FASHION DESIGNER

Job Definition:

Job Description:

• Design clothing and accessories. Create original garments or design garments that follow well established fashion trends. May develop the line of color and kinds of materials.

Duties and Tasks:

• 1) Confer with sales and management executives or with clients in order to discuss design ideas.
• 2) Determine prices for styles.
• 3) Develop a group of products and/or accessories, and market them through venues such as boutiques or mail-order catalogs.
• 4) Direct and coordinate workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns and constructing samples or finished garments.
• 5) Identify target markets for designs, looking at factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status.
• 6) Provide sample garments to agents and sales representatives, and arrange for showings of sample garments at sales meetings or fashion shows.
• 7) Purchase new or used clothing and accessory items as needed to complete designs.
• 8) Read scripts and consult directors and other production staff in order to develop design concepts and plan productions.
• 9) Research the styles and periods of clothing needed for film or theatrical productions.
• 10) Sew together sections of material to form mockups or samples of garments or articles, using sewing equipment.
• 11) Visit textile showrooms to keep up-to-date on the latest fabrics.
• 12) Test fabrics or oversee testing so that garment care labels can be created.
• 13) Attend fashion shows and review garment magazines and manuals in order to gather information about fashion trends and consumer preferences.
• 14) Design custom clothing and accessories for individuals, retailers, or theatrical, television, or film productions.
• 15) Draw patterns for articles designed; then cut patterns, and cut material according to patterns, using measuring instruments and scissors.
• 16) Examine sample garments on and off models; then modify designs to achieve desired effects.
• 17) Select materials and production techniques to be used for products.
• 18) Sketch rough and detailed drawings of apparel or accessories, and write specifications such as color schemes, construction, material types, and accessory requirements.
• 19) Adapt other designers’ ideas for the mass market.
• 20) Collaborate with other designers to coordinate special products and designs.

Activities:

• 1) Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• 2) Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• 3) Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• 4) Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• 5) Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• 6) Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• 7) Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• 8) Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• 9) Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• 10) Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• 11) Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• 12) Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• 13) Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Abilities:

• 1) Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand
• 2) Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• 3) Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• 4) Originality — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
• 5) Fluency of Ideas — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
• 6) Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• 7)  Visual Color Discrimination — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
• 8)  Visualization — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.).
• 9) Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• 10) IFinger Dexterity — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
• 11) Wrist-Finger Speed — The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
• 12) Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
• 13) Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Knowledge

• 1) Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• 2) Fine Arts — Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
• 3) Sales and Marketing — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.