What you need to know for a fashion designer. Self-paced web design training without leaving home. Where to look for orders

Where, as a rule, it all begins. Now you’ve mastered several operations in Photoshop, now you’ve begun to achieve what seemed prohibitively difficult just yesterday, and now you’re starting to think: “Oh, cool! Now I'm a designer! " I assure you that this does not mean being a designer, this is only the beginning of the journey. You still have to acquire professional skills and habits, master many different things not directly related to design, learn to solve emerging problems, go through quite difficult tests in order to get closer to your cherished goal - to become a professional designer.

Now, analyzing my design adventures over the past few years, I understand perfectly well that I would have done many things differently. I remembered how I did my first work in Photoshop, how excitedly I read design forums, how I received my first order, how I talked to a customer for the first time, how for a long time I could not fully believe that you can make money on the Internet, and not necessarily at the same time go to the office every day.

And so, after a fit of nostalgia, this post was born, intended primarily for beginners. Here are 33 pieces of advice, the essence of which is to help a novice designer not to step on obvious mistakes in the design field and not to make unnecessary mistakes.

1. Exercise
In order to get better at Photoshop, a beginner needs to practice. Now there are a lot of different lessons, including video lessons, in which all the actions are described step by step and shown. Learning from such tutorials is not only fun, but also useful. It is best to start with the simplest and most understandable ones, and then move on to more complex ones.

2. Master Photoshop
This program provides truly enormous opportunities for creativity. We, as a rule, use only a limited range of operations. After I just more carefully read the Photoshop manual, I removed most of the installed Photoshop plugins from my computer, since they duplicated similar functions in the program itself.

3. Take your time
Be prepared for things to go slowly at first. This is natural and there is no escape from it. The main thing is to know that quantity will definitely turn into quality. In half a year the speeds will be completely different, and in a year even more. Now I do some things in three hours, but before they actually took three days.

4. Don't be greedy
The trouble with any newbie is that when he has the opportunity to download a new brush, clipart or style, he bursts out with an exclamation: “Oh! I want this!” and he downloads without even thinking about whether he needs it. As a result, gigabytes of unnecessary information are stored on the computer, which is physically difficult for one person to process. In general, be selective.

5. Organize
Don't turn your computer into a warehouse packed to capacity. Immediately process downloaded clipart, pictures, styles, brushes, etc. There should be such order in the workplace so that you immediately know where everything is, and do not search for several hours. Create the necessary folders right away, rename the files so that it is clear to you, create your own encoding. Maintain order, otherwise you will have a lot to clean up later.

6. Do as others do
For a beginner in design, there is no shame in emulating the best design examples. Therefore, if you like the site, feel free to try making the same one. It will still turn out completely different. Verified.

7. Beware of plagiarism
However, “doing like others” does not mean at all that you need to copy the site you like. You can use the arrangement of large elements, stick to the general style of the site you like, but still try to use similar elements, not one to one, and arrange them in your own order. I think any of us can easily distinguish a site made like another site from pure plagiarism. In general, plagiarism is bad form.

8. Analyze
Try to break down the site you like into its components. Note separately what background it has, how it is made, what the main elements are, how they are made, whether brushes or clipart are used, what stroke the font has, what gradients are used, how the shadow is applied, what techniques are used in the design. Try to understand how the site was made, what was done first, what was done later.

9. See the world through the eyes of a designer
Try to perceive television programs, magazines, outdoor advertising in terms of how they are designed. Remember the elements you like. For example, I really like the designer on the “Culture” channel, and on MTV you can often see all sorts of interesting design things. If advertising annoys you, try looking at it through the eyes of a designer. After all, the people who do this advertising are paid a lot of money for it. And sometimes there really is something to learn from them.

10. Keep a notebook for notes
When you feel that there is not enough space in your head to remember all the ideas you see, get yourself a notebook where you sketch the elements you like. Yesterday, for example, I sketched there how a block with information was designed, in my opinion, on Ren-TV. Don't try to fill it out right away. This is work for the future and this notebook will be very useful to you after some time.

11. Don't complain about lack of inspiration
Complaining about a lack of inspiration and an empty head is the surest sign of a novice designer. Outstanding websites are made on passion, just good websites are made on skill, on a set of techniques and skills that you possess and which do not go away, even if nothing brilliant comes to mind. Just sit down and do what you know how. Moreover, after you start doing it, these same ideas come to mind

12. Communicate in communities
It is useful for an aspiring designer to hang out in the design community, to get into the professional spirit, so to speak. Therefore, communicate in forums, express your opinion, ask for advice. It will definitely come in handy in the future.

