Will AI replace Clothing, fashion and accessories designers?

Not as a job, but it is already doing parts of the work. Across the 165 official task statements scored for Clothing, fashion and accessories designers (United Kingdom, SOC 3422), 27% of the importance-weighted core work is made of tasks today's AI could already do most of. The overall exposure score is 38 out of 100 (range 33–44, band: low). That is a statement about tasks, not about headcount: this measures what AI could do, not whether any employer adopts it, whether the law allows it, or whether doing the routine parts faster creates more demand for the human parts. Figures are from release 2026-q4.1.

Which tasks in “Clothing, fashion and accessories designers” can AI already do?

The highest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Create social media and marketing content to promote businesses and services” (93/100, very high); “Identify target markets for designs based on age, gender, and socioeconomic status” (83/100, very high); “Review fashion magazines and manuals to understand consumer preferences” (83/100, very high). Each score comes from five published 0–4 ratings turned into a number by a published formula, and each carries the model's one-sentence reason on the page.

Which tasks in “Clothing, fashion and accessories designers” stay human?

About 53% of this job's task weight sits in work that scores low for AI exposure. The lowest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Attend trade shows to promote products” (0/100, minimal); “Route items to provide cutouts for parts using portable routers, grinders, and hand tools” (0/100, minimal); “Plate articles such as jewellery pieces and watch dials, using silver, gold, nickel, or other metals” (0/100, minimal). Low scores usually mean the task needs a body in a room, a legally accountable human, or trust built in real time. Those are the three things the scoring rubric treats as gates rather than obstacles.

What should someone working in “Clothing, fashion and accessories designers” do about AI?

Start from the ledger rather than the headline: 27% of this job's weighted core work is exposed, and roughly 53% is not. The practical move is to spend more of your week on the tasks that score low, the ones above, and to get fluent at directing AI through the tasks that score high, because those are the parts that change whether or not you are ready for them. This page does not predict your job, and nothing here is career advice tailored to you: the score describes the occupation, not the person.

How is the AI exposure score for Clothing, fashion and accessories designers calculated?

Each official task statement for the occupation is rated on five published 0–4 dimensions (output replicability, physical embodiment, licensed accountability, real-time human trust, and data availability) by claude-opus-5 using scoring prompt task_scoring_v1.0. The model never writes the score; a published formula turns the five ratings into a 0–100 number, so every score can be recomputed by hand. The occupation figure is the importance-weighted mean across 165 scored tasks. The prompt, the rubric, the formula and the full dataset are published at https://futureproof.collab365.com/method and https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1 under CC BY 4.0.

UK dataswitch to US

Clothing, fashion and accessories designers

revising footwear designs to address and reduce production challenges, creating mood boards and developing detailed technical specifications for product design and development. If that's your week, this page is about your job.

The honest answer

AI is already taking a real slice of the routine work here: developing garment and fabric designs using specialised computer software. That is a slice of tasks, not of you.

Your move: what you can actually do about this ↓

Where the work sits, by task weight

shifting to AI: 27%
changing shape: 20%
staying human: 53%

These bars are tasks changing hands, not people being counted out. The ledger below shows which.

Whole-job exposure score 38 out of 100 (33–44 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, across 165 scored tasks. The number is the support for the sentence above it, not a headline about anyone’s future.

How we know this

What is measured: Every published task statement for clothing, fashion and accessories designers is rated on five dimensions: can a model produce the output, does the work need a body in a room, does it need a legally accountable person, does it depend on a person being trusted in the moment, and how much data exists. A published formula turns those five ratings into the score; the model never writes the number.

How the bar is built: Each task’s share of the bar is its published importance weight, so a task you do all day counts for more than one you do twice a year.

Release: 2026-q4.1, scores computed 2026-08-04. Read the full method.

That slice is not coming back; the core of the job, attending fashion shows to gather information about fashion trends, stays yours. New tools, same person answering for it.

Your week, as this page understands it

Clothing, fashion and accessories designers plan, direct and undertake the creation of designs for new clothing and related fashion accessories. The job title says “clothing”, “fashion” or “accessories designers”: officially one job, several names. The real job is the part underneath: attending fashion shows to gather information about fashion trends. That is the thing someone has to be right about.

The exposed part of this job is specific, and we won’t pretend it is coming back. But clothing, fashion and accessories designers is not one task. It is 165 scored ones, and they are nowhere near equally exposed. The most durable of them, on this evidence, is attending fashion shows to gather information about fashion trends, and the ledger below shows exactly why.

Where the work sits, by task weight

shifting to AI: 27%
changing shape: 20%
staying human: 53%

These bars are tasks changing hands, not people being counted out. The ledger below shows which.

How we know this

How the bar is built: Each task’s share of the bar is its published importance weight, so a task you do all day counts for more than one you do twice a year.

Release: 2026-q4.1, scores computed 2026-08-04. Read the full method.

Your job, task by task

These are the official task statements for this occupation, in plain English, sorted by what the evidence says is happening to each one. The official wording sits under every line so you can check the rewrite against it.

Shifting to AI

43 tasks

Tasks today’s tools can already do most of. This is the part we will not soften: where these rows are the bulk of your week, the week changes.

Developing garment and fabric designs using specialised computer software
This is reading one thing and writing another: garment in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 3422/02, 3422/05
Source: “Develop garment and fabric designs using specialised computer software.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (79–87 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Design software is well documented and AI generates strong first-pass artwork and prints.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Researching fashion trends
This is reading one thing and writing another: fashion trends in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 3422/03, 3422/04
Source: “Research fashion trends.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (79–87 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Fashion trend research is reading and summarising, with huge amounts of published material.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Creating design specifications to provide instructions on garment sewing and assembly
This is reading one thing and writing another: design specifications in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 3422/01, 3422/02
Source: “Create design specifications to provide instructions on garment sewing and assembly.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 68 out of 100 (61–75 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Writing sewing and assembly instructions is documentation, though the construction know-how behind it sits with the maker.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Identifying target markets for designs based on age
This is reading one thing and writing another: target markets in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 3422/01, 3422/02
Source: “Identify target markets for designs based on age, gender, and socioeconomic status.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (79–87 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Market segments are well documented, and AI is good at profiling likely buyers.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.

Changing shape

30 tasks

Tasks where the machine takes the producing and a person keeps the checking, the deciding, or the answering-for-it. For most jobs this is the biggest group, and it is where "transformation, not termination" is literally visible.

Adapting other designers' ideas for the mass market
The software now makes the first pass at other designers' ideas, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 85 · 3422/01, 3422/02
Source: “Adapt other designers' ideas for the mass market.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 58 out of 100 (51–65 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: AI can restyle a look for the mass market, but cost and manufacturing limits need designer judgment.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Creating designs and drawings using Computer Aided Design
The software now makes the first pass at designs, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 85 · 3422/03, 3422/04
Source: “Create designs and drawings using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 58 out of 100 (51–65 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Software can produce a usable first pass at a garment drawing, though a production-ready design still needs the designer's work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Analysing and evaluating the suitability of design concepts for production
The software now makes the first pass at the suitability of design concepts, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 85 · 3422/03, 3422/05
Source: “Analyse and evaluate the suitability of design concepts for production.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 50 out of 100 (43–57 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Judging whether a concept can be made depends on the specific plant and suppliers, which sits outside what software knows.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

Staying human

92 tasks

Tasks that stay with a person, because they happen in the physical world, because the rules need someone accountable, or because the value is that a specific person does them.

