Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
•   Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
•   Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
•   Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Working Life

Textile designers create designs, either by hand, or digitally, for woven, printed and knitted fabrics, carpets, wall coverings and soft furnishings. 

A designer's duties vary according to where they work. Designers who work for a small company may spend most of their time reworking traditional designs.  Large design companies usually employ a small team of designers who create original designs. However, these designs usually have to fit a particular house style or image. In some cases, companies buy designs from freelance designers and pass them to their own in-house designers to adapt them.  
 
Designers will probably spend most of their time at a drawing board in a design studio. Increasingly designers use computer-aided design (CAD) systems instead of traditional design materials such as pens, pencils and paints.  
 
When they have finished the design, they send it to a print laboratory where a sample can be made up and passed on to the design director to examine and comment on. Self-employed designer-craftworkers usually make their own samples. The designer may also be responsible for preparing colour ways or swatches. These are small pieces or sections of the finished article that they can show to a buying team and retailers. These give everyone involved in the design process a better idea of the appearance and texture of the final product.

Most 3rd Level courses or apprenticeships are 3-4 years. 

Textile designers can work as in a range of manufacturing industries designing:

• Clothing
• Interior fabrics
• Bags
• Umbrellas
• Backpacks
• Tents
• Boats and
• Awnings.

Textile artist and designers can be self-employed or work as design consultants, lecturers and educators.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Remove defects in cloth by cutting and pulling out filling.
• Inspect products to ensure that specifications are met and to determine if machines need adjustment.
• Observe woven cloth to detect weaving defects.
• Thread yarn, thread, and fabric through guides, needles, and rollers of machines for weaving, knitting, or other processing.
• Examine looms to determine causes of loom stoppage, such as warp filling, harness breaks, or mechanical defects.
• Notify supervisors or repair staff of mechanical malfunctions.
• Set up, or set up and operate textile machines that perform textile processing and manufacturing operations such as winding, twisting, knitting, weaving, bonding, or stretching.
• Start machines, monitor operations, and make adjustments as needed.
• Inspect machinery to determine whether repairs are needed.
• Record information about work completed and machine settings.

Further Information

• Clothing/textile technologist- from: GradIreland
• Textile Designer- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Textile designer- from: GradIreland
• Textiles Production Manager- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

The usual route into this career is through a degree or HND course in Textile or Fashion Design. These courses cover all aspects of textile design such as embroidery, woven fabrics or printed surfaces.

There are many entry routes into Textile craft design. However, most take formal training courses up to diploma or degree level.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: customer service, manufacturing quality, management, start your own business.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: art portfolio prep, craft, fashion design, textile design, art, creative textiles.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: applied art, design in fashion, creative fabrics, interior, textile design.

Search for CAO Courses

Applicants for craft and design courses are usually required to submit a portfolio of work via CAO.

Developing your craft business increasingly involves skills in digital media marketing. Building your brand and showcasing your work are key.

Design & Crafts Council Business & Guidance support 

Local Enterprise Offices Business mentoring 

Local Partnership Enterprise Business development support

Design Skillnet Network CPD and support

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €50k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Prosperity / Indeed/ Payscale

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Weavers and knitters; Upholsterers; Footwear and leather working trades; Tailors and dressmakers Textiles; garments and related trades n.e.c.; Pre-press technicians; Printers Print finishing and binding workers; Glass and ceramics makers; decorators and finishers Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers; Florists Other skilled trades n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The five-year annual average employment growth rate was below average for this occupation, although there was an increase of over 2,000 persons employed between 2021 and 2022. As the Census data indicates, there are a large number of roles within this group, with many employing fewer than 1,000 persons. Between 2016 and 2022, employment levels fell for many of these roles.

Despite the decline in employment evident in the Census data, the Skills for Growth data indicates issues with recruitment of upholsterers for both the industry and retail (repair) sectors; upholsterers also appeared in the DSP Jobs Ireland vacancy data (albeit in small numbers), along with spray painters (included in the other skilled trades n.e.c. category). Although demand for many of these trades have declined in recent years, an increased focus on the circular economy may see increased demand, or at least slow the decline for roles such as upholsterers and tailors.

• Design & Craft Council of Ireland

  • Castle Yard, Kilkenny
  • (056) 77 61804
  • Click Here

• Institute of Designers in Ireland

  • The Digital Hub, Roe Lane, Thomas St., Dublin 8
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here