Who will be the new internationally famous designers? Could it be you? Someone will be creating their own fashion statements and creating the styles which appeal to millions of fashion conscious shoppers.
The Fashion and Interior Design Industry Sector is a multibillion-dollar enterprise offering a wide variety of careers. Don’t think just in terms of the creative art portion of the industry, manufacturing, marketing, and distribution are related areas necessary for a designer to be successful. A particularly high demand exists for preproduction jobs involving computerized pattern making and product data management. Employment in the fashion industry is expected to grow at a high pace. Interior designers will also be in demand to accommodate a growing population’s need for residential and commercial space. Technology is a significant and growing component in the design industry. Self motivation and confidence, as well as creativity are traits that lead to success in this sector.
Career Pathways
The Fashion Design, Manufacturing, and Merchandising Pathway can lead to careers from clothing designer to professional shopper. Few careers offer the opportunities, creativity, and versatility of the fashion world. From small entrepreneur to large manufacturer, rewarding jobs in fashion exist in most communities. Students in this pathway will gain in-depth knowledge of the fashion industry, including fashion history, textiles and textile production, apparel merchandising, and garment construction.
Careers/Career Areas:
- Fashion Designers
- Pattern Makers
- Fashion Illustrators/Photographers
- Visual Merchandisers
- Fashion Buyers
- Sales Associates
- Fashion Advisors
- Seamstress/Alterations
- Showroom Assistants
- Stylists
From corporate America to individual homeowners, professionals are in demand to help create or enhance living and working environments. Students preparation for careers in this rapidly growing field includes learning the elements of design and decorating, furniture designs from historical periods, space planning, and computer assisted design.
Careers/Career Areas:
- Interior Designers
- Visual Merchandisers
- Design Assistants
- Set Decorators
- Preservationists
- Facility and Space Planners
- Computer Aided Design (Cad) Specialists
- Photo Stylists
- Ergonomic Consultants
- Kitchen, Bath, Window, Lighting, Wall or Floor Covering Specialists
Programs of Study
| Program of Study | Author | Career Pathway | Download this Program of Study |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fashion Design | Los Angeles Mission College | Fashion Design, Manufacturing, and Merchandising Pathway | |
| Interior Design | Los Angeles Mission College | Interior Design, Furnishings, and Maintenance Pathway |
Labor Market Information
The information below is just a small sample of the many great employment related resources available on the State of California website www.edd.ca.gov. We encourage you to visit the website and explore the available information.
| Occupation Title | Employment Levels in 2006 | Projected Employment Level 2016 | Projected Job Growth | Percent of Job Growth | 2008 Hourly ¹Mean Wage | 2008 ²Weekly Mean Wage | 2008 ³Monthly Mean Wage | 2008 Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising Sales Agents | 21,000 | 25,300 | 4,300 | 20.5% | $27.70 | $1,108.00 | $4,653.60 | $55,843.20 |
| Art Directors | 16,000 | 18,300 | 2,300 | 14.4% | $49.62 | $1,984.80 | $8,336.16 | $100,034.00 |
| Commercilal & Industrial Designers | 5,900 | 6,600 | 700 | 11.9% | $36.46 | $1,458.40 | $6,125.28 | $73,503.40 |
| Craft Artists | 0 | 0.0% | $18.67 | $746.80 | $3,136.56 | $37,638.70 | ||
| Customer Service Representatives | 201,200 | 256,800 | 55,600 | 27.6% | $17.26 | $690.40 | $2,899.68 | $34,796.20 |
| Cutters & Trimmers | 6,200 | 6,100 | -100 | -1.6% | $10.71 | $428.40 | $1,799.28 | $21,591.40 |
| Fabric & Apparel Patternmakers | 2,300 | 2,000 | -300 | -13.0% | $23.55 | $942.00 | $3,956.40 | $47,476.80 |
| Fashion Designers | 4,600 | 5,300 | 700 | 15.2% | $36.64 | $1,465.60 | $6,155.52 | $73,866.20 |
| Fashion Editors | 14,100 | 15,600 | 1,500 | 10.6% | $28.04 | $1,121.60 | $4,710.72 | $56,528.60 |
| Graphic Designers | 36,700 | 41,800 | 5,100 | 13.9% | $25.99 | $1,039.60 | $4,366.32 | $52,395.80 |
| Interior Designers | 6,900 | 8,200 | 1,300 | 18.8% | $28.55 | $1,142.00 | $4,796.40 | $57,556.80 |
| Jewlers & Precious Stone Workers | 5,700 | 5,800 | 100 | 1.8% | $12.67 | $506.80 | $2,128.56 | $25,542.70 |
| Merchandise Displayers & Window Trimm | 11,300 | 13,500 | 2,200 | 19.5% | $14.43 | $577.20 | $2,424.24 | $29,090.90 |
| Models | 0 | 0.0% | $13.04 | $521.60 | $2,190.72 | $26,288.60 | ||
| Painting, Coating & Decorating Workers | 2,300 | 2,400 | 100 | 4.3% | $11.91 | $476.40 | $2,000.88 | $24,010.60 |
| Photographers | 13,800 | 15,900 | 2,100 | 15.2% | $22.69 | $907.60 | $3,811.92 | $45,743.00 |
| Retail Sales Supervisors | 188,900 | 210,600 | 21,700 | 11.5% | $19.74 | $789.60 | $3,316.32 | $39,795.80 |
| Retail Salespersons | 494,500 | 603,800 | 109,300 | 22.1% | $12.43 | $497.20 | $2,088.24 | $25,058.90 |
| Sales Representatives | 152,300 | 179,600 | 27,300 | 17.9% | $30.80 | $1,232.00 | $5,174.40 | $62,092.80 |
| Set & Exhibit Designers | 2,300 | 2,700 | 400 | 17.4% | $30.34 | $1,213.60 | $5,097.12 | $61,165.40 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, & Custom Sewers | 6,400 | 7,100 | 700 | 10.9% | $13.51 | $540.40 | $2,269.68 | $27,236.20 |
| Textil & Apparel Workers | 1,800 | 1,500 | -300 | -16.7% | $11.12 | $444.80 | $1,868.16 | $22,417.90 |
| Wholesale & Retail Buyers | 21,300 | 22,000 | 700 | 3.3% | $26.59 | $1,063.60 | $4,467.12 | $53,605.40 |
| Wholesale & Retail Buyers | 21,300 | 22,000 | 700 | 3.3% | $26.59 | $1,063.60 | $4,467.12 | $53,605.40 |