A manicure is mainly about hand care and cosmetic treatment, such as filing and painting the nails. Unlike a manicure, nail design also involves modeling techniques, as well as applications and various nail art techniques. Nail design therefore focuses far more on the appearance and individual design than manicure.

The courses offered by the individual schools vary greatly, so you will find nail design courses where you only work on gel nails or only model aycril nails. However, many nail schools teach both nail preparation systems so that you will be well versed in both areas after training as a nail designer. Some nail design schools also offer other systems, such as Fly-On, X-One or fiberglass/silk. However, these courses are mostly aimed at professionals and are less suitable for beginners, who should first learn the basics in a nail design course.

The 3-pillar training concept in nail design is based on the following:

• Pillar 1 - Training
  • 13 training days within 6 months
  • Technical schools / academy
  • Member SND optional
• Pillar 2 - Practice
  • Operation with Q-label
  • Practical insight 3x4 hours / week
  • for approx. 20 weeks
  • spread over at least 6 months
• Pillar 3 - Preparation
  • SND parallel practical training with preparation for everyday working life with Q-label examination as completion of training

According to a survey conducted by the education platform Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch, the reasons why people are interested in further training to become a nail designer are as follows:

• 89% of respondents say they are interested in matching the training with their needs
• 7% of survey participants are interested in a recommendation
• 4 % of those interested in the nail designer course cite mention in job advertisements as the reason

People named other relevant reasons using the free text response option:

• "I am looking for a new professional challenge"
• "I want to expand my knowledge."
• "It's fun and enjoyable for me
• "I've always wanted to do the course, now it's possible
• "I like to do it as my hobby"
• "new interests"
• "Job change"
• "I already do my own acrylic nails all the time, want to get better"
• "I am looking for training as a nail designer in the area"
• "I was looking for nail design courses"
• "possibly as a secondary occupation"
• "I have a passion for painting nails and would like to use my diploma to help other women and men competently"
• "I've been doing my own sewing for a long time and already have a few customers. However, I would like to do this 100% at some point and work from home."
• "I am a nail designer, I would like to have a swiss certificate."
• "because I like doing this"
• "I'm interested in nail design because I do my own nails at home."

A survey of prospective students revealed that 76% of respondents sent school inquiries to nail design schools after reading an online review. In contrast, 18% did so after a recommendation. 6% knew the school/s that were contacted for detailed information about this training. The online presence of schools is also becoming increasingly important, as shown by optional answers from survey participants: "Internet", "Google" and "because of the online course". This is why many schools are improving their online visibility by being listed on the education portal Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch. Someone else was looking for "more choice". Or for the right location "geographically", "close to my home", "near me" and "location". Another reason could also be: "was the only option".

No, there are currently no nail courses with federal recognition.

If you would like to treat people with complaints therapeutically, the following training and further education opportunities are currently available:

• Podiatrist EFZ
• Cosmetician EFZ
• Branch certificate OdA KT "Reflexology"
• Cosmetician in medical cosmetics with federal certificate (BP)
• Medical masseur / medical masseuse with federal certificate (BP)
• Complementary therapist with federal diploma (HFP)
• Study at a higher technical college to become a podiatrist HF

You need the following personal characteristics for nail design training:

• Aesthetic appearance
• Like contact with people
• Creativity for modeling and at the same time for the joy of filigree handwork
• Desire to become self-employed with own business
• Implementing personal responsibility for your own business
• Interest in solving nail problems, trend, care etc.
• If you want to be a serious professional, you need stamina
• Value on serious training. The nail profession is a service in the healthcare sector.
• A nail designer must be able to set herself apart and take a step back
• Successful self-employment without relapsing means - strongly incorporating a business background

If you have this, you are well prepared for a nail designer apprenticeship and have good job prospects later on.

Swissnaildesign.ch is the official professional association of Swiss nail designers and awards a quality certification for professionals. This Q-label confirms that professionals have in-depth theoretical knowledge and is proof of sound practical knowledge. It also guarantees impeccable hygiene conditions in the studio and thus helps consumers to find a high-quality nail studio. In addition to professional experience and practice, a prerequisite for admission to the Q-Label certification examination is basic technical and theoretical training in accordance with the training profile of the professional association. Good nail design training therefore meets these requirements of the SERI-recognized professional association and takes about a year. The course for the module examinations for the federal certificate in the professional field of beauty (for medical cosmetics, vitality cosmetics, nail designer, make-up artist or dermapigmentologist) from the SFBI can also be regarded as the best nail design training, as it is even federally recognized.

A nail designer course cannot be compared with an apprenticeship or a mainly theoretical further training course. To be able to work as a nail designer, you mainly need to learn and practise the techniques, although theory is of course also taught. However, in a nail design school, you spend less time with frontal teaching, where you sit still and listen, and more time with practical exercises.

After the nail design course, most people want to start their own business and open their own nail salon. In addition to good training, this requires the right nail design accessories and nail salon equipment:

• Files
• Brush
• Milling cutter
• Gloves and masks
• Manicure care products (cuticle remover, file, polisher, scrub)
• Plastic for nail modeling (primer, bonding agent, bonding gel, build-up gel, French gel, sealing gel, color gel, color display, glitter gel, stickers)
• Modeling templates
• Nail tip and glue
• Disinfectant, nail cleaner, dust brush
• Nail oil, hand cream
• Nail dryer

Pay attention to the quality and good handling of your work materials. Cheap products only seem to save money, as customers quickly notice the poor quality of the material and word gets around.

A nail designer carries out the following activities in a nail studio, hairdressing salon or in her own business:

• Nail designs e.g. gel nail design or acrylic nail designs
• Performing professional beauty treatments on nails and hands
• Perform even demanding treatments thanks to specialist knowledge
• Checking the health of hands and fingernails
• Depending on the position: planning, purchasing goods, dealing with marketing, managing employees and training interns

The nail design training defines the following procedure for pre-treatment and preliminary consultation:

• Medical history to check the condition of the fingernails
• refer customers to a specialist if a fungus, illness or allergy is suspected
• respond to the wishes of customers
• inform about the possible applications of manicure, natural nail coating, modeled artificial nails made of gel, powder liquid and other materials
• Information on trends such as gel polish and home care with cosmetic hand and nail products