Fashion Design vs Fashion Technology
The fashion industry is booming. The global fashion market will grow 8.94% from 2024 to 2029, reaching a valuation of USD 1183 billion by 2029. But fashion is a very fast-paced business, and it's natural to need clarification about which course to choose - fashion design or fashion technology. Which one is best for you?
This blog will address the differences between these two fields, giving you a general idea of fashion technology vs. design. Then, you can choose the one that works best for you.
What is Fashion Design?
Fashion design is the art of making unique clothes and useful items. It includes drawing, choosing fabrics, making patterns, putting together clothes, showing off one's own style, and following trends.
It includes various components, including material and color selection, adding texture, and deciding ornament placement to create wearable, inventive designs that appeal to particular target markets or audiences.
Fashion designers must study fashion history, trends, textiles, and garment construction procedures to bring creative notions to life.
What is Fashion Technology?
Fashion technology merges clothing design with advanced materials and digital tools to create innovative apparel. It includes wearable technology like smart clothing and focuses on making fashion more sustainable through eco-friendly materials and efficient production methods.
Fashion technologists, or clothing or textile technologists, work with various materials. They research natural (like cotton), artificial fibers (like polyester), and other materials such as leather, fur, metals, and plastics.
The primary goals of clothing technologists are product development, improving the quality and efficiency of production, and collaborating with those involved in the production process.
Fashion design vs Fashion Technology: A Comparison
Fashion technology and fashion design overlap in many aspects, particularly in the study of design and aesthetics with a technological edge. But there are differences, too. Let’s understand the comparison better:
- Focus
Fashion designers draw inspiration from various sources, such as history and modern culture, and their main goal is to translate these ideas into attractive garments.
Fashion technology, on the other hand, takes a more technical approach. It closely examines the details of manufacturing, materials, and garment construction to guarantee designs retain their original vision while keeping their structural value intact.
- Type of work
Designers use inspiration boards to create collections. They focus on people and seasons. They turn abstract concepts into images.
Fashion technology is different. It depends more on problem-solving techniques. These involve careful planning, from choosing suitable textiles to boosting production.
- Tools required
Designers refine their ideas using sketchbooks and computer design tools like Adobe Illustrator. They can even set up mannequins to visualize their concepts in three dimensions.
Conversely, fashion technologists use computerized technology and CAD systems to design patterns accurately and ensure they can be reproduced every time.
- Skills
Designers understand color theory, develop different clothing shapes, and choose fabrics. They also have creativity, a good eye for style, and a sense of what looks good.
Fashion technologists focus on understanding how fabrics behave and solving issues with technology. They prioritize sustainable production methods and rely heavily on technical expertise.
- Training
Fashion institutes provide courses on art history, design techniques, and fabric science, which are great for budding fashion designers.
On the other hand, technologists typically take on traditional education in more technical courses such as textile engineering and garment technology. These courses focus on the foundational understanding of software to manage the complex demands of fashion production.
Fashion Design vs Technology Career: Which Path To Choose?
The broad fashion category has numerous options, including fashion design and technology. When starting in the fashion industry, deciding which of the two career options is your calling can have an important effect.
Fashion design careers revolve around creativity, aesthetics, and the construction of garments, with roles like:
- Fashion Designer
- Fashion Illustrator
- Fashion Stylist
- Fashion Merchandiser
- Fashion Product manager
Fashion technology careers rely on technology for advancement, which leads to opportunities in technical design and wearable development with roles like:
- Technical Designers
- Fashion Coordinators
- Quality Control Managers
- Textile Engineers
Salary range of Fashion Design vs. Fashion Technologist
Now let’s compare the salaries of Fashion Design vs Fashion Technology:
- A Fashion Designer’s salary ranges from INR 6 LPA to INR 7.4 LPA, with an average annual salary of INR 4.3 LPA (Source).
- The average base pay of a Fashion Technologist is INR 7.5 LPA (Source).
Conclusion
Fashion technology and design are closely connected. Developers and designers work together to create new products and experiences. Younger generations are increasingly using digital tools for design. Blending artistic vision with technical skills, fashion design, and technology can make the industry more sustainable and inclusive.
Choosing fashion design or technology can be difficult. However, knowing the differences can help you pick the course that best matches your interests and career goals and will assist you achieve your goals. ITM offers a B.Des in Fashion Design, a 4-year full-time program to prepare you for the fashion industry. Visit itm.edu to learn more about the program and other design courses.
Frequently asked questions
1) Which is better, bachelor of design or fashion technology?
If you enjoy designing garments and accessories, B.Des is a good fit. However, if you're interested in the technical side of fashion, B.Tech is the place to go.
2) What is the salary of a Bachelor of Fashion Technology?
The average base pay of a fashion technologist is INR 7.5 LPA (Source).
3) Is Fashion technology a good course?
Yes, fashion technology is a good course. It offers creative and technical skills, leading to careers in innovative design, sustainable fashion, and advanced production techniques.
4) How does technology fit into the design of fashion?
Thanks to computer-aided design (CAD), designers can alter their designs in real-time and work with various textiles, colors, and textures. CAD technology also makes virtual fashion shows possible, allowing designers to present their collections to buyers from a distance.
