Know all about Leather Design

A Leather Design programme is unique in terms of its structure and finds extensive applications in the fashion footwear and accessories industry. It focuses on an integrated design perspective within the ambit of industry requirements. Keeping in view the needs of the industry and the nature of the field which requires evolving with changing times, the programme encompasses areas of leather garments, fashion goods, personal lifestyle accessories and footwear.

“Design is a growing field and it is finding new corners and platforms outside the already established ones in the trade. Leather design is one such field that is coming up in a big way", says Sanjay Shrivastava, Director, NIFT Patna and Additional in-charge of NIFT Bhubaneswar while throwing light on its growing scope.

Careers360 explores here everything you need to know about Leather Design including eligibility criteria, essential skills required, areas of study, top colleges, major employers, positions offered, average salary and more.

Purpose of leather design programme

The leather design programme is highly structured and focuses on developing a holistic professional to meet the human resource requirement of the leather industry. It emphasises on the integration of design concepts with material knowledge to respond to the requirements of specific target markets.

The specialisation aims at nurturing social values while shaping the competitive and entrepreneurial spirit of students. Exposure to the industry through field trips, tannery training, industry internship and graduation projects are an integral part of the curriculum.

Eligibility criteria

For pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in leather design, you should have passed your Class 10+2 qualifying examination from a recognised state or national board of education.

Skills required

Aspirants should possess the following skills and qualities in order to be eligible for pursuing leather design course -

• Designing skills

• Good numerical skills

• Sound knowledge of computer aided designing software

• Strong planning ability

• Problem solving ability

Following are the core areas of study of leather design programme -

Areas of study

Employers

The target industry for graduates includes export and domestic manufacturing, retail, buying and sourcing, etc. They evolve the modern paradigm of the industry making it an integrated part of the global fashion and lifestyle arena.

Designer Brands

Retail Brands

Buying Houses

Export Manufacturing Houses

Positions offered

Leather design graduates have opportunities in various areas of fashion business as entrepreneurs, product developers, production managers, etc.

Average salary

The average annual salary for a leather design graduate is around Rs. 4.5 lakhs per annum.

Colleges offering leather design programme (UG)

A Leather Design programme offers opportunities in leather garments, goods, footwear and lifestyle accessories. It equips students to pursue a wide range of careers in outerwear, footwear, fashion & lifestyle sectors and in the areas of design & range development, merchandising, manufacturing, buying and retail. Graduates of this domain of design have innumerable job opportunities ahead of them, provided they have unique and creative thinking.