How to design a garment? Everything you need to know10 min read

Summary 

  • The ability to design clothes is a gateway to endless opportunities in the fashion industry.
  • To master technical knowledge and agile creation are vital to excel as a professional designer.
  • Technology is important in this process. That’s why we have created a comprehensive solution to help you. Try Audaces360 for free! 

Technical skills and creative vision are always in high demand within the fashion industry. The ability to design clothes drawing with agility, meeting deadlines, is a plus. 

But don’t worry — the industry recognizes the need for innovation. Companies are embracing cutting-edge technology to streamline processes and boost creativity. This includes advanced solutions for technical drawings and 2D design. 

We’ve created this comprehensive guide to equip you with knowledge on how to design a garment. Here, you’ll discover the best methods and shortcuts to excel in fashion illustration. 

Enjoy your reading!

Is it possible to be successful in fashion design?

Our answer is a resounding yes! While the path to success may not be straightforward, it is certainly achievable with dedication. This includes the right combination of skills and a large dose of passion for fashion and art. 

The world of apparel design offers a multitude of opportunities for creative people. We’ve compiled some expert tips to inspire you: 

  • Immerse yourself in the industry opportunities to gain hands-on experience on how to design a garment.
  • Showcase your best work in a well-curated portfolio that highlights your unique style and skills.
  • Keep informed about fashion trends, emerging technologies, and industry developments.
  • Attend industry events, connect with professionals, and start your own network of contacts. 

Learn more: Learn all about how to draw the fashion sketch for your collection 

Create, edit and approve your designs in 3D with Audaces Fashion Studio.
Integrate tech pack and pre-cost in real time with Audaces Idea.
Design and develop clothing sizes=
Manage your collection from concept to sales with Audaces Isa.
Say goodbye to delays and waste with the Audaces Cutting Room.

What do you need to know before you start fashion design? 

Before you start your clothing designs, make sure you understand the basic principles of how to design a garment to stand out.

These are some key aspects you must know on how to design fashion clothes: 

Dynamic proportions 

Understanding the human body’s proportions is essential for creating an accurate and visually appealing design drawing. This will help your ideas to attract attention and get chosen when building a clothing line. 

Focus on catering to various body shapes and how to flatter each one with correct representations. Learn to capture the nuances of movement, posture, and perspective to bring your figure drawing to life. 

Learn more: Learn what digital sketching is and how to apply it to your fashion collection 

Fashion styles 

Dive deep and keep updated on the evolving fashion styles. Explore everything from classic looks that never go out of style to the latest trends shaping the future. 

Get to know each style inside and out: its features, details, and little things that make it unique. It will help you draw these styles accurately in your illustrations, strengthening your knowledge of how to design a garment. 

Furthermore, this will make you a versatile professional, always prepared and equipped with references and inspiration. 

Textures and shading 

These elements add depth and realism to your design ideas. Learn how to show the different feels of different fabrics, like silk or denim, by using shading and lines in your drawings. 

Colored pencils help with manual drawing. Meanwhile, advanced software solutions can easily create realistic images with just a few clicks. 

Learn more: Discover essential techniques on how to draw a skirt online 

Depth and dimension 

Elevate your illustrations by using techniques that convey depth and dimension. Utilize perspective, light, shadows, and atmospheric perspective to create a sense of space and realism in your drawings. 

These techniques may seem daunting at first but trust us: they elevate your designs far beyond flat drawings. 

To ease the process, consider using a suite of software that offers both 2D and 3D capabilities. These tools serve distinct purposes in different stages of the design process. 

2D is ideal for creating technical sketches and spec sheets. At the same time, 3D software brings your designs to life, allowing you to visualize the final garment with realism. 

It streamlines the process of how to design a garment, enabling you to approve collections without physical samples. 

How to design a garment with agility?

How to design a garment: a fashion designer sketching by hand using pencils.

Designing a garment with agility involves optimizing your process to be efficient and adaptable. Here are some important aspects to consider: 

Start with the body (human or not) 

Lay the foundation by sketching the body, whether human or not. You can use a mannequin, a futuristic figure, or even a dog, for example. It depends on who you are designing for. 

Regardless, put some effort into capturing the figure’s essence. Observe the posture, movement, and energy you want to convey. This is the first step to setting the scenario of the story you want to tell through your design. 

Develop your own style 

Nurture your artistic identity by exploring different drawing styles and techniques. Whenever possible, put your personality into your creations. 

As you explore your own style, delve into the works of artists you admire. Analyze their techniques and how they compose their designs. 

Don’t simply copy — deconstruct their methods and incorporate elements that resonate with your artistic vision. This process is about learning the language of art and finding your way of speaking it. 

