainee.

7. In academics and research, after your doctorate in Textile Technology, you can join as an Assistant Professor.

You will be working for the following institutions:

1. Textile Mills like Raymond, Arvind Mills, Fabindia, Bombay Dyeing, Grasim, etc.

2. Khadi board of each India State.

3. Khadi Udyog (cooperative industry)

4. Colleges and Universities are teaching Textile Designing including IITs.

Work environment

This is a very creative and technical kind of job, where you will be required to spend long hours preparing samples and designs. Sometimes you will be required to work additional hours such as at night and, on weekends to meet the targets and deadlines. Most of the designers work in studios and workshops using several computer software and tools (CAD). You will travel to various places to visit fashion shows and exhibitions. A textile designer is required to adapt to seasonal changes and other innovations. So, being a textile designer is not an easy task, you will be required to work with all patience and hard work. Many times, even after working for several hours, you may not be able to come up with new designs and this should not be demoralizing.

Specialisation Tracks In This Career

1. Surface Designer

Surface Designers ideate, create, and develop various designs and patterns that could be applied to many surfaces such as fabric for making dresses, upholstery (made from various materials from cotton and polyester to leather and plastics), bed linens, table linen, bathroom linen, fashion clothing, cushion covers, floor mats, carpets, curtains, and other home furnishings materials, car seat covers and even wallpapers.

2. Carpet Designer

Carpet Designer is an expert who primarily designs carpets and rugs. Carpets and rugs are made of a different material than clothes, costumes, etc. Thus, they ensure the right mix of texture and colors on the material.

Career Growth

1. As an Assistant or Junior Textile Designer, you will move to the position of Senior Textile Designer then Design Manager, and then Design Director.

2. As a Consultant Textile Designer, you will move to the position of Head Designer and then design director.

3. My career growth in university and college started as an Assistant Professor and then as Associate Professor, Professor, and Professor Emeritus. Professors can also get administrative positions such as Director/Dean/Vice Chancellor, etc.

4. If you join the role of Researcher in the Textile industry, then you will become a Research Analyst, and then R & D Associate, and then R&D Manager.

5. If you join as an Operations Trainee, then you will become Operations Manager / Production Manager, and then Head Production Manager, and some of you will become VP of Production.

6. If you join as an Assistant Sales Manager, then you will be promoted to Sales Manager, Area Sales Manager, and then Regional Sales Manager. If you join as a Quality Control Trainee / Quality Assurance Trainee, then later you will be promoted to Quality Controller Inspector and then Quality and Control Head.

Salary Offered  

1. At the entry-level, as an assistant textile designer, you will earn Rs. 15,000 to 35,000 per month.

2. At junior level after working 2-6 years, you will earn anything between Rs. 30,000 to 1,00,000 per month.

3. At mid-level after working 6-12 years, you will earn anything between Rs 75,000 to 1,50,000 per month.

4. At the senior level after working over 12 years, you will earn anything between Rs. 1,00,000 to 3,00,000 per month.

Monthly Earnings In Indian Rupee

1. Entry level: 0 - 2 years of work experience

2. Junior Level: From 1 to 12 years of work experience

3. Mid-Level: From 5 to 20+ years of work experience

4. Senior Level: From 10 to 25+ years of work experience (there could be exceptions in some high-end technical, financial, engineering, creative, management, sports, and other careers; also shortly, people will reach these levels much faster in many careers and some careers, these levels will have no meaning as those careers will be completely tech skill driven such as even now, there is almost no level in a Cyber Security Expert’s job)

Famous Personalities 

Not Available

Work Activities 

1. Communicating with co-workers and others: Communicating with people in writing, verbally or otherwise inside your workplace and various other people who have professional relationships with your place of work including vendors, government officials, etc., or with people at large.

2. Creative thinking: Developing new ideas, concepts, innovative solutions to problems, newer ways of getting things done, designing products and services, creating works of art and craft, etc.

3. Decision-making and problem-solving: Analysis of data and information; evaluation of alternative decisions and results of decisions; taking the right decisions and solving problems.

4. Getting Information and learning: Observing, hearing, reading, using computers, or otherwise obtaining information and learning from it.

5. Organising, planning, and prioritizing tasks: Planning and organizing tasks to achieve work goals; prioritizing tasks to achieve goals and making the best use of the time available.

6. Providing advice and consultation to others: Giving advice or consultation to others about various issues, conceptual matters, know-how, scientific matters, products, or services.

7. Scheduling tasks: Scheduling project timelines, tasks and activities.

8. Updating and using relevant knowledge: Keeping updated with the latest knowledge relevant to your fields of work and using the relevant knowledge in getting things done.

9. Using computers for work: Using computers for day-to-day office work; using computer software for various applications in day-to-day professional work; entering data and processing information; for writing.

10. Working in a team: Working in a team of people; developing a team; and maintaining professional relationships among team members.