Requirements

Product, clothing or related designer - requirements

As a product, clothing or related designer, you’ll use your creative and technical skills to design new pieces or improve existing items. Learn more about a career in product, clothing and related design, find out what it involves and what you’ll need to study and do to get a role.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

What qualifications do you need to be a product, clothing or related designer?

A degree in art and design will prove useful if you want to work in product, clothing or related design. Subjects to consider include:

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Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be a product, clothing or related designer?

Although it’s not essential to do a postgraduate course, it will certainly help develop your skills and give additional career opportunities.

Examples of taught MAs, MScs and research degrees at postgraduate level include:

Design
Design and innovation
Digital fashion innovation
Integrated product design
Live event design
Luxury accessories design
Make-up and hair design

What skills do you need to be a product, clothing or related designer?

You need to be a highly creative and innovative person with the technical skills to design clothes or products.

Hard skills usually include:

Computer-aided design software
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Cutting and sewing
Selling
Negotiation

Soft skills include:

Presenting
Customer service
Communication
Research
Self-motivation

Do you need work experience to be a product, clothing or related designer?

The design industry is highly competitive so getting some experience will be vital for your career. You also need to be building up your portfolio which is often done during a degree or apprenticeship. As a product designer you could enter design competitions and apply for exhibitions to showcase your work and make new contacts.