A Brief Introduction
Designing is a process of visual or functional solutions to problems, combining creativity and technical skills to produce aesthetically pleasing and effective outcomes. One such design career is that of a Graphic Designer.
So, if you are artistic, enjoy working on computers, and have a keen eye for detail, a career in Graphic Design is a perfect choice for you.
Let’s explore in more detail about this fascinating career!!!
What is a Graphic Designer?
A Graphic Designer is a creative professional who combines artistic talent with technical expertise to craft visual content. They create images, layouts, and graphics that effectively convey messages for purposes such as advertising, branding, and communication.
A Graphic Designer can work with printed materials or digital content, creating designs either manually or using computer software.
Types of Graphic Designers
There are different kinds of graphic designers. One can choose the type as a career depending on their skill and interest.
The most common types include: Web Designers, Branding Designers, Illustrators, Print Designers, Motion Graphic Designers, Packaging Graphic Designers, Environmental Graphic Designers, Advertising and Marketing Graphic Designers, Print Designers, etc.
Career Scope as a Graphic Designer
Graphic designing is a good career in India. The demand for skilled Graphic Designers is high across various industries such as advertising, marketing, media, web development, and IT.
With the rise of digital media and online businesses, there are numerous job opportunities for these skilled professionals. Additionally, the potential for freelance work allows designers to have flexible schedules and work with diverse clients.
Role & Responsibilities of a Graphic Designer
A Graphic Designer’s job starts with rough ideas, either by sketching by hand or using computer tools like Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Designer, Adobe Photoshop, Canva, Adobe InDesign, and others.
The primary responsibility of Graphic Designers is to create visual content that communicates a message or idea effectively. They work in co-ordination with different people like photographers, copywriters, content writers, videographers, and other creative people.
They also need to know about the latest design trends and software, and be good at working together with other designers and clients.
Some of the other responsibilities include:
- Create visual concepts to communicate ideas
- Design logos, brochures, and advertisements
- Develop layouts for websites and social media
- Choose colours, fonts, and images for designs
- Collaborate with clients and team members
- Use design software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.
- Alter designs based on client feedback
Employment Scope Career Options for Graphic Designer
The employment scope for Graphic Designers is increasing with a rise in digitalisation. Many top companies hire Graphic Designers to work in various departments such as advertising, website development, marketing, publishing, etc.
Companies hire Graphic Designers in various job titles such as Logo Designer, 2D Animator, Digital Designer, Graphical Designer, Production Artist, Thumbnail Designer, etc.
Graphic Designers can also work in ad agencies, start their own company, or take up freelancing work.
Some of the top companies that recruit Graphic Designers include: Accenture, Disney, Red Chillies Entertainment, IBM India, Reliance Media Work Ltd., Capgemini, Dell International, etc.
Moreover, Graphic Designers can also work globally in top companies such as Meta Design, Pentagram, Landor, etc.
Salary Range
The salary range for a Graphic Designer in India varies from 3 to 6 lacs per annum for entry-level positions. Experienced Graphic Designers can earn between 6 to 12 lacs per year, depending on their skills and the company they work for.
Also, those working as freelancers can charge as per assignment depending on their skill and expertise.
So, sky is the limit if you think of remuneration in this field.
Skills Required to Become a Graphic Designer
Graphic Designing is a creative process that involves visual communication and problem-solving using typography, photography, iconography, and illustration. It is an art form where designers use various elements to create visual content for communicating messages.
So, creativity is the most vital skill to succeed in graphic design. Apart from a creative mind, Graphic Designers also need to have technical skills like knowledge about animation, HTML, CSS, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, Image editing, sketching etc.
In addition, they should also be aware about the tools and platforms used in graphic design. This includes tablets, styluses, pens, monitors, and printers. It’s helpful to learn the basics of digital photography, editing photos, color correction, and printing processes. Being familiar with cloud storage, digital libraries, and other online resources is also useful.
