Artistic ability and creativity are a must. Fashion designers must be able to create original and innovative designs which will appeal to consumers. Their designs must be unique, stylish, and functional. Since fashion designers use a number of computer applications when designing their clothing, efficient computer skills are important. There are a number of professionals who work with fashion designers therefore communication and teamwork skills are imperative. Fashion designers must be polite and respectful to others and be able to convey their ideas and opinions to fellow associates. Fashion designers must be detail-oriented and specific with the materials, textiles, and colors used in their designs. 

Fashion Design Degree Levels Available

Associate’s Degree in Fashion Design

The associate’s degree program in fashion design prepares students for entry-level positions in the fashion design field. Although an associate’s degree in fashion design is not a requirement in order to obtain professional employment as a fashion designer, this two-year program provides students with a general knowledge of this discipline’s customs and applications by offering courses in areas such as sewing, fashion merchandising, pattern development, fashion art, marketing, retailing, fashion illustration, textiles, draping, computer-aided drafting (CAD), color theory, fashion trends, apparel construction, and fashion history. Upon completion of an associate’s degree program in fashion design, students may obtain on-the-job experience through internships by working under the supervision of a professional fashion designer. 

Admission Requirements

To enroll in an associate’s degree program in fashion design, students must have obtained a high school diploma or an academic equivalent (i.e., GED). Transcripts from high school and SAT or ACT test scores are almost always required as well. In conjunction with these documents, students must submit an application form from the institution along with the application fee. Students who have volunteer and/or work experience in the fashion design field, should document this information in the application form since this would greatly benefit their acceptance into the college or university. 

Tuition and Accreditation

The figures stated below are only estimates since college and university tuition fees vary depending on the institution. This is due to numerous factors (e.g., public versus private institutions, distance education, etc.). An associate’s degree in fashion design may vary from $ 8,085 to $ 23,871 in tuition fees. (Source: the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics)

Employers primarily hire applicants who have graduated from an accredited institution because this tells employers that the student attended an institution which provides high-quality education and adheres to certain academic standards. Therefore, students who aspire to obtain an associate’s degree in fashion design should enroll in a college or university accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Average Annual Salary Range for Fashion Designers

There are numerous factors which affect an individual’s salary such as their level of education, the extent of their experience, their field of specialization, and who they are employed by. This results in a variation of salary ranges for individuals employed in the same profession. Having stated this, the average annual salary range for fashion designs is $ 62,620 to $ 82,620 (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

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