The glamour of the fashion industry is quite exciting. If the industry excites you too to be part of this fresh and fast-paced world, a career as a fashion industry can be a perfect option for you. Though you will face stiff competition while trying to make a career in fashion design, the rewarding career that you get will definitely be worth the effort. The fashion industry, however, is not just about clothes. It offers you a range of career possibilities. Whether it is accessory design, footwear design or clothing, you have multiple options to choose from. Even when you pick up clothing, there are various niches to choose from. Before you decide to become a fashion designer, you should be quite well informed of the entire process, job description, education and degrees required and how to have a successful career in the industry. Below, we talk about all of this and much more.

The Industry & the Fashion Design Process
It is quite obvious that the fashion design industry is ever-evolving and is fiercely competitive. However, there can be dearth of opportunities for right talents. From conceptualizations till the completion of the product, the entire process may consume a time period between 18 to 24 months. Thorough research on current trends and making predictions about what the future trend is going to be are always a crucial part of the fashion designer's responsibilities. Designers also need to be active participants at trade and textile exhibitions and shows. They need to keep themselves abreast of the current trend and visualize the design of the products keeping the same in mind.

The design process begins with the selection of textile samples and sketches. Next begins the prototype of the article. To create the prototype, designers use a variety of cheaper materials and create the model. Then, the garments are edited and required adjustments are being made. For the review, the garments are sent to clothing retailers. After the garment design is approved, designers can finally exhibit the designs at trade shows and fashion shows. When retailers place orders for the exhibited designs, the bulk manufacturing process begins and the sale starts.

The same process is followed at all big fashion design companies. Fashion designers perform their work responsibilities throughout the process. There are other fashion designers who work for themselves, creating their own designs and showing it to clients. Experienced professionals can open their own boutique and cater to needs of clients. Many of skilled designers also get employed at television and film productions companies where they make an array of costumes for artists.

Educational Requirements & Training
A bachelor's fashion degree in fine arts is the standard requirement to become a fashion designer. Today, there are several professional fashion schools and colleges across the United States offering accredited degree programs in fashion design. Students can obtain their degrees both via campus mode and online. Around 200 fashion schools, college and universities have received accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Internships with manufacturing firms provide some valuable working experience to candidates.

If you plan to start your own fashion garments business, you can also obtain a degree in marketing or fashion merchandising. The educational qualification enables you to have a business of your own. The typical coursework of a fashion design degree program includes training in textile color study, fashion technology, fashion history, sewing, tailoring, Computer Aided Design (CAD) etc.

Career Prospects & Employment Opportunities
In the year 2006, fashion designers occupied a total of 20,000 jobs in the United States. The highest number of fashion designers employed was noticed in places like New York and California. While landing jobs, candidates may need to face stiff competition. However, candidates with adequate training and educational qualification will have no dearth of employment opportunities. Candidates can land jobs with apparel manufactures, fashion studios, retailers, trend consultants, textile manufacturers and haute couturier among others.

Annual Salary
At the initial stage of your design career, you may start with a starting salary of around $30,000 annually. Most of the fashion designers earn an annual salary ranging between $42,140 and $87,510. With growing skill sets and experience, fashion designers can earn an annual salary of around $100,000 or more.

Getting Educated In Fashion Design

As students we find it hard to make decisions regarding the educational pathway to choose or remain undecided on which career pathway to prepare for. At such times it will be helpful if you referred websites like http://www.degreeauthority.com/. Students can expect to get detailed information about any career of their choice, look up details about the various educational institutions that offer the programs. If you are keen on making it big as a fashion designer and wish to get all the information you can about the educational programs, their accreditation and the job outlook for fashion designer you have come to the right place.

Fashion Designers

Fashion designers create and manufacture clothing and other fashion accessories such as shoes, handbags, hats, and jewelry etc. They are quick to pick up trends, are good at setting trends using appropriate colors, fabrics and original designs. They can be niche specific such as footwear designers, accessories designers or they can be a designer who is jack of all trades as well as master of them all too!

Fashion designers have to constantly study fashion trends, learn what colors, fabric and styles are in vogue and be able to predict trends. They may be self employed creating exclusive clothing for a few elite VIPs or they may work for one of the reputed fashion houses and some of them work for apparel manufacturers.

Education And Training

http://www.degreeauthority.com/ provides accurate information about the various educational institutions that offer programs at certificate, associate's, bachelor's and master's levels in the field of fashion design. Students have a huge array of options as the National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredits more than 250 programs in arts and design. Students who wish to secure entry level jobs need to complete a 2 or a 4 year college degree program in fashion design and they must have completed an internship program. Experience working in retail stores and fashion houses will also be considered advantageous. Apart from a formal education they need to be proficient in tailoring and sketching. Students who wish to become self employed fashion designers may pursue programs in business management too.

Students pursuing fashion design degrees are trained in fashion illustration, clothing construction, draping and pattern drafting. They are also trained in design concepts, textiles and production techniques. They learn about quality control, fabric design, design production, fashion merchandising and color mixing. Students need to make sure that they are taking up a program that has been accredited by Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools or the NASAD.

Skills Required

Fashion designers must have sound knowledge of design and design techniques. They must be knowledgeable about fabrics, colors and textiles. They have to be artistic; have to create original, eye catching designs consistently. Experience in using tools and instruments, sketching, making blue prints and working on models will be an advantage. They must have good sense of balance and proportion and be able to create designs that can set trends. They must have an eye for detail, must stick to deadlines, be organized and must be able to function as a team as well as be able to work independently. Advanced knowledge in using computer software to create original designs is a prerequisite. They must be able to visually represent their designs using sketches. Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills are also necessary.  Students must be able to build an impressive portfolio of their work which will help them secure jobs. Students may also work in retail outlets or secure entry level jobs at a fashion house or work for an established designer. This will help them get familiar with all aspects of the job. Fashion designers need to travel a lot; they travel to meet manufacturers, select fabrics, and attend shows and seminars. It is necessary to be alert to any changes in the trends, analyze its impact and create new designs accordingly. You can find out more about fashion design educational programs at http://www.degreeauthority.com/.

Job Outlook

There were about 20,000 fashion designers employed in the year 2006 with a majority of them working for apparel manufacturers. New York and California are the hottest fashion destinations in the United States and most of the fashion designers have found employment there. The employment growth rate is projected at 5% by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition. Their salary depends on their experience, the firm that they work for and their educational qualifications. Most fashion designer make between $40,000 and $120,000 annually. Some of the self employed top fashion designers make a fortune creating fabulous outfits for celebrity clients. The job out look is good as there will always be a demand for qualified and skilled individuals. Stiff competition can be expected as many talented individuals wish to enter the field and become successful. The apparel manufacturing industry is not expected to grow much so the employment rate of fashion designers in the apparel industry may not be very high.

Fashion designers enjoy the challenge of constantly changing trends and tastes. Students who wish to take up programs in fashion design will find browsing through http://www.degreeauthority.com/ most helpful. You can learn about the various programs offered, check out the accreditation of the institution, learn about the curriculum, find out if internships are part of the program and get informed about the fees and financial aid available. The students can thus select a program that offers them the maximum advantages. They will be able to plan their career pathway successfully ensuring that they achieve their personal goals at the shortest time possible. You will find that http://www.degreeauthority.com/ offers you in depth and comprehensive information about educational programs in various fields of study.