Skill requirements for textile and fashion designers

by Dr. H. R. Sheikh, Professor Emeritus, Textile Institute of Pakistan

The lifestyle of men and women, especially the young generation, has changed all over the world. Consequently, the design requirements of textile products have also changed. Apparel manufacturers demand fabrics with special characteristics so that comfortable, garments with adequate holding power and shape retention properties can be produced for the modern consumers. Such fabrics can be produced by selecting the right type of raw-materials, constructional parameters and manufacturing techniques.
By using the appropriate wet-processing and finishing processes fabrics with wearing performance of hand, drape, crease and wrinkle recovery can be manufactured. However, artistic fabrics with attractive visual appeal, exhibiting the qualities of color, print and design cannot be created without the input of textile and fashion designers, possessing skill competency attributes as listed below.

1. Skill Competency of Designer

(i)         Strong artistic and aesthetic sense.
(ii)        Deep understanding of colour.
(iii)       Ability to identify not only market needs but also to create market needs.
(iv)            Imagination to produce and express ideas into a tangible, useable product with due consideration to economic constraints.
(v)            Thorough understanding of the processes involved in the manufacture of textile products and capability to introduce innovations within practical performance limits of the machinery.
(vi)            Awareness of the new ideas launched in the market and anticipation of future trends.
(vii)            Knowledge of the changes in the life of the consumers and the impact of these changes on the demand for fashion apparel.
(viii)            Preservation and promotion of local crafts and traditions by developing products which represent a feasible combination of tradition and modernity to be readily acceptable to the consumers.
(ix)            Designing and developing which involve the use of environmentally friendly processes and are free from substances harmful to the consumers, i.e., the products are green-labelled with reference to Oko-Tex Standard 100.

2. Education and Training in Design Technology

In order to acquire the knowledge of design technology and develop adequate capabability as well as skill competence, the prospective designers need to pursue preferably a four year course leading to a degree at an institute or a university recognised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of the Government of Pakistan (GoP). In general, the contents of such a course are structured as follows:
(i) First year
Knowledge of the principles and concepts of the design of textile products is imparted to the students. They are motivated to think, learn and develop an understanding of the elements and principles of design and drawing. The students are also expected to develop comparing and contrasting ability and develop an artistic and aesthetic talent.

(ii) Second year

The students should be encouraged to think and produce original ideas for creating novel designs of products. Exposure of the students to our traditional crafts and textiles will inspire them to develop original ideas and thoughts. Simultaneously, knowledge of the processes involved in the manufacture of textile products and handicrafts should be imparted to the students. In order to facilitate understanding of the technical, mechanical and technological details of these processes by the students.,

Internships should be arranged under the supervision of the faculty concerned. Internships should be compulsory for each student and the performance should be evaluated on individual basis at the end of the internship period.

(iii) Third year

The students should be given information as well exposure to the needs of the mass market, commercial production and international trends. Teaching should also cover essential information about marketing and management skills. This will facilitate the students to become independent entrepreneurs and set up their own practices after graduation.
Internships should also be arranged for the students at the end of third year.

(iv) Final year

The students should develop thorough understanding and coherent knowledge of the key aspects of design technology. They should be fully conversant with the application of strategic planning for undertaking of projects requiring use of aesthetic sensibilities as well as management expertise. They should also be allowed to develop their own projects for working and exploring a medium of their own choice.

3. Expectation from Designers 

After completing the course on Design Technology, the graduates will be eligible for employment in departments of textile mills and textile institutes, universities and boutiques or they can start independent private practice. In each case they will fulfill professional expectations in respect of their performances some of which are:
(i)         to produce designs for the local and global markets
(ii)        to meet the design orders from international clients and
(iii)       to preserve and promote traditional crafts and indigenous textiles through innovation and facilitation.