India’s fashion and textile export industry is growing at a fast pace, and with that, the demand for skilled textile designers is also on the rise. From traditional handlooms to modern prints, textile design has become an exciting and rewarding field. If you’ve got a creative eye and love playing with colours, patterns and fabrics, this could be the career you’re looking for.
Textile designers work on the aesthetics and functionality of fabrics used in clothes, furnishings, accessories and even industrial use. Their designs decide how fabric looks, feels and behaves. With India being one of the largest producers of textiles in the world, skilled designers are needed across various industries—from fashion houses and fabric mills to export houses and design studios.
What Education is Needed
To start a career in textile designing, having a strong interest in art and craft is essential. After 12th, one can take up a diploma or degree course in textile design. Many students go for Bachelor of Design (Textile Design), Bachelor of Fine Arts or even diplomas offered by reputed institutes.
These courses usually teach subjects like weaving, printing techniques, surface ornamentation, textile science, fabric construction and computer-aided textile designing. It’s not just about creativity, but also understanding the properties of fabric and their practical applications.
Job Demand and Opportunities
Skilled textile designers are in demand in both Indian and global markets. They are hired by:
- Fashion brands and designers
- Handloom and handicraft sectors
- Export houses
- Textile mills and manufacturing units
- Retail and home furnishing brands
Nowadays, even tech-based industries use textiles in automotive, medical and sports products, so designers also find roles in technical textile sectors.
I personally know someone who started off designing sarees in a small workshop in Surat, and today she works for an international home décor brand that exports designer curtains and upholstery to Europe.
Key Institutes for Textile Designing
If you’re looking to enter this field, here are some top institutions in India that offer textile design courses:
- National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad
- National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) – Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata and others
- Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai
- Pearl Academy, Delhi and Jaipur
- Indian Institute of Crafts and Design, Jaipur
Admission to many of these institutes is through entrance exams that test drawing skills, creative thinking and general aptitude.
Textile designing is not just about pretty prints. It’s a serious profession that combines creativity, technology and tradition. With global fashion turning towards sustainable and cultural designs, Indian textile designers are getting more recognition than ever before. If you have a flair for design and are ready to learn the technical side too, this field can open doors to a creative and stable career.
