If you’re serious about fashion design – and work in the industry or are a student about to start your course - try adding a tablet to your toolkit.
With a powerful tablet, you’ll be able to polish up your designs while you’re on the move. And you won’t have to lug your laptop or sketchpads around with you either. While those portable, sharp-screened models make great digital portfolios for meetings and interviews.
But how do you decide what to go for? Well, choosing the right one really depends on what you’ll be using it for…
Key features to look for in a fashion design tablet
Before you drop some cash on a tablet, there’s a few things worth thinking about…
Storage – Those design files take up a lot of space, especially with all the different drafts you’re doing. So, go for a tablet with enough room (or one you can upgrade with more memory later on).
Portability – While you might not be jetting off to Paris Fashion Week, you’re probably still dashing between meetings, clients or lectures. Find a tablet that’s lightweight and easy to fit in your bag. Your back will thank you.
Operating system – Not every tablet uses the same operating system. Think about the apps you use the most, then pick a device that supports them. You’ll likely be looking at tablets running Windows, iOS or Android.
Performance – Fashion design apps are pretty power-hungry. Choose a tablet that has a processor with plenty of oomph and a good amount of RAM. They’ll be able to handle complex design projects without any lag slowing you down.
Stylus support – A stylus lets you sketch and scribble straight onto the screen. So, when inspo strikes you for a new outfit, you can get your ideas down quick. You’ll save on paper too.
Display quality – High-resolution displays (with more pixels) are ideal for detailed, close-up design work. With a sharper screen and accurate colour, your designs are going to really look the part. Who knows, it might finally convince your creative director to sign off that funky pair of trousers you’ve been pushing for ages!
Battery life – You don’t want to run out of juice right in the middle of a presentation. Find a tab with enough battery life to go all day - with enough left over for a Netflix session on the train home.
Top tablets for creating digital fashion designs
In a nutshell: Look for a full-blown design tool with a stylus and a powerful processor that’ll easily handle all that demanding software.
Fashion designers rely on some intensive bits of software to get the job done. Adobe Creative Cloud is the industry standard – and has an app specially made for tablets. So, if you want to give your own collection the professional edge, you’ll want a tablet that’s powerful enough to run it.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is the perfect mobile design studio. At only 465g it’s no hassle to carry around. And that battery life of up to 15 hours means you won’t have to find a plug socket anytime soon.
Plus, it’s rocking an updated Exynos 1280 processor. This upgrade is ready for some serious multitasking. Making it perfect while you’re whizzing between your mood board, fabrics research and multiple design tabs.
Best tablets for showcasing your fashion portfolio
In a nutshell: Pick up a tablet with a large, high-resolution screen to show off your designs in all their glory.
Whether you’re applying for a fashion course at uni or a grad looking for your first job, a professional portfolio will mark you out from the crowd. And the right bit of tech will help to seal the deal.
Nowadays, most designers use a digital portfolio alongside a paper copy to present their work. Usually saved as a PDF or PowerPoint, it looks impressive and can be quickly emailed out on request. Save it on your tablet and you’ve got yourself a ready-made presentation.
The Apple 13” iPad Pro makes a great portfolio. Your work will look fab as you swipe through projects on the impressive Ultra Retina XDR display. And because of the OLED panel, there’s more lifelike colour, brightness and contrast. So, every thread, button and pattern are going to stand out.
Essential apps for fashion design on tablets
What’s a good tablet without some software to go with it? We’ve rounded up some of the best in the biz…
Procreate (iOS) – Comes with a wide range of brushes and other tools for creating ultra-detailed fashion illustrations. If you like to really dig into the nitty gritty of a costume, then this is the one for you.
Adobe Illustrator Draw (iOS and Android) – Vector-based designs more your thing? This app is all about precise control and can easily tackle any sort of design task.
Clo 3D (Windows) – It’s used by the pros for a reason. Like it says on the tin, this software allows you to see all your creations and clothes in 3D. And it’s as cool as it sounds.
Tayasui Sketches (iOS and Android) – Some software can be pretty overwhelming when you boot it up for the first time. But Tayasui is simple enough to get started on fast. And it’s still powerful, with realistic drawing features and a clean interface.
CorelDRAW (Windows) – This all-in-one graphic design software is packed with tools for fashion design, illustration and more. Whatever your speciality, there’s a good chance it covers it!
Fashion design tablet accessories
Add the final touch to your tab with a few important accessories…
Stylus – It’s definitely worth investing in a high-quality stylus. We’d go for the Apple Pencil, S Pen or Surface Pen (depending on which tablet you’ve got). All of them are super precise, and let you draw just like you would with a normal pencil.
Tablet stand – A stand can help you work more comfortably. Plus, when you’re showcasing your portfolio, it makes it a lot easier to present.
Keyboard – You’ve probably also got plenty of admin to get through, right? Write up your design notes or tackle that overflowing inbox with a detachable or Bluetooth tablet keyboard.
Protective case – Accidents happen. Grab a tablet case and keep it safe from any bumps and scrapes. And let’s be honest, you’re in the fashion world. So, make sure it’s a stylish one as well.
External storage – Back up all those important design files on a portable hard drive or somewhere in the cloud. It’ll free up space on your tablet. And if there’s a tech issue, you’ll always have a spare copy on hand.
Right, you’ve got the tablet now. But how about checking out the best laptops for fashion designers and students? Then you’ll have any sort of design situation covered. And if you’re thinking about snapping some pics of the catwalk at your next show, here’s what they don’t tell you about professional photography. It really puts things into focus.
