Throughout the Midwest, there’s a growing need for fashion designers. Fashion designers don’t just create the clothing that graces the runways major cities. They create the apparel that people all over the country wear every day for work, play, exercise, and bedtime. Whether you are interested in haute couture or clothing for the typical Arkansas resident, you may find the career you’re looking for in the fashion industry.
You must attend a school that is approved by your state to provide training in the discipline you want to practice. Check with the school and the state board to be sure that your program of study will prepare you for any applicable state licensure.
Fashion design brings together many different specialties and career paths. If you go into this field with artistic abilities, a natural sense of creativity, and some sewing skills, you may be way ahead of the game.
Ready to commit to this industry? Keep reading to learn more about fashion design programs in Arkansas and what you can expect to learn.
Choosing a Fashion Design School in Arkansas
Given how much fashion designers do on a daily basis, it’s no surprise that these degree programs are diverse and multifaceted. Whether you decide to earn a two-year Associate’s degree or a four-year Bachelor’s degree, your curriculum should cover the same core set of skills. You should plan on spending time outside of class on your fashion skills, particularly since this field is very competitive.
Some of the courses you take look at the theory of fashion and how the history of this field affects it today. You should look into taking courses like Fashion Industry Design, Fashion Industry Profile, History of Fashion, and Changes in Fashion Design. Other classes in your curriculum may include Fashion Draping, Process and Skills in Fashion, Fashion Drawing, and Technical Drawing for Fashion.
As you proceed through these courses, you should start to develop a sense of what type of clothing you like and what type of clothing you want to create. This shapes the development of your portfolio, what pieces get included in it, and which types of jobs you apply for after graduation. Furthermore, your portfolio should show your growth as an artist and designer throughout your years in school.
Working as a Fashion Designer in Arkansas
Overall, the fashion industry may see a slight increase in the number of available jobs between 2012 and 2022, according to O*Net reports that the average salary for an Arkansas fashion designer is $63,800 per year.
No matter how much experience or education you have, networking should be a major part of your career. By taking part in events like Little Rock Fashion Week, you can connect with successful designers in your area.
Take the first step to developing an exciting career in the fashion industry—contact fashion design schools in Arkansas today.