CAREERS IN DESIGNING

Introduction
We are all familiar with the terminology ‘design’. It immediately conjures in our minds a product which is made special because of the colors, shape, texture, materials and its ornamentation. Designing is a broad field in today’s world where people and organizations are willing to spend major budget allocations to make their products – ‘eye catching’, different and saleable.
Design, be it of products of necessity, technology, beauty or any other accessories is rapidly going through a phase of change and innovation due to the increasing consumer demand of preferred utility and comfort.
In the present scenario, designing is a highly developed field calling on creative technically trained experts who are imaginative and artistic. Gaining recognition as a professional designer is a ticket to opportunity and the hi3 choices available to creative individuals who have received proper training are almost limitless.
Designing can be mainly divided into the following fields i.e., Fashion designing, Interior designing, Textile designing, Communication designing, Apparel designing, Graphic designing, Leather designing, Footwear designing, Jewellery designing and Product/ Industrial designing.

Nature of Work
Fashion Designers understand the needs of their clients, create attractive and functional garments and accessories according to the latest trends, market conditions, weather conditions and also keeping a close watch on the fit, style, color, texture, size and material. The process of making a dress starts with sketching the original idea on paper and shaping the pattern pieces, which make the garment.
The pieces are then drawn in actual size on paper and cut out on a rough material. These pieces are stitched together and fitted on a model. From the rough model, sample garments are made in the final fabric. the majority of designer time is spent in exploration and research. Knowledge about fabric, color draping qualities, material and design and the changing trend is important.

The main departments in the fashion industry include-

Fashion coordinating department: They coordinate with the buyer and the production manager. The fashion coordinator makes sure production schedules are kept, meets buyers, goes through specification for fabrics, colors designs, and keeps an eye on the quality. When buyers give their own designs, the coordinator helps decide the fabric colours and accessories that should be used to suit the designs.

Personal Attributes
A hi3 in fashion designing is right for you if you are talented and exude style in everything you do. You must possess the ability to be original and creative and love to make people look good.
Further, you must be creative if enough to combine colours, shades and textures and express your ideas through sketches. You must also visualize new design, patterns, gannets and accessories and enjoy working with fabrics and accessories. Designers have the flair for using textiles effectively.
Designers need to have visual imagination and the ability to think in three-dimension to translate what they visualize into real garments Fashion designers must have an ability to anticipate market requirements and understand customer’s life style. As designer one should have knowledge and experience of basic tailoring skills i.e. cutting, sewing and draping. Self confidence, ambition and determination will contribute to the success of the designer. Designers must be good communicators and very clear with their ideas which is often reflected in the fashion shows. Top designers are highly original and inventive.

Employment Opportunities
With the fashion industry growing in popularity and consumers becoming interested in owning designer brands, there is more room than ever for a hi3 in this exciting field. Fashion designers can find jobs as costume designer, fashion consultant, personal stylist, technical designer, graphic designer, production pattern maker, fashion coordinator; apparel production manager etc. Those interested in a hi3 in fashion designing can also become entrepreneurs and form their own companies. The job opportunities exist in the following sectors:

• Export houses, Retail and wholesale garment businesses, Boutiques.
• Govemment/ Semi government-handloom/textile manufacturers
• Fashion show organizers/Fashion publishers
• In TV/Film fashion programmes as producers/comperes/costume designers etc.
• As self employed running one’s own business.

How to Enter

After 10+2 with any stream the student can opt for the Under graduate courses in Fashion Designing
Major Entrance Exam :
National Institute of Fashion Technology O\IIFT) is a prominent institute of fashion designing in India. The institute functions under the guidance of the board of Governors consisting of eminent practitioners, academicians and senior government officials. NIFT offers various courses in fashion at New Delhi, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Kangra, Kanpur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Patna, Rae Bareli and Shillong.
1. Bachelor programmes (4 years)- B.Des
Eligibility: Passed 10 +2 from any stream
Entrance Exam: General Ability Test (GAT), Creative Ability Test (CAT) ,Situation Test (ST)
General Ability Test (GAT) – contains questions on Quantitative Ability, Communication Ability, English Comprehension, Analytical Ability, Business Domain Test.
Creative Ability Test (CAT)- The test measures the skills, power of observation, innovation and design ability.
Situation Test (ST) – It is a hands on test to evaluate the candidate’s skills for material handling and innovative ability on a given situation with a given set of materials.( The Weightage of GAT is 40%, CAT is 40%, ST is 20%
2. Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.F.Tech) Eligibility: Passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Maths.
Entrance Exam :General Ability Test (GAT) Managerial Ability Test (MAT) I General Ability Test (GAT) This tests the candidate on Quantitative Ability, Communication Ability, English Comprehension, Analytical Ability, General knowledge and Current affairs.
Managerial Ability Test (MAT) This tests the managerial effectiveness and interpersonal skills of the candidates Through Case Study, Business Domain Test, and Logical Ability The weight age of GAT is 60%, MAT is 40% I