13. Track trends
Stay up to date with design trends, track last changes, notice new trends. Otherwise, you won’t notice the moment when the Web 2.0 style becomes completely irrelevant. 😉

14. Try something new
Don’t put it off for a long time, apply the new products you see in your works. At least you will be ahead of many.

15. Make useful preparations
When mastering a new trick in Photoshop, try to ensure that the result of your experiments is immediately suitable for use in design. For example, when I understood the settings for managing brushes, I ended up with very nice ready-made design elements, which I then used.

16. Respect copyrights
I realized a long time ago that buying photos is both healthier and safer. Pay attention to copyrights. Some items may be licensed for non-commercial use only. If an object is of dubious origin, try not to use it in commercial designs.

17. Build your free collection
People deliberately post their work freely available on the Internet. Take advantage of this. Collect your collection of fonts, brushes, clipart, icons directly to your needs.

18. Master the theory
Be theoretically savvy when it comes to issues such as color, composition, fonts, etc. Firstly, this knowledge will be useful to you. Secondly, when communicating with customers you will have to defend your point of view. And it will be better if you can do this reasonedly and in professional language.

19. Order for yourself
As a rule, the first question a customer asks when communicating with a designer is: “Show me your portfolio.” The newcomer says that he does not yet have a portfolio, and thereby practically deprives himself of possible orders. It turns out to be a vicious circle: no portfolio because there are no orders, no orders because there is no portfolio. The best thing to do in this situation is to order it yourself. But this should be a finished work, not a sketch. I got my first customer by making a couple of websites that I ordered for myself.

20. Do not reduce order deadlines
Sometimes, when talking with a customer, there is a temptation to reduce the deadline for completing the work. Do not do this under any circumstances. Always indicate real, not mythical deadlines, plus a day or two in reserve. If you do it earlier, it will be a pleasant surprise for the customer. And if you dynamite, you will ruin the relationship with the client. Customers really don’t like being bullied.

21. Exercise regularly
Try to practice constantly. As in any business, tone is also very necessary in design. If there are no orders, hone your skills, learn new techniques, slowly practice in Photoshop

22. Be prepared for criticism
This is perhaps the most difficult test for any designer. It’s good if the customer, seeing your work, said: “Wow! Great!" and you both were satisfied. This best option. But it happens that a client, like a picky buyer, begins to actively criticize your work. Sometimes this is done so that the designer reduces the price, sometimes there are valuable comments. And if at that moment you overpower yourself. Don't give way to unnecessary emotions. And if you don’t send the client to hell, but turn the conversation into a constructive direction, your chances of becoming a professional designer will increase many times over.

23. Don't use default settings
If you see a huge black indistinct shadow, if the white embossing on the letters looks terrible, then most likely this design was done by a beginner. All default settings are intended for large objects. This is especially true for styles. Using them on objects small sizes, such as headings, for example, you simply spoil the work. Be sure to manually adjust the effects settings down.

24. Assess your strengths
Start with simple orders. Don't get caught up in heavy multi-page designs with complex layouts. You'll likely be exhausted, procrastinate, unsatisfied with the work you've done, and ultimately frustrated. Do the simplest thing first.

25. Enjoy your work
The moment you sit down to work, try to get rid of all unnecessary thoughts from your head, such as what kind of cool designer I will be, how much money I will receive, how I will spend it, etc. Just focus on creativity. It's like surfing the waves. The main thing is to feel the buzz of creativity once and then you will not confuse this state with anything else.

26. Don't do unnecessary calculations
Favorite game for beginners: “So many orders per day, and so many orders per week, and so much per month, that’s just cool!” All these calculations are a waste of time. All the same, at first it will be very modest amounts, much less than what you count. And by the time the amounts are significant, you simply won’t have time to do the calculations; there will be a stream of orders that just need to be done in time.

27. Pay attention to detail
Another lack of details distinguishing feature newcomers. Details give the work fullness. Pay attention to each design element, work through each of them. Add details to a text block, background, logo, button, etc. and they will sparkle with new colors.

