If you have a creative bent of mind and love to express your ideas visually, then graphic design could be the perfect career choice for you. The field is highly competitive, but with the right education, skills, and upskilling opportunities, you can unleash your artistic genius and build a successful career as a graphic designer.
In India, the graphic design industry is rapidly growing, with increasing demand across different sectors. Additionally, with the growth of digital marketing and e-commerce industries, the demand for skilled graphic designers is expected to increase in the coming years.
Who Is a Graphic Designer?
A graphic designer's role is to create visual concepts using various software tools that communicate ideas that inform or captivate consumers. A graphics designer works in many industries like advertising, marketing, publishing or creating logos or websites.
Career Paths and Opportunities of a Graphic Designer
Graphic designing is a highly sought-after profession in India with numerous industries requiring these services. For instance, advertising agencies require graphic designers to create engaging ad campaigns; publishing houses require designers to create book covers; web designers require graphic designers to create website layouts; UI/UX designers require graphic designers to create user interfaces etc.
As a graphic designer in India, some of the career paths that can be pursued are:
- Advertising Designers
- Brand Identity Designers
- Marketing Communication Designers
- Web Designers
- Logo Designers
Freelancing is also an option for those who do not wish to work full-time. Freelance graphic designers can work on multiple projects at once for clients from different industries.
Options for Education and Certification for Graphic Designer
To become a graphic designer, you can opt for various degree programs in India that offer bachelor's and master's degrees in graphic design.
These courses equip students with the necessary skills to succeed in the industry by providing hands-on experience in design software, typography, layout design, branding, marketing communication design etc.
Apart from these degree programs, several certification courses are also available that focus on specific areas of graphic design such as web development or UI/UX design. Certification courses usually take less time to complete and are an excellent option for those who want to upskill quickly.
The following table compares different certification programmes available:
Self-learning is another option to upskill yourself. There are numerous online resources available that offer tutorials on various aspects of graphic designing like typography skills or colour theory. You can explore websites like Skillshare or Udemy to learn new skills at your own pace.
Skill Assessment of Graphic Designer
To become a successful graphic designer in India you need a combination of creative flair and technical ability. A good place to start would be to assess your strengths and weaknesses as a designer.
As a graphic designer, you need to have the following essential skills:
- Strong visual and conceptual abilities
- Knowledge of typography, layout and colour theory
- Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
- Understanding of marketing communication design
To improve upon your weaknesses, you can take online assessment tests through WIZR. These tests will help you identify areas where you need improvement.
The following table compares various online assessment tests:
Salaries in Graphic Design
Salary expectations for graphic designers vary based on their experience levels and location within India. On average, entry-level positions in the industry pay around ₹1.5 lakhs to ₹3 lakhs per annum while experienced positions pay between ₹4 lakhs and ₹7.5 lakhs per annum.
Factors that could affect the salary of a graphic designer in India include their experience, skillset, location, company size, and industry. For instance, the salary of a graphic designer working in Mumbai or Delhi is higher than one working in Hyderabad or Chennai.
Upskilling Opportunities and Industry Growth of Graphic Designers
Upskilling is crucial to stay relevant in the industry. It helps you keep up with new trends and technologies that are rapidly changing the graphic design landscape. Moreover, it opens up opportunities for career growth and advancement.
WIZR offers several upskilling courses like UX Foundation Course by Nielsen Norman Group, Graphic Design Course by Canva etc., which can help you acquire new skills or upgrade existing ones. Additionally, WIZR provides financing options to young professionals seeking career-focused upskilling/certification programs.
The graphic design industry has been growing rapidly in India over the years. With many companies going digital, there has been an increase in the demand for creative designers who can create engaging content across various platforms such as social media websites and mobile applications. This trend is expected to continue leading to more job opportunities for skilled graphic designers.
Becoming a Successful Graphic Designer
In conclusion, becoming a graphic designer in India can be a challenging and fulfilling career choice. With the right education, skills, and mindset, you can unleash your artistic talent to create stunning designs that communicate powerful messages. Remember to continually upskill yourself through courses like those offered by WIZR and keep an eye on industry trends to stay relevant and competitive.
FAQs
1. What is Graphic Design?
Graphic Design is the art of combining text and images to communicate visually with an audience. It involves creating visual concepts using software tools to convey ideas that inspire, inform or captivate consumers.
2. Do you need a degree to become a graphic designer?
While having a degree in graphic design may give you an edge over other candidates during the hiring process, it's not always necessary. Successful designers often have extensive portfolios demonstrating their skills.
3. What are the different roles available for graphic designers?
Graphic designers typically specialise in different subfields such as logo design, web design, UI/UX design etc., working across various industries like advertising, marketing or publishing.
4. How can I improve my skills as a graphic designer?
You can improve your skills through professional courses or certifications such as those offered by WIZR or self-learning options such as online tutorials. Identifying your strengths and weaknesses will also help you focus on what areas need improvement.
5. What salary can I expect as a graphic designer in India?
The salary of a graphic designer in India varies based on experience and location. As per recent data, entry-level positions range from ₹1 lakh to ₹6.4 lakhs, with an average annual salary of ₹3 lakhs based on 51.1k latest salaries.