Introduction
Textile design is the process of creating designs for knitted, woven or printed fabrics. Therefore a textile designer A must have knowledge of yarn making, weaving, knitting, dyeing, finishing processes etc.
Successful textile designers carry a creative vision of what a finished textile will look like with a deep understanding of the technical aspects of production and the properties of fiber, yarn, and dyes. Designs for both woven and printed textiles often begin with traditional sketches and painting techniques as well as high-tech computers.
Textile designers use their skills and experience to produce surface designs and colorations as found in dress fabrics, furnishings, carpets, bed linens, towels and clothing. Textile design moves with current fashion and global trends.The demand for textile designing in India and interactional market is expected to further increase in coming days. Textile designing is an apt field for people with innovation and creative ideas.
Nature of Work
Textile designers create two-dimensional designs that can be produced in a design which is repeated for commercial or artistic use. They often work in knit, weave and print. Their designs may be used in the production of fabrics or textile products. Textile designers may specialize in soft furnishings or fashion fabrics, sometimes working in both areas. They may also work in related fields, especially those where a design repeat is part of the process of production, for example wrapping paper, packaging, greetings cards, ceramics or floor or wall coverings. Depending on the Specialization they have done like in Weaving, Printing, Embroidery, Dyeing, and Innovation in Fashion, Professional Communication, Color techniques or Graphic techniques their work responsibilities may differ.
Personal Attributes
A feeling for fashion and up-to-date knowledge of new fashion trends is important. In addition, textile designers must have a drawing ability, a “feel” for colour, a creative imagination and graphic interpretation skills. Creativity,Technical skills, Commercial awareness of textile industry, Critical evaluation and interpretation of materials and quick decision making ability are necessary. Textile Designers should be innovative and resourceful. They must follow strict budget and deadline schedules.
Employment Opportunities
Textile designers can work at textile companies, chain groups, boutiques, garment manufacturers, fashion houses, museums textile studios, theatres etc. They can take up a full time job with garment manufacturing companies, fashion designing agencies, textile manufacturers and retail world. Export houses also employ a number of textile designers. There are also growing opportunities with government sponsored and private silk, handloom, khadi, jute and craft development organizations.
They can also work as freelancers.
How to Enter
After 10+2 with any stream the student can do an Under graduate courses in Textile Designing.

Major Entrance Exams.
National Institute of design (NID) is an internationally acclaimed multi-disciplinary institution in the field of design education and research, and is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Admission procedure: Scores of the (NEED) National Entrance Examination for Design is considered for many Undergraduate level programs in design.
Pattern of examination: Examination questions test the candidate’s aptitude and skills for design by checking a Candidate’s mental ability, creativity, drawing and communication skills and worldview. Those who qualify the written test are called for studio tests and personal interview.
List of some Institutions

Whether it is Homes, Offices, Retail shops, Show rooms, Hotels, Airports, Exhibition halls, Conference centers, Theaters, TV & Film Studios, Commercial establishments, Interior designers help in making the place more beautiful. Previously, architects would handle both exterior and interior design work. Only over the last few years have people become more thoughtful about the design and layout of their working and living spaces.
Interior designing is a creative process, designers understand the client’s need, create a conceptual design, review the design, and produce a final cut, design, document or plan. lt also includes knowledge on the application of fabrics, colors, designs, compositions, lightings, and safety measures. Interior designers are professionally trained to suggest color schemes, wall paper and curtains, furniture arrangement etc. Interior design makes use of different aspects of other disciplines such as architecture, product design, environmental psychology and decoration.
Nature of Work
The interior design process starts with meeting the client to determine the client’s needs, requirements and the amount of work to be done. The next step is the formulation of a design plan which includes design sketches and layouts using (CAD) program and a breakdown of costs. The designer then works with the client in order to come up with a final and approved design that satisfies the client’s needs.
Depending on the complexity of the project, the designer will then source out the materials needed and technical contractors (architects, engineers electricians, builders, etc.)Timelines are set for the project and the designer remains hands on at the project site to ensure that the design details are carried out and the project is completed in the prescribed timeline and as per the client’s tastes and inputs.
As an interior designer, an individual may choose to specialize in a particular area of expertise such as residential, commercial and landscape design. Further specializations include institutional design and the focus on specific rooms like bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms.
Personal Attributes
Creativity, artistic and technical skills are the essentials of the field. Excellent communication skills are necessary because interior designers interact with numerous people through the whole design process. Self-motivation, confidence and the ability to accept criticism are also important qualities to have.
A managerial skill of finding a client, retaining and managing them is also required. Knowledge of computers is essential for many designers.
Employment Opportunities
As the market is ready to absorb more and more interior designers, sky is the limit for those with creative potential. Opportunities are a plenty in architectural firms or in consultancy companies. Career prospects range from starting one’s own firms and taking up projects, to working as a designer for malls, hotels and design companies. One can also be employed as theater and set designer or exhibition designer after completing these courses in interior designing.
As a professional interior designer, one can plan the interiors of residential apartment or building and also get to decorate the interiors of restaurants, hotels, malls, schools, churches, airport terminals, hospitals and even theaters.
Entrance Exam: Admission is usually based on performance in an aptitude test conducted to evaluate one’s sensibility, drawing skills, especially technical drawing, spatial apperception and so on.

