Design As a Career

The term ‘Design’ implies that the outcome of any activity is being consciously planned rather than relying on chance. A vital aspect of the design is the preparation of comprehensive plans and instructions to attain the desired outcome. Unlike other activities, design involves making abstract ideas and inspirations into a tangible form. This pragmatic process has the ability to make things simpler and solves a host of problems. The entire design process is supervised by skilled designers and serves as a bridge between creativity and problem-solving. 

Today, design is a broad discipline and a booming career option, helmed by skilled professionals who blend creativity and technical skills to develop solutions to commercial needs by balancing technical, commercial, human and aesthetic requirements. 

History of Design Career in India

The School of Industrial Art was founded in Calcutta in 1854, followed by Sir JJ School of Art in Mumbai in 1857 and Jeypore School of Industrial Art in 1866. Dashrath Patel, an eminent sculptor and a Padma Bhushan awardee, is regarded as the father of design education in modern India.  Sir JJ School of Art was established as an Arts and Crafts institution and later introduced architecture in 1900. The foundation of the department of Commercial Art in 1935 marked the beginning of Graphic Design education in India. In 1958, Charles and Ray Eames made recommendations for a training programme to aid small industries. These recommendations were part of the India Design report, following which the National Institute of Design was established in Delhi and later shifted to Ahmedabad. The institute pioneered programmes in Industrial Design and Visual Communication. Subsequently, the  Industrial Design Center was established under the guidance of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, in 1969. Both these institutions spearheaded the mandate of promoting design education in India.

In 2011, India celebrated the centenary year of design education in India. The surge in opportunities due to digitisation and focus on upskilling since the pandemic has only increased the popularity of design courses in India. 

Scope of Design as a Discipline

Design is a broad discipline encompassing the study of various domains. A comprehensive design course builds a foundation in design by providing a thorough understanding of design principles, drawing fundamentals, colour, texture and pattern, mood board theme and its relationship with colours, psychology of colours and their applications in real- life. A design course also equips students with the knowledge of the latest trends and best practices, imparts proficiency in design tools and software and empowers them with skills like decision-making, entrepreneurial mindset, problem-solving, teamwork and design thinking. 

Why Choose Design as a Career

Today, design is an excellent choice for people with a flair for creativity and fertile imagination. Propelled by digital media and technological advancements, design as a career option promises to be galore of opportunities. From graphic design and multimedia design to product design and instructional design, there is no dearth of career options to choose from. Moreover, designers today have several tools and software enabling them to bring out the best artwork to achieve business goals. Armed with great problem-solving skills, designers are a thriving global community which allows them to share their ideas and inspiration and deliberate upon solutions to evolve the human race. Moreover, access to world-class design education implies continuous avenues for upskilling and lifelong learning for designers to emerge as sought-after professionals.

Guide to Designing Career

It is recommended to start early if you have chosen design as your vocation. A four-year undergraduate degree is a gateway to a career in design. The basic eligibility for this course is 10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks. Some educational institutions also require students to qualify for an entrance test wherein aspirants are judged on their basic drawing skills, logical reasoning, visualisation ability and general awareness. The course is a good mix of theoretical concepts and practical aspects with masterclasses, guest lectures, case studies, workshops, projects and internship as integral components. Students can also opt for a Master's degree if they wish to explore the subject and its application further. Pursuing M.Phil and PhD opens career avenues in teaching and academics. A design professional is expected to be proficient in conceptualisation and visualisation, possess attention to detail and have excellent project management skills. 

The choice of the design course and a good campus is a good starting point for a bright career in the field. However, landing the first job requires aspirants to go the extra mile in honing skills, building a strong portfolio on platforms such as Behance, and Dribble, crafting a resume showcasing strengths and achievements and building a strong professional network through industry events and meetings. The ever-evolving job landscape has fuelled the demand for new-age skills such as soft skills, design thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, etc. Moreover, access to networking opportunities, knowledge of the latest trends, techniques and tools and lifelong learning is a must to excel as a design professional.

Types of Designing Careers

Given below are four broad design career profiles. Each field is vast and comprises various sub-specialisations. 

Fashion Design: This is among the sought-after career options. A fashion designer conceptualises the style and design of apparel and oversees its entire production process from manufacturing to the end product. Fashion design has various specialisations such as fashion design, textile design, accessory design, jewellery design, fashion styling, visual merchandising, fashion business management, knitwear design, leather design, etc. Fashion Designers work for garment manufacturing companies, export houses, fashion design houses or as entrepreneurs and freelancers. Luxury fashion brands such as Prada, Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Burberry are a testament to an excellent career in the fashion industry.  

Communication Design: The goal of communication design is to capture the audience's attention and achieve desired objectives such as brand awareness, reach and recall. Communication design professionals deploy an appropriate media mix, such as print, electronic or digital, to communicate a key message or convey specific information to the target audience. Communication designers can specialise in graphic design, web design, multimedia production, art direction and many more. Communication designers are highly sought-after in creative agencies, advertising agencies, integrated communication agencies, production houses and corporate and government enterprises. Renowned brands such as Mcdonald's, Coca-Cola, and Airbnb exemplify the immense scope of communication design.

Interior Design and Architecture: If you have a flair for designing spaces and aspire to follow the likes of Sunita Kohli, Gauri Khan and Manit Rastogi, choose interior design and architecture as a career option. High disposable incomes, changing definition of home from a residence to a haven of wellness and exposure to global trends have fuelled the demand for interior designers. An interior designer aims to make interior spaces aesthetic, functional and safe by conceptualising design and space plans, acting as a counsel on interior design and layout, curating a mixture of furniture, fixtures and fittings and setting project timelines and schedules. Interior designers specialise in Home Styling, Office and Workplace Design, Commercial Space Design, Public Space Design, Furniture Design, Set and Exhibition Design, Refurbishing and Restoration and much more. Iconic buildings such as Rashtrapati Bhawan and Parliament House in Delhi and the redevelopment of Gandhinagar Railway Station speak volumes of the prospects in interior design and architecture. 

Industrial Designing:  Industrial design involves supervising the development of products and systems- from conceptualisation to the end-product stage to enhance their aesthetics, functionality and affordability. Although lesser-known among the design disciplines, Industrial Design has witnessed burgeoning demand due to technological advancements, acceleration of digitisation and marketplace competition. Industrial designers design smartphones, automotive, consumer appliances, games, toys, ceramics and even medical equipment to enhance their functionality and affordability. Apple is a preferred brand today not only due to its cutting-edge technology but also its emphasis on ergonomic design, immersive functionality and unparalleled customer experience.

Prospects

India’s massive population with diverse traditions and communities enables a conducive environment for a flourishing demand for design professionals. Almost every sector from FMCG, banking and insurance to apparel and footwear, education and healthcare requires the services of design professionals. Buoyed by these factors, India is an attractive market for multinational corporations which are now seeking an Indian workforce to understand the market and sensibilities of the people and devise an appropriate strategy accordingly. Moreover, digitisation and technological advancements, focus on entrepreneurship and innovation and growth of design education have propelled design as a career choice. With more businesses focusing on the customer experience as their end goal, the prospects in design are expected to grow north. 

Over the decades, the usage of design has evolved from mere aesthetics to superior customer experience. Today, design has become strategic in nature and exemplifies innovation, with more businesses harnessing its power to enhance functionality, ensure affordability and maximise customer experience. Similarly, the design profession has progressed from a hobby to a full-fledged specialisation and popular career option. A combination of technology, policy developments, and industry-academia collaborations will play a catalytic role in the growth of the design industry.