5 answers
Elianna
Student
Sussex, New Jersey
1
Question
Asked
1790 views
How to be a fashion designer and to have the creative mindset
So I love being creative all that, and I find myself being a fashion enthusiast with the knowledge I have on trends instead of a designer. I'm so overwhelmed that my lack of ability to draw will never get me into an art college, like I suck at drawing, I can picture an amazing outfit but can never draw it and I would love to have beautiful illustrations for college resumes. My question is how to learn more about basics or getting online classes or learning how to draw a jacket!, and knowing things like fabrics and phrases like; bell bottoms, or low v cut, off the shoulder. How to I get the creative mindset ?I like fashion but sometimes i have to force my self to draw and its hard to come up with something none has seen, i'm starting to learn tho that fashion could could look ugly but its special cause it has a story
5 answers
Jacob Taylor
Production Manager
521
Answers
Stafford, Virginia
Updated
Jacob’s Answer
Becoming a fashion designer and nurturing your creative mindset is an exciting journey that doesn't solely depend on your drawing abilities. Here are some steps and tips to help you pursue a career in fashion design:
**1. Learn the Basics:**
- Start by learning the fundamentals of fashion design. This includes understanding different fabrics, garment construction, sewing techniques, and pattern making. Many community colleges offer introductory fashion courses.
**2. Online Courses:**
- Consider taking online courses in fashion design and illustration. There are numerous platforms, such as Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare, that offer courses on fashion design, pattern drafting, and illustration.
**3. Practice Drawing:**
- While drawing is not the only skill required for fashion design, it's still valuable. Practice regularly to improve your sketching abilities. Look for online tutorials and books on fashion illustration.
**4. Create a Portfolio:**
- Build a portfolio showcasing your designs and sketches, even if they're not perfect. A diverse portfolio that reflects your creativity and unique style can impress colleges and potential employers.
**5. Study Fashion Trends:**
- Stay updated on current fashion trends by reading fashion magazines, following fashion blogs, and attending fashion shows or events. This will help you understand the industry and develop your own unique style.
**6. Explore Fabrics and Techniques:**
- Experiment with different fabrics, sewing techniques, and garment construction. Gain hands-on experience by creating your own clothing pieces or modifying existing ones.
**7. Embrace Creativity:**
- Allow yourself to think outside the box and embrace your unique perspective on fashion. Don't be afraid to challenge conventional ideas and create designs that tell a story or convey a message.
**8. Connect with Mentors:**
- Seek guidance from experienced fashion designers or mentors who can provide valuable insights and feedback on your work.
**9. Attend Workshops and Events:**
- Attend fashion workshops, exhibitions, and networking events in your area. These events can help you connect with like-minded individuals and industry professionals.
**10. Online Communities:**
- Join online fashion communities and forums where you can share your work, get feedback, and learn from others.
**11. Build Your Brand:**
- Consider creating a personal brand or identity as a designer. This includes having a unique style, logo, and online presence.
**12. Cultivate the Creative Mindset:**
- Creativity can be nurtured by exposing yourself to different art forms, cultures, and experiences. Explore other artistic disciplines, travel, and read widely to expand your creative horizons.
**13. Persevere:**
- Remember that creativity is a journey, and it's normal to face creative blocks. Don't get discouraged by challenges. Keep pushing yourself to create and innovate.
Fashion design is as much about creativity, innovation, and storytelling as it is about technical skills. Your unique perspective and passion for fashion can set you apart in the industry. With dedication, practice, and continuous learning, you can develop your creative mindset and pursue a fulfilling career as a fashion designer.
**1. Learn the Basics:**
- Start by learning the fundamentals of fashion design. This includes understanding different fabrics, garment construction, sewing techniques, and pattern making. Many community colleges offer introductory fashion courses.
**2. Online Courses:**
- Consider taking online courses in fashion design and illustration. There are numerous platforms, such as Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare, that offer courses on fashion design, pattern drafting, and illustration.
**3. Practice Drawing:**
- While drawing is not the only skill required for fashion design, it's still valuable. Practice regularly to improve your sketching abilities. Look for online tutorials and books on fashion illustration.
**4. Create a Portfolio:**
- Build a portfolio showcasing your designs and sketches, even if they're not perfect. A diverse portfolio that reflects your creativity and unique style can impress colleges and potential employers.
**5. Study Fashion Trends:**
- Stay updated on current fashion trends by reading fashion magazines, following fashion blogs, and attending fashion shows or events. This will help you understand the industry and develop your own unique style.
**6. Explore Fabrics and Techniques:**
- Experiment with different fabrics, sewing techniques, and garment construction. Gain hands-on experience by creating your own clothing pieces or modifying existing ones.