28. Make your own clipart
Sometimes you search the entire Internet looking for the right design element. You'll waste a lot of time and it's not a fact that you'll find what you need. Somehow I needed to find a grunge brush for a block border. Tired of searching, I simply took a dry brush from standard set Photoshop and drew a straight line twice. It turned out exactly what I needed. You can also take a photograph of the search object yourself. Conclusion: if you feel like you are wasting a lot of time, do it yourself.

29. Don't criticize newbies
Another sign by which you can recognize a novice designer is rabid criticism of his fellow beginners on various forums. If you see phrases such as “Horror!”, “Sucks!”, “Nightmare!”, then most likely it was written by a person who recently learned to move the mouse in Photoshop. Experienced specialists, as a rule, are more friendly and loyal, and if they criticize, they do so constructively and thoroughly.

30. Be critical of yourself
If you start to compare your work with others, then compare it with the best examples, and not with fast designs made on your knees. Comparison with obviously shoddy work gives unnecessary conceit and complacency.

31. Be careful
When making a sketch for the customer, complete all the nuances at once. You shouldn’t tell the client “Here it will be like this, but here I’ll clean it up.” Just do it and show it right away. Don't force your client to fantasize. Making a sketch does not mean doing it haphazardly. This means not working through some blocks in detail. You can, for example, first show a sketch of the header, and then work on the blocks and footer. But what is shown to the client in the form of a sketch must be done without visible mistakes.

32. Believe that everything will work out for you
Maintain the right psychological attitude. It is very important. Just believe that everything will work out for you. That all the efforts spent will not be in vain, but will bring you benefits in the near future.

33. Don't listen to anyone's advice
Never follow advice blindly. Try, experiment, try to understand what suits you. In the end, your own experience and your own cones always bring much more benefit.

To become a fashion designer you do not need any special education or qualifications, but achieving success in this field is still not easy. You must have good drawing, sewing and designing skills, as well as a good fashion sense and be very resilient. In this article you will find some tips for beginning designers.

Steps

Honing your skills

Develop your skills. A successful fashion designer has wide range skills including drawing, the ability to combine colors and textures, the ability to think three-dimensionally, and technical skills in cutting and sewing all types of fabric. .

• If you do not yet possess these skills sufficiently, sign up for courses or study yourself. As a fashion designer, you must be able to create something special from complex fabric in any situation. You must be confident in using sewing machines, including industrial types, and also good at hand sewing.
• Learn to make patterns and sketches. Throughout your career, you will need the ability to create your own style and recreate it according to your desires. Some people find this skill difficult.
• Understand how fabric moves, drapes, breathes, deforms during wear, etc. Your in-depth knowledge of fabric is simply necessary to create a decent outfit. You should also understand the types of material.
• Gather information about existing designers, not just who they are, but their background, their signature style. This knowledge will help you create yourself as a designer, because... you can borrow some of their ideas.
• Learn to create a theme and clothing line. Explore current trends through the media, while shopping or attending fashion shows.

1. Start developing skills from a young age. Be prepared to dedicate a lot of time to honing your skills. Always learn. It would be a good idea to get a diploma and degree in fashion design or take specialized courses. You'll learn a lot, make useful contacts, and have the opportunity to demonstrate your skills to a small audience (be prepared for criticism!). So you can:

Choosing a direction

Ask customers what they want. Be realistic: if you live in a hot country, you will have a hard time selling winter jackets. Look around. What do people need? What do they want? For example, if you are planning to develop an entire collection, there should be more “tops” (tops, blouses, shirts, jumpers) than “bottoms”, since there are more of these things in the average person’s wardrobe than skirts and trousers. Tops and shirts are a great way to add variety to your wardrobe, while simple, well-fitting trousers can be paired with any of them. Keep it simple and realistic. Quirky sketches are good on paper, but cute camisoles and jeans will sell better than evening dresses.

You may think that mass market items aren't as glamorous as luxury clothes for the rich or evening wear, but they will help you pay the bills. If you want to create models that will be produced in hundreds of copies, you need to make the right decisions from the very beginning. This will help develop your design skills as you will need to understand perfectly what the design should look like. appearance and cut. Poor models won't sell and your boss will lose a ton of money.