Attending fashion shows to gather information about fashion trends
This work happens in the physical world: fashion shows, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 90 · 3422/01, 3422/02
Source: “Attend fashion shows to gather information about fashion trends.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 12 out of 100 (5–19 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Trend reports can be assembled from coverage, but attending shows and seeing garments live is a trip.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Evaluating design concepts for manufactured products by consulting with relevant departments and customers
The value here is that a specific person handles design concepts and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 60 · 3422/03, 3422/04, 3422/05
Source: “Evaluate design concepts for manufactured products by consulting with relevant departments and customers.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 23 out of 100 (16–30 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: The evaluation comes out of conversations with other departments and customers, so the work is mostly getting people to agree.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Cutting patterns and material according to these patterns using measuring instruments and scissors
This work happens in the physical world: patterns, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3422/01, 3422/02
Source: “Cut patterns and material according to these patterns using measuring instruments and scissors.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Cutting cloth to a pattern is done with scissors in hand.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

Show the other 155 tasks

Creating social media and marketing content to promote businesses and services
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: social media in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 50 · 3422/04
Source: “Create social media and marketing content to promote businesses and services.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 93 out of 100 (89–97 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Writing and designing promotional posts is one of the things AI does most reliably.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Reviewing fashion magazines and manuals to understand consumer preferences
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: fashion magazines in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 3422/01, 3422/02
Source: “Review fashion magazines and manuals to understand consumer preferences.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (79–87 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Reading and summarising fashion press for consumer signals is desk research AI does quickly.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Sketching rough and detailed drawings of clothing or accessories
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: rough in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 3422/01, 3422/02
Source: “Sketch rough and detailed drawings of clothing or accessories.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (79–87 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Image tools produce usable fashion drawings quickly from a description.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Researching costume styles and materials
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: costume styles in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 3422/02
Source: “Research costume styles and materials.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (79–87 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Costume history and materials are extensively documented, which suits AI research.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Identifying emerging shapes in fashion design
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: shapes in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 3422/02
Source: “Identify emerging shapes in fashion design.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (79–87 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Runway and street imagery is abundant online, and spotting recurring shapes suits pattern analysis.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Producing a design using programmes like Adobe Illustrator
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: a design in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 3422/02
Source: “Produce a design using programmes like Adobe Illustrator.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (79–87 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Producing artwork in standard design software is well documented and AI-assisted.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Staying informed about design trends and developments
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: informed in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 3422/02
Source: “Stay informed about design trends and developments.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (76–90 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Design trends are widely published and easy for these tools to gather, though taste develops with a person.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Researching design ideas and materials
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: design ideas in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 3422/03
Source: “Research design ideas and materials.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (79–87 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Researching ideas and materials is desk work with plenty of published sources.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Writing design specifications
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: design specifications in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 60 · 3422/04
Source: “Write design specifications for items including metal contents and weights.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (79–87 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Specification documents including metal content and weight follow standard formats and calculations.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Researching design trends to decide what will sell
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: design trends in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 3422/05
Source: “Research design trends to decide what will sell.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (79–87 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Trend research to judge what will sell is reading and analysis with abundant sources.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Using computer software to create graphic designs
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: computer software in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 3422/05
Source: “Use computer software to create graphic designs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (76–90 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Design software and AI tools now produce strong artwork, with the sign maker refining it for print.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Researching and evaluating the development of new textiles from sustainable materials
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: the development of new textiles in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 3422/05
Source: “Research and evaluate the development of new textiles from sustainable materials.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (79–87 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Sustainable textile developments are widely published, which suits AI research and comparison.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Spotting fashion trends in fabric design by reading trade magazines and using internet resources
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: fashion trends in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 3422/05
Source: “Spot fashion trends in fabric design by reading trade magazines and using internet resources.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (79–87 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Scanning trade press and websites for fabric trends is the kind of reading AI speeds up.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Tracking advancements in manufacturing technology to improve production processes
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: advancements in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 65 · 3422/05
Source: “Track advancements in manufacturing technology to improve production processes.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (76–90 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Following advances in manufacturing technology is reading and summarising published material.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Investigating emerging technologies to improve development methods
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: technologies in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 60 · 3422/05
Source: “Investigate emerging technologies to improve development methods.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 83 out of 100 (79–87 allowing for uncertainty): very high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Researching emerging technology is well-documented desk work AI handles quickly.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Contacting and coordinating with manufacturers and suppliers to ensure timely delivery of materials
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: manufacturers in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 3422/02
Source: “Contact and coordinate with manufacturers and suppliers to ensure timely delivery of materials.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 79 out of 100 (75–83 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Chasing suppliers and tracking deliveries is routine correspondence software already handles.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 4/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Identifying the latest fabric trends
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: the latest fabric trends in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 85 · 3422/01, 3422/02
Source: “Identify the latest fabric trends, developments and innovations.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Fabric trends are widely published and reported, so gathering and summarising them is quick desk research.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Determining prices for fashion styles and collections
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: prices in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 3422/01, 3422/02
Source: “Determine prices for fashion styles and collections.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (71–79 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Pricing is a calculation from costs and market position that software handles well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Analysing trends in fabrics to predict future fashion
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: trends in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 3422/02
Source: “Analyse trends in fabrics to predict future fashion.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (71–79 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Fabric trend analysis is data and reading work, though the best sources are subscription services.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Creating mood boards
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: mood boards in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 3422/02
Source: “Create mood boards.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Mood boards are curated images, and image tools now assemble convincing ones for the designer to edit.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Estimating manufacturing costs
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: costs in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 65 · 3422/02
Source: “Estimate manufacturing costs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (71–79 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Cost estimates are calculations from bills of materials, which software does well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Understanding design from a technical perspective
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: design in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 65 · 3422/02
Source: “Understand design from a technical perspective, such as producing patterns and technical specifications for designs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (71–79 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Technical specifications and patterns follow documented conventions that software drafts well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Developing detailed technical specifications for product design and development
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: detailed technical specifications in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 3422/03
Source: “Develop detailed technical specifications for product design and development.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Writing detailed technical specifications is structured documentation software drafts well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Researching materials and processes to meet specific market requirements
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: materials in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 3422/03, 3422/05
Source: “Research materials and processes to meet specific market requirements.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (71–79 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Searching materials and processes against a set of requirements is documented research that software does quickly and thoroughly.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Studying competing products and designing styles and motifs to obtain perspective and generate design concepts
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: products in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 3422/03, 3422/05
Source: “Study competing products and design styles and motifs to obtain perspective and generate design concepts.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (71–79 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Studying competitors' products and styles is desk research over widely available material, which software gathers and summarises well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Planning market research to test products and assess potential success
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: market research in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 50 · 3422/03, 3422/05
Source: “Plan market research to test products and assess potential success.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (71–79 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Designing a research plan follows well-documented method that tools reproduce reliably.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Calculating production costs, including equipment, time and labour
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: production costs, including equipment, time and labour in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 50 · 3422/04
Source: “Calculate production costs, including equipment, time, and labour.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (71–79 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Adding up equipment, time and labour costs is structured calculation that software handles quickly from the usual company data.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Analysing and interpreting test data to innovate textile designs
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: test data in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 3422/05
Source: “Analyse and interpret test data to innovate textile designs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (71–79 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Interpreting test data to guide design is statistical work software does well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Preparing sketches for ideas, by hand or using computer software
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: sketches in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 3422/05
Source: “Prepare sketches for ideas, by hand or using computer software.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 75 out of 100 (68–82 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Concept sketches are exactly what image tools now produce quickly, though the designer picks and refines them.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Overseeing marketing activities as a self-employed individual