**7. Embrace Creativity:**
- Allow yourself to think outside the box and embrace your unique perspective on fashion. Don't be afraid to challenge conventional ideas and create designs that tell a story or convey a message.
**8. Connect with Mentors:**
- Seek guidance from experienced fashion designers or mentors who can provide valuable insights and feedback on your work.
**9. Attend Workshops and Events:**
- Attend fashion workshops, exhibitions, and networking events in your area. These events can help you connect with like-minded individuals and industry professionals.
**10. Online Communities:**
- Join online fashion communities and forums where you can share your work, get feedback, and learn from others.
**11. Build Your Brand:**
- Consider creating a personal brand or identity as a designer. This includes having a unique style, logo, and online presence.
**12. Cultivate the Creative Mindset:**
- Creativity can be nurtured by exposing yourself to different art forms, cultures, and experiences. Explore other artistic disciplines, travel, and read widely to expand your creative horizons.
**13. Persevere:**
- Remember that creativity is a journey, and it's normal to face creative blocks. Don't get discouraged by challenges. Keep pushing yourself to create and innovate.
Fashion design is as much about creativity, innovation, and storytelling as it is about technical skills. Your unique perspective and passion for fashion can set you apart in the industry. With dedication, practice, and continuous learning, you can develop your creative mindset and pursue a fulfilling career as a fashion designer.
Thanks so much
Harriet
you wrote this a while ago and I'm only now reading because school was a lot and it was hard to do everything that colleges want to see, that fashion designing got lost and I barely was able to sketch, so I lost motivation and drive, so here I am a year later with a week back into school. I need to get serious about it since I really want to apply early for college and this answer really does help me knoe what I should be focusing on. Thank for taking the tim to really care and give me this
Elianna
Rosie Oliveras
Designer
3
Answers
Northport, New York
Updated
Rosie’s Answer
Being able to translate your ideas is super important if you want to work in fashion design. Usually that is drawing. The best way to practice this would be to draw pieces that you already have. It's really hard to draw something that is just an idea but if you start drawing pieces you already have its easier to then make adjustments that are more your own creation.
You could also try adjusting things, or making your own pieces first.
If you don't enjoy drawing, this is usually a big part (and the best part) of being a designer. So maybe it's worth exploring other roles. You can work in fashion without being a designer - try exploring roles such as fashion buyer, fashion stylist, marketer.
You could also try adjusting things, or making your own pieces first.
If you don't enjoy drawing, this is usually a big part (and the best part) of being a designer. So maybe it's worth exploring other roles. You can work in fashion without being a designer - try exploring roles such as fashion buyer, fashion stylist, marketer.
Corinne C. Savage
2
Answers
Updated
Corinne’s Answer
Hey Elianna!
I love that you have your passion and confidence driving you to be creative, that is amazing and I totally recognize that!
The biggest take away I got from your question is that you are pretty dang sure that you can’t draw…and your mindset is holding you back. To really get your ideas out in the fast paced fashion industry (and a LOT of other creative industries as well) you will value being
able to allow yourself to work through whatever you’re planning and get it on paper.
I am a firm believer that we are all artists but our perceptions hold us back. We hold ourselves to an impossible standard right away when sketching takes practice!
To be a bold and innovative designer- you have to step our of your comfort zone and do things you’ve never done before or that others have never done before.
So, I have an exercise for you; grab a colored pencil and paper, make sure you grab your favorite color. Now hold the colored pencil like you would’ve when you were a kid, and scribble. Scribble what your feeling are about anything, grab another color, scribble over it like you do not care what it looks like. But control how you are scribbling - be adventurous with it, explore the paper and the medium. How does the pencil feel? How does a crayon feel against the paper?
The idea here is to trick your brain into starting to feel like you can draw by treating it like an experiment.
Keep experimenting, and remember to always check your judgement especially when you are practicing.
Not everything has to be a masterpiece.
Develop your own style! It takes a while to develop it, but you’re passionate and while in school, you can work on this every day so then when it matters; you are confident in expressing your unique art.
Oh, and do yourself another favor and attend as many figure drawing classes as possible. Take one in college if you can, or try looking into local art clubs! Learning how to quickly sketch the human body and proportions is a must!
I love that you have your passion and confidence driving you to be creative, that is amazing and I totally recognize that!
The biggest take away I got from your question is that you are pretty dang sure that you can’t draw…and your mindset is holding you back. To really get your ideas out in the fast paced fashion industry (and a LOT of other creative industries as well) you will value being
able to allow yourself to work through whatever you’re planning and get it on paper.