Other skills such as good communication and interpersonal skills, an eye for detail, problem-solving skills, ability to work under pressure and independently, are equally important.
Eligibility Criteria to Become a Graphic Designer
There is no such educational qualification criteria to become a Graphic Designer. Any person that has a creative mind and is good at visual communication can pursue this field.
Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field are preferred for both entry-level and advanced positions.
Beginners usually start with a certification course to gain the skills and knowledge needed to start their careers. Having a certification can open up better job opportunities and shows a commitment to professional standards and continuous learning.
How to Become a Graphic Designer?
There are various career paths to becoming a Graphic Designer. You can pursue a 3-year full-time undergraduate course from a reputed institute after completing grade 12 from any stream. One can also do a diploma in graphic design or else can even learn through online certification courses.
Completing the course alone is not enough to succeed in this field. One also needs to be creative and should know how to operate the design softwares such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. So, aspiring candidates need to practice this softwares to create their designs.
The next step is to complete internships to gain practical knowledge. Creating a portfolio is also equally crucial. The last thing is to keep oneself updated in the respective field.
Entrance Exam for Graphic Designing Course
There are several entrance exams conducted for enrolling in graphic designing course. The entrance exams may vary depending on the institution.
The most commonly appeared entrance exams for a graphic design course in India are:
National Institute of Design (NID) Entrance Exam (India): NID conducts a Design Aptitude Test (DAT) for admission to its undergraduate and postgraduate design programs.
Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED): UCEED is an entrance exam conducted by IIT Bombay for admission to the Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programs at various IITs and other design schools.
Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design (SEED): Conducted by Symbiosis Institute of Design, this exam is for admission to its design courses.
All India Entrance Examination for Design (AIEED): AIEED is a entrance exam conducted for admission to the undergraduate and post-graduate design courses offered by the institute.
Syllabus for Graphic Designing Course
The syllabus for the graphic designing course may vary depending on the institute. But some common topics are covered in every institute across India.
The syllabus covers both theoretical and practical knowledge about business that candidates can apply in their jobs as designers or advertisers in companies throughout India.
Many colleges also offer a one-year or two-semester diploma in Graphic Design. These programs focus on specialties like multimedia, gaming, and animation.
Below is the detailed syllabus
Semester 1 | • Principles of Design • Elements of Design • Film Appreciation • Evolution of Design |
Semester 2 | • Introduction to Graphic Designing • Corel Draw • Image Layout & Effects • Typography |
Semester 3 | • Graphic Designing Software & Tools • Shaping, Design & Illustration • InDesign • Photoshop Illustrator |
Semester 4 | • Art & Visual Perception • Adobe Creative • Adobe Dreamweaver • Adobe Audition |
Semester 5 | • Adobe Flash • Computer Fundamentals • Vector Graphics for Designers • HTML/ Javascript |
Semester 6 | • Visual identity design • 3D Modeling and Prototyping • Design internship presentation |
Top Colleges for Graphic Designing Course
Numerous institutions in India offer graphic design courses. Some of the top institutions include the National Institute of Design (NID), Symbiosis, Srishti Institute of Art and Design, MITID, Pearl Academy, National Institute of Fashion Technology, etc.
Fees for Graphic Designing Course
The fees for a graphic designing course depend upon the institute and the course duration.
In India, the course fees is around 2 to 15 lacs approximately. Below listed is the detailed fee structure.
- BDes course — 2 to 15 lacs approx
- MDes course — 2.5 to 13 lacs approx
- BSc in Graphic Designing— 2 to 3 lacs approx
- MSc in Graphic Designing — 50k to 3 lacs approx
- Diploma and short term courses — 3k to 2 lacs approx
Final Thoughts
A career in graphic designing is good for those who love being creative and working with visuals. It offers many job opportunities in different industries and allows you to express your artistic skills while solving problems. Whether you choose to freelance or work full-time, graphic design can be a fulfilling and rewarding career.