Learn more: Meet 8 iconic fashion designers of the moment to inspire you 

Design both sides 

Many aspiring fashion designers often fall into the trap of focusing only on sketching the front view of garments. They might only resort to drawing the back when there’s a particular detail, like a plunging neckline or a cutout. 

However, sketching both the front and back of a garment is essential in any situation. It provides a clear understanding of the drape and fit of the design. 

With a comprehensive sketch, you can examine every detail of the garment. This allows you to identify any flaws or areas that need refinement and create more accurate designs. 

Seek guidance and practice 

Research online tutorials and workshop opportunities to refine your skills and expand your knowledge. 

If you are migrating to digital and adopting new software, explore all available tools. Take advantage of training on how to design a garment in a digital environment to fully understand the solution. 

One last piece of advice from those who know the subject: practice, practice, practice. Consistent practice is key to mastery! 

Learn more: Explore a comprehensive guide on how to draw a coat 

Use technology as an ally 

Leverage digital tools and software to enhance your abilities on how to design a garment. Explore vector graphics, digital painting, and other techniques to create stunning visual effects. 

Specialized fashion design software allows you to apply print details, trims, and even seams to your designs. 

They even let you simplify design processes. One example of ease of use is the integrated creation of technical sheets and automatic cost calculation. 

This not only facilitates your work but also streamlines the development process and the pattern maker’s job. Moreover, this integration increases the chances that the final product accurately reflects your initial vision. 

Learn more: How to choose the best software for designing clothes? 

Benefits of using technology in fashion design

How to design a garment: a fashion designer uses specialized software to sketch digitally.

In the realm of how to design a garment, technology has emerged as a groundbreaking force. It empowers fashion designers to streamline their creative processes, explore new possibilities, and produce innovative looks. 

Let’s delve into the key advantages that technology brings to garment design: 

Efficiency and speed 

Technology has transformed the speed and efficiency of fashion creation. Digital tools and software allow for creating sketches, refining details, and experimenting with variations with ease. 

It can significantly reduce the time spent on traditional hand-drawn illustrations. 

Efficiency and agility can be an X factor for you to stand out in the industry. This is because the fashion market changes quickly, and the ability to quickly create and adjust designs is essential. 

Exploration of ideas 

Advanced digital solutions have a vast array of tools like prints, textures, and effects. This translates to a world of possibilities at your fingertips. It empowers fashion designers to push the boundaries of their artistic expression. 

You can seamlessly test, make mistakes, and iterate on your designs. When you try something new and it doesn’t work out, there’s no need to scrap your original design and start over. 

Just undo the last actions in seconds, and your base design remains intact, ready for further exploration! 

Waste reduction 

Exploring new technological solutions is the best way to minimize waste and embrace sustainable practices. This is an important step towards reducing the textile and fashion industry’s footprint. 

By cutting the need for physical sketches and prototypes, digital tools reduce paper consumption and minimize waste. This approach aligns with the growing eco-conscious ethos of the fashion industry. Additionally, it delivers significant cost savings for companies. 

Learn more: Discover how sustainable design can delight your customers 

2D view 

Digital illustration software enables designers to create detailed 2D representations of their garments. You can visualize intricate details, patterns, and textures of designs with exceptional clarity. 

This facilitates better communication with the next stages of development and production. Furthermore, it helps to ensure that the final product aligns with the designer’s vision. 

Create fashion sketch and technical sheet with Audaces Idea 

How to design a garment: a fashion designer sketching with Audaces Idea.

Audaces Idea is our solution developed for fashion designers to create 2D sketches. It enables you to create precise technical drawings, ensuring exceptional detail and information accuracy. 

This eliminates errors and streamlines communication between design, development, and production teams, helping to reduce development time and ensuring timely deliveries. 

Quickly apply and change designs with easy-to-use tools, allowing you to concentrate on your creative ideas. 

By automating technical tasks, this solution frees up your time for more design exploration and project development. 

Audaces Idea also allows for the creation of tech packs and automatic pre-costs in the same interface.

Want to take your fashion design to the next level? Check out our e-book on how to use 3D technology in fashion!

FAQ

Is it possible to be successful in fashion design?

Our answer is a resounding yes! While the path to success may not be straightforward, it is certainly achievable with dedication. This includes the right combination of skills and a large dose of passion for fashion and art.

What do you need to know before starting to design clothes?

Dynamic proportions, fashion styles, textures and shading, and depth and dimension.

How to design a garment with agility?

Start with the body (human or not), develop your own style, design with both sides, seek guidance and practice, and use technology as an ally.

about the author

Audaces
Audaces is a global reference in the development of innovative solutions for the fashion industry, integrating processes, people, and technology.

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