Textile

Term from Decorating industry explained for recruiters

Textile is a broad term that covers all types of fabrics and materials used in interior decorating and design. This includes everything from curtains and upholstery materials to wallcoverings and floor coverings. When someone mentions textiles in their resume, they're typically referring to their experience working with various fabric materials, understanding their properties, and knowing how to select and use them in decorating projects. The term might appear alongside other related concepts like "soft furnishings," "upholstery," or "drapery."

Examples in Resumes

Selected and coordinated Textile schemes for a luxury hotel renovation project

Managed Textiles inventory and supplier relationships for a major design firm

Created custom Textile specifications for residential and commercial projects

Typical job title: "Textile Designers"

Also try searching for:

Interior Designer Fabric Specialist Soft Furnishing Designer Textile Coordinator Upholstery Specialist Decorative Materials Consultant Interior Fabric Specialist

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you approach creating a textile scheme for a large commercial project?

Expected Answer: A senior designer should discuss budget management, durability requirements, fire safety codes, coordinating with multiple suppliers, and creating cohesive schemes that meet both aesthetic and practical needs.

Q: How do you stay current with textile trends and innovations?

Expected Answer: Should mention attending trade shows, maintaining supplier relationships, following industry publications, and understanding how to balance trendy with timeless choices in projects.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What factors do you consider when selecting textiles for a hospitality project?

Expected Answer: Should discuss durability ratings, cleaning requirements, cost per yard, fire ratings, and how to balance aesthetics with practical maintenance needs.

Q: How do you handle textile specifications and budgeting?

Expected Answer: Should explain process of creating specifications, understanding pricing structures, calculating quantities needed, and managing client budgets effectively.

Junior Level Questions

Q: Can you explain the basic types of textiles used in interior design?

Expected Answer: Should be able to describe common fabric types like cotton, linen, silk, and synthetics, and their basic uses in interior design.

Q: How do you determine the amount of fabric needed for a project?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of basic measurements, pattern repeats, and standard calculations for common items like curtains and upholstery.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic fabric types and properties
  • Simple measurements and calculations
  • Understanding of common applications
  • Basic color coordination

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Detailed specification writing
  • Budget management
  • Supplier relationship management
  • Project coordination

Senior (5+ years)

  • Complex project management
  • Team leadership
  • Advanced technical knowledge
  • Strategic planning and purchasing

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of basic fabric types and their properties
  • Unable to calculate fabric quantities accurately
  • Lack of understanding about durability ratings
  • No experience with commercial codes and requirements

Related Terms