Who is an independent designer that sells sketches to manufacturers known as?

An independent designer who sells sketches to manufacturers is identified as a freelance designer. Freelance designers operate independently, developing their own concepts and designs, which they can then present to various manufacturers or clients for production. This model allows them flexibility and autonomy in their creative process.

Freelance designers often work on a project basis, meaning they are not tied to any single employer and can take on multiple projects simultaneously. They create designs that manufacturers can choose to produce, which underlines the nature of their independence and the service they provide within the fashion industry.

In contrast, contract designers typically work under a contract with specific brands or companies, which may limit their ability to sell designs to multiple clients, and design consultants usually offer advice rather than create original sketches for manufacturing. Creative directors are often responsible for overseeing a brand's overall vision and might not engage in direct sketch selling in the same way that freelance designers do.