List of some Institutions

Introduction
Graphic Design is the process of visual communication which combines words, images and ideas to present the information to the audience. The graphic designer is a specialist in solving the problems associated with visual communication. The qualified graphic designers have the skills in Drawing, Layout, Typography, Lettering Diagramming and Photography. They develop the layout and production design of newspapers, magazines, corporate reports, journals and other publications. They also create the promotional displays; marketing brochures for services and products, design distinctive logos for businesses and products for packaging (both structure and surface), and for publicity (posters, display, trademarks, logos, letterheads) Due to tremendous growth of the media industry and excellent employment options many people are opting for Graphic, Designing.
Nature of Work
Professional graphic designers shape the way that we use images and words to communicate quickly and effectively with each other with each other. With such a huge emphasis on quality images and messages, professional graphic designers can themselves employed in various capacities and in numerous roles to meet the growing demand and increasing complexity of client’s desired outcomes. Typical work activities include meeting clients or account managers to discuss the objectives and requirements of the job; interpreting the client’s business needs and developing a concept to suit their purpose; developing design briefs by gathering information and data through research; thinking creatively to produce new ideas and concepts; using innovation to redefine a design brief within the constraints of cost and time presenting finalized ideas and concepts to clients, working with a wide range of media, including photography and computer-aided design (CAD); proof reading to produce accurate and high-quality work; Working as part of a team with printers, copywriters, photographers, other designers, account executives, web developers and marketing specialists.
The work includes creation of appealing and informative documents, web pages, and advertisements. Work involves using the latest graphic design techniques including using computers to assist in the design process and making of design web pages and other digital contents. :
Personal Attributes
A creatively inclined mind and good drawing skills are the foundation of this hi3. ln order to be a graphic designer you should have a “design sense,” a certain way of seeing and appreciating the way things look or are arranged relation to each other, and enjoy applying that sense in their life. An “Eye” for things should be trained, but there is no substitute for talent or natural aptitude. The person should have good working knowledge of computers.
Employment Opportunities
A degree in graphic design prepares you for a hi3 as a graphic designer, multimedia artist, advertising manager design management professional, creative director or similar position.
Graphic designers have tremendous scope for employment in the Advertising industry, in News Agencies, Audio-visual media, publishing industry (book and magazine illustrations) for Hotels, airlines and other firms for designing of equipment from cutlery, uniforms, letterheads, etc, in Film and animation departments, Marketing firms, Department stores, Design studios, Displays and Exhibitions.
Prospects in communication design are exceptionally bright for talented professionals. There is a lot of scope for freelancing and entrepreneurship.
How to Enter
After 10+2 with any stream the student can do Under graduate courses in Graphic Designing.

Entrance Exam:For the admission in HT and NID the entrance pattern has been mentioned in Careers in Engineering and Career in Textile respectively.
List of some Institutions

Introduction
Good design makes life better, easier and more fun. As a Communications Designer you’ll be able to create things and experiences that fit people’s minds, bodies and needs. Communication design 1S a mixed discipline between design and information. It seeks to attract, inspire, and motivate the audience to respond to messages, with a view to build a brand, move sales, or urge for humanitarian purposes. Its process involves strategic business thinking, using market research and problem-solving. It is a specialized stream of design that is gaining visibility with the proliferation of the visual electronic media. It covers specialized disciplines that cater to television, catalogue illustration, animation filmmaking, and video programming.
Nature of Work
Communication design includes digital photography, multimedia, Internet publishing, digital animation, television broadcasting, video production, and electronic newspapers, magazines, and journals.
Designers prepare sketches or layouts-by hand or with the aid of a computer-to illustrate their vision for the design. They select artwork, photography, colors, animation, style of type, and other visual elements for the design. Designers also select the size and arrangement of the different elements on the page or screen. They may create graphs and charts from data for use in publications, and they often consult with copywriters on any text that accompanies the design. Designers then present the completed design to their clients or creative director for approval. Graphic design, animation film design and video programming may be considered as three basic disciplines within the purview of Communication design.