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: activities in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 65 · 3422/02
Source: “Oversee marketing activities as a self-employed individual.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 70 out of 100 (66–74 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Marketing for a small business is well-documented territory where AI drafts most of the material.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Managing financial activities as a self-employed individual
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: financial activities in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 80 · 3422/02
Source: “Manage financial activities as a self-employed individual.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 66 out of 100 (62–70 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Bookkeeping, invoicing and self-employed tax returns follow documented rules and are already largely handled by accounting software.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Creating new jewellery designs using computers
shifting to AI
It is the same call made over and over on new jewellery designs, with a right answer to check it against. That is what a model is trained on.
importance 80 · 3422/04
Source: “Create new jewellery designs using computers as necessary.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 65 out of 100 (61–69 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: AI generates jewellery concepts easily, but production-ready models need specialist skill.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of new design and production techniques and textile technology
shifting to AI
It is the same call made over and over on up-to-date knowledge of new design, with a right answer to check it against. That is what a model is trained on.
importance 80 · 3422/05
Source: “Maintain up-to-date knowledge of new design and production techniques and textile technology.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 65 out of 100 (53–77 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, low confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Keeping up with techniques is reading, which AI can summarise, though the skill is the person's.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Assisting in managing customer data and providing excellent customer service
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: managing customer data in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance not published
No importance rating is published for this task, so the ordering here is ours.
Source: “Assist in managing customer data and providing excellent customer service.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 64 out of 100 (60–68 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Customer records and replies are standard admin that software handles well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Producing sketches and designs for customer review
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: sketches in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 75 · 3422/02, 3422/05
Source: “Produce sketches and designs for customer review.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 64 out of 100 (57–71 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Design and image tools now produce cake sketches quickly, with the baker choosing and refining them.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Selecting exhibition themes and designs for collections
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: exhibition themes in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 70 · 3422/02
Source: “Select exhibition themes and designs for collections.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 64 out of 100 (60–68 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Choosing exhibition themes is curation work AI can propose strong options for.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Coordinating with sales, purchasing and production teams to align products with market demands and pricing
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: sales, purchasing and production teams in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 65 · 3422/02
Source: “Coordinate with sales, purchasing, and production teams to align products with market demands and pricing.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 64 out of 100 (60–68 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Coordinating plans across teams is documentation and scheduling that software supports well.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Ensuring production deadlines are met by monitoring progress
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: production deadlines are met in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 50 · 3422/03
Source: “Ensure production deadlines are met by monitoring progress.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 64 out of 100 (57–71 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Tracking progress against deadlines is what project software does, with a nudge from a person when something slips.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Ensuring project deliverables are completed within specified deadlines
shifting to AI
This is reading one thing and writing another: project deliverables are completed within specified deadlines in, a record out. That is the shape today's tools are built for.
importance 50 · 3422/05
Source: “Ensure project deliverables are completed within specified deadlines.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 64 out of 100 (60–68 allowing for uncertainty): high exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Tracking deliverables against deadlines is project administration software already supports.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Adapting existing designs to meet new requirements
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at designs, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 85 · 3422/02, 3422/03
Source: “Adapt existing designs to meet new requirements.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 58 out of 100 (51–65 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Reworking an existing design to new requirements can be drafted digitally, though the designer still judges the result.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Creating detailed technical sketches to illustrate product specifications
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at detailed technical sketches, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 80 · 3422/02
Source: “Create detailed technical sketches to illustrate product specifications.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 58 out of 100 (51–65 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Precise technical sketches still need a person, as automatic drawing tools are not yet accurate enough for specifications.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Developing new design concepts
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at new design concepts, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 75 · 3422/05
Source: “Develop new design concepts.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 58 out of 100 (54–62 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: AI produces plenty of concepts, though choosing a direction with real appeal needs a designer.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Providing feedback to product design teams so that products can be tailored to clients' needs
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at feedback, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 65 · 3422/02
Source: “Provide feedback to product design teams so that products can be tailored to clients' needs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 57 out of 100 (50–64 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Turning customer comments into useful design feedback is largely writing up patterns, which software does well from records.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Create specification sheets, accurately noting dimensions and details for others to follow
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at specification sheets, accurately noting dimensions and details, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 85 · 3422/01
Source: “Create specification sheets, accurately noting dimensions and details for others to follow.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (49–63 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Writing up dimensions and details into a specification sheet is structured document work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Determining appropriate materials and production techniques based on product specifications
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at appropriate materials, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 80 · 3422/01, 3422/02
Source: “Determine appropriate materials and production techniques based on product specifications.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 56 out of 100 (49–63 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Matching materials and production methods to a specification is a documented engineering choice software can make.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Producing conceptual sketches using traditional hand-drawing techniques
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at conceptual sketches, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 75 · 3422/03
Source: “Produce conceptual sketches using traditional hand-drawing techniques.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 49 out of 100 (37–61 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, low confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: AI produces convincing sketches, though a hand-drawn concept carries the designer's own mark.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 4/4.
Monitoring and reviewing manufacturing standards and parameters to maintain product quality
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at standards, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 60 · 3422/03, 3422/05
Source: “Monitor and review manufacturing standards and parameters to maintain product quality.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 49 out of 100 (45–53 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Manufacturing parameters are recorded digitally, so watching them for drift suits software well, with occasional checks on the line.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Marketing them through venues, boutiques or mail-order catalogues
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at them, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 75 · 3422/01
Source: “Market them through venues such as boutiques or mail-order catalogues.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 48 out of 100 (41–55 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Marketing copy and catalogue listings draft well from documented product information.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Identifying and evaluating suppliers for specific project needs
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at suppliers, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 85 · 3422/02
Source: “Identify and evaluate suppliers for specific project needs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 48 out of 100 (41–55 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Finding and comparing suppliers is largely research and scoring, with some checking in person.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Overseeing production to ensure compliance with the brief
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at production, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 60 · 3422/02
Source: “Oversee production to ensure compliance with the brief.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 48 out of 100 (41–55 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Checking production against the brief is documented work, but overseeing it usually means being close to the job.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Suggesting design changes when there are problems
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at design changes, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 65 · 3422/03
Source: “Suggest design changes when there are problems.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 48 out of 100 (41–55 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Suggesting fixes for design problems is analysis AI does well from documented constraints.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Developing new fashion products to align with market trends
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at new fashion products, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 85 · 3422/01
Source: “Develop new fashion products to align with market trends.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 43 out of 100 (36–50 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Trend data is plentiful, but turning it into a sellable product still needs a designer's eye and samples.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Assisting in the creation and development of new materials
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at the creation, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 75 · 3422/01
Source: “Assist in the creation and development of new materials, styles, colours, and patterns for fashion brands and labels.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 43 out of 100 (36–50 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: AI suggests colours, patterns and styles well, but developing real materials needs samples and testing.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Creating patterns to develop basic textile shapes known as 'blocks'
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at patterns, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 70 · 3422/02
Source: “Create patterns to develop basic textile shapes known as 'blocks'.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 43 out of 100 (36–50 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Block drafting follows documented rules, though fit is proved on real bodies and cloth.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Drawing patterns for clothing and fashion articles
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at patterns, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 70 · 3422/02
Source: “Draw patterns for clothing and fashion articles.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 43 out of 100 (36–50 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Pattern drawing is rule-based and partly automated, but skilled checking is still needed.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Revising footwear designs to address and reduce production challenges
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at footwear designs, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 90 · 3422/03
Source: “Revise footwear designs to address and reduce production challenges.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 43 out of 100 (36–50 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Design revisions can be suggested from production data, though the fix is proved in samples.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Preparing detailed drawings and illustrations using drafting instruments
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at detailed drawings, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 85 · 3422/03, 3422/05
Source: “Prepare detailed drawings and illustrations using drafting instruments, paints, brushes, or computer-aided design equipment.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 43 out of 100 (36–50 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Tools generate drawings and illustrations quickly, though painted or hand-drawn work and final technical accuracy still need the designer.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Designing products based on drawings
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at products, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 80 · 3422/03, 3422/05
Source: “Design products based on drawings, sketches, and models.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 43 out of 100 (36–50 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Design tools take you a long way, but turning sketches into a workable product needs real design judgement.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Developing manufacturing procedures to improve operations and product quality
