Today the world is all about ideas, innovation and creativity. Diverse aspects of life create a need for design to simplify complexity in terms of functionality and aesthetics.
But what is designing all about?
Think of a thriller movie- visualise a dark jungle and suspenseful sounds in the background.
Next, add a bright sun shining in the jungle, the same place is now a scenic beauty!
Here, just a small change of lighting transforms the whole story.
A slight change in angle, tone, music, mood, colour, lights and background can make things come off far more attractive and approachable. Design can act as a bridge between product builders and product users. A well-developed design has the ability to solve real-life problems and also, helps enhance the user experience.
Design is an inherent part of various spheres of life. In this blog, we have listed various Careers in Design, including Graphic Designer, Interior Designer, and other emerging options in Design.
Emerging Careers in Design
Design offers new and exciting opportunities for students from different streams as it straddles across fields like science, technology, art and aesthetics.
Now that every sphere of life is technologising, design has the power of humanising technology, thus, increasing its reach.
This signifies the tremendous scope for careers in design as designers can opt to work in different domains.
Let’s have a look at the different realms of careers in design:
1. User Interface & User Experience (UI UX) Designer
User Interface Designer: A User interface (UI) designer is a technology professional who designs a website or other application’s layout, visual appearance and human interface adjusting the usability of the digital object.
User Experience Designer: The core job of a UX designer can be summarised as ‘humanising Technology’, i.e. making complex technology accessible to humans. A UX design provides interaction between real human users and products/ services including websites, mobile applications, and even washing machines.
A UI or UX designer should have the appropriate mix of creative and technical skills, proficiency in prototyping, design softwares, wireframing, and information architecture.
2. Machine Learning Designer
A Machine learning (ML) designer creates programs that aid machines to learn, self-adapt, self-correct, and draw conclusions from their experiences in an effort to make artificial intelligence accessible.
Skills required to become an ML designer include an appropriate understanding of programming languages like Python, C++, along with effective communication skills, problem-solving aptitude and analytical skills.
3. Product designer
Product design involves creating usable products and experiences– by defining real-life problems and brainstorming possible solutions. Be it a water bottle, or a tech device, the aim is to design new products that make life easier and more practical.
A spectrum of skills is required for a product designer- including UI design, observation skills, information architecture and soft skills.
4. Graphic Designer
A graphic designer is one who intermixes art with technology. They work with the arrangement of elements to create design pieces to promote products and services, create informational brochures, maps etc. They are visual communicators who create designs to reflect the desired message and express information in an effective way.
Skills required to pursue a profession in graphic designing involves creative aptitude, communication skills, programming skills, typography and design principles.
5. Multimedia Designer
A fast pacing area in the field of graphics and web design industry. Multimedia designing integrates different media involving text, audio, video, images etc to provide effective engagement with the target audience.
A multimedia designer is significant for diverse workplaces, for example in the marketing industry, multimedia designers are required to create persuasive campaigns that appeal to a targeted audience to make decisions in a specified direction. In the television industry, they are required to blend their creativity with technology to create an indulging storytelling experience.
Skills required to pursue a career in this field include creative flair, video production, programming skills, organisational skills, knowledge of design and animation software.
6. Game Designer
A game designer brings ideas, forms interactive narration, builds prototypes and develops game mechanics. The variety of formats and platforms for gaming has increased the scope for game designing making it a lucrative career option with a broad range of creative and technical skills to deliver an interesting product for its users.
Key skills required for a game designer include creativity, storytelling ability, knowledge of gaming trends, programming skills, analytical ability and most importantly a passion for games.
7. Film and video editor
As the name suggests, film and video editors are essential in the post-production process to determine the quality of the final results. Their work profile includes taking reviews of various footage, forming a cohesive video, adding sound and graphic effects and producing the best final output closely matching the director’s vision.
Skills required to pursue a career in film and video editing involve creative aptitude, communication skills, attention to detail, organisational skills, and familiarity with editing software programs.
8. Interior Designer
An interior or a space designer makes indoor spaces functional, convenient and beautiful taking care of spatial dimensions, decorative items and other additional aesthetics.
Their work involves communicating with civil and mechanical engineers, architects, construction workers etc. Interior designers must be able to read blueprints and be well versed with building codes and regulations.
Essential skills to pursue a career as an interior designer are creativity, attention to detail, communication skills, design trends and spatial balance.
If there is a creative edge within you, then probably you should consider trying hands-on designing.
But are you still confused about taking your first step?
Before finalising a career path, it is imperative to explore various career fields.
It is advisable to go for online courses, internships, attending knowledge camps or just accessing the information available online. As you look for diverse career perspectives, more clarity would be developed and well-informed decisions can be made.
École Intuit Lab along with Jitin Chawla’s Centre for Career development present to you, Think Design: Winter Camp for students of class 11th, 12th and first year of graduation to discover an all-inclusive world of new-age careers in design.
A three days interaction with career coaches and design experts can help you dive deeper into Graphic Design, Visual Communication, UI UX Design, and Game Art & Design. You may also explore leadership in design, and get mentored by the top faculties of École Intuit Lab, New Delhi.
Written by: Anmol Arora
