Even though fashion design is an extremely competitive and cutthroat industry, there are a variety of jobs available if you have talent, a strong creative vision, the ability to work well with clients and vendors, and solid technical skills. Fashion designers have a working knowledge of textiles and materials, sewing and tailoring, color, fashion trends, marketability, patterns, merchandising and more. They create clothing items, jewelry and accessories, leather goods, shoes and other fashion items for all kinds of clients, including couture buyers, high-end retail shoppers, and average, lower-end customers. To become a well-known, highly paid fashion designer, you must have superb talent, as well as a great education in fashion design, internship experience, and valuable business, media and design contacts. Other fashion designers and fashion professionals work as assistants, creative directors, design assistants, pattern makers, and independent designers on a smaller scale. They must have great skill in illustrating and sketching, and cutting edge designers should have a working knowledge of the computer design software that can help them with their designs. Fashion designers need to have a range of skills in order to keep their business and brand afloat. They need to be able to communicate well and work with vendors, textile specialists, customers, buyers, the press, models, investors and more. They should also be able to budget their manufacturing expenses and learn how to market their portfolio and brand. Fashion designers can work in large firms or fashion houses, as independent contractors and freelancers, or as creative directors of smaller design houses.

Fashion designers, even those with lots of talent, benefit from formal instruction. Associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees and master’s degree programs are available at vocational schools, art and design schools, online institutions, and at traditional campus-based universities. Art and design skills or universities with well-respected design departments will be able to offer students the best resources, like studio space and materials, as well as professional connections through special events and internships.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the industry will not open up many new jobs because turnover rate is low. Competition is high, especially for the top positions. The average salary range for fashion designers in May 2006 was between $42,140 and $87,510. Fashion designers who are the managers of companies and enterprises earned an average of $70,570, while apparel manufacturing professionals earned an average of $69,810.

Top Online Programs

A.A. in Information Technology B.S. in Web Development B.S. in Communications	University of Phoenix – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree – The University of Phoenix prepares students for the rapidly evolving multi-million dollar industry of World Wide Web designing and interactive media. The programs offered at the institute teaches students everything from developing their skills in drawing and design to learning programming and scripting techniques.
B.F.A. in Web Design A.A.B.A. in Visual Communications B.F.A. in Digital Design	American InterContinental University – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree – For those interested in the exciting career of web design, American InterContinental Universitye will help them prepare with their staff of knowledgeable and skilled professionals who have had prior experience working in the web design industry. The program is a great choice for those seeking to pursue a career in web design, web development, graphic design, graphic art, or web publications designer.
B.S. in Web Development B.S. in Communication A.A.S. in Information Technology	Kaplan University – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree - Kaplan University offers a web design degree that could be completed in as few as 12 months. This allows students to earn their degree at an accelerated pace and be on their way to advancing in their career in web design.
B.S. in Web Design A.S. in Web Design Diploma in Web Design	The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree - The Art Institute of Pittsburgh provides students with the opportunity to learn the latest software and programming applications to compete in the highly competitive, yet rewarding, web design industry. They place special emphasis on the practical application of web development skills and how to effectively use them for organizations.
B.A. in Visual Communications B.A. in Art B.A. in Art History	Ashford University – Bachelor's Degree - Dedicated to helping intellectual, professional, and creative individuals, Ashford University offers one of the best web design degrees online. Their web design courses are very convenient and achieveablefor students who have restricting schedules.
A.S. in Web Graphic Design B.C.I.S. in Web Development B.C.I.S. in Web Game Programming	DeVry University – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree – DeVry University has helped thousands of students apply practical skills to produce high-quality graphics and develop many types of graphic media. They are ideal for many students because of their affordable and convenient programs available online.
A.S. in Web Design B.F.A. in Graphic Design B.A. in Fashion Merchandising	International Academy of Design & Technology – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree - Since 1977, the International Academy of Design and Technology Online has helped thousands of students prepare for a career in which their creativity and talents are respected and valued. Their affordable courses allow individuals with a passion for web design to advance in their career.
B.S. in Web Design & Multimedia B.S. in Visual Communications A.S. in Graphic Design & Multimedia	Westwood College – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree – Westwood College's programs consists of courses in design theory, web design, imaging and advanced web technology to help students build valuable portfolios for potential employers. They offer their programs completely online, allowing flexibility for working individuals or individuals with other time contraints.