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at procedures, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 60 · 3422/03, 3422/05
Source: “Develop manufacturing procedures to improve operations and product quality.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 43 out of 100 (36–50 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Procedure improvements can be drafted, though they come from watching how the line actually runs.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Designing displays and materials for decorating windows and interior displays
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at displays, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 50 · 3422/03, 3422/05
Source: “Design displays and materials for decorating windows and interior displays.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 43 out of 100 (36–50 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Concepts for window and interior displays can be generated on screen, though the final look is judged in the space.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Designing moulds, models and machine accessories for metal and jewellery casting
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at moulds, models and machine accessories, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 75 · 3422/04
Source: “Design moulds, models, and machine accessories for metal and jewellery casting.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 43 out of 100 (36–50 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Mould and model design follows documented engineering that software can draft.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Revising textile designs to streamline manufacturing processes
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at textile designs, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 90 · 3422/05
Source: “Revise textile designs to streamline manufacturing processes.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 43 out of 100 (36–50 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Manufacturing constraints are documented, so revisions can be drafted, then proved in production.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Innovating product ideas to achieve specific performance criteria
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at product ideas, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 75 · 3422/05
Source: “Innovate product ideas to achieve specific performance criteria.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 43 out of 100 (36–50 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Performance targets are documented, but new product ideas are proved by making and testing.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Interpreting and representing clients' ideas accurately in project designs
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at clients' ideas, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 70 · 3422/05
Source: “Interpret and represent clients' ideas accurately in project designs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 43 out of 100 (39–47 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Turning a client's rough idea into drawings is something design tools can draft for the designer to refine.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Coordinating packaging, dispatch and shipping of products, adhering to international regulations
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at dispatch, but the deciding part still needs a person. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance not published
No importance rating is published for this task, so the ordering here is ours.
Source: “Coordinate packaging, dispatch, and shipping of products, adhering to international regulations.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 42 out of 100 (35–49 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Shipping and customs paperwork follows documented international rules, so software prepares it well, with the physical dispatch handled by others.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Planning designs in collaboration
changing shape
The software now makes the first pass at designs, but the part that matters is a person saying it and standing behind it. So the job becomes checking and deciding rather than producing.
importance 65 · 3422/05
Source: “Plan designs in collaboration with technical, marketing, and buying staff.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 40 out of 100 (33–47 allowing for uncertainty): partial exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Plans can be drafted, but agreeing a design direction across teams happens in meetings.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Pitching ideas to a design team
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles ideas and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 80 · 3422/03
Source: “Pitch ideas to a design team.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 39 out of 100 (32–46 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Pitch decks draft well, but winning a team over happens live in the room.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Presenting artistic designs to clients for approval
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles artistic designs and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 70 · 3422/03
Source: “Present artistic designs to clients for approval.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 39 out of 100 (32–46 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: The presentation itself is easy to produce; winning a client’s approval usually happens face to face.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Presenting initial jewellery design ideas to clients for approval
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles initial jewellery design ideas and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 75 · 3422/04
Source: “Present initial jewellery design ideas to clients for approval.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 39 out of 100 (32–46 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Presentation material drafts well, but clients approve designs in conversation with the designer.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Presenting fabric designs to clients for approval
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles fabric designs and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 70 · 3422/05
Source: “Present fabric designs to clients for approval.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 39 out of 100 (32–46 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: reading one thing and writing another; the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Presentation material drafts well, but approval comes from a conversation with the client.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Inventorying and ordering materials, supplies and services
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: materials, supplies and services, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance not published
No importance rating is published for this task, so the ordering here is ours.
Source: “Inventory and order materials, supplies, and services.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 38 out of 100 (31–45 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Ordering supplies is simple system work, though taking stock means counting what is actually on the shelf.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Investigating product characteristics, safety, handling qualities and marketing appeal
staying human
The ratings behind this row put product characteristics, safety, handling qualities and marketing appeal well outside what today's tools can do on their own.
importance 55 · 3422/03, 3422/05
Source: “Investigate product characteristics including safety, handling qualities, and market appeal.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 38 out of 100 (31–45 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Published safety rules and market data can be pulled together automatically, though handling qualities must be judged with the product in hand.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Developing design formulae for a group of samples
staying human
The ratings behind this row put design formulae well outside what today's tools can do on their own.
importance 70 · 3422/05
Source: “Develop design formulae for a group of samples.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 38 out of 100 (31–45 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Formulae can be calculated, though the right recipe for a sample range comes from testing.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Overseeing fabric testing processes to ensure quality standards
staying human
The ratings behind this row put fabric testing processes well outside what today's tools can do on their own.
importance 70 · 3422/01
Source: “Oversee fabric testing processes to ensure quality standards.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 32 out of 100 (25–39 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Test standards and results are documented, but overseeing testing means chasing the lab and judging what results mean for the range.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Hiring props, clothing and accessories
staying human
The ratings behind this row put props, clothing and accessories well outside what today's tools can do on their own.
importance 60 · 3422/02
Source: “Hire props, clothing and accessories.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 32 out of 100 (25–39 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Finding and booking hire items is largely phone and web work, though pieces are often viewed first.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Coordinating the look and function of product lines
staying human
The ratings behind this row put the look well outside what today's tools can do on their own.
importance 70 · 3422/03, 3422/05
Source: “Coordinate the look and function of product lines.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 32 out of 100 (25–39 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: mistakes that are cheap to catch.
The rating behind it: Keeping a product line consistent is judgment about how real objects look and work together.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Creating garment designs by hand for bespoke fashion
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles garment designs and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 90 · 3422/02
Source: “Create garment designs by hand for bespoke fashion.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 30 out of 100 (23–37 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Bespoke design starts from client conversations and hand drawing, though AI can offer options.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Explaining creative ideas to designers to ensure cohesive design development and brand identity
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles creative ideas and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 85 · 3422/02
Source: “Explain creative ideas to designers to ensure cohesive design development and brand identity.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 30 out of 100 (23–37 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Ideas can be written up, but getting a team behind a direction is done in the room.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Consulting with galleries, shop buyers and suppliers to understand market needs
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles galleries, shop buyers and suppliers and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 60 · 3422/04
Source: “Consult with galleries, shop buyers, and suppliers to understand market needs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 30 out of 100 (23–37 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Market information can be gathered digitally, but buyers share what really sells in conversation.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Discussing the brief and designing concepts with the design team
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles the brief and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 60 · 3422/04
Source: “Discuss the brief and design concepts with the design team.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 30 out of 100 (23–37 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Design discussions are live sessions where ideas get argued out between people.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Purchasing new or second-hand clothing and accessory items as needed to complete designs
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: new or second-hand clothing and accessory items, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 3422/01, 3422/02
Source: “Purchase new or second-hand clothing and accessory items as needed to complete designs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 29 out of 100 (22–36 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Sourcing can be researched online, though buying and checking real garments means going out to find them.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Designing and making costumes and accessories for theatrical productions
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: costumes, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 3422/02
Source: “Design and make costumes and accessories for theatrical productions.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 29 out of 100 (22–36 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Designs can be drafted digitally, but making the costumes is workshop work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Following specific design instructions in project execution
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: specific design instructions, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 65 · 3422/02
Source: “Follow specific design instructions in project execution.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 29 out of 100 (22–36 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Instructions are clear, but executing them involves the physical product.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Producing original artwork
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: original artwork, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 3422/03
Source: “Produce original artwork.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 29 out of 100 (22–36 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Original work often means physical materials, and originality is what the artist brings.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Experimenting with colour, fabric and texture to enhance product design
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: colour, fabric and texture, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 3422/05
Source: “Experiment with colour, fabric, and texture to enhance product design.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 29 out of 100 (22–36 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Colour and texture ideas can be generated, but the experimenting happens with real fabric.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Regularlying consult with clients to ensure designs align with their requirements and objectives
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles consult and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 50 · 3422/05
Source: “Regularly consult with clients to ensure designs align with their requirements and objectives.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 28 out of 100 (21–35 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Client consultation depends on an ongoing relationship with that particular client.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Collaborating with the design team to create the look and feel of events
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles the design team and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 65 · 3422/01
Source: “Collaborate with the design team to create the look and feel of events.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 26 out of 100 (19–33 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Agreeing a look and feel happens through back-and-forth with designers in the room.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Making presentations to promote new products
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: presentations, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 3422/02