Get inspired by your competitors' work. Look and note what fabrics they use, what size zippers they sew in, what properties of fabrics matter (density, comfort, breathability, ease of care), what colors are popular in your country. Starting by studying competitors does not mean copying; it means to observe. After analyzing all the best, you will understand what makes a thing attractive (and subsequently loved). These are usually best-selling products. Your customers - store buyers or ordinary people - want to buy clothes that suit them. Extravagant items are worn only a few times a year. They are beautiful, but they won't let you earn a living.

Select a few key details. What are your strengths? Perhaps you have a talent for making accessories or are a genius at sewing yoga pants. Combine your passion with your skills. However, do not forget about market requirements. Fashion business is both the ability to convince the market that it needs your design and the ability to notice what is in demand in the market.

Willingness to enter the fashion industry

Way to success

Learn how to do business in the fashion industry. Not only does being a fashion designer require talent and creativity, but you also need knowledge of business and marketing basics to succeed. Stay up to date with all the events happening in the fashion industry by regularly reading specialized magazines. For example, Women's Wear Daily or Daily News Record.

1. Look for a job as a fashion designer. There are several ways to find work in the fashion industry as a designer, depending on your area of ​​interest. Your flexibility and versatility can play into your hands, you will get good experience, and in the future you will do what you like. Or you will need to be very persistent in sending your resume to different organizations. Where you can look for work:

   • Modern fashion houses and design workshops - look for internships, low-paid positions, assistant work, etc.
   • Work for film studios, theaters, costume shops, etc.
   • Online advertisements
   • Word of Mouth – Leverage your college connections. Connections matter a lot in the fashion world.

2. If you are starting your own business, you will need the ability to work with finances. You may be exceptionally talented, but to run your own brand, you need an entrepreneurial spirit. It is your responsibility to make sense of the bills, figures and invoices piling up on your desk. Of course, you can hire an accountant, but you still have to figure it out yourself. If you are absolutely incompetent and do not like to deal with accounts, it is better to look for a job in one of the fashion houses instead of running your own business.

   • Decide whether you will be a sole proprietorship, a partnership, a corporation, or something else. There are advantages and disadvantages to everything, which you should discuss with your financial analyst before the application procedure.
3. The fashion industry is very competitive and you can only succeed in this industry if you dedicate yourself completely to it. You must also be able to deal with and accept criticism, being able to identify constructive comments and jealous jabs. But in any case, the main thing is to believe in yourself.
4. If you decide to design for the runway, you will be entering the toughest circle of the fashion industry. You'll have to deal with extremely skinny models during fittings, deal with the snarkiness of other designers and the fashion industry elite, and do everything in a timely manner.
5. The work of a designer requires a lot of physical endurance. You will have to work long hours to meet the deadline.

I did not complete design courses and did not study design at the institute, but I managed to complete my own course of study in 6 months, I note that during the learning process I was simultaneously doing my main job full time. Although I didn’t think that I was ready to get a job new job designer, but I was very lucky and managed to find a good place.

Of course, I understand that I do not have the skills that many professional designers have who have studied this for several years and have a lot of experience, however, I feel that I can work at a good level, creating a good design. I am currently designing websites.

This article will help beginning designers take their first steps in learning design on their own; here you will find links to those books and resources that helped me in my study and turned out to be useful. Please note that the links point to English-language resources that I used for self-study.

Level one: learning to see

Learn to draw

Learning the theory of graphic design

Learn the basics of user experience

Learning to write

Do not include absolutely all of your work in your portfolio, choose only the best.
On initial stages don't try to be original, it will come with time, with experience, with skill. At first, everyone learns the basics and repeats simple things after the teacher, and when enough experience has been accumulated, you can move on to more advanced and independent work.

For inspiration, visit Dribbble (see top designers) and zurb.com/patterntap (web design).

Marina Ignatieva

Reading time: 11 minutes

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Not so long ago, such a profession as an interior designer appeared on the labor market, and its popularity today leaves no doubt and is only gaining momentum every year. If earlier everyone dealt with the design of their home on their own, then nowadays they practically cannot do without the services of a designer.

Pros and cons of being an interior designer

The specialty “interior designer” is in great demand today (you definitely won’t be left without a piece of bread, butter and sausage) - many educational institutions offer training in this profession.

However, it is fair to note that high demand remains exclusively for professional designers.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of work?

