Automatically apply for jobs with Zippia
Upload your resume to get started.
Apparel designer skills for your resume and career
15 apparel designer skills for your resume and career
1. Adobe Illustrator
- Use working knowledge of Excel and Adobe Illustrator for various projects.
- Conceptualized idea and designed 2014 Taiwanese Student Association T-shirt utilizing Adobe Illustrator Promoted TWSA image/value and raised fund for the association
2. Tech Packs
A tech pack is an informative sheet that designers create to communicate with a manufacturer all the details and components necessary to turn a product into a finished product. It also serves as a "product contract" between a person and the manufacturer throughout the sampling and production process. Typically, designers include dimensions, materials, sketches, size specifications, colors, illustrations, hardware, grading, labels/tags, construction information, and legends. The tech pack is essential for quality control and also ensures that the submitted samples meet ones specifications exactly and that one does not waste time and money reproducing them if they are incorrect.
- Supported the teams with developing seasonal collections, color/concept stories, CAD development and PLM tech packs.
- Created tech packs, new seasonal product line sheets, and spec sheets for all original artwork.
3. Sketch
- Created detailed conceptual and sketch presentations for senior management seasonally.
- Hand sketch designs, create graphics using Illustrator and screen print on American Apparel tees.
4. Apparel Design
- Manage design-specific projects with current Apparel Design Apprentice.
- Continue responsibilities of junior apparel designer position
5. Technical Design
Technical design is a blueprint or prototype design that explains the technical nature of an intended design and serves as a guide to engineers during the implementation process. It's a preliminary stage before the implementation of designs where engineers take out the time to study the sketch, and be guided on what to do as regards implementation and project delivery.
- Coordinated technical designers to achieve an improved garment construction with specifications.
- Conduct fittings with the technical design team to ensure that the desired look and fit is maintained throughout the production process.
6. PLM
PLM stands for "product lifecycle management." This process is the management of a product's entire lifecycle, from when the product is first conceived and developed to when the product is sold and, eventually, disposed. A company may use PLM for a variety of reasons, most commonly to reduce the amount of errors in the manufacturing process and to ensure the product is sold more quickly.
- Aided in training design teams on company-wide roll-out of new product management system (FLEX PLM).
- Directed yarn development team.- Proposed PLM transitional initiatives.- Collaboratively worked to evaluate and elevate in-house design process efficiency.
Choose from 10+ customizable apparel designer resume templates
Build a professional apparel designer resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your apparel designer resume.7. Design Concepts
- Presented and communicated new creative design concepts to upper management that effectively targeted our consumers.
- Worked with technical execution of design concepts including draping, pattern drafting, textile design, and sample sewing.
8. Product Development
Product development is the complete procedure of creating a product from concept until release of the final product. Product development has many stages after which a product is released into the market. Identifying the need, creating the opportunity, conceptualizing a product, and providing a solution, all are different stages of product development.
- Traveled domestically and internationally for product development and market research, including Asia and Europe.
- Initiated all phases of product development from creating technical sketches of garments to generating sample production and specification packages.
9. Development Process
- Cultivated global vendor relationships to improve development process, quality, timeline and cost.
- Communicated with cross-functional teams and vendors regarding all issues pertinent to accurate execution of samples throughout development process.
10. Market Research
Market research is a collective effort to collect information related to a consumer's needs and wants. It is a systematic approach that involves recording and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data. Market research helps a business to identify a target market correctly and identify the gaps in potential consumer's expectations.
- Conducted extensive market research and communicated ideas to associates at all levels of the organization.
- Assisted in creating new seasonal color palettes based on market research and current trends.
11. Trend Research
A trend is presumed future development that may have a long-term effect. Trend analysis is the practice of collecting data and attempting to spot a recurrence, or non-recurrence, pattern. This field revolves around predicting the future of a market based on data from past sales, client preferences, and demand.
- Facilitated merchandising process with trend research, color selection, and comp shopping.
- Traveled overseas for international trend research and theme inspiration for upcoming seasons.
12. CAD
- Contributed to product catalogs and corporate presentations by creating CAD drawings, flat sketches, and branding decks.
- Designed brand-driven prints, graphics, and CAD presentations using Adobe Creative Suite 5.
13. Trade Shows
- Traveled abroad to attend trade shows in Munich and Frankfurt Germany.
- Attended Trade Shows/seminars to interpret and develop trend forecasts into
14. Mood Boards
- Created directives for all licensing classifications presentations and mood boards.
- Contributed to seasonal messaging development and mood boards.
15. Line Sheets
A line sheet is a sales tool for product marketing and sales to display important information about a product to potential buyers and retailer partners. It is commonly used by manufacturers, wholesalers, brands, and designers in the fashion industry.
- Create and maintain design team line sheets, including all sketches and style information.
- Develop product line sheets and season s look book for sales meeting.
5 Apparel Designer resume examples
Build a professional apparel designer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 5+ resume templates to create your apparel designer resume.
What skills help Apparel Designers find jobs?
Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.
What skills stand out on apparel designer resumes?
Lorrie Ivas
Full-time Faculty, Santa Monica College
Companies like to see versatility… so even if a designer shows amazing swimwear in their portfolio, it is always important to show versatility in other design categories (and obviously whatever category the hiring company sells). Companies like to see what you can do for them and what they didn’t realize you can do for them – i.e., new ideas in product collaborations, your genuine sustainability commitment, social media skills, etc.
What soft skills should all apparel designers possess?
Lorrie Ivas
Full-time Faculty, Santa Monica College
What is often overlooked is communicating professionally via email, text, phone, and/or personal interactions. Basic business etiquette is very important. Fashion is a creative field, yet it is also a business … and professionalism always stands out… Attention to detail will set one apart from the others. So many resumes come in with spelling errors! It is often just one page! Not proofing once - and then proofing again, and then having someone else’s fresh eyes proof it one more time - shows a lack of attention to detail.
Design is a collaborative proposition, so the ability to share ideas with a team is vital.
And again, knowledge of social media platforms, where professional and creative communication/writing skills are as important as the photographs, represents someone who will be a valuable addition to a design firm.
What hard/technical skills are most important for apparel designers?
Lorrie Ivas
Full-time Faculty, Santa Monica College
List of apparel designer skills to add to your resume
The most important skills for an apparel designer resume and required skills for an apparel designer to have include:
- Adobe Illustrator
- Tech Packs
- Sketch
- Apparel Design
- Technical Design
- PLM
- Design Concepts
- Product Development
- Development Process
- Market Research
- Trend Research
- CAD
- Trade Shows
- Mood Boards
- Line Sheets
- Kids
- Market Trends
- Design Direction
- Product Line
- Technical Sketches
- Product Categories
- Seasonal Collections
- Adobe Photoshop
- Presentation Boards
- Lab Dips
- Patternmaking
- BOM
- Design Details
- Strike Offs
- Photo Shoots
- Conceptual Development
- Concept Boards
- Embroidery
- Color Direction
- Overseas Vendors
- Sample Development
- Retail Store
- Trend Forecasting
- Denim
- Overseas Factories
- Nike
- Apparel Line
- Color Trends
- Sportswear
- Seasonal Concept
- Color Stories
- Private Label
- Aided Design
- Art Direction
Updated January 8, 2025
