Graphic Designers use a range of elements to create aesthetic or decorative results. Ads, blogs, novels, flyers, magazines, video games, food packaging, exhibits and shows, and business messages are all part of a Graphic Designer's job. A Graphic Designer has an array of jobs as discussed above. However, the basic job of a Graphic Designer involves using a lot of Graphic Design Software which is essential to get their daily work done not only at a fast pace but also these software ensures that the work is done efficiently and effectively. Read More: Graphic Designer Jobs
The basic job of a Graphic Designer depends on the specialization or the type of Graphic Designer one is. Students aspiring to become Graphic Designers have to follow certain educational and other Eligibility Criteria. Aspiring students can pursue various undergraduate and Postgraduate Graphic Design courses, such as BDes Graphic Design or MA Graphic Design. India is home to a number of top BA and MA Graphic Design colleges such as NIFT New Delhi, Pearl Academy, and Vogue Institute of Art and Design.
Admissions to these colleges are done on the basis of merit and also on the basis of Graphic Design Entrance Exams such as SEED, UCEED, NID DAT, and AIEED. There is a wide range of courses to choose from for students aspiring to pursue Graphic Design Courses after 12th. The average Graphic Design course fee ranges from INR 1.50 LPA – 2 LPA. After successfully completing Graphic Design courses, students are offered jobs with an average salary of INR 2 LPA – 9 LPA.
Table of Contents
2.1 Art Director
2.2 Web Designer
2.4 Product Designer
5.1 Certificate
5.2 Diploma
5.3 Undergraduate
5.4 Post Graduate
7.1 India
7.2 Abroad
How to Become a Graphic Designer: Quick Facts
| Eligibility | Candidates must complete a Diploma or Undergraduation in Graphic Design such as BDes (Graphic Design), and BA in Graphic Design |
| Top Recruiters | AffinityX, Amazon, Accenture, Tata Consultancy Services, Myntra, Wipro, BYJUs, Unacademy, Cimpress, Personiv, Graphic- Designer.co |
| Required Skills | Logical Reasoning, Creativity, Innovative, Problem- Solving ability, Knowledge of HTML, CSS, Photoshop, Time Management, Communication skills, Detail-oriented |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 3.03 LPA |
| Highest Salary | INR 12 LPA |
Also Check: How to Become a Fashion Designer
Types of Graphic Designers
There are different job roles for graphic designers. According to the requirement, the company hires them for the work. This is the Internet World and maximum businesses are on the Internet so all of them have to present their brand for logos, posters, and Product Design, one needs a graphic designer.
Art Directors
| Job Profile | Art Directors are professionals who look after the work of other designers producing pictures shown on Television, Video games, videos, etc. They have various roles to perform in theatre, advertising, marketing, and fashion |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 4.01 L |
Web Designers
| Job Profile | Web Designers are skilled professionals who plan and create web pages, along with sound, text, and pictures. They are also responsible for creating website designs, the layout of a website or web pages |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 2.85 L |
Industrial Designers
| Job Profile | Industrial Designers are professionals who develop ideas and concepts for manufactured products such as cars, home appliances, toys etc. Candidates need to have analytical skills, artistic skills, creativity, interpersonal skills, mechanical skills etc. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 3.45 L |
Product Designers
| Job Profile | A product Designer is one who looks after the process of the product from start to finish or improves the appearance or functionality of the improvement of an existing product. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 3.22 L |
Steps to Become a Graphic Designer
Graphic Design courses focus on both web bases and print formats. Students should also have a creative bent of mind, strong computer skills, and have interest in typography and graphics. Those who are interested in getting expertise in this field and opt to become a Graphic Designer in the future should follow these steps.
- Step 1: Complete Higher Secondary Education – To get into top design colleges in India, candidates are required to complete higher secondary education i.e. 10+2 in any stream of subjects. Candidates must have knowledge of fine art or design practice at the school level. Candidates must also participate in creative activities at the school level.
- Step 2: Earn Bachelor’s Degree – Candidates are required to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Designing or other relevant courses of Designing in order to get knowledge of the field by studying in-depth the subjects and understanding the work of the Graphic Designer
- Step 3: Get into an Internship – Candidates must also take part in workshops to understand the role and pursue internships in various graphic designing companies. This will help to understand the job role better and understand what actually needs to be done.
