A career in fashion designing is one of the most promising prospects in today’s world. It is also one of the most rewarding careers as designs by well-known designers are worn by the rich and famous and are considered a status symbol. Since this career is all about creativity, it enhances a person’s aesthetic sense. Moreover, the rising demand for fashion apparel and accessories in the market assures a good amount of money.A fashion design career involves the knowledge of the creative and technical aspect of the science of making clothes and the related accessories. The clothes designed have a specific theme, purpose and market. The fashion designer’s work is not limited to designing clothes but also includes fashion accessories such as jewelry and bags. Thus, the prospects in fashion design are many. From a creative and technical designer to a sketcher, pattern designer or textile designer, the options are many. People can also diversify and venture into textile manufacture, apparel manufacture or fashion consultancy. Fashion designers can work with the apparel wholesalers, textile mills and manufacturers of footwear and other fashion accessories.The increasing demand for stylish, cheap clothes is expected to create new career opportunities for those involved with the fashion industry. They can start a business of their own by designing clothes for the masses. They can also work for firms that are making clothes for low-income bracket people. There are firms that design clothes to be sold in departmental stores and the retail chain stores. Working with such firms can also be an option with the fashion designers.These are just a few of the options available to those with an inclination to venture into the fashion industry. A person can always diversify from what is taught in the courses and start something new. Regardless of the occupation chosen, the fashion industry will more than suffice a person’s creative and monetary needs.
Current Trends in Home Design
In today’s home market, home buyers have become a study in diversity. They come from all different walks of life, they want modern amenities but still have a taste for tradition and they want comfortable and easy going floor plans but still want well appointed areas.The current trends in home design are a reflection of this diverse new home buyer and here are some examples of what is popular among them:Neutral Color Schemes
Gray is currently the neutral color that is most popular, and not only in paints and throw pillows. Gray has become popular in surface materials and cabinetry. Gray is always tasteful and appropriate, it enhances everything from abstract paintings to classical sculptures and even state-of-the-art technology.Going Green and Using Green
Always conscious of the planet, homeowners are choosing to bring a little bit of the environmental look indoors. They’re using more shades of emerald, sage and even chartreuse.They are also interested in recycling, using resources wisely and preserving the past. This is why you will find new homeowners rescuing items from buildings about to be torn down or reusing wood to build new tables.Soft Pastels
For several years the main colors used in homes have been earth tones, with a dash of bold colors thrown in to keeping things lively. However, today’s home buyers are moving towards softer, more playful approaches to their color schemes.Pastels aren’t only being used in paints, tiles and accessories, they’re being used more in collections of rugs and fabrics to soften up the overall decor of the home.Metal Mania
Home buyers are partial to metal for their appliances, hardware and fixtures. This usually signifies an appreciation for longevity and value. While the most popular of these metals are nickel, chrome and steel, you will find a few who go for the glitz of gold.Interesting Combinations
Along with their appreciation for quality and value, current home buyers love to mix it up a bit with a surprising twist on the traditional. They are looking for colors, styles and designs you wouldn’t necessarily expect to see together.Today’s home buyers are opting for sleek modern cabinets paired with distressed hardwood floors. An elegant crystal chandelier hanging over a weathered picnic table. In other words they are stepping away the expected to keep things interesting.Modern home design is gravitating more toward personal tastes and what makes the home buyer feel welcome rather than holding to any strict rules of traditional home design.
Five Principles of Green Home Design
A green home minimizes the negative impact on its environment through its home design. Here are a few considerations an architect takes into account when designing a green home:1. Site: Evaluations and analysis of access, slope, ledge, soil, bodies of water, and vegetation in order to limit the home’s impact on the site environment. This includes the site location (farmland, wetland, protected species habitats) and proximity to public transportation, parks, schools, and stores.2. Size: A green home is efficiently designed to keep the square footage to a minimum. This reduces the amount of energy to heat and cool the home, lighting, and the quantity of building materials used, and also controls costs and reduces site impact.3. Solar: Whether or not there is a plan to install a solar energy system to heat the water or produce electricity, there are several other solar considerations in green home design. Designing the home for passive solar makes the most of solar energy by harvesting it into the homes’ natural energy flows. Passive solar systems include day-lighting strategies, heating and cooling control techniques, and natural ventilation. When a whole-building approach is taken, energy savings can be great both in terms of reducing the home’s carbon footprint and the costs associated with heating, cooling, and maintaining the home.4. Energy: Lighting, heating, and cooling systems are an important consideration in green home design. Renewable energy systems such as solar, wind, and geothermal systems use the earth’s natural energy to heat and cool the home, as well as provide electricity to run appliances and technology..5. Water Conservation: Building a new home presents a unique opportunity to save water. Two money and energy-saving strategies which can be easily incorporated into an energy efficient home design are 1) reducing the overall water using in the home by specifying low-flow water fixtures, low-flush or composting toilets, installing aerators on all taps, and installing low-flow showerhead nozzles; and 2) specifying a plumbing system that reuses grey water (wastewater from domestic usage such as dish washing, laundry and bathing) for flushing toilets, watering lawns, etc. (note: some grey water systems require approval by most local building jurisdictions, your architect will verify this prior to design).Of course, a new home should use minimal amounts of fossil fuels, last a long time, and cost less money. Many home design strategies don’t cost a dime in materials but can save hundreds of dollars on heating and cooling costs. The result is a beautiful, healthy home – for both the homeowners and the environment.