How to pursue graphic designing in India
‘Design is thinking made visual,’ said Saul Bass, one of the greatest graphic designers in American history. While some people can think easily in words, others can do so in images. Communicating one’s thoughts via visuals, colours and typography to reflect the brand identity and maintain appropriate messaging are the key tasks of a graphic designer. Students who have a knack for visuals and love playing with colours and designs can look up to graphic designing as a career option after Class 12.
Courses available
Students interested in pursuing graphic designing after Class 12 in India can take up diploma and undergraduate courses. While the diploma courses are 1-year-long, the duration of an undergraduate course is 3-4 years.
The undergraduate courses are:
- BA in Graphic Design
- B.Sc in Graphic Design
- B.Sc in Animation and Visual Graphics
- B.Des in Graphic Design
Institutes for studying graphic designing in India
National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, Pearl Academy, Delhi, Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune, Indian Institute of Art and Design, New Delhi, MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Pune, Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Bengaluru, Amity University, Jaipur and UPES Dehradun are a few of the most well-known institutes in India where students can pursue graphic designing.
Eligibility criteria
Candidates must have completed Class 12 in any stream with a minimum of 50% aggregate from an Indian recognised board. They also need to appear for and qualify the entrance exams conducted by different colleges and universities. Popular design entrance exams include Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED), NIFT Entrance Exam, NID Design Aptitude Test (NID-DAT), Pearl Academy of Fashion Entrance Exam (PAFEE), All India Entrance Examination for Design (AIEED), Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design (SEED), Indian Institute of Art and Design Entrance Exam (IIADEE) and Unitedworld Institute of Design Aptitude Test (UIDAT).
Attributes required
Aspiring graphic designers need to have a strong sense of visual aesthetics and innovation. A basic understanding of design software, such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Pagemaker, Quarkexpress, Adobe Indesign, Corel Draw, etc. is a must for a graphic designer. Communication skills, time management, team spirit and knowledge of typography are the other attributes required in a graphic designer.
Subjects taught in graphic designing
Some of the important subjects covered in a graphic designing course include introduction to graphic designing, shaping, design and illustration, typography, graphic designing software and tools, image layout and effects, vector graphics for designers, art and visual perception, digital art, visual narrative development, 3D visualisation, deign thinking, conceptual design, print design and applied graphics design.
Career options and Placement opportunities
After pursuing a graphic design course, students can be recruited by printing and publishing firms, advertisement agencies, production companies and e-learning firms. Some of the most sought after job profiles comprise flash animators, layout designers, UI and UX designers, graphic designers, editorial and communication designers. Ikea, Deloitte, EY, Accenture and Vistaprint India are among the most renowned organisations that hire graphic design professionals.