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How to Become a Leather Designer: Skills, Courses & Career Guide

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Introduction

Leather Designing is one of the most rapidly expanding fields and a sub-field of Fashion Designing. If you’re wondering how to become a Leather Designer, it’s important to know that this field focuses on the design of high-end branded leather items such as bags, shoes, and belts, which are in high demand both in India and abroad.

Leather Designing has established itself as a distinct brand with a strong presence in the fashion industry. It offers a fantastic opportunity to travel the world and learn more about the industry.

Leather Design Courses provide an in-depth understanding of leather raw materials, processing, and product maintenance, among other topics. These courses, including diplomas, post-graduate diplomas, and bachelor’s degrees, are mostly delivered in an offline format and are full-time.

At the start of his career, a student who has completed Leather Design Courses may expect to earn an average salary of INR 4,50,000. Many Indian companies, such as Red Tape, Bata, Khadim’s, Action, and others, as well as international brands, such as Marks & Spencer, hire individuals who know how to become a Leather Designer.

Skills Required

To work as a leather designer, you must first complete the appropriate educational requirements. If you have these credentials, you can work as a leather designer. The following qualifications are required:

Technical Skills

IT Skills

In conclusion, a successful leather designer must possess a combination of technical and IT skills to create unique and high-quality leather products. With these skills, they can create innovative designs, forecast trends, develop and test new product designs, and market and sell their products online.

Eligibility and Courses

Stream	Graduation/Diploma	Post-graduation/ PG Diploma
Candidates must have completed Class 12th from a recognized institution.	A bachelor’s degree (B.Des, B.Sc., B.Tech.) or a certificate from a reputable university is necessary. To enroll in a graduate program, you must pass the required examinations.	It is necessary to have a master’s degree (M.Des, M.Sc.) or a postgraduate diploma (PG Diploma) from a reputable university. Before enrolling in a post-graduate program, a candidate must pass the required exams.
Pass with minimum 45% – 60% aggregate marks.	The candidate should try to pass with a minimum of 45% – 60% aggregate marks.	Pass with minimum 45% – 60% aggregate marks.
They can study in any stream they want. After that, they’ll be able to pursue a bachelor’s degree.	They can major in Leather Designing (B.Tech. in Leather Technology, B.Sc. in Fashion Designing, B.Des. in Leather Designing). After that, they will be eligible for a master’s degree.	They can pursue master’s degrees in (M.Tech. in Leather Technology, M.Sc. in Fashion Designing/Diploma in Leather Designing/Certificate in Leather Designing).

Top Colleges

College Name	Location	Description
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)	India (Multiple Locations)	NIFT is a premier fashion institute in India offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs in fashion design, including specialization in leather design. It provides hands-on training, industry exposure, and opportunities for internships with leading leather companies.
Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI)	India (Multiple Locations)	FDDI is a renowned institute in India specializing in footwear design and development. It offers courses in leather goods and accessories design, providing students with comprehensive knowledge and skills required for a career in leather design.
London College of Fashion (LCF)	London, UK	LCF is one of the leading fashion schools globally, known for its innovative programs and industry connections. It offers courses in accessories design, including leather accessories, with emphasis on creativity, craftsmanship, and market trends.
Polimoda	Florence, Italy	Polimoda is a prestigious fashion institute located in Florence, Italy, offering programs in fashion design, including leather design. Students benefit from the rich artistic heritage of Florence and gain insights into Italian leather craftsmanship and luxury fashion industry.
Parsons School of Design	New York City, USA	Parsons is a renowned design school located in New York City, offering cutting-edge programs in fashion design. It provides students with opportunities to explore leather design as part of their curriculum and offers access to industry networks in the vibrant fashion capital of the world.

Entrance Exams

Entrance Exam	Location	Description
NIFT Entrance Exam	India (National)	The NIFT Entrance Exam is conducted by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate programs in fashion design, including specialization in Leather Design. It assesses candidates’ creativity, design skills, and aptitude for the fashion industry.
FDDI AIST	India (National)	Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) All India Selection Test (AIST) is conducted for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate programs in footwear design, including courses related to Leather Design. It evaluates candidates’ aptitude, creativity, and design skills.
NID Entrance Exam	India (National)	The National Institute of Design (NID) Entrance Exam is conducted for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate programs in design disciplines, including courses related to Leather Design. It assesses candidates’ problem-solving abilities, creativity, and design thinking skills.
LCF Entrance Exam	United Kingdom	The London College of Fashion (LCF) conducts entrance exams for admission to its fashion design programs, including courses in accessories design such as leather accessories. The exam evaluates candidates’ design aptitude, creativity, and portfolio presentation skills.
FIT Entrance Exam	United States	The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City conducts entrance exams for admission to its fashion design programs. Students interested in leather design can showcase their creativity, design skills, and passion for fashion during the exam.
Polimoda Entrance Exam	Italy	Polimoda, located in Florence, Italy, conducts entrance exams for admission to its fashion design programs. The exam evaluates candidates’ artistic abilities, design sensibilities, and passion for fashion, including leather design.
RMIT Entrance Exam	Australia	The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) conducts entrance exams for admission to its fashion design programs. Students interested in leather design can demonstrate their design skills, creativity, and understanding of fashion trends during the exam.

Work Description

Top Recruiters

The following are some top recruiters of Leather designers-

Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

FAQs

What is Leather Designing?

Leather Designing is a sub-field of Fashion Designing that focuses on the design of high-end branded leather items.