Source: “Make presentations to promote new products.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 26 out of 100 (19–33 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Software builds the slides, but promoting a new product usually means presenting it in person to a room.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 3/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Contributing to the research and sourcing of fabric and components
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: the research, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance not published
No importance rating is published for this task, so the ordering here is ours.
Source: “Contribute to the research and sourcing of fabric and components, considering ethical and environmental factors.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 24 out of 100 (17–31 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Research is easy to do at a desk, but judging fabric and components means handling samples.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Developing relationships with clients, press and fashion organizations, engaging them with the brand
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles relationships and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 75 · 3422/01
Source: “Develop relationships with clients, press, and fashion organizations, engaging them with the brand.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 24 out of 100 (17–31 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Outreach can be drafted, but press and client relationships are built by the designer personally.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Collaborating with other designers and product design teams to develop new products
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles other designers and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 70 · 3422/01, 3422/02
Source: “Collaborate with other designers and product design teams to develop new products.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 23 out of 100 (16–30 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Developing new products with other design teams happens through discussion between the people involved.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Directing technicians in preparing drawings and specification documents
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles technicians and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 65 · 3422/03, 3422/05
Source: “Direct technicians in preparing drawings and specification documents.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 23 out of 100 (16–30 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Directing technicians is about guiding people day to day, which is not something software produces.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 0/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Sourcing fabrics and trimmings
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: fabrics, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 3422/02, 3422/05
Source: “Source fabrics and trimmings.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 21 out of 100 (14–28 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Suppliers are found online, but choosing a fabric usually means handling swatches.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Negotiating contracts with customers and suppliers for fashion collections
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles contracts and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 70 · 3422/02
Source: “Negotiate contracts with customers and suppliers for fashion collections.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 21 out of 100 (14–28 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Contract text drafts easily, but terms are agreed between people who work together repeatedly.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Selecting and acquiring metals and gems for designs
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: metals, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3422/04
Source: “Select and acquire metals and gems for designs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 21 out of 100 (14–28 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Sourcing can be researched at a screen, though buyers usually want to see the metal and stones.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Finding and selecting models for fashion shoots or shows
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: models, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 3422/02
Source: “Find and select models for fashion shoots or shows.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 20 out of 100 (13–27 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Casting can be shortlisted from portfolios, though seeing and choosing models happens in person.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Consulting with clients to understand their specific needs and preferences
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: clients, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 65 · 3422/05
Source: “Consult with clients to understand their specific needs and preferences.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 20 out of 100 (13–27 allowing for uncertainty): low exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Questions can be scripted, but customers explain what they want in conversation with a person.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Meeting with customers and fabric agents
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: customers, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3422/02
Source: “Meet with customers and fabric agents.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 18 out of 100 (11–25 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Meetings can be prepared for, but the meeting itself is face to face.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Executing costume design details in collaboration with production staff
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: costume design details, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 3422/02
Source: “Execute costume design details in collaboration with production staff.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 18 out of 100 (11–25 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Costume details are worked out with the production team during rehearsals and fittings.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Discussing and determining layout design with clients
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles layout design and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 65 · 3422/01, 3422/02
Source: “Discuss and determine layout design with clients.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 17 out of 100 (10–24 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Settling a layout with a client is a back-and-forth discussion, usually standing in the space.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Developing new product prototypes under engineering guidance
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: new product prototypes under engineering guidance, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3422/03
Source: “Develop new product prototypes under engineering guidance.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 17 out of 100 (10–24 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Prototypes are built and tested physically, even though the engineering notes are documented.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 2/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Supervising work during the design stage
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles work during the design stage and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 60 · 3422/03, 3422/05
Source: “Supervise work during the design stage.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 17 out of 100 (10–24 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Supervising a design team is about judgement and people, which software can support but not replace.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Reviewing and assessing garments
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: garments, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3422/01, 3422/02
Source: “Review and assess garments for fit, quality, cost, and finish against design specifications and customer requirements.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 14 out of 100 (7–21 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Specifications are documented, but judging fit and finish means handling the actual garment.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Inspecting garments for quality compliance
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: garments, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 65 · 3422/02
Source: “Inspect garments for quality compliance.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 14 out of 100 (7–21 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Quality standards are documented, but inspecting garments means handling them.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Checking the quality of finished footwear
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: the quality of finished footwear, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 90 · 3422/03
Source: “Check the quality of finished footwear.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 14 out of 100 (7–21 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Footwear standards are documented, but checking a finished shoe means handling it.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Checking the quality of finished jewellery
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: the quality of finished jewellery, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 3422/04
Source: “Check the quality of finished jewellery.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 14 out of 100 (7–21 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Jewellery quality is judged with the piece in your hand under magnification.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Assessing completed textile items against production standards
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: completed textile items against production standards, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3422/05
Source: “Assess completed textile items against production standards.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 14 out of 100 (7–21 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Standards are documented, but assessing a finished textile item means handling it.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Visiting sites and explore various sources to gather ideas for designs
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: sites, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3422/05
Source: “Visit sites and explore various sources to gather ideas for designs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 14 out of 100 (7–21 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Gathering ideas by visiting places is a physical trip, even though much can be researched online.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Inspecting material to ensure it meets quality standards
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: material, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3422/01
Source: “Inspect material to ensure it meets quality standards, identifying and reporting flaws and faults such as shading, holes, overprint, scruffs, fibre structure and marks.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 13 out of 100 (6–20 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Image checking is improving, but spotting and reporting fabric faults means handling the material.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Working with all colleagues as a team
staying human
The value here is that a specific person handles all colleagues and stands behind it. That is earned, not computed.
importance 50 · 3422/05
Source: “Work with all colleagues as a team.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 13 out of 100 (9–17 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Working as part of a team is about how colleagues relate to each other, which needs the person actually being there.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 1/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Providing customers with product samples and catalogues
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: customers, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 3422/01, 3422/02
Source: “Provide customers with product samples and catalogues.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 12 out of 100 (5–19 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Catalogues can be produced automatically, but getting samples into a customer’s hands is physical.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Directing workers in drawing and cutting patterns
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: workers, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3422/01, 3422/02
Source: “Direct workers in drawing and cutting patterns.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 12 out of 100 (5–19 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; mistakes that are cheap to catch; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Directing pattern cutting means being at the table with the workers and the cloth.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 2/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Creating samples for presentation to customers
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: samples, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 3422/05
Source: “Create samples for presentation to customers.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 10 out of 100 (3–17 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Samples are physically made before a customer can judge them.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Preparing product samples based on customer specifications for review and approval
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: product samples, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 3422/05
Source: “Prepare product samples based on customer specifications for review and approval.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 10 out of 100 (3–17 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Making a sample to a customer's specification is physical production.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Measuring other relevant parameters for high quality textile production
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: other relevant parameters, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3422/05
Source: “Measure other relevant parameters for high quality textile production.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 8 out of 100 (4–12 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Taking measurements during production means being at the machine with instruments.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Developing prototypes for new products to test feasibility
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: prototypes, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3422/05
Source: “Develop prototypes for new products to test feasibility.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 8 out of 100 (4–12 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Making a working prototype is workshop and laboratory work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Supervising the making up of sample clothing items
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: the making up of sample clothing items, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3422/01, 3422/02
Source: “Supervise the making up of sample clothing items.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 7 out of 100 (0–14 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Supervising sample making happens in the sample room alongside machinists.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Showcasing designs at fashion and other trade shows
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: designs, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 65 · 3422/02
Source: “Showcase designs at fashion and other trade shows.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 7 out of 100 (0–14 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: the same decision, made over and over; work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Showing a collection at a trade fair means being on the stand with the clothes.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 3/4.
Modifying designs using working models to conform with customer specifications
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: designs, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3422/03, 3422/05
