Textile design is the system of creating structures and designs for woven, knitted, and non-woven fabrics. The textile industry is an evergreen industry as clothes are one of the essential basic needs of humans. Textile design includes making various patterns for clothing, decorative textiles, such as carpets, and household textiles such as towels. Textile design is the process of turning raw material into a functional product.

Textile design is a very creative field that connects carpet manufacturing, fashion designing, and every other textile related field. Textile design incorporates the best of contemporary designs that are stylish and creative. The fundamental activities of textile designing are:

• Conceptualise innovative designs
• Make design samples sets
• Conduct experiments with fabric, colour, and texture
• Attend trade shows
• Create fabric designs to match the emerging trends of fashion

A textile designer is the one who creates the design and requires a complete knowledge on weaving, yarning, dyeing, and finishing procedures. The designer must have knowledge of various looms, knitting machines, and printing processes.

Basic Procedure of Textile Design

The first step is sketching the final product or final design that is visualised by the designer for the printed and woven textiles. This requires several skills to develop various unique designs. Custom textile designs are written or drawn on a paper and later created using software. Once a pattern is finalised, the textile designer chooses the appropriate fabrics for their design. A designer may also choose to use methods of printing and dyeing. The different printing methods used are:

• Direct printing or blotch printing
• Overprinting
• Discharge printing
• Block printing
• Roller printing
• Screen printing
• Ink-jet printing
• Heat transfer printing

Currently professionals in the textile design field use CAD or computer aided software for creating several designs quickly. The heat transfer printing and ink jet printings are some of the advanced methods of printing used in the industry.

Application of CAD in Textile Design

CAD or computer aided design technology provides ease of creation for all types of weaves of fabrics. This technology has created a revolution in the textile design industry. It helps to reproduce the original design into real fabric and view the it in different colour combinations much before production. This helps the designer get the real picture of his creation and make changes if necessary.

Almost every textile design company adapts this technology including the handloom division. The CAD application for manufacturing and textile design is applied in several areas including jacquard, dobby, blankets, carpets, and other industries. This aids in increased productivity along with adding value to the commodity to meet the demands of the market, which is rapidly changing.

Various Elements in Textile Design

There are five elements that are a part of every kind of design, and this includes even the textile design.

• Lines – Different types of lines include horizontal, vertical, and diagonal. They can be thin, thick, jagged, zigzag, curved, straight, or wavy. In textile design, these can also be embroidery or seam.
• Shapes – Connecting various types of lines creates shapes. In textile design, these shapes form patterns such as hound’s tooth, polka dots, plaid, etc.
• Colour – Colour is an essential element that enhances the design. This is one of the basic aspects the designer must decide upon.
• Texture – Texture is another key element of a textile design. Various textures of fabrics such as denim, wool, corduroy, satin, cotton, etc., require various designs to suit the trend and need of people.
• Space – This is another important element of textile design, as it determines the appearance of the final apparel in the way it is used.

Textile Design Studios

A textile design studio consists of a team of textile designers and is furnished with art equipment, small machines, presentation boards, screens, design software, computers, and other tools. Freelance designers have a studio set up in their bedroom or a corner of their office; whereas, thousands of designers work together in a huge studio set up by a company. These large studios also have other sort of employees such as technicians and administrative staffs.

While the technological advancements have greatly contributed to the textile design and textile up to the demands of the trend and needs. Of course, every industry has its plus and minus and textile design is no exception.