- Step 4: Skill Development – There are several online courses as well as diploma courses for graphic design. Candidates can pursue these courses for the development of various skills. These skills will be helpful in the long run.
- Step 5: Build a Portfolio – Many top designing institutes require the candidates to upload a portfolio at the time of application. A portfolio contains a sample of your work, internships and the work done there, skills, experience etc. This portfolio is also necessary for job applications.
- Step 6: Pursue Master’s degree – After completion of the course, candidates have two options. Firstly, They can start an entry-level job as a graphic designer or can pursue a master’s degree in Graphic design or other relevant courses from India as well as abroad to get high-paying jobs.
How to Become a Graphic Designer in India
Graphic Design courses in India are done after 12th and are designed to familiarize a student with the graphic design industry while concentrating on the fundamental concepts of design, including movement, balance, rhythm, contrast, typography, etc. This course also provides training in web and print image generation, image editing and leadership skills. Graphic Design courses involve courses available for students after passing class 12 board exams.
How to Become a Graphic Designer After 12th
In order to become a Graphic Designer one should follow the steps mentioned below for your reference,
- Diploma Courses: After class 10, you can apply for these courses. Certain diploma courses, however, require you to complete 10+2. On the other hand, candidates should have a bachelor's degree in design to take a Graphic Design course at the PG level.
- UG Courses: You would have to pass 10 + 2 with at least 60% marks to obtain a degree in graphic design.
Graphic Design Courses
There are a number of courses available such as undergraduate, and postgraduate graphic design courses which offer in-depth knowledge of designing visually appealing content. Apart from these courses, there are certification, diploma or postgraduate diploma courses which are short-term courses offered online as well as on offline platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, Kadenze, and Skillshare.
Some of the top certification courses are listed below for your reference,
- Graphic Design Specialization by CalArts
- Graphic Design Masterclass- Intermediate- The NEXT level
- Introduction to Graphic Design
- Graphic Design Tutorials
Check: Top 10 Graphic Design Certificate Courses in 2023
Some of the other full-time courses are discussed below for your reference.
| Parameters | Bachelor of Graphic Design (B.Des) | Master of Graphic Design (MDes) | Diploma in Graphic Design |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years | 2 years | 6 months - 1 year |
| Eligibility | Candidates must have completed 10+2 from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate of 50% or above Candidates must have completed class 12th in any stream of Science, Arts or Commerce |
Candidates must pursue a bachelor's degree in Design / Architecture/Interior Design/Fine arts with at least 50% marks from a recognized Institute | Candidates must have completed 10+2 from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate of 45 - 50% |
| Top Colleges | National Institute of Design Pearl Academy MIT Institute of Design JD Institute of Fashion Technology |
National Institute of Design National Institute of Fashion Technology Indian Institute of Technology |
Loyola College VELS University IISU Jaipur |
| Entrance Exams | NID CEED AIEED NID DAT |
NIFT EE CEED AIEED NID DAT |
Merit Based |
| Average course fees | 70,000 - 4,00,0000 | INR 1,00,000- 3,00,000 | INR 5000 - 40,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 3,00,000 - 5,00,000 per annum | INR 3,00,000 - 8,00,000 per annum | INR 2,00,000 - 3,50,000 per annum |
Entrance Exams
To get into top graphic designing colleges in India, candidates need to clear the graphic designing entrance exam. Some of the top entrance exams along with their deadlines are listed below for your reference.
| Entrance Exams | Application Deadlines | Admit Card | Entrance Exam Dates | Result Declaration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEED | September 5 - December 31, 2022 | January 4, 2023 | January 15, 2023 | To be Announced |
| MH CET | First Week of March - April, 2023 | April 2023 | May 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 2023 | July 1, 2023 |
| AIEED | December 24, 2023 - January 10, 2023 | A week prior to exam | January 15 - 30, 2023 | A week after the exam |
| CEED | September 30 - November 9, 2022 | January 13, 2022 | January 22, 2023 | March 7, 2023 |
| NID DAT | October 22- December 22, 2022 | January 02, 2023 | January 08, 2023 | March 30, 2023 |
How to Become a Graphic Designer Abroad
Students often aspire to pursue higher education from Foreign Universities, as it gives a broader perspective, a much higher salary and several career opportunities globally. Graphic Design has gained immense popularity among the youth not only in India but all around the world because of the huge development in Science and Technology.