I am a firm believer that we are all artists but our perceptions hold us back. We hold ourselves to an impossible standard right away when sketching takes practice!
To be a bold and innovative designer- you have to step our of your comfort zone and do things you’ve never done before or that others have never done before.
So, I have an exercise for you; grab a colored pencil and paper, make sure you grab your favorite color. Now hold the colored pencil like you would’ve when you were a kid, and scribble. Scribble what your feeling are about anything, grab another color, scribble over it like you do not care what it looks like. But control how you are scribbling - be adventurous with it, explore the paper and the medium. How does the pencil feel? How does a crayon feel against the paper?
The idea here is to trick your brain into starting to feel like you can draw by treating it like an experiment.
Keep experimenting, and remember to always check your judgement especially when you are practicing.
Not everything has to be a masterpiece.
Develop your own style! It takes a while to develop it, but you’re passionate and while in school, you can work on this every day so then when it matters; you are confident in expressing your unique art.
Oh, and do yourself another favor and attend as many figure drawing classes as possible. Take one in college if you can, or try looking into local art clubs! Learning how to quickly sketch the human body and proportions is a must!
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1914
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Fashionista Elianna !
I find it difficult to draw also and I would like to give you some practical advice that I hope will make it easier for you !
It starts with conceptionalizing the idea in your mind. Think about what it will look like. It takes practice and you have to approach it slowly. I am leaving a link below to a drawing tutorial on You Tube . Watch as many video tutorials as you can. That's just one video but I am sure there are many more.
There is some drawing software also that you can use and perhaps doing it on a computer will help you and influence you when you start to use paper and pen. A link below is for a list of some drawing software. Try not to dismiss your style of drawing. Everyone has their own recognizable, signature drawing style, especially in the fashion world. Embrace what you think is "imperfect" as unique because new and original are two very important qualities in fashion.
It sounds as though you might be geared towards being a Stylist. In this career, you will help individuals to dress according to their qualities and what makes them look their best. That would include accessorizing and make up, too and also hair styles. I would suggest learning styling. I have provided a link to Styling information below.
Most of all, do not let your drawing get in the way of a possible exciting career in fashion. Drawing is just one of the many things involved and you have much more to offer. Never give up, practice everyday, read a lot about the subjects, and it really will be possible to obtain work even though you're not the best sketcher. You will break that barrier as you discover your way.
I hope this has been of help and I wish you all the best !
https://youtu.be/E1RiMecwZlA?si=kztWmILDOFgKVT5n DRAWING TUTORIAL VIDEO
https://www.g2.com/articles/free-drawing-software DRAWING SOFTWARE
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-become-a-fashion-stylist FASHION STYLING
I find it difficult to draw also and I would like to give you some practical advice that I hope will make it easier for you !
It starts with conceptionalizing the idea in your mind. Think about what it will look like. It takes practice and you have to approach it slowly. I am leaving a link below to a drawing tutorial on You Tube . Watch as many video tutorials as you can. That's just one video but I am sure there are many more.
There is some drawing software also that you can use and perhaps doing it on a computer will help you and influence you when you start to use paper and pen. A link below is for a list of some drawing software. Try not to dismiss your style of drawing. Everyone has their own recognizable, signature drawing style, especially in the fashion world. Embrace what you think is "imperfect" as unique because new and original are two very important qualities in fashion.
It sounds as though you might be geared towards being a Stylist. In this career, you will help individuals to dress according to their qualities and what makes them look their best. That would include accessorizing and make up, too and also hair styles. I would suggest learning styling. I have provided a link to Styling information below.
Most of all, do not let your drawing get in the way of a possible exciting career in fashion. Drawing is just one of the many things involved and you have much more to offer. Never give up, practice everyday, read a lot about the subjects, and it really will be possible to obtain work even though you're not the best sketcher. You will break that barrier as you discover your way.
I hope this has been of help and I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Thank you ! and I know practice makes perfect so I just have to find the motivation with things, I will check these links out thank you for finding these
Elianna
You are very welcome, Elianna !
Michelle M.
Amalya Sukiasyan
ESOL teacher at Washington English Center
297
Answers
Yerevan
Updated
Amalya’s Answer
Hi Elianna,
It's good that you have already found your passion and a career path to get into.
It is necessary to develop your creative skills by practicing a lot, taking various courses, and getting more familiar with the industry. To advance your skills at a professional level, you should start majoring in fashion design if you like.
It's good that you have already found your passion and a career path to get into.
It is necessary to develop your creative skills by practicing a lot, taking various courses, and getting more familiar with the industry. To advance your skills at a professional level, you should start majoring in fashion design if you like.
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