Fashion Designers
Machines can already do 29% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 58%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Fashion Designers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 29% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 6% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2032, and 58% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 21,450 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $80,960 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 64% for contact with people.
- Also called: Apparel and Accessories Designer, Apparel Designer, Costume Designer, Designer.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sketch rough and detailed drawings of apparel or accessories, and write specifications such as color schemes, construction, material types, and accessory requirements | 21% | 52% to 80% | |
| Examine sample garments on and off models, modifying designs to achieve desired effects | 12% | 3% to 30% | |
| Confer with sales and management executives or with clients to discuss design ideas | 9% | 30% to 60% | |
| Select materials and production techniques to be used for products | 9% | 25% to 55% | |
| Direct and coordinate workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns and constructing samples or finished garments | 9% | 10% to 30% | |
| Attend fashion shows and review garment magazines and manuals to gather information about fashion trends and consumer preferences | 6% | 40% to 80% | |
| Draw patterns for articles designed, cut patterns, and cut material according to patterns, using measuring instruments and scissors | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Collaborate with other designers to coordinate special products and designs | 4% | 30% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills fashion designers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Producers and Directors56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $90,360
- Farm and Home Management Educators51% of tasks by 2035 · US median $60,220
- Event Hosts and Emcees56% of tasks by 2035
- Motivational Speakers49% of tasks by 2035
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Fashion Designers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2032. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of fashion designers?
Machines can do 29% of the tasks of fashion designers today and 58% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 27-1022.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Fashion Designers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/fashion-designers/