When you say you are looking for fashion design tools, what
do you mean? Are you talking about sketch books & pencils or are you
referring to fashion design software and apps? Obviously there is a big
difference between the traditional methods artists have historically used verse
the new techniques that utilize technology. In this post we will be discussing
the tech relevant methods for designing clothing, footwear, and
accessories.
There are many different aspects of fashion design. It is
important to determine the aspect that applies to the task at hand. A pattern
maker, embroidery, womenswear designer, and textile printing factory will
require different sorts of tools to help them complete projects. It is critical
to find the tools that are relevant to a specific discipline.
Below are a few tools of possible interest:
The design process has many elements, some of which help in
the development & manufacturing of clothes, shoes, handbags, etc.,
Software allows artists and manufacturers the ability to create basic and
advanced garments more efficiently and effectively. The use of fashion design
software such as CAD helps designers in many ways. CAD, or computer-aided
design, is the use of computer technology for design and design documentation.
CAD software replaces manual drafting with an automated process. Our industry
has benefits from both 2D or 3D CAD programs.
The first CAD package for clothing came out in 1985, which
significantly helped to decrease inefficiencies in making and readjusting panel
patterns. Since 1985, computer clothing design software packages have made
tremendous advancements. Advanced fashion design and technology is the
manufacturing process related to fashion which integrates the newest
technologies.
Technology has contributed to the fashion industry in the
manufacturing process. Design tools are often incorporated into other software
to create a mix between design elements and production relevant instruction. A
way to do this efficiently and effectively is through Tech Packs. Tech Packs contain
information that help the manufacturer communicate with the designer.
Browzwear 3D Fashion Design Software:
Browzwear brings the power of 3D to fashion design, development, marketing and
collaboration with three easy-to-use products that help you express your
creativity and shorten time to market. One example is Lotta. Lotta was one of
the first 3D solution created especially for fashion designers. Easy to use, it
unleashes your creativity so you can view your designs on a realistic 3D body in
a variety of colors, styles, materials and more. With Lotta, you can seamlessly
move from your favorite 2D tools to 3D and back again or work directly in 3D.
It’s easier than ever to communicate your design ideas with the entire
development team.
Edraw Fashion Design Software:
Edraw Max is a new fashion design software, which gives you a wide assortment of
model and clothes in a variety of colors and styles to design fashion
dress.
Lectra
Kaledo Design Software: Lectra supports companies in finding the right
balance between creativity, innovation and profitability by placing design at
the core of collection development. They are also dedicated to training future
fashion and apparel professionals providing schools with access to their
solutions, software and design expertise. Designers need to create the right
products in line with seasonal trends to ensure profitability. By connecting
designers, product development and production teams, Lectra’s fashion design
software allows companies to create innovative products faster and at a lower
cost.
Optitex Fashion Design Software: Optitex
believes that 3D is one of the most impactful technologies the fashion industry
has seen to date. It is transformative: prototypes in hours instead of weeks,
changes to colors & graphics at a push of a button, collection reviews
within 3 weeks of design instead 5 months later, and merchandising lines &
stores months earlier than brands could ever do it before. This is all because
3D Digital Apparel finally looks and acts real. Visit their site to learn
more.
Wild Ginger Fashion Design Software: Wild
Ginger Software offers a variety of software products for fashion design, home
sewing and crafts, and educators and students in fashion design and theatrical
costuming. They also have software for creating a sewing inventory and finding
your best style matches.
Check the CAD Fashion
Software section for additional resources. Also, check Adobe Photoshop and
Adobe Illustrator.
Fashion & textile design apps are good tools for
designers that enjoy working on their portable devices such as mobile phones and
tablets. There are too many to list, so we have listed only a few examples for
your review. If you have any favorites that are not listed below, let us know
your suggestions in the comment section.
Design Library: Elevate your designs by getting to know the
textile industry. Peek into some of the most extensive textile libraries in the
world with Design Library. Browse beautiful design selections from all over the
world (e.g. France, Japan, and Uzbekistan) and dates from the 1750s to 1990.
Developed by the Design Library.
MyPantone: Designers must know Pantone colors. This company
is responsible for global color trends, the code regulation of color, and
swatches across all creative communities. Eyedrop colors from photos and find
the equivalent Pantone color. Developed by Pantone. If you want to better
understand color trends, you may want to learn about the pantone
color of the year selection.
Sewing Kit: Get your junk organized! Store and catalog all of
your patterns, fabrics, projects, and measurements with Sewing Kit. Every entry
you make in this app lets you include countless details. For example, for
fabrics, every entry allows you to fill in its name, color, where you bought it,
where it's stored, whether it's been washed, whether it’s been ironed, and
unlimited photos. This app is very customizable and will save you the stress of
searching for misplaced design elements while you are working. Developed by
Vesta Software, LLC.
Sketchbook Pro: Fashion sketches take on a variety of
different styles, from the conceptual and vague to the labors of love that note
every stitch. No matter what your style, Sketchbook Pro for iPad (also available
for the iPhone) has variety of brushes and a slick interface that will meet all
your sketching needs without getting in the way. A highlight of this app is its
customizable color palette that is perfect for fashion designers trying to pull
together a cohesive color theme across several looks. Developed by Autodesk
Inc.
Photoshop: Get the app that
brings serious Photoshop editing to your mobile device. Photoshop Mix lets you
cut out and combine elements from different images, blend layers and apply looks
on your iPhone, iPad or Android device, all compatible with Photoshop
CC.
Learn more about fashion
apps.
You may want to also visit the Apparel Search fashion artists
guide section for additional fashion
design tools that may be of interest to you.
If you are a fashion illustrator and have suggestions
regarding additional programs or services, please share your thoughts in the
discussion area of this post. We would be happy to hear your professional
opinion.
Relevant news that may be of interest:
Pattern Making Services in NYC
Fashion Design Studios in New York
Fashion Design Studios in Los Angeles
Pattern Making Services in NYC
Fashion Design Studios in New York
Fashion Design Studios in Los Angeles
