Spin cash in style

Consumerism has created a rising demand for designers in every field and there is no dearth of work for them. The apparel and textile industry has witnessed the fastest growth in the last couple of years.

The Indian textile Industry is one of the leading textile industries in the world. The opening up of the economy gave the much-needed thrust to the industry which has now successfully become one of the largest in the world. The current domestic market of textiles in India is expected to increase to US$ 60 billion by 2012. The textile exports of the country were worth around US$ 19.14 billion in 2006-07, which saw a stiff rise to reach US$ 22.13 in 2007-08. The share of exports is also expected to increase from 4 per cent to 7 per cent within 2012.

With fashion trends changing almost every day, the need for newer designs becomes imperative for the apparel or fashion industry. Textile design courses currently are among the most sought after study programmes. Persons with an aptitude for fine arts and fashion trends find this an attractive course and career option. Graduates in textile designing are recruited by fashion houses, textile designers, and apparel manufacturers.

Textile design forms the core of the fashion business. The rapidly expanding activities in the export and domestic sectors of the Indian apparel and home fashion industry demand professional inputs in design and development of textiles and raw material, which account for 60-80  of the cost of the product. Textile designers always work in tandem with fashion designers and complement each other.

Career prospects

Textile designers are developing new design concepts through experimenting with yarns, colour, fabric finish and texture. They develop designs through drawing 2D designs that can be translated into woven, knitted or printed fabrics for clothing or interior items such as carpets or tableware. A good perception of color, form, dimension and texture, as well as drawing skills and interest in design aspects are necessary to become a successful textile designer.

Textile designers need to maintain up-to-date knowledge of new design and production techniques and textile technology and ensure that projects are completed on time. A textile designer needs to have good observation skills and understanding for current trends in fashion and lifestyle, in order to be able to develop marketable fabrics.

Textile design as an integral part of fashion industry is a promising and remunerative career option today. As a creative career option, it offers all one wants; glamour, money and popularity. Textile designers work within and alongside industries such as fashion, interior design, and textiles. Many who qualify as textile designers could also create a boutique chain.

Career choices

The other career options in textile designing are embroidery designers, dying and printing consultant, fabric analyser, textile lab manager, fabric resource manager etc.
The range of job prospects in this field is wide. Successful canidates can find excellent placements in garment, leather and jewellery industries as merchandising executives, fashion designers, illustrators, fashion co-ordinators, etc.  With many big names in the apparel and textile field, job prospects are good for trained professionals. There are also growing opportunities with government sponsored and private silk, handloom, khadi, jute and craft development organisations, and with hundreds of hosiery and home furnishing export units largely centered around Panipat in the North and Tirupur and Coimbatore in the south. With some experience, textile designers can work as free lancers offering their designs to different outfits.

There are attractive job openings abroad. The US, UK and Australia are large recruiters of textile design professionals.

Remuneration

Textile designing is a highly remunerative career option. Recruits from textile design schools may start at Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 per month. In export houses, experienced textile designers may draw Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000 per month. Freelance textile designers have also good earnings depending upon the nature of their assignment.

Eligibility

The minimum qualification required for admission into degree programmes in textile design is a pass in the 10+2 or its equivalent from any recognised board. Candidats also have to pass the entrance test and interview.

Duration

Courses in textile design can be pursued at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels. Some institutes also offer certificate/ diploma courses.

- Undergraduate courses  (3-4 years)
- Post-graduate courses (2 years)
- Certificate courses (1 week-1 month)
- Diploma courses (1 year)