Creative (in the textile environment)

The textile designer comes up with ideas and creates fabrics for designing garments, accessories, home decor and technical fabrics for general industry and for transport. This professional understands the possibilities of basic materials (cotton, linen, wool and silk), different thread and fibre types (natural, chemical, synthetic and artificial), types of fabrics and their constructions (weaving, warp and weft, etc.) and finishes. With this information, s/he then defines and designs, jointly with the fabric theorist or architect of the fabric, new collections and defines their visual aesthetics, touch, fall and technique. This professional has special skill in analysing fashion trends and market styles.

• Analyse and define the fabric to be designed.
  Basic fabric trends are shown annually at European trade fairs on fabrics and fashion. With this information, designers analyse what interests them and defines what is most necessary for their markets, whether at the level of prices, styles or the company's production capacity.
  Adapt this information on trends to define a new collection, with a clear description of the colour palette (Pantone) and fabric trends, if they are technical/synthetic, pure or blends. Also define issues with regard to rigidity, softness, manageability, open textures, etc., to subsequently create the fabric correctly.
• Execture one or more design proposals.
  Starting from the clear definition of what they want to achieve, perform a search for and research existing fabrics that may meet the previously defined requirements.
• Create initial samples.
  Jointly with the fabric architect, create a series samples or tests with different colours, textures and threads, as previously defined.
  Test swaths are generally created, which are 1.50-cm fabric samples showing the different thread colour compositions in the plot and weave.
• Supervise production.
  Responsible for supervising the proper production of all fabrics.

Regulated training and graduates

No single specialised qualification is required in order to embark on a career in this area. There are differents studies that prepare an individual for this occupation, including:

• Certificat de Professionalitat de la Família Tèxtil, confecció i pell: Disseny tècnic en estampació tèxtil (Nivell 3)
• Certificat de Professionalitat de la Família Tèxtil, confecció i pell: Desenvolupament de tèxtils tècnics (Nivell 3)
• Professional Training Course(s) in the field of Textile, Clothing Industry and Leather - Intermediate Level: Manufacture and ennobling of textiles
• Professional(s) Training Course(s) in the field of Textile, clothing and leather - Advanced Level: Technical design in clothing and leather
• Grau: Arquitectura
• Grau: Belles arts
• Grau: Arts i disseny
• Grau: Disseny
• Grau: Enginyeria de tecnologia i disseny tèxtil
• Grau: Enginyeria de disseny industrial
• Grau: Enginyeria de disseny industrial i desenvolupament del producte
• Grau: Enginyeria de materials

Concern for order and quality: Level 3

Flexibility and change management: Level 2

Learning and use of knowledge: Level 1

Orientation within reach: Level 2

Creativity: Level 2

Analytical thought: Level 2

Artistic

People who show an interest in the artistic field enjoy expressing ideas and feelings through the language of art A creative spirit and the motivation to convey concepts or emotions are inherent to this interest. This field includes all the activities that are oriented towards creating artistic products in their various forms: works that are musical, cinematographic or visual in nature, as well as dance and related arts.

Design

People who show an interest in the field of design enjoy creating forms, styles and effects that improve the aesthetics, features or user-friendliness of products and spaces. This field of interest includes all the activities related to fashion and accessories design (clothes, jewellery) and interior design (furniture, window dressing). Creativity and knowledge of new trends are key in the carrying out of these activities in the professional world.

Fashion and pattern designer

Accessories designer

Performance wardrobe designer

Designer of jewellery and objects made with precious metals

Model-maker

• Work hours

  Usually full-time.

• Salary

  Gross annual wages from 15.913 to 21.940 euros, depending on experience. Median: 18.684 euros annum gross.
  
  Source: Report "Observatory of Jobs and Salaries of the Labour Market. Barcelona Activa", elaborated by ICSA Grupo. April 2015.

• Professional category

  Technician

• Human resources and equipment

  A studio and computer tools for executing the work.

• Initial investments

  A budget from approximately 6,010 to 9,610 euros, which includes a MAC or PC, software programs and a printer.