Source: “Modify designs using working models to conform with customer specifications.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 7 out of 100 (3–11 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Adjusting a working model to match what the customer wants is done with hands on the model.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Allocating polish, symmetry and clarity grades to stones, according to established grading systems
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: polish, symmetry and clarity grades, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3422/04
Source: “Allocate polish, symmetry, and clarity grades to stones, according to established grading systems.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 7 out of 100 (0–14 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, medium confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Grading a stone means looking at the real thing under magnification, so this is hands-on assessment rather than screen work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 1/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Attending viewings to obtain perspective and generate design concepts
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: viewings, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3422/03, 3422/05
Source: “Attend viewings to obtain perspective and generate design concepts.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 5 out of 100 (1–9 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: The point of attending is to be there and take in the space, which cannot be done from a desk.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 3/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Making adjustments to models' outfits
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: adjustments, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 3422/01, 3422/02
Source: “Make adjustments to models' outfits.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Adjusting an outfit on a model is done with pins and hands.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Sewing sections of fabric together to form mock-ups or samples using sewing equipment
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: sections of fabric together, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 3422/01
Source: “Sew sections of fabric together to form mock-ups or samples using sewing equipment.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Sewing a mock-up is machine and hand work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Maintaining a high standard of visual merchandising
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: a high standard of visual, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 3422/01
Source: “Maintain a high standard of visual merchandising, preparing garments for sale or presentation.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Preparing and presenting garments means handling the actual stock.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Walking to showcase garment features at private showings and retail establishments
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: showcase garment features, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 3422/01, 3422/02
Source: “Walk to showcase garment features at private showings and retail establishments.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Walking to show how a garment moves needs the garment on a person.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 2/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Packing and storing costumes in accordance with production or performance requirements
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: costumes, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 85 · 3422/02
Source: “Pack and store costumes in accordance with production or performance requirements.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Packing and storing costumes is physical handling.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Fitting clothing designs on models for evaluation and adjustments
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: designs, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3422/02
Source: “Fit clothing designs on models for evaluation and adjustments.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Fitting a garment on a model is hands-on.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Fitting alter and repairing costumes
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: alter, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3422/02
Source: “Fit, alter, and repair costumes as needed.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Altering and repairing costumes is needle-and-thread work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Tailoring garments to customer specifications
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: garments, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3422/02
Source: “Tailor garments to customer specifications.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Tailoring to a customer's measurements is handwork on the garment.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Manufacturing models in various materials using hand or power tools
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: models, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3422/03, 3422/05
Source: “Manufacture models in various materials using hand or power tools.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Making models with hand and power tools is physical work no software can take on.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Setting precious stones and metals with hand and machine tools
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: precious stones, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 80 · 3422/04
Source: “Set precious stones and metals with hand and machine tools.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Setting stones is precise handwork at the bench.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Constructing preliminary models of wax
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: preliminary models of wax, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 75 · 3422/04
Source: “Construct preliminary models of wax, metal, clay, or plaster, and form sample castings in moulds.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Carving models and casting samples is workshop work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Cleaning finished items
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: finished items, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3422/04
Source: “Clean finished items using grinders, brushes, chisels, and cleaning solutions and polishing materials.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Cleaning and polishing finished pieces is bench work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Cutting pieces of jewellery, rings, brooches, bracelets and lockets
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: pieces of jewellery, rings, brooches, bracelets and lockets, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3422/04
Source: “Cut pieces of jewellery such as rings, brooches, bracelets, and lockets.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Cutting jewellery pieces is done by hand with tools.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Finishing items by polishing, enamelling and engraving
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: items, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3422/04
Source: “Finish items by polishing, enamelling and engraving.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Polishing, enamelling and engraving are hands-on finishing.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Pouring molten metal alloys into moulds to cast jewellery models
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: molten metal alloys, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3422/04
Source: “Pour molten metal alloys into moulds to cast jewellery models.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Pouring molten metal is physical foundry work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Restoring jewellery and silverwork to its original condition
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: jewellery, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3422/04
Source: “Restore jewellery and silverwork to its original condition.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Restoring jewellery is delicate handwork on the piece.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Shaping metals into desired forms
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: metals, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 70 · 3422/04
Source: “Shape metals into desired forms using hammers, punches, and anvils.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Hammering and forming metal is physical craft.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Bending steel pieces using torches to create jewellery designs
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: steel pieces, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 65 · 3422/04
Source: “Bend steel pieces using torches to create jewellery designs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Bending steel with a torch is hands-on.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Cutting along markings to fabricate pieces for casting metal moulds
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: along markings, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 65 · 3422/04
Source: “Cut along markings to fabricate pieces for casting metal moulds.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Cutting to marked lines is bench work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Inspecting assembled or finished products to ensure conformance
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: assembled, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 65 · 3422/04
Source: “Inspect assembled or finished products to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Measuring finished products with precision instruments requires handling them.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Polishing facets of stones using felt-covered or canvas-covered polishing wheels and compounds
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: facets of stones, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 65 · 3422/04
Source: “Polish facets of stones using felt-covered or canvas-covered polishing wheels and compounds.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Polishing facets on a wheel is skilled handwork.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Smoothing soldered joints and rough spots using hand files and emery paper
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: soldered joints, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 65 · 3422/04
Source: “Smooth soldered joints and rough spots using hand files and emery paper.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Filing and smoothing joints is handwork.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Annealing precious metal objects in gas ovens to soften metal for reworking
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: precious metal objects, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 3422/04
Source: “Anneal precious metal objects in gas ovens to soften metal for reworking.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Annealing metal in a gas oven is workshop work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Laying out, measure and marking metal stock to display placement of cuts
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: out, measure and marking metal stock, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 3422/04
Source: “Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Measuring and marking metal stock is bench work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Replacing broken clasps and mountings on jewellery
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: broken clasps, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 60 · 3422/04
Source: “Replace broken clasps and mountings on jewellery.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Replacing clasps and mountings is repair handwork.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Brazing or soldering parts to repair defective joints and leaks
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: parts, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 55 · 3422/04
Source: “Braze or solder parts to repair defective joints and leaks.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Brazing and soldering joints is manual work with a torch.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Engraving or stamping identifying symbols
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: symbols, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 55 · 3422/04
Source: “Engrave or stamp identifying symbols, letters, or numbers on products.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Engraving or stamping marks onto a product happens at the machine or bench.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Piercing and cutting open designs in ornamentation
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: open designs, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 55 · 3422/04
Source: “Pierce and cut open designs in ornamentation, using hand drills and scroll saws.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Piercing and sawing ornament is hand skill.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Rotating moulds to distribute alloys and prevent formation of air pockets
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: moulds, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 55 · 3422/04
Source: “Rotate moulds to distribute alloys and prevent formation of air pockets.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Rotating moulds during casting is done at the machine.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Attending craft fairs to market products
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: craft fairs, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 50 · 3422/04
Source: “Attend craft fairs to market products.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Selling at a craft fair means being on the stand talking to people who came to see the work.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 1/4 · how much data exists 1/4.
Enlarging or reducing ring sizes as part of jewellery repairs
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: sizes, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 50 · 3422/04
Source: “Enlarge or reduce ring sizes as part of jewellery repairs.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Resizing a ring is bench work with heat and tools.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Plating articles, jewellery pieces and watch dials, using silver, gold, nickel or other metals
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: articles, jewellery pieces and watch dials, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 50 · 3422/04
Source: “Plate articles such as jewellery pieces and watch dials, using silver, gold, nickel, or other metals.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Plating articles is a physical process at the tank.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Routing items to provide cutouts for parts using portable routers
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: items, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 50 · 3422/04
Source: “Route items to provide cutouts for parts using portable routers, grinders, and hand tools.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world.
The rating behind it: Routing cutouts is done with tools in hand.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 0/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 0/4 · how much data exists 2/4.
Attending trade shows to promote products
staying human
This work happens in the physical world: trade shows, in a real place. Software cannot follow it there.
importance 50 · 3422/05
Source: “Attend trade shows to promote products.” (UK task statement)
How this row was scored
Exposure score: 0 out of 100 (0–4 allowing for uncertainty): minimal exposure, high confidence.
Why it sits in this group: work that happens in the physical world; the value is that a specific person does it.
The rating behind it: Standing on a stand at a trade show and meeting people in person is something only a person can do.
The five ratings: output a model can produce 1/4 · needs a body in a room 4/4 · needs an accountable person 0/4 · needs to be trusted in the moment 3/4 · how much data exists 2/4.