Pros:

• Creative work. It cannot be said that freedom of action is absolute here, but the creative component certainly cannot be taken away.
• Wide scope of application of acquired skills.
• Not a bad (or even just excellent) income.
• Constant communication with new people, useful acquaintances, broadening your horizons and “weighting” your knowledge base.
• In a situation where there is a “lull” (lack of clients), you can always get a job in any company where your very broad knowledge will be useful.
• Free schedule.
• No need for advertising: if you are a professional (and even talented), then word of mouth will quickly ensure you popularity.
• Prestige of the profession.
• Joy from successful projects.
• Independence from the “uncle boss”.
• Gradual filling of your personal portfolio.
• You can work in retirement (no one cares about your age, the main thing is work).

Flaws:

• Lack of such an opportunity as vertical growth. Expansion is possible (for example, opening your own design studio), but there is simply nowhere to grow beyond a professional designer.
• Practicum/internship is required.
• You can’t do without an established circle of reliable partners (from carpenters, furniture makers and electricians to partners in curtains, repairs, etc.).
• Contractors sometimes let you down.
• The job won't always be permanent.
• Your views on beauty and practicality will not always coincide with the views of your clients. And the client is always right.
• Indispensability. You will not be able to take sick leave. If you have started a project, it is you who must bring it to its logical conclusion, regardless of whether you have a runny nose, fever or personal matters. “Take it out and put it down!”
• A sharp start after training is rare. You will need time to develop a client base, create your name, and promote. And the main thing is not to tarnish your reputation at the start.
• You will have to learn special programs on a computer. You can’t do without them today.
• You also need to have artistic skills.

Professional responsibilities of an interior designer - how does he work?

Basics for an interior designer - what talents and knowledge should he have?

• Taste and creativity, your own creative vision.
• Patience and hard work.
• The ability to listen and hear the client.
• The ability to present your entire project at an early stage.
• PC proficiency at a sufficient level (that is, a confident user).
• Knowledge and understanding of the basics of ergonomics of space, architecture, painting, design, color combinations, construction, installation and communications, consistency technological processes, properties/qualities of all modern building/finishing materials.
• Knowledge of basic interior styles, as well as the principles of implementing these styles in the interior, taking into account all the nuances.

Career

As a rule, the first steps young specialist- This is work in collective projects or design studios. Practice and internship will take some time, the lion's share of which will be spent on studying programs and layouts. The top rung of your career is your own design studio or a solid “post” in a company.

Conditional phasing of the career ladder:

• A specialist without work experience, but with education and the presence of all the necessary knowledge.
• A specialist who already has experience (from 1 year) with his own portfolio, who is well versed in all modern trends.
• A specialist combining the responsibilities of a foreman and a designer, with a high level of knowledge, work experience of at least 3 years, experience working in large premises/buildings, fluent in construction/materials manufacturing companies.
• A top-level specialist with 5 years of experience, a solid background of technically complex projects, and knowledge of foreign languages.

What does an interior designer do - responsibilities

• Creation of interior projects (from apartments and offices to entertainment centers etc.).
• Analysis of the client's wishes.
• Subsequent development of drawings, sketches, diagrams for discussion with the client.
• Measurement of premises and development of future design.
• Layout creation and 3-D modeling.
• Selection of materials, general color scheme (in accordance with the client’s wishes), furniture, interior items, etc.
• Development of a budget and accurate calculation of the cost of the interior.
• Drawing up work plans and schedules for workers.
• Control over the work of workers with correction of previously drawn up plans if necessary.

How does a designer work?

• Meeting with the client on site (usually). Studying floor plans, drawings and wishes.
• Preparation of a package of documents and technical assignments.
• Photographing the object and taking all measurements.
• Drawing up technical specifications taking into account the client’s wishes regarding style, layout, functionality and furnishings/equipment.
• Development of the design project itself.
• Coordination of the project and (after approval) development of a set of its drawings with all technical/data in the documentation.
• Implementation of all necessary work(the designer only controls, advises, selects materials, lighting, etc.).

How to search for orders?

Among applicants, the fashion for the profession of a fashion designer never fades away. However, if you look at the experience of designers who have already achieved success, it turns out that their path is not always as simple as it seems at first glance: many of them, for example, did not graduate from college, some, before coming to the fashion industry , worked in a diametrically opposite field, and someone sewed clothes for dolls while still at school. Look At Me tried to figure out which path could become more or less universal for everyone who set out to get into the world of high fashion, and two modern Russian designers and a teacher of the BVShD design course gave their advice to beginners.

