Are you looking to write your perfect Textile Designer CV?
A career in textile design is a creative and dynamic field, where your ability to blend artistic flair with technical expertise plays an important role.
Your CV serves as your first introduction to potential employers, making it essential to craft a compelling document that highlights your qualifications, relevant experience and notable achievements.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the whole process, offering valuable tips and examples to help you create an outstanding CV that stands out from the rest.
I am a creative, motivated and multi-faceted Textile Designer with a keen eye for detail and a huge passion for working with fabric materials, colours, textures and patterns. I have always been interested in the fashion and garments industry ever since I was a child playing dress-up and I would love to play my part in contributing to this ever-growing industry and make a real difference.
Achievements
Graduated with a First Class (Hons) in Textile Design
Designed Leavers Hoodies to commemorate school graduation
Education
2010 – 2014
BA (Hons) Textile Design
B’ham City University
Grade achieved: [1st]
Relevant Modules:
Textiles in Contemporary Context
Fabric Concepts
Trends and Developments
Design & Business
Communication Skills in the Workplace
2008 – 2010 Results: English: A Maths: B Design & Textiles: A
A Levels
Bracknell College
2003 – 2008 Results: 8 GCSEs at Grades: A-B
GCSEs
Bracknell School
Work experience
Jan 2016 – Present
Textile Designer Superdry
Main duties performed:
Creating and amending textile designs using Photoshop and Illustrator
Producing initial sketches on the computer using CAD software
Brainstorming ideas with managers, marketers and fellow designers on forthcoming season selections and design collections
Discussing with other colleagues, especially Textile Operatives, regarding the feasibility and practicality of designs
Meeting regularly with clients and based on feedback modifying preliminary designs until they meet the user requirements
Embroidery by hand and machine
Sewing, knitting, dying and weaving different fabrics and materials
Carrying out market research to discover new retail and wholesale opportunities
Presenting new design concepts, mood boards and fabric qualities to clients
Creating design concepts for upholstery, wallpaper and bedding
Creating multiple colourways for all textile prints
Designing garments for the masculine, feminine and children’s markets
Attending exhibitions, fairs and shows on behalf of the organisation
Liaising with the internal product development team and overseas suppliers and manufacturers to ensure that the products are printed and manufactured correctly
Performing minor graphics design duties on brochures and catalogues
Sept 2014 – Dec 2015
Retail Assistant Fox Apparel
Main duties performed:
Greeting walk-in customers
Answering questions and advising customers regarding their potential purchases
Assisting in periodic stock checks
Recording customer orders placed over the phone
Monitoring stock levels and ordering in more when they fell below a pre-determined level on the system
Operating the till and taking payments
Performing general maintenance and cleaning duties around the shop
Qualifications
Level 2 Fashion Business & Retail (2016)
AutoCAD certified (2012)
Adobe Creative Suite certified (2012)
Skills
Attention to detail: Good at focusing on even the tiniest of details of a job, especially when working on designs with intricate details and patterns.
IT skills: Fully conversant and accredited with Photoshop, Illustrator and AutoCAD programs and have working knowledge of the MS Office suite.
Creative Skills: Adept at thinking outside the box in order to come up with innovative and creative designs that stand out and are appealing to customers.
Presentation skills: Confident in pitching my ideas and designs to senior management, internal designers and external fashion agencies.
Hobbies and interests
I enjoy my weekly snooker sessions with my university friends and watching reality shows and documentaries on TV. In addition, I also attend fashion shows to explore new themes in textile design and network with like-minded people.
Mr Sebastian Roberts Manager, Fox Apparel Address: 7 Victoria Rd, Leeds, L50 8FE Tel: 0780 3455 6786 Email:[email protected]
Preview
What makes this CV good and effective?
Contact details: The CV includes all the essential contact information, ensuring potential employers can easily reach out for interviews. The email address is professional.
Content and layout: The content is organised logically, with sections for qualifications experience, and achievements. Bullet points are used to make information easily scannable.
Tailoring to the job: The CV is tailored to the specific job by highlighting skills and experiences that directly relate to textile design. It shows a clear alignment with the employer’s needs.
Omission of irrelevant details: The CV omits irrelevant information, such as unrelated work experiences or unnecessary personal details.
Utilise a clean and professional template: Select a clean, professional CV template to ensure your document looks polished and easy to read. For example, a simple yet elegant design will highlight your content effectively.
Create Distinct sections: Divide your CV into clear sections, such as “Personal Profile,” “Qualifications,” “Experience,” “Skills,” and “Achievements.” This organisation aids readability and enables the employer to quickly find the information that they need. You should also write the headings in a bigger font size to make them stand out.
Incorporate white space: Avoid overcrowding your CV. Ensure there is enough white space between sections and paragraphs to enhance clarity and visual appeal.
Opt for a readable font: Choose legible, clean and professional fonts like Arial, Calibri, Open Sans, Verdana or Times New Roman. Aim for a font size between 10 and 12 for the body text. You can experiment with the different font types and sizes in your word processor to make a selection.
The personal details section of your CV should contain your full name, contact information (phone number and professional email address), and may optionally include your address and LinkedIn profile.