What this job pays, and how many people do it

Median pay: £36,800a year, before tax, the middle of the range, so half earn more and half earn less.ashe-t14, 2025 · ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025)Provisional, because the ONS revises this figure in the autumn.
How we know this
Source: ashe-t14
Reference period: ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025)
Rounding: Shown to the nearest £100. The exact published figure is in the downloadable dataset. We do not render pounds the survey cannot support.
People doing this job: 18,300in the UK, 2026.nomis-aps · Apr 2025-Mar 2026 (latest APS 12-month period)This headcount comes from a survey, not a census, so treat it as a good estimate rather than an exact count.

What is deliberately not here: a forecast of how many of these jobs exist in ten years. Where an official projection exists for a market we publish it with its vintage; where it does not, we leave the space empty rather than borrow the other country’s number.

Why this is shifting

The reason is boringly specific. Most of what is shifting here is reading one thing and writing another: fashion trends in, a record out. The rows above are exactly that shape: developing garment and fabric designs using specialised computer software and researching fashion trends. What it cannot do is be there in the room, and that is still where fashion shows get done. Which is why this page talks about your tasks changing, not your job ending.

Your move

Over a pint: what I’d tell you if you were my friend

Your week is splitting in two, and which half fills it is the whole question. Developing garment and fabric designs using specialised computer software is going; attending fashion shows to gather information about fashion trends is not.

So, given all that: 27% of this job's task weight sits in rows the software is already learning, 20% in rows that change shape rather than disappear, and 53% in rows it is nowhere near. That is the position, measured across 165 scored tasks. It is not a forecast about you.

The occupation is an average and you are not, so the first job below is finding out where your own week actually sits.

This week: one thing

Print the task ledger above and put your own hours next to each row. Roughly, in pen, in one sitting. Then look at which group your hours actually pile up in. Twenty minutes, this week.

What you end up holding: your own week, on one page, sorted into what is shifting and what is not
How long it takes: about twenty minutes

If printing it isn’t practical: Read the rows off this page and write the same list on the back of an envelope. Same twenty minutes, same page, and it works just as well said out loud to someone who knows the job. The point is your hours next to the rows, not the paper it is on.

Over the next 90 days

Volunteer toward the durable end, visibly. Over the next ninety days put your hand up for the work in the bottom group (attending fashion shows to gather information about fashion trends) and let people see you doing it. Not a new project: the same job, with your mix deliberately tilted. The point is that when the rota or the reorganisation comes, the version of you people picture is the one doing the part that stays.

Over the next 12 months

Claim a specialism at the durable end and let the other end go. Over a year, deliberately become the person who handles attending fashion shows to gather information about fashion trends, and deliberately stop being the first choice for the rows in the top group. That trade costs something, because the exposed work is often the comfortable work. Decide it on purpose rather than by drift. Before you pay for anything, spend an hour with National Careers Service. It is free and government-funded, and it is listed below with the rest of the free routes.

The roads out of here, and why I am not sending you down them

I looked at the obvious moves out of this job, and here is what I found.

I checked the 12 nearest UK occupations to clothing, fashion and accessories designers (nearest by the work that AI is not taking, not by job title), and none of them survived. The closest was tailors and dressmakers: only about 8% of its durable work is work you already do and it pays 31.6% less. And on the numbers you do not need one. This job scores 38/100 here, with only 27% of the task list in the top band, and “contribute to the research and sourcing of fabric and components, considering ethical…” is not work that hands over cleanly. None of them beats deepening what you already have.

How that was checked: this job was compared against all 412 UK occupations in this release on their official task statements, and the 12 nearest were examined one by one. A move that turns on an industry, an employer or a qualification rather than on the work itself will not show up in a check like that. And this release carries no licence register, so anything you are weighing needs that looked up separately.

3 moves I checked and rejected

These are the obvious-looking jumps. They are here with their reasons rather than quietly dropped, because the ones that fail are worth knowing about. It is one less thing to turn over at night.

Tailors and dressmakers
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “create garment designs by hand for bespoke fashion”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 8% of the work in that job the software is not taking.
Why I am not recommending it: Almost none of it is work you already do: about 8% of the durable side of that job. That is a different job, not a next step. It is a pay cut, in those words: £25,212 against your £36,848, 31.6% less (ASHE Table 14.7a, 2025 provisional (both)). Retraining to earn less is a decision, not advice.
Look at that job’s page anyway →
Visual merchandisers and related occupations
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “maintain a high standard of visual merchandising, preparing garments for sale or presentation”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 4% of the work in that job the software is not taking.
Why I am not recommending it: Almost none of it is work you already do: about 4% of the durable side of that job. That is a different job, not a next step. It is a pay cut, in those words: £25,845 against your £36,848, 29.9% less (ASHE Table 14.7a, 2025 provisional (both)). Retraining to earn less is a decision, not advice.
Look at that job’s page anyway →
Quality control and planning engineers
Why it looked obvious: It came up as a near neighbour because one of your tasks is on their list in the same words: “source fabrics and trimmings”. Across the whole of both lists that adds up to about 3% of the work in that job the software is not taking.
Why I am not recommending it: Almost none of it is work you already do: about 3% of the durable side of that job. That is a different job, not a next step.
Look at that job’s page anyway →

What I’d stop worrying about

A friend tells you what not to spend fear on. This is that list.

The headline number you read somewhere
The big “X% of jobs” figures are about the whole economy, not about you. The number that describes your job is on this page: 27% of its task weight, across 165 scored tasks. Every row behind it is printed above with the source. Check ours; ignore theirs.
The whole-job doom story
Nothing on this page says this job ends. It says the mix inside it moves. Half the rows above are unchanged or changing shape, and the plan is about which half your week sits in. That is a very different problem, and a solvable one.
Panic-buying a course
Do the twenty-minute sorting exercise first. Most people who buy a course before they have done it buy the wrong one, and the free services listed below will tell you the same thing without charging for it.
The “obvious” next job everyone suggests
I checked the obvious moves and most of them did not survive. The reasons are printed with the routes above, including the pay and the gate. A move that fails on the numbers is worth knowing about so you can stop turning it over at night.

You are reading the United Kingdom figures

The United States splits this work across more than one official group, of which Commercial and Industrial Designers is the closest. The pay and employment figures are not directly comparable, and we do not average them together.

Switch to the United States page →partial match

The other groups this work is counted across:

In US official statistics this job is counted as Commercial and Industrial Designers, Fashion Designers and Designers, All Other. Pay is shown separately for each of those groups (medians cannot be averaged together), while the task list and the scores on this page are for this group only.

Your route through this

Where to go next, and what it costs

Free, and complete

The moves above cost nothing. These are the real services that go with them: public, government-funded, and free at the point of use. Nothing on this page is behind an email address or a payment.

