Design Assistant

A Design Assistant works for a fashion designer or for a fashion label to help produce garments and collections. You’ll collaborate with designers and customers to assist with the production process, from initial designs to creating samples and developing the end product. You might have to work with sketches and briefs to prepare fabric and patterns or you might construct sample pieces and make alterations as needed.

A Design Assistant should be able to interpret designs and follow directions. You’ll need good communication skills because you’ll have to liaise with designers, customers, models and production workers. A Design Assistant should be able to work in a team and be organised with their time. It’s important that you are aware of current and future trends and have strong attention to detail.

Future demand Medium
Average yearly income $61,100
Skill level Advanced

How do I become a design assistant?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
Recommended
MST50119

Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Merchandising
On Campus
12 - 24 months
$0 - $18,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Fashion Design Assistant Design Assistant Fashion Merchandiser
Visual Merchandiser Textile Designer Quality Controller
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Fashion Design Assistant Design Assistant Fashion Merchandiser Visual Merchandiser Textile Designer Quality Controller + 3 more
CUA30720

Certificate III in Design Fundamentals
Blended, On Campus, Online
6 - 24 months
$0 - $8,272
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Painter Art Studio Assistant Junior Animator
Screen Printer Ceramic Artist Graphic Designer Design Assistant Digital Artist Visual Merchandiser Pre-Press Operator
+ 7 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Painter Art Studio Assistant Junior Animator Screen Printer Ceramic Artist Graphic Designer Design Assistant Digital Artist Visual Merchandiser Pre-Press Operator + 7 more
MST20616

Certificate II in Applied Fashion Design and Technology
On Campus
25 weeks
$3,900
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Fashion Design Assistant Design Assistant Milliner Assistant
Fashion Merchandiser Sewing Machinist Production Worker Factory Worker Fashion Designer
+ 5 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Fashion Design Assistant Design Assistant Milliner Assistant Fashion Merchandiser Sewing Machinist Production Worker Factory Worker Fashion Designer + 5 more
CUA40720

Certificate IV in Design (Product Design)
On Campus
12 months
$3,489
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Visual Designer Product Designer Apprentice Industrial Designer
CAD Designer 3D Visualiser Furniture Designer Packaging Designer Design Assistant Manufacturing Technician
+ 6 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Visual Designer Product Designer Apprentice Industrial Designer CAD Designer 3D Visualiser Furniture Designer Packaging Designer Design Assistant Manufacturing Technician + 6 more

Associate Degree in Design (Furniture)
On Campus
24 months
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Furniture Designer Product Designer Interior Designer
Design Assistant Visual Merchandiser Draftsperson
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Furniture Designer Product Designer Interior Designer Design Assistant Visual Merchandiser Draftsperson + 3 more
RIISS00056

Traffic Management Designer Skill Set
On Campus
3 days
$850 - $950
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Traffic Management Officer Traffic Control Supervisor Traffic Controller
Planning Officer Compliance Officer Design Assistant Operations Coordinator
+ 4 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Traffic Management Officer Traffic Control Supervisor Traffic Controller Planning Officer Compliance Officer Design Assistant Operations Coordinator + 4 more

Bachelor of Creative Practice
Blended
3 years
$49,200
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Design Assistant Brand Designer Creative Designer
Community Organiser Textile Designer Community Arts Worker Design Teacher Multimedia Artist Set Designer
+ 6 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Design Assistant Brand Designer Creative Designer Community Organiser Textile Designer Community Arts Worker Design Teacher Multimedia Artist Set Designer + 6 more

Associate Degree in Civil and Structural Engineering (Design Drafting)
Blended
24 months
$27,394
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Draftsperson Engineering Technician CAD Operator
Quantity Surveyor Design Assistant
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Draftsperson Engineering Technician CAD Operator Quantity Surveyor Design Assistant + 2 more
CUA30720

Certificate III in Design Fundamentals (Graphic Design)
On Campus
6 months
$2,987
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Illustrator Sign Installer Digital Artist
Design Assistant Production Assistant Graphic Designer
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Illustrator Sign Installer Digital Artist Design Assistant Production Assistant Graphic Designer + 3 more
MST30416

Certificate III in Footwear
Apprenticeship
36 months
$10,350
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Production Worker Footwear Designer Pattern Maker
Sewing Machinist Sales Assistant Design Assistant Leather Worker
+ 4 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Production Worker Footwear Designer Pattern Maker Sewing Machinist Sales Assistant Design Assistant Leather Worker + 4 more
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

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Avg yearly income $72,800
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Common questions

How much does a Design Assistant earn?

In Australia, a full time Design Assistant generally earns $1,175 per week ($61,100 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

What are the job opportunities for a Design Assistant?

The fashion industry has seen stable job growth in Australia over the last five years. There are currently 3,500 people employed in this industry and many of them work as a Design Assistant. Design Assistants will generally find work in larger towns and cities where fashion companies are located.

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

How do I become a Design Assistant?

A Certificate II or III in Applied Fashion Design and Technology is a great way to start a career as a Design Assistant. These courses cover a range of topics relevant to the fashion industry such as working with fibres and textiles, creating and using patterns, preparing sketches and producing fashion garments. You could also consider a Certificate II or III in Visual Arts.

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

Further reading

How to start a Career in Human-Centred Design

21st October 2024

How to start a career as a Personal Assistant

2nd December 2021

Most popular design courses

30th May 2022

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