Design is a vast and dynamic field that offers endless opportunities for creativity and innovation. For Indian students aspiring to build a career in design, this comprehensive guide will provide you with the essential information you need to navigate the journey, from choosing the right courses to understanding the career prospects and everything in between.

Before going any further, ask yourself a few important questions. What’s your aim by taking up the designing career? Where do you see yourself after 10 years as a designer? Though cliched, these are important. But, there’s one more question which is relevant. Is designing your calling? We will try to unravel it below for you.

Be honest and see if designing is something that you love by checking these everyday little things:-

– Does packaging fascinate you more than the product itself?

– Do you easily differentiate fonts when you see them in TV ads?

– You have serious opinions on the colour choices others make.

– You spend your time on Pinterest and Instagram more than any other social media platforms. They are your favourites!

– Aesthetics is very important. You are a visualizer and love inspired designs in clothes or other accessories that you buy.

– While your friends love the speed of the car, you care only about the design.

– Branding and logo thrills and you have started understanding that its important for any successful business. 

– You are good at handicrafts

If this is who you are, then let get started by design career booming in India.

Is designing career booming in India?

• Interior Design Market Growth: The interior design market in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18% from 2024 to 2029. The market generated a revenue of USD 22.21 billion in 2023.
• Design Registrations: The number of design registrations in India has seen a substantial increase. In 2023, the total number of design registrations reached 28,324, marking an increase of about 285% from 2019 and 78% from 2022.
• Economic Impact: The design industry in India, although relatively small, has a significant economic impact by augmenting the business value and competitiveness of major industry sectors.

        Recent Government Initiatives:

• Make in India: This initiative promotes domestic manufacturing and design, creating opportunities for product designers and other design professionals.
• India Design Council: This national strategic body promotes design in India and fosters collaborations between designers, industry, and government.
• Design Education Initiatives: The government is investing in improving design education and establishing new design institutes.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India): This initiative emphasizes self-reliance and promotes the development of indigenous design and manufacturing capabilities.

Types of Design Courses

Design courses can be broadly categorized into undergraduate and postgraduate programs, diplomas, and certificate courses. Here are some of the popular design courses available in India:

 

1. Bachelor of Design (B.Des)

Duration: 4 years

Specializations: Fashion Design, Interior Design, Product Design, Graphic Design, Textile Design, etc.

Eligibility: Completion of 10+2 from a recognized board. Some institutes require entrance exams like NID, NIFT, or UCEED.

2. Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch)

Duration: 5 years

Specializations: Architectural Design, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, etc.

Eligibility: Completion of 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Entrance exams like NATA or JEE Main Paper 2 are required.

3. Diploma in Design

Duration: 1-2 years

Specializations: Fashion Design, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Animation, etc.

Eligibility: Completion of 10+2 from a recognized board.

4. Master of Design (M.Des)

Duration: 2 years

Specializations: Advanced studies in various design disciplines.

Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in design or related field. Entrance exams like CEED may be required.

5. Certificate Courses

Duration: Varies (3 months to 1 year)

Focus: Short-term courses for skill development in specific areas like web design, UX/UI design, etc.

Entrance Exams for Design Courses

To secure admission to top design institutes, students need to clear entrance exams. Here are some of the prominent design entrance exams in India:

 

• NID Entrance Exam: For admission to various design programs at the National Institute of Design.
• NIFT Entrance Exam: For admission to fashion design programs at the National Institute of Fashion Technology.
• UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design): Conducted by IITs for admission to B.Des programs.
• NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture): For admission to B.Arch programs.
• JEE Main Paper 2: For admission to B.Arch programs.
• CEED (Common Entrance Examination for Design): For admission to M.Des programs.

What are the Career Prospects In Design Field in 2025?

The Design adds value faster than it adds costs. 

-Joel Spolsky

Design  will always be in demand. Buildings, homes and other spaces with well-crafted designs are the pride of any city. Architectural marvels of any country are few things that define the prowess of a nation like nothing else. Also, a good design is how you remember many successful businesses. Whether it is the red and white combination of Coca Cola or McDonald’s mighty M, the design is at the forefront. Therefore, companies more than ever, hire good designers who can add value by improving brand recognition and attracts customers.

So, what are the designing career opportunities in 2019? Here’s a design career list. You can make a career in the following space:- 

Graphics

Interiors

Fashion

Products

Automobiles

Furniture

Jewellery

The popular categories of designing include:-

Graphic Design

Storyboarding

Animation Design

Game Design

3D Modelling

Texturing and Lighting

Dynamics and VFX

2D, 3D Animation 

Concept Designing

Industrial Designing

Some of the trending fields you can get into for good jobs:-

Event Companies 

Animation Studios 

VFX Studios

Game Studios

Digital Marketing Firms

In-House Branding and Promotion

Is design career worth it? What about Job Satisfaction? 

In the world of automation, you can be sure that designing career is safe. While simple collateral can be automated, but the design always requires creative thinking and ideas. Every day, you get to do something new and therefore, job satisfaction is generally good in this filed. If you are passionate, you will love taking new challenges. 

Most probably, you will be working with a team of professionals. Coordination with marketers, copywriters, advertisers and management and clients will be a regular feature for this profile.

Nothing satisfies more than your designs contributing to the companies growth. Your work may be published on a mass scale, and the eventual appreciation is indeed special. The work that you do could be an inspiration for others. In a nutshell, you can see your work actually making a difference.

It is an exciting & interesting career choice as well. You will get the opportunity to ideate new styles and create designs that appeal to the masses as a fashion designer. Attracting and engaging work will be the aim of a graphic designer for brands online and offline. If you are into a product-based career like in the R&D department of a big company, research and optimal use of resources will be the key.

Growth Opportunities and Pay 

The growth opportunities and payment are pretty impressive. All you need is to create some awe-inspiring designs, and you are on the path to becoming something big. Develop an impressive portfolio. Your quality work can take you places. Your work speaks for you and markets you in this field. When you get into the top positions, it is very competitive. Therefore, networking is important. You are going to get a vast number of opportunities in various fields, industries and you can explore projects worldwide. There are many design careers that pay well. 

As you gain more experience, you can expect good salary hikes. You can quickly move up the ladder with your skill and grab the top positions like Creative Director. 

Now that you know all aspects of design career scope, growth opportunities, let’s see how you can begin your design career. There are many types of design courses in India, and each one of them can be done once you pass the design entrance exams in India. These are listed below:-

 Top Design Institutes in India

National Institute of Design – Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bangalore

National Institute of Fashion Technology – 15 centres in India

Indian School of Design & Innovation – Mumbai

Indian Institute of Art & Design – Delhi

MIT Institute of Design – Pune

Symbiosis Institute of Design – Pune

Indian Institute of Technology – Mumbai/Bangalore/Delhi/Guwahati/Hyderabad/Kanpur

GLS Institute of Design – Ahmedabad

Indian School of Design & Innovation – Mumbai

United Institute of Design – Ahmedabad

In order to get admissions to these colleges, you need to crack the various design entrance exams. So, if you have chosen a designing career, it is high time that you begin the preparation. There are many designing coaching classes which can help you score the qualification marks. Silica is one of the leading design institutes with centres in many parts of India. Learn under qualified and experienced design faculty and get expert guidance on design career as well.

For more details about various design entrance programs, course modules, study material, and other resources, visit www.silica.co.in.

Also check: Architect, Interior Design, Fashion Career Guidance for 2021-22