Textile Designer

Weave a career in textile innovation.

Join the industry as a Textile Designer, creating innovative fabric designs that meet market demands and production requirements. Your role will involve translating creative concepts into manufacturable textiles, balancing aesthetics with practicality – developing fabrics that are both stylish and suitable for various applications in fashion and interior design.

As a textile designer, you’ll be at the forefront of merging artistic expression with practical production processes. Your role will encompass the entire design lifecycle, from conceptualisation to final fabric realisation. You’ll collaborate closely with fashion designers, material scientists, and production teams to bring your creative visions to life while adhering to manufacturing constraints and market demands. You may work with woven, knitted, or printed fabrics for clothing, home furnishings, or technical textiles.

In this dynamic position, you’ll balance creativity with commercial viability, designing textile collections that resonate with target audiences while optimising for efficient production. Your expertise will be crucial in selecting appropriate fibres and yarns, developing prototypes, and overseeing the manufacturing process to ensure your designs are faithfully translated from concept to finished fabric. Whether creating patterns for mass-market fabrics or developing exclusive textiles for high-end designers, your work will contribute to shaping the aesthetic and functional landscape of the textile industry while navigating the complexities of large-scale production.

You will have an understanding of design software including Adobe Illustrator, Pointcarre (textile design software), and CAD systems for textile design.

As a Textile Designer you will create innovative clothing and accessory designs through sketching and digital rendering.

Your role may include duties as follows:

  1. Sketching and developing textile patterns – either by hand, through computer software, or both.
  2. Choosing the correct fibres and yarns – considering texture, durability, sustainability, and colour – for the fabric.
  3. Producing samples and prototypes – to ‘test’ and refine the design before final production or mass manufacture.
  4. Overseeing production – ensuring instructions are realised and fabrics result as intended – both aesthetically and in terms of performance.
  5. Marketing and client service – whether you operate on a small or grand scale, you will always be customer-facing and will need to promote your talents in an effective, targeted way.

Textile designers can create fabrics that will define a whole generation of fashion and interiors. This is a career that will allow you to communicate your creative influence through the very foundation of design – the materials themselves. Whether you choose to pursue mass-market textiles or exclusive, custom-designed fabrics, your work will be integral to the look and feel of countless products.

To become a textile designer in a manufacturing or commercial setting, you will typically need to pursue a bachelor’s degree in textile design, textile engineering, or a related field that combines design principles with manufacturing expertise. You should develop your knowledge and skills in textile production techniques, industry-specific software, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Develop a diverse portfolio showcasing your creativity, technical skills, and understanding of industrial textile applications. One way to gain entry into a role as a textile designer is through an internship or entry-level positions.  These entry level roles are often advertised, and you can apply directly to an employer. Research potential employers in your area via a search engine, social media or job site. Even if there are no jobs advertised with the employer you’re interested in, it can be a good idea to send a cover letter, with your resume and a sample of your portfolio expressing your interest.

Network with professionals in both design and manufacturing sectors by attending trade shows and industry events.

Consider specialising in areas such as performance fabrics, industrial filtration, or smart textiles to enhance your career prospects. Higher-level vocational education and training can provide a pathway to enter the field, offering practical skills and knowledge that may qualify you for university programs or advanced studies in textile design.

Also Known As:
  • Fabric Designer
  • Textile Pattern Creator
  • Textile Print Designer
A Quick Look
Key Skills:

Skills which may benefit anyone considering a job as a textile designer include:

  • Textile knowledge
  • Design
  • Pattern making
  • Production knowledge
  • Technical proficiency
Values & Attributes:

Values and attributes of anyone considering a job as a textile designer include:

  • Creativity
  • Attention to detail
  • Craftsmanship
  • Patience
  • Sustainability Mindset
  • Artistic – “Creator”
Recommended School Subjects:
  • Visual Arts
  • Visual Arts in Practice
Core School Subjects:
  • Essential Mathematics
  • Essential English
  • Design
  • Fashion

Salary Expectations

The expected salary for a Textile Designer can vary across different areas of manufacturing and may vary as you become more experienced.

Low
$60,000
Median
$70,000
High
$80,000

Whether you’re starting your journey or looking to upskill, there are multiple entry points and career progression opportunities available through vocational education and training.

Getting started

There are entry-level vocational education and training qualifications that offer essential skills and knowledge to kickstart your career in this field. These qualifications offer hands-on learning and prepare you for industry:

  • Certificate II in Apparel, Fashion and Textiles (MST20722)
  • Certificate III in Apparel, Fashion and Textiles (MST31022)

Advancing your career

Choosing to advance your career offers exciting opportunities for growth and specialisation. As you gain experience and skills through entry-level positions or initial qualifications, you can explore higher-level vocational education and training options to elevate your expertise. These qualifications can open doors to senior roles allowing you to take on more responsibility, as well as offering a foundation for further education.

To advance your career, or deepen your knowledge in this industry, consider the following qualifications:

  • Certificate IV in Textile Design and Technology (MST40122)
  • Diploma of Apparel, Fashion and Textiles (MST50122)
  • Advanced Diploma of Apparel, Fashion and Textiles (MST60122)

Successful completion of higher-level vocational education and training programs may facilitate your entry into university courses, should you choose to further your academic pursuits.

Universities offer several pathways for aspiring textile designers to gain the necessary qualifications for career entry. Undergraduate programs in Fashion and Textile Design are available at a range of universities. These bachelor’s degrees typically take three years to complete and cover a range of subjects including textile production techniques, design principles, and industry-specific software.

Some universities offer specialised units like “Fashion Textiles and Technology” as part of their curriculum. While specific program names may vary, students can expect to develop a strong foundation in art, design, and textile manufacturing processes. These courses often combine theoretical knowledge with practical skills, preparing graduates for careers in the textile design industry. Additionally, some institutions provide the option to study either on-campus or online, offering flexibility to suit different learning preferences.

Holding a degree in manufacturing, human resources, finance, economics, marketing or management can be helpful if you are considering taking a step into leadership or a business ownership position.

Career progression

In this role, you may have the opportunity to progress to other positions. Career progression opportunities include:

Explore the textiles, clothing and footwear industry

Deeply rooted in Australia’s manufacturing heritage, the textiles, clothing and footwear industry has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, embracing cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices to carve out a unique niche in the international fashion and textile landscape.

Textiles, clothing and footwear industry