Personal Attributes
Communication designers must possess a vibrant imagination, creative drawing skill, interest in the social environment, prevailing tastes, needs and customs, perseverance, self confidence, the ability to visualize concepts and ideas, curiosity and exceptional talent. A creatively inclined mind and good drawing skill form the foundation of this hi3. Besides this the ability to interpret client needs and develop creative graphic solutions, a willingness to Keep up to date with new developments in the graphic design field, the ability to deal with the pressure of constant A deadlines are needed.
They should enjoy synthesizing information and finding innovative ways to present ideas, taking a methodical approach to tasks requiring precision (for example, preparing specifications, estimating costs) and consulting with people.
Employment Opportunities
Communication designers can work in a variety of fields – large corporations, government and educational institutes, service providers, non-profit and charitable organizations entrepreneurial and small businesses.
Career options for graduates with degrees in communication design include positions in the advertising, publishing graphic design fields. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in communication design are qualified to design magazines for publishing houses or work on the visual aspects of product campaigns for advertising agencies. They might find employment doing consulting work with graphic design firms. Employment of graphic designers is expected to grow at a fast pace, as demand for graphic design continues to increase from advertisers and computer design firms.
How to Enter
After 10+2 in any stream the students can do Under Graduate pro gramme in Communication Design.

Entrance Exam: For the admission in NID the entrance pattem has been mentioned in Career in Textile Designing.
List of some Institutions.

Introduction
Jewellery is something which has always charmed us and has a great economic significance in the Indian Industry. It is regarded as a major source of investment especially with women who have always had an affinity towards jewellery. The gems and jewellery industry is one of the largest export earners for our country. The Indian diamond industry is known worldwide as a major cutting and polishing centre.
Gemologists are experts who assess the value of precious stones and do sorting, identification, grading and cutting of gems. It is the technical study of diamonds and other gems which are then used in jewellery manufacture.
Jewellery design is a form of creative art which studies about precious metals and gems. It includes the whole process of testing the precious metals and gems, cutting, polishing and finally making beautiful patterns with them.
Nature of Work
The work in the jewellery industry involves the identification and testing of jewellery and gemstones and then casting and molding jewellery. Designing, Manufacturing and Marketing are the major tasks performed. The designer prepares sketches and after consulting with the customer or the manufacturing team, the designers make detailed drawings, a structural model, computer stimulations an a full-scale prototype. In the manufacturing process, a model of the design is prepared by shaping the metal or by carving wax and the individual parts are soldered together. After that, finishing works like setting stone or gems, polishing, engraving etc are done. Nowadays, computer-aided design software’s are used in the manufacturing firms to facilitate product design to avoid flaws during the designing process. After that a mold of the prepared model is produced in a wax like or other material with the help of Computer aided manufacturing (CAM) process. Once approved, individual or large scale production process begins.
Personal Attributes
Making of jewellery requires a wide variety of skills, which involves training and creativity, good observation, imagination and knowledge of colour combination. Fine aesthetic sense, familiarity with traditional designs and good communication skills are important. The most vital attribute needed for a jewellery designer is the sense of design and a passion for the profession. They should be technically sound, well-versed with the fashion industry, and committed to work. Other attributes needed for a designer are skills in drawing and computer designing, an open mind that can visualize designs, skills to understand the latest trends and practical skills with tools and materials. Precision and attention to detail are also important factors for a successful jeweller.
Employment Opportunities
More than qualification, it is the skills and experience that makes an excellent jewellery designer. Graduates in jewellery designing with excellent skills are in great demand in India and abroad. After successful completion of a course in jewellery designing, one can find outstanding job prospects in various jewellery manufactures & designing houses, export houses and renowned jewellery brand names such as Nakshatra, Tanishq, D-damas, Swarovski, Gili, Tribhuvandas Bhimji Zaveri Joy Alukkas to name a few.
It is handy for a designer to make a good contact network within the industry by attending trade fairs and exhibitions.
Some of the places where one can seek employment are in Jewellery Stores, Jewellery Manufacturing Companies,
Teaching and Research centers, Export and Fashion houses. One can opt for setting up one’s own Design Studio and workshop; or can also work as a freelance designer.
How to Enter
After 10+2 in any stream the students can do Under Graduate programme in Gem & Jewellery Designing.

Entrance Exam: For the admission in NID the entrance pattern has been mentioned in Career in Textile Designing.
List of some Institutions

Entrance Exam :- For the admission in NIFT the entrance pattern has been mentioned in Career in Fashion Designing.
List of Some Institution

• Export houses or international buying houses.
• Footwear manufacturers like Bata, Nike, Reebok, Adidas, Lee Cooper, Liberty, etc.where talented students are absorbed