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How exposed to AI is a Fashion Designer?

Of the 20 tasks O*NET lists for fashion designers, 3 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 8 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Apparel and Accessories DesignerApparel DesignerCostume DesignerDesignerFashion Design ContractorFashion DesignerFashion Graphic DesignerFashion StylistHandbag DesignerProduct Developer
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
20
tasks rated for this occupation
51%
hold a degree, from a survey of 22
19k
people do this job in the US
16 of 40
least protected in arts, design and media

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Reachable with a chat window today

3
  • Provide sample garments to agents and sales representatives, and arrange for showings of sample garments at sales meetings or fashion shows
  • Develop a group of products or accessories, and market them through venues such as boutiques or mail-order catalogs
  • Research the styles and periods of clothing needed for film or theatrical productions

Only with software built on top

9
  • Direct and coordinate workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns and constructing samples or finished garments
  • Sketch rough and detailed drawings of apparel or accessories, and write specifications such as color schemes, construction, material types, and accessory requirements
  • Identify target markets for designs, looking at factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status
  • Attend fashion shows and review garment magazines and manuals to gather information about fashion trends and consumer preferences
  • Adapt other designers' ideas for the mass market
  • Visit textile showrooms to keep up-to-date on the latest fabrics
  • Collaborate with other designers to coordinate special products and designs
  • Design custom clothing and accessories for individuals, retailers, or theatrical, television, or film productions
  • Read scripts and consult directors and other production staff to develop design concepts and plan productions

Cannot be sped up

8
  • Examine sample garments on and off models, modifying designs to achieve desired effects
  • Confer with sales and management executives or with clients to discuss design ideas
  • Select materials and production techniques to be used for products
  • Purchase new or used clothing and accessory items as needed to complete designs
  • Determine prices for styles
  • Draw patterns for articles designed, cut patterns, and cut material according to patterns, using measuring instruments and scissors
  • Test fabrics or oversee testing so that garment care labels can be created
  • Sew together sections of material to form mockups or samples of garments or articles, using sewing equipment
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.