An embroidery designer creates craft kits and patterns for needlework enthusiasts. She could work in the fashion industry, either designing couture hand embroidery or mass-produced machine embroidery for commercial manufacturers. An embroidery designer typically requires a bachelor’s degree in industrial design as well as prior experience in graphic design and pattern making.
An embroidery designer may choose to work as a freelancer, creating designs for clients to purchase. She could also embroider clothing or other materials and sell them to customers directly at craft shows or online. She can also be hired to hand stitch designs onto couture garments for a fashion house.
In some cases, an embroidery designer is in charge of the entire design process, from research and brainstorming to the final product. She can sketch the initial design by hand or develop and draw it using a computer-aided design program. She’ll then make a sample of the design, known as a swatch, and make any necessary changes based on how the swatch turns out. If the embroidery design is intended for use on a garment or other textile, she’ll figure out how to best position it.
A bachelor’s degree in commercial or industrial design from a reputable design school is usually required of an embroidery designer. An embroidery designer will learn the fundamentals of design as well as how to use computer-aided design programs while in college. After completing his training, it is up to the designer to keep up with the latest developments in embroidery software and design programs.
Embroidery designers must have a strong aesthetic sense as well as an eye for pattern and design. Even if their job requires them to draft designs on a computer, they should be able to draw. Designers must be able to work well with others in a collaborative setting because they frequently work on fashions, craft kits, and other textiles with others.
An embroidery designer who runs her own business or freelances is also in charge of managing the day-to-day operations of her company. She must constantly seek out new clients and possess exceptional customer service skills in order to deal with dissatisfied customers.