First day of class revelation: Design is more technical than you think

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Hi, Reader,

Can you believe it's back to school season, already? Today is my first class at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and I just started teaching my flats and specs class, again.

Every first day, I see the same thing: students walk in thinking design is all about creativity and artistic vision. By the end of class, they realize there's so much more to building a successful fashion brand.

Don't get me wrong—creativity matters. But if that's all it took, wouldn't we see a lot more profitable fashion brands out there?

Here's what separates successful designers from dreamers:

Construction knowledge: You don't need to sew, but you absolutely need to understand how garments are put together so you can communicate that clearly to manufacturers.

Fabric expertise: Understanding how different fabrics behave can make or break your designs. (Think of all those Project Runway disasters caused by poor fabric choices!)

Flat sketching skills: As visual communicators, this becomes your primary language for sharing your design vision. It's the clearest way to show manufacturers exactly what you want.

Tech pack mastery: Consider this your instruction manual. Without it, even the best design ideas get lost in translation.

The truth? Your technical knowledge has more impact on your final product than your ability to "create cool stuff."

The clearer you can communicate your vision, the better your end result will be.

Ready to master these technical skills?

It's back to school time, which means it's the perfect opportunity to invest in the skills that will actually move your fashion business forward.

I'm offering 10% off select courses and bundles at 383 Digital Fashion Design School through September 1st.

Whether you want to finally learn proper flat sketching, master tech packs, or become a true digital artisan who combines modern technology with traditional craftsmanship, now's the time.

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To your design success,

Mikelle

P.S. My students who focus on these technical foundations consistently create more professional, market-ready designs. Don't let a lack of technical skills hold back your creative vision.