The personal profile section is your opportunity to introduce yourself to potential employers. It’s important because it’s the first thing they read so make sure it’s well-written and powerful. You should briefly describe your skills, experience and career goals, giving employers a snapshot of what you can offer their organisation.
Experienced Textile Designer with a proven track record of creating captivating fabric patterns for fashion brands and interior design projects. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, I’ve designed collections featured in industry publications, showcasing my ability to blend creativity with market relevance. Seeking to bring my design expertise to a forward-thinking design team.
Achievements
The achievements section in your CV is where you highlight key accomplishments in a bullet point format. It should contain specific achievements that set you apart, such as awards you’ve received, promotions, significant projects you’ve successfully completed, improved processes, good grades or academic honours or any notable contributions that demonstrate your skills and effectiveness in your previous roles.
Example:
Received “Best Textile Design” award at the Annual Design Expo.
Increased sales by 20% through innovative fabric designs.
Trained and mentored junior designers, improving team productivity.
Completed a high-profile client project on time and under budget.
Employment and work experience
The employment section of your CV should detail your work history, including job titles, company names, employment dates, key responsibilities and achievements in each role.
July 2022 – Present
Textile Designer CreativeFabrics Ltd.
Main duties and responsibilities performed:
Developed innovative fabric patterns and textures for high-end fashion lines.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure design concepts aligned with market trends.
Successfully delivered design projects on time, exceeding client expectations.
Conducted market research to identify emerging textile trends and incorporate them into the design process.
Creating and developing unique textile patterns and designs.
Collaborating with clients and colleagues to understand design requirements.
Utilising design software like Adobe Creative Suite for pattern creation.
Selecting appropriate fabrics and colours for design projects.
Conducting research on current textile trends and innovations.
Overseeing the entire design process from concept to final product.
Ensuring designs meet quality and production standards.
Presenting design concepts to clients and stakeholders for approval.
Education and training
The education section should contain a list of your academic qualifications, including degrees, certifications and relevant courses, along with the names of the institutions where you earned them.
Example:
2014 – 2017
Bachelor of Arts in Textile Design
London College of Fashion
Degree Classification: Second Class Honours (Upper Division).
Subjects studied:
Textile Pattern Development
Colour Theory and Application
Fabric Technology
Design Software Applications
Textile History and Trends
2012 – 2014 Results: Art & Design (A), Chemistry (B) and Mathematics (B).
A-Levels
Westminster College
Qualifications
In this section, you can list your professional qualifications and vocational training, in addition to your formal education.
Example:
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Fashion and Textiles – The Fashion Institute
Certificate in Fabric Technology – Textile Designers Institute
Advanced Training in Adobe Creative Suite – Creative Skills Academy
Skills
The skills section of your CV is where you showcase your specific competencies and abilities relevant to the role, such as software proficiency, design techniques, and soft skills like attention to detail and creativity, to demonstrate your readiness and suitability for the job.
Example:
Textile pattern development: Created a collection of unique fabric patterns featured in the London Magazine of Arts.
Colour theory expertise: Applied deep knowledge of colour theory to create visually appealing and harmonious textile designs.
Attention to detail: Maintained a meticulous approach to ensure the highest quality in design work.
CAD software: Utilized computer-aided design (CAD) software to create intricate digital textile designs for production.
Digital textile design: Utilising digital tools and software to create textile designs.
Fabric selection: Skill in choosing appropriate fabrics based on design requirements.
Surface design: Ability to create texture, embroidery, and embellishments on fabrics to enhance aesthetics.
Material sourcing: Proficiency in identifying and sourcing materials for design projects.
Dyeing and printing: Skills in dyeing fabrics and executing printing techniques.
Quality control: Ensuring textiles meet industry standards for quality and durability.
Fashion industry knowledge: Understanding the fashion industry, trends, and market demands.
Hobbies and interests (optional)
The hobbies section should contain personal interests and activities that provide insight into your character, skills or values, showing your well-roundedness and suitability for the role.
Example:
Passionate about fashion history, I enjoy exploring vintage textile collections to draw inspiration for contemporary designs. In my free time, I practice textile art, creating unique fabric pieces that blend traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. These interests feed my creative spirit and help me stay connected to the ever-evolving world of textile design.
References
The references section should provide the contact details of individuals who can verify your skills and work history, such as former employers, supervisors, mentors or teachers. You need to provide their name, job title and contact information. Remember to ask permission before sharing their personal details with employers.
Highlight your best work: Showcase your most impressive textile design projects, such as creating a striking collection for a prestigious fashion brand. If applicable, include links to your online design portfolio, making it easier for employers to view your work.
Emphasise technical proficiency: Highlight software proficiency, such as “Utilised Adobe Creative Suite for pattern design.”
Use action verbs: Start bullet points with strong action verbs, e.g., “Revamped pattern development process to enhance efficiency.”
Show adaptability: Mention your ability to adapt to changing design trends and utilise innovative techniques to stay competitive in the industry.
Express passion: Let your enthusiasm for textile design shine through your CV to capture the reader’s attention.
Written by Sobhan Mohmand Sobhan is a qualified Careers Advisor and Professional CV Writer with over 10 years of experience in helping job seekers get a job. He is a Member of the Careers Development Institute (CDI) and is listed on the official UK Register of Career Development Professionals. He holds a Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development (QCF).