Eliza Batyrova about how to navigate the world of fashion and where to go to study.

“The fashion industry is a very difficult and highly competitive field, accompanied by harsh criticism and breakneck speed, but at the same time, of course, it is incredibly exciting and alluring. My advice to those who want to connect their life with fashion: first of all, define your goals and understand where you see yourself after graduation. The choice of educational institution, as well as time and financial costs, depends on this. There are actually a lot of different positions in the fashion industry and they are all interesting in their own way. In addition to the specialty of a clothing designer (which, by the way, includes not only women’s or men’s clothing - it can be children’s, sports, outerwear, evening wear, lingerie, etc.), there are positions such as print designer, textile designer , fashion illustrator, stylist and others. Therefore, I repeat, carefully study all existing positions and find your place that matches your talents and interests. So, for example, for some reason no one particularly considers the specialty of a creative technologist or designer (or better yet, both in one person), although, in my opinion, it is very interesting and requires the manifestation of no less talent and imagination than the profession of a clothing designer. By the way, professionals in this field receive very impressive fees.

The industry has not yet matured and it will take some time until something changes, however, you cannot give up and completely give up on your dream.

If, after all, your dream is to create your own brand (which, by the way, is a long and difficult path with complete dedication and impressive financial costs), then the first thing I would recommend is Central Saint Martins College. Moreover, after completing your bachelor’s degree (I highly recommend it), continue further training to become a master, and then you will get a complete immersion in the realities of the fashion world with its strict rules and high competition. At the same time, the course strongly supports its students through cooperation with various companies that are ready to sponsor the most talented. The following three institutes are also very prestigious and offer very high level: these are the Royal College of Art and London College of Fashion in London and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. Here the choice is yours: study the style of each and decide what is closer to you. If we talk about Moscow, then the equivalent of the above educational institutions is a British BA Fashion Degree course at BHSAD with a program that meets international training standards. Of course, it is not yet so famous and prestigious, but in terms of the quality of training it is quite up to par. After graduating, you receive a corresponding diploma with a bachelor's degree, recognized abroad. I must admit that all of the above is certainly not oriented towards Russia, since the local situation in the fashion world, unfortunately, is not yet the most favorable. The industry has not yet matured, and it will take some time until something changes, but you cannot give up and completely give up on your dream. I believe that it is precisely those students who have gained knowledge and experience abroad, who have expanded their horizons and think differently, who will be able to gradually change the situation for the better, if, of course, they make a choice in favor of Russia.

Dmitry Loginov about internships and how
what lies behind the external gloss of fashion shows

Dmitry Loginov

Founder and Art Director
Arsenicum brand

Before taking decisive action, analyze all the pros and cons, the pros and cons of the profession of a fashion designer, the risks and prospects that come with the absence of a fashion industry as such in our country. If, despite the convincing prophecy of difficulties, you are ready to try and fight and generally have little idea of ​​your future and present in a context other than fashion, be patient and start working very, very hard.

Of course, among mandatory conditions- talent, innate or with early years acquired ability to think creatively, draw, craft. Developed imaginative thinking combined with a strong inner core, perseverance and a serious, conscious attitude towards work and profession is a necessary basis for a beginning designer. If your talent is clearly visible, you have been interested in sewing since childhood (yes, no matter how trite, for most it all starts with clothes for dolls, then clothes for yourself, then friends and relatives become “victims”), regularly attended classes labor or even a special cutting and sewing circle, they drew sketches instead of classical still lifes, the first step necessary before receiving an education was an internship.

The internship can be in a fashion house, a design studio, or, as a last resort, in an atelier, the main thing is to understand what real aspects make up the profession and working life of a designer.

The internship can be in a fashion house, a design studio, or, as a last resort, in an atelier; the main thing is to understand what real aspects make up the profession and workday of a designer. Behind the external gloss of fashion shows and the glossy flair of public life hides the gray everyday life of collection production: elaboration of technical sketches, design, creation of patterns and mock-ups, actual tailoring, many hours of fittings. The work is predominantly done with hands, scrupulous, requiring patience, attention and perseverance. An internship will allow you to experience the essence of the work, try on your future role, and understand whether the profession is suitable in terms of content and temperament. In addition, of course, the internship will provide practical skills. Of course, the ideal condition is to practice in your favorite fashion house that is close to you in spirit or with an innovative designer whose authority in terms of technology and style is unconditional for you. Be ambitious, set maximum goals. It is much more interesting to try your luck at Iris Van Herpen with technologically advanced 3D printed dresses than at TVOE with cotton T-shirts. And the point is not that T-shirts are an ignoble occupation, it’s just that they are unlikely to teach you anything supernatural or give you a boost of energy for the future. Strive to be around and learn from the best in the business. Try to express yourself, don’t be afraid to express your craziest ideas. Impunity and complete freedom of expression are the main advantages of the “trainee” position. Duration - at least six months, to feel the full scale of the disaster - a year. Believe me, this year will be the most valuable, it will allow you to maturely assess your capabilities and not make the main mistake in your life.