In England:
National Careers Service
A free hour with a government-funded careers adviser is worth more than another evening of reading. In England that's the National Careers Service.
Free, government-funded
- Discover your skills and careers (the skills assessment)
In England:
National Careers Service - Find a course
Search what's actually running near you before you spend anything.
Free to search; individual courses vary
In England:
Free courses for jobs (Level 3 qualifications)
A free Level 3 qualification you already qualify for beats a paid course you don't need.
Free for eligible adults
In England:
Skills Bootcamps
Free, up to 16 weeks, and you get a job interview at the end. In England these are Skills Bootcamps - search what's running near you.
Free for eligible adults in England
- Skills Bootcamps - what they are and who can do them (DfE, Skills for Careers)
- Skills Bootcamps - JobHelp (DWP)
In Scotland:
My World of Work (Skills Development Scotland)
In Scotland it's My World of Work, from Skills Development Scotland.
Free, publicly funded
- Skills Development Scotland
In Wales:
Careers Wales
In Wales it's Careers Wales.
Free, Welsh Government-funded
In Northern Ireland:
Careers Service Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland it's the Careers Service on nidirect.
Free, Department for the Economy-funded

No Space for this job, but one for what is happening to it

Nothing Collab365 runs is built for clothing / fashion / accessories designers, and we are not going to point you at the nearest one and call it a fit.

There is one that is not about a job title at all. The AI Authority is about being the person who directs these tools at work rather than the person they get compared to. That is worth saying here, because 27% of the work on this page is already inside what they can do.

Try The AI Authority free →

7 days free, no card needed. Explore up to 2 Spaces before you choose a plan: you pick a plan later, not now.

The AI Authority is a general community about working with AI, not a course for clothing / fashion / accessories designers. You do not need it to act on anything here: the moves above cost nothing and stand on their own. The data on this page is the same either way.

Noted, and thank you. We’ll email you if a Space for clothing / fashion / accessories designers launches. Nothing else.

That did not look like an email address, so nothing was saved. Have another go below.

We could not save that. The fault is ours, not yours, and your address was not stored. Please try again later.

No Space for clothing / fashion / accessories designers yet. Should there be one?

Collab365 Spaces is built by the same people as this site. We find the problems that AI and automation are creating inside one kind of work, then solve them as short courses, briefings and Blueprints. Each Space is the community too, so the research and the people doing your job are in the same place.

What a Space actually is, in full

Collab365 launches new communities where the need is real. If one for clothing / fashion / accessories designers existed, with researched problems, courses and people in the same boat, would you want in?

Your email

We use your email address for one thing: to tell you if a Space for clothing / fashion / accessories designers launches. We never sell it, never use it for unrelated marketing, and every email has a one-click unsubscribe. Our privacy policy has the full version.

This unlocks nothing. Every figure, every row and every step on this page is already yours, whether you fill this in or not.

No deadline on any of this. The page will still be here, and the data is refreshed on a published schedule rather than when someone wants a headline.

Questions people ask about this job

Will AI replace Clothing, fashion and accessories designers?: Not as a job, but it is already doing parts of the work. Across the 165 official task statements scored for Clothing, fashion and accessories designers (United Kingdom, SOC 3422), 27% of the importance-weighted core work is made of tasks today's AI could already do most of. The overall exposure score is 38 out of 100 (range 33–44, band: low). That is a statement about tasks, not about headcount: this measures what AI could do, not whether any employer adopts it, whether the law allows it, or whether doing the routine parts faster creates more demand for the human parts. Figures are from release 2026-q4.1.
Which tasks in “Clothing, fashion and accessories designers” can AI already do?: The highest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Create social media and marketing content to promote businesses and services” (93/100, very high); “Identify target markets for designs based on age, gender, and socioeconomic status” (83/100, very high); “Review fashion magazines and manuals to understand consumer preferences” (83/100, very high). Each score comes from five published 0–4 ratings turned into a number by a published formula, and each carries the model's one-sentence reason on the page.
Which tasks in “Clothing, fashion and accessories designers” stay human?: About 53% of this job's task weight sits in work that scores low for AI exposure. The lowest-scoring tasks in release 2026-q4.1 are: “Attend trade shows to promote products” (0/100, minimal); “Route items to provide cutouts for parts using portable routers, grinders, and hand tools” (0/100, minimal); “Plate articles such as jewellery pieces and watch dials, using silver, gold, nickel, or other metals” (0/100, minimal). Low scores usually mean the task needs a body in a room, a legally accountable human, or trust built in real time. Those are the three things the scoring rubric treats as gates rather than obstacles.
What should someone working in “Clothing, fashion and accessories designers” do about AI?: Start from the ledger rather than the headline: 27% of this job's weighted core work is exposed, and roughly 53% is not. The practical move is to spend more of your week on the tasks that score low, the ones above, and to get fluent at directing AI through the tasks that score high, because those are the parts that change whether or not you are ready for them. This page does not predict your job, and nothing here is career advice tailored to you: the score describes the occupation, not the person.
How is the AI exposure score for Clothing, fashion and accessories designers calculated?: Each official task statement for the occupation is rated on five published 0–4 dimensions (output replicability, physical embodiment, licensed accountability, real-time human trust, and data availability) by claude-opus-5 using scoring prompt task_scoring_v1.0. The model never writes the score; a published formula turns the five ratings into a 0–100 number, so every score can be recomputed by hand. The occupation figure is the importance-weighted mean across 165 scored tasks. The prompt, the rubric, the formula and the full dataset are published at https://futureproof.collab365.com/method and https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1 under CC BY 4.0.

Where these numbers come from

About the data on this page

Provisional, because the ONS revises this figure in the autumn.
This headcount comes from a survey, not a census, so treat it as a good estimate rather than an exact count.
No importance weighting is published for some of these tasks, so they are treated as equally central, which is a simplification rather than a measurement.
2 rows are marked low confidence, so treat them as a ballpark rather than a fine measurement.
The match between this job and its counterpart in the other country is partial, so the two pages count slightly different groups of people.
63 of this occupation's scored task statements carry a score that was measured under a different occupation's context, because the statement is shared between jobs and has only been scored once so far. Each one names the occupation it was measured under in the free routes below; none is presented as a measurement for this job.
At least one of this occupation's task rows has no published task-relatedness and falls back to the uniform weight: the documented exception path, not an alternative weighting scheme.
Task clusters are not derived in this release, so the task-cluster field is empty and no Collab365 Space routing is attached to this occupation yet.

Task statements: gaisi-indexProcessing: catalogue-bridge → ssc-relatedness-weighting → task-scoring → score-aggregation
Task weights: gaisi-index (relatedness-with-uniform)
Scores: Rubric task_scoring_v1.0, model claude-opus-5, computed 2026-08-05.
Pay and employment: ashe-t14 (ASHE 2025 provisional (reference April 2025))nomis-aps (Apr 2025-Mar 2026 (latest APS 12-month period))

Figures on this page come from release 2026-q4.1, published 2026-08-05. Every release keeps its own permanent address, so a figure you cite in March is still there, unchanged, in November.

The plain-English wording on this page is assembled directly from the task statements and the published ratings, not written by hand for this occupation. That is why it is specific, and it is also why we say so.

The routes and free resources further up are today’s, not the release’s (last reviewed 2026-08-05). A route is an offer, not a historical fact, so it moves on its own clock.

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Everything on this site is published under CC BY 4.0. Quote it, chart it, sell something built on it. Just say where it came from, and cite the dated release rather than the site, so the figure you quote stays checkable.

Plain text

Collab365 (2026). Collab365 Futureproof: task-level AI exposure for US and UK occupations, release 2026-q4.1 (methodVersion 2.0.0, promptVersion task_scoring_v1.0). https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Built with O*NET data (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); ONS data (Open Government Licence v3.0); GAISI task framework (arXiv:2507.22748, MIT); BLS data (public domain).

BibTeX

@misc{collab365futureproof2026q41,
  title        = {Collab365 Futureproof: task-level AI exposure for US and UK occupations, release 2026-q4.1},
  author       = {{Collab365}},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1},
  note         = {Release 2026-q4.1, methodVersion 2.0.0, promptVersion task_scoring_v1.0, CC BY 4.0}
}

Permalink

https://futureproof.collab365.com/data/2026-q4.1

Data as of release 2026-q4.1, published 2026-08-05. Releases never change after publication; when the figures move, a new dated release is published beside this one and this one stays exactly where it is.