Accessory Design As A Career

summary
Professional Opportunities
Career Path
Leading Institutes
Institutions Abroad
Entrance Exams
Work Description
Pros & Cons

Accessory Design

Summary

Accessory Designing is one of the most upcoming and interesting field in the world of Fashion. Accessories can add a splash of color, personality, and style to the wearer. Accessories range from jewelry, footwear, scarves to handbags, belts, hats etc. Therefore, there is a wide scope for the field. To be successful in the field, the person should use their creativity and imagination to design unique products while keeping in mind the current fashion trends. They are up- to-date with the ongoing developments in the fashion industry, as well as they keep a close eye on the market. They use both paper- pencil as well as computer- aided designing.

Career Opportunities in Accessory Design

Apparel Manufacturers
Accessory designers work in apparel manufacturing industry to amalgamate accessories that best suit the garment and complete the look.
Apparel Wholesalers
Accessory designers tie up with wholesalers to mass produce/ mass retail their accessories. They design a variety of accessories that pair up with garments to complete the look.
Television and Film Industry
They design costumes and apparel to be donned by the who's who of the film and television industry. They often consider the plot of the movies and complexities of the characters in doing so.
Leather accessory designing
Accessory designers specializing in leather accessories make use of leather to design and then create designs that complement garments. This is a relatively new take in accessory designing and often encompass belts and bands.
Jewellery designing
Accessory designers specializing in jewelry design, design and then create jewelry that complement garments. This profile encompasses designing earrings, rings, neck pieces, bands, bracelets etc.
Freelance accessory designing
Freelancers in accessory designing either create their own brand of accessories or take up projects independently with other designers to design and create pieces that complement the apparel to be worn with it.
Gemologists
As a gemologist, one is academically trained to identify and evaluate gems. One may be involved in diamond grading or identification of colored gemstones.

How to Become an Accessory Designer

	Stream	Graduation	After Graduation	After Post Graduation
Path 1	Pass Class XII in Any Stream	Pursue B.Sc. Fashion Designing/ B. Des. Accessory Design for 3- 4 years	Pursue M. Des. (Master of Design) for 2 years	-
Path 2	Pass Class XII in Any Stream	Pursue Diploma in Fashion Designing/ Diploma in Accessory Designing for 1 year	Pursue PG Diploma in Fashion Designing	-
Path 3	Pass Class XII in Any Stream	Pursue B.Sc. Fashion Designing/ B. Des. Accessory Design for 3- 4 years	Study Abroad and Pursue Master's program in luxury accessories design & management/ Masters in Fashion Design for 1 -2 years	-

Important Facts

Practical, industrial experience is a must. This can be achieved via internships or upon getting a job.

Leading Institutes

Top Accessory Design Institutes in India

College	Location	Website
National Institute of Fashion Technology	Multiple Locations	www.nift.ac.in/delhi
National Institute of Design	Multiple locations	www.nid.edu
Symbiosis Institute of Design	Pune	www.sid.edu.in/academic/bdes/178.html
Pearl Academy of Fashion	Delhi	www.pearlacademy.com
ARCH Academy of Design	Jaipur	www.archedu.org
Footwear Design and Development Institute of India (FDDI)	Noida (Headquarters)	www.fddiindia.com
SNDT Women's University	Mumbai	www.sndt.ac.in
National Institute of Jewelry Design	Ahmedabad (Diploma in Accessory and Jewellery Design)	www.dsiidc.org/nij/courseoffer.html
International Institute of Gemological Science	Delhi (Diploma in gemmology)	www.iigsworldwide.com
Indian Institute of Jewelry Design	Ahmedabad (Diploma in Accessory and Jewellery Design)	www.iij.net.in

Top Accessory Design Institutes in the World

Institution	Location	Website
SCAD	U.S.A.	www.scad.edu
Paris College of Art	Paris	www.paris.edu/departments/in_program/19/80
IFM	Paris	www.ifm-paris.com/en/education/fashion-education/design/major-in-accessory-design.html
Instituto Marangoni	Multiple locations	www.istitutomarangoni.com/en/design-courses/short-courses/introductory-programme/accessories-design
London College of Fashion	London	www.arts.ac.uk/fashion/courses/short-courses/accessories-courses

Accessory Design Entrance Exams

Undergraduate

College	Tentative Date	Important Elements	Website
NID - DAT	March- May	Comprehension, Analysis, Reasoning, Problem Solving and Creativity	-
SET - Symbiosis Entrance Test	March- May	Design aptitude, General English - Quantitative, General Awareness, Analytical & Logical Reasoning	-
NIFT Entrance	January-march	General Ability Test (GAT), Creative Ability Test (CAT), Situation Test	-
Pearl - PAF	June- July	Combined General Proficiency, Design Aptitude	-
FDDI - AIST	July	Mathematics, General Science, General Awareness	-
MIT Institute of Design entrance	April-May	Design Aptitude Test, Studio Test, Personal Interview	-

Postgraduate

Institution	Tentative Date	Important Elements	Website
NID - DAT	March- May	Comprehension, Analysis, Reasoning, Problem Solving and Creativity	-

Work Description

Research past, present and future fashion and accessory trends to predict the upcoming demands of the customers or consumers
Design the accessories either by sketching or using software such as CAD
Develop concept that fulfils the demand and desire of the clients
Ensure the quality and standard of the product and the materials used
Create samples before the actual production and modify it
Supervise and manage production and sale
Make reports of the market's situation or reaction towards the product
Negotiate with dealers and clients and work within the financial budget to ensure the profitable running of the business
Stay abreast of the latest developments in technology and accessory trends

Pros & Cons of a Career in Accessory Design

Pros

Once you will design the accessories, different individuals will use it to enhance their appearance that will provide personal satisfaction.
You will get the opportunity to start your own business.
You will get the opportunity to show your creativity.
Opportunity to travel and meet different individuals.

Cons

It is a highly competitive field.
Criticism from seniors and customers.
There will be a pressure to be up-to-date with the trends.
You will work for longer hours to meet the deadlines.

Class 8-9

Class 10-12

Graduates

Programs

Class 8-9

Class 10-12

Graduates

Resources

Career Library

Are you fit for a career in Accessory Design?