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Textile designer
Textile designers create fabric designs and patterns for woven, knitted and printed materials for clothes and interior furnishings.
Average salary (a year)
£18000
Starter
£40000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
40.0 to 42.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends
attending events or appointments
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
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 textile design. Other useful subjects include
fashion and textiles, art and design, textiles and surface design
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
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College
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.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship
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.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
higher and degree apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-and-degree-apprenticeships
Work
You could start work as a textile operative or design assistant, get relevant work experience and qualifications, and then move into textile design.
More Information
Career Tips
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.
Professional And Industry Bodies
You could join The Textile Institute and The Textile Society for professional development training.
Further Information
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.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Design skills and knowledge
    The ability to come up with new ways of doing things
    Knowledge of engineering science and technology
    To be thorough and pay attention to detail
    Analytical thinking skills
    Persistence and determination
    Knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
    The ability to work well with your hands
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
In your day-to-day duties you may
work with customers to understand what they want, produce sketches by hand or on a computer, using design software, make up samples for the customer, research design trends to decide what will sell, investigate new textiles made from sustainable materials, work with technical staff, marketing teams and retail buyers, keep up-to-date with developments in manufacturing technology
Working environment
You could work in a creative studio, in an office or at a manufacturing plant.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
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.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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