After the internship, you can look for a university, it all depends on your capabilities. Saint Martins - good, but not very accessible. There are many alternatives: Istituto Marangoni, Istituto Europeo di Design, Parsons, British graduate School design, finally. The list goes on and on; in Europe there are dozens of private universities offering specialized education. There are no opportunities to leave - no problem, the Kosygin Institute of Textiles, the Institute of Design and Technology and any other technological institute in your hometown. Education is important, but you should not consider the name of a university as a guaranteed start in life, it is only a launching pad, further development depends solely on you.

To find your creative self, you need to constantly be in a state of search

It is very useful to participate in all kinds of competitions for young designers, both internal and external: “Russian Silhouette”, “Admiralty Needle”, Grass Design Week, ITS. Start monitoring, make a list of the most significant events of the year in which you should take part. Competitions will not only allow you to feel the competition, but also get to know experts, get objective criticism. At one time, it was my victory at a competition for young designers in my native Krasnoyarsk that gave me the opportunity to move to Moscow and do what I loved. In this area, a lucky chance can decide a lot.

Generally speaking, for a designer, whether he plans to join the staff of an existing fashion house/clothing company or develop his own line, the most important thing is to find and hone his own style. Only in this case can his product become recognizable and competitive. In order to find your creative self, you need to constantly be in a state of search: new knowledge, impressions, emotional upheavals, people. Draw information from any available sources, absorb like a sponge, pass what you see and hear through yourself. It’s difficult to give a specific recipe, a set of books or films, you just need to be a maximalist, lead an active social lifestyle, make acquaintances. Inspiration needs sources, unless, of course, you have opened a mysterious chakra that constantly supplies ideas.

The set of tools is very individual; personally, I rarely read fashion magazines or I attend Fashion Week shows, but I’m unlikely to miss a popular science film festival or a digital exhibition. From the obligatory and purely practical - the annual Premier Vision exhibition in Paris, where I can choose fabrics and accessories for the new collection.

Katya Mikulskaya-Mosina about the art of imitation

Katya Mikulskaya-Mosina

Designer, founder of the brand Katia Mossina

Today, the profession of a fashion designer is becoming more and more popular, despite the fact that the demand for it, in general, is falling. The clothing market is overcrowded, we live in a time of absolute overproduction, old brands that have been on the market for many years do not disappear, but new ones continue to appear. Therefore, I believe that if you take this path today, you should immediately try to determine your niche. Fashion design is a huge field of activity. First you need to define what it actually is. A fashion designer is by no means a person who loves to sew and embroider kilometers of fabric with beads. Craftsmen and couturiers have existed from time immemorial, but the concept of “design” appeared relatively recently, with the advent of industrial production and technology. Therefore, a young designer must have not only artistic abilities and a rich imagination, but also a logical mind. In fact, this is a rather rare combination. The second point that must be taken into account is that fashion is a characteristic of the time in which we live.

It is here, today and now. The concept of “beautiful” is constantly changing, yesterday – one thing, tomorrow – another, the day after tomorrow – a third. The main thing is to find the nerve of time. To do this, you need to read a variety of literature about the psychology of society, the position of women in society, study various social surveys, and be aware of political trends. All this shapes people’s desires and dreams, their ideas about beauty. Of course, this profession requires a certain talent. Moreover, it’s as if she chooses you herself. At some point, you notice that others like what you are wearing and they want the same. Fashion is the art of imitation. It’s not you who should imitate, but you. But any talent without education is the price of a rough diamond, not a diamond, so it’s better to take care of good education in this area, or better yet, do an internship in big company to understand how the industry works. Of course, it’s also good to study abroad for at least a couple of years or get an internship abroad.

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