What is a Technical Designer in the Fashion Industry & Why are they Important?

[@diemhuong4572]

This is very useful information for me. Thank you, Rachel. I hope you will continue to share more of the work that the technical designer must do.

[@thingswewear]

Thank you, Diem Huong! Do you have any specific questions you'd like me to cover?

[@IssyPiraino]

Hi Rachel, have you had experience with designing swim wear? I have an idea in swim wear and just starting out, I now need to find the proper designer to help me move forward. I'd love to hear your suggestions and/or referrals. Thanks so much :)

[@TrulyLaToya]

Thank you for making this video! Do you think going to fashion school is necessary to become a technical designer?

[@thingswewear]

Thanks for your comment! :) Personally, I don't think that fashion school is necessary for this job- like many professional jobs out there, a lot of the important parts of the job are softer skills- like being able to communicate effectively with different types of people (including some who maybe don't love to communicate!); being organized and aware of deadlines, being able to see the larger picture of your work so you can work smarter & not harder! Specific skills you do need for this job include: Adobe Creative Suite, knowledge about the fashion industry and clothing, sewing & understanding how clothing is made, fashion history/styling so you can understand designs and execute them effectively, sketching by hand and on the computer, being good with numbers and spatial understanding so you can understand how flat pattern shapes become 3D garments. The specific skills you can learn in a number of ways - you can take some classes at your local community college, online, or study in your own time. Personally, I was always a home sewer growing up and I got my BFA undergraduate degree in costume design. It was a related field but not specifically fashion school. I found it hard to get my first job in fashion without a fashion degree, but once I had one professional/well-known brand on my resume, no one ever questioned what my qualifications were - it has always been about the places I've worked. About half of the jobs I've had (including that very first job) were from knowing someone, even if it's just a friend of a friend (literally, the first fashion job I was able to land because my boss's friend's friend whom she met at a Halloween party helped push my resume to the top of the pile so I got the chance to interview. I still had to nail that interview though!). It's a great excuse to be social (either in person, or online in a forum or Linked In) and make a priority of your interpersonal relationships- I have found that these connections have given me so many more opportunities to interview when my competition is a pile of equally as impressive resumes. My last advice is to never turn down an interview- even if it's a brand you're not super pumped about. First, it's great practice to interview and learn to let go of those interview-jitters, AND you never know how you'll feel after the interview. A lot of having a good work experience is having good chemistry with your boss & colleagues - you'll never know if you have that until you meet them and see the space. Good luck!

[@TrulyLaToya]

@@thingswewear thank you so much for this wonderful advice! I was dreading the thought of anymore student loan debt. That took the weight off for sure! Lol I will be looking into SkillShare and also The university if fashion online. I tried to search I think you mentioned Motif but their website mentioned they shut down. I’m also excited you mentioned sewing too! I already plan on sewing up some clothes so I’m glad to know that it’s putting me on the right path 😊

[@neiladamstt]

​@@thingswewear❤