by Jonathan Haeber
jonathan.haeber@hqpublications.com
Design Programs Staff Writer
You may have heard about them – Prada, Gucci, Giorgio Armani… It should be no surprise that such fashion exemplars have Italian names. Some say the center of high fashion is in Italy.
The clothes don't just make themselves, though. Designing great apparel requires creativity, dedication, a solid fashion design school background, and a little luck.
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Of course, this can be achieved at Italian fashion schools, but why pay upwards of 10-20,000 U.S. dollars a year, to say nothing of living and travel expenses? You can learn to design Italian without ever leaving home!
What You'll Learn at Fashion Design School
A typical course in fashion design involves a wide range of skills, some of which require talent and, others, knowledge. Whether you choose to go to fashion school in Italy, or in the U.S., you'll be taking the same basic course framework, including:
- Illustration. Drawing and sketches are an essential aspect of fashion design. All successful fashion designers have a solid education in Art, and sometimes choose to study art practice in fashion courses.
- Computer-aided design and drafting (CAD). Technology skills are essential in any competitive job, and fashion is no exception. Many design courses focus on knowledge of vital computer programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Freehand, and Flash.
- Marketing. Fashion marketers are the visionaries behind the scenes of the fashion world. They are generally paid more than fashion designers. Although a fashion designer creates the visual appeal of clothing, the fashion marketer ensures that it catches on and is successful, often guiding the designer in developing apparel that stays true to the latest trends.
- Art and Fashion History. An understanding of fashion trends throughout history is important in creating designs that will be successful for many years in the future.
- Stitching and Patternmaking. The ‘hands-on' work of fashion can be the most rewarding aspect of the job. This is the time when your design materializes – literally!
Get prepared for an exciting design career. At The Art Institutes, you'll receive hands-on training from industry professionals, plus you'll build your portfolio.
Fashion Design Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) one-third of all designers are self-employed - five times the national average - and many high-fashion designers choose self-employment over working for a firm. If you enjoy the freedom of working for yourself, a fashion design education may be the right choice.
Success doesn't come easy, however. It will take a lot of hard work and a college degree. You have the greatest chance of succeeding in fashion design if you have a good eye for style. Also, according to the BLS, fashion design employers seek people with two our four-year degreees who keep up-to-date with the latest fashion trends.
Fashion Design Salary
If you complete your fashion course plan – whether it's in Italy, or the U.S. – you'll have the necessary preparation for a high-paying career. The average national salary for a fashion designer is $40,000. Of course, some fashion designers have the potential to earn six figures, but success requires hard work and determination.
Eventually, you may see your own name plastered on a t-shirt or in the shoe section of your favorite department store. Until then, hold intact your originality; as Henry David Thoreau once said, "Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new."
About the Author
Jonathan Haeber is a terrible illustrator, so he tries his best to make up for his inadequacies by being an avid photographer. Perhaps in another world, in which his drawing hand had better fortune, he would have been a fashion designer. Until then, he writes occasionally about Art and Environment. His articles have appeared in a number of magazines and newspapers and he has served as a staff photographer for a California daily. He holds a dual bachelor's in English and Geography from the University of California.
Sources:
- http://www.salary.com
- http://www.quotationspage.com
- http://www.polimoda.com
- http://bls.gov/oco/ocos090.htm
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