Textile designer

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a senior designer or production manager with a design agency, retailer or manufacturer.

You could work freelance, or move into college or university teaching on a textiles or art and design course.

You could also work in a research department for a company that specialises in developing technical textiles used in areas like aerospace, healthcare and sports equipment design.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• design skills and knowledge
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• analytical thinking skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of textiles development and technology
• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Art and Design - Textile designers rely on strong visual skills to create patterns, colour palettes, and surface designs for fabrics and materials. Drawing, painting, and understanding composition are central to developing original textile designs, whether by hand or digitally.
• Design and Technology - Textile designers work with materials, manufacturing processes, and production techniques on a daily basis. Understanding how fabrics are constructed, how dyes and prints are applied, and how designs move from prototype to finished product is essential to the role.
• Chemistry - Textile designers use dyeing, printing, and finishing processes that all depend on how chemicals interact with different fibres and fabrics. Understanding the properties of materials – including sustainable and synthetic textiles – helps them choose the right techniques and achieve the results they want.

Also relevant

• Computer Science - Textile designers increasingly use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create and refine patterns, and some work with digital printing technologies or parametric design tools. Understanding how software processes and renders designs can help them push creative boundaries and work more efficiently.
• Business - Textile designers often market and sell their own products online, at craft fairs, or through retail outlets, and many work freelance. Understanding pricing, branding, and how to manage client relationships is important for building a successful career.
• Mathematics - Textile designers use geometry and measurement when creating repeat patterns, calculating fabric quantities, and scaling designs for production. Precision with numbers matters when translating a design into something that can be manufactured accurately.
• Environmental Science - Textile designers increasingly research sustainable materials and eco-friendly production methods. Understanding the environmental impact of different fibres, dyes, and manufacturing processes helps them make responsible design choices in a fast-changing industry.
• Physics - Textile designers who work on technical textiles – used in areas like aerospace, healthcare, and sports equipment – need to understand material properties such as tensile strength, thermal insulation, and elasticity. This knowledge helps them select and develop fabrics that perform under specific conditions.