Candidates can pursue Graphic Designing courses from abroad. Some of the top preferred countries are the USA, UK, Canada and Australia. There are certain essential criteria that must be followed in order to pursue Graphic Designing Courses abroad.
Some of the essential qualifications that must be fulfilled in order to pursue Graphic Design abroad are provided below for your reference,
- Candidates must have cleared a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or other related courses with a minimum aggregate of 70% or above or an equivalent CGPA.
- Candidates must clear various English language proficiency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL and must secure a minimum score of 6.5 and 100 and above respectively.
- Some colleges/universities require prior experience in Graphic Designing or other relevant fields.
- The candidate must have two to four Letters of Recommendation from the last institute attended explaining the candidate’s academic qualification and career interests.
Top Graphic Design Colleges
In India, there are more than 290 colleges that offer Graphic Design courses. Out of which 96% are private and the remaining 4% are Government Colleges. The course fees range between INR 15,000 - 6.50 L. Similarly, there are several countries that offer Graphic Design Courses. Some of the preferred destinations are the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. Some of the top colleges abroad are McGill University and the University of Westminster.
Some of the top Colleges in India and abroad that offer Graphic Design courses are tabulated below for your reference,
India
| Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Course Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Pearl Academy West Campus | New Delhi | 6,41,000 |
| Apeejay Stya University | Gurugram | 2,91,000 |
| Sushant University | Gurugram | 2,89,000 |
| JD Institute of Fashion Technology | Delhi | 1,85,000 |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University | Mumbai | 1,66,000 |
| NID | Ahmedabad | 13,88,000 |
Abroad
| Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| University of Westminster | UK | 13,35,000 |
| University of Edinburgh | UK | 29,00,000 |
| University of Leeds | UK | 20,60,000 |
| Stanford University | USA | 54,00,000 |
| Yale University | USA | 46,51,000 |
| University of Pennsylvania | USA | 41,13,000 |
| University of New South Wales | Australia | 38,40,000 |
| The University of Queensland | Australia | 35,70,000 |
Benefits of Becoming a Graphic Designer
The career of a Graphic Designer is highly rewarding and lucrative. One gets the opportunity for advancement, a competitive salary in the market, and will grow in-depth knowledge about Typography and Graphics. These are some of the direct benefits of a Graphic Designer:
- Salary: The Salary of a Graphic Designer in India starts from INR 2,50,000 and in the USA it starts from 40,000 Dollars Per Year it can increase on seniority and work experience. Salary also increases when you acquire a new skill.
- Job Security: If you are good at work then the chances of job loss are very less because it is an Internet world and almost every company wants a presence on the Internet to attract more customers for this graphic designer plays a major role in marketing and designing the campaign.
- Higher Studies: If you want to pursue higher studies then you can go for Post graduation.
- Unique Experience: The job itself is a unique job. The job has arisen in the Computer world and it is new for many of us till 2000 there are very few or no graphic designers hired by companies because people do not know about this job profile.
Skills Required to Become a Graphic Designer
Some of the top skill sets that are essential to becoming a successful Graphic Designer are tabulated below for your reference,
| Creativity | Knowledge of Software |
| Knowledge of Programming Languages | Time Management |
| Visualization | Good Communication Skills |
| Ability to Work in a Team | Ability to work with detail |
| Skill in visual design | Good interpersonal skills |
| Ability to work long hour | Ability to Work in Strict Deadlines |
| Knowledge of Typography | Knowledge of Colour theory |
Graphic Desiger Scope
A Graphic Designer is a professional who makes use of pictures, templates, background designs, typography and motion graphics to create a design. Graphic designers are mostly used in the advertising and marketing industry to create designs that are appealing to viewers.
Graphic designers create visual content to captivate consumers. In today’s time, when things are moving very fast, people tend to pay attention to things that are attractive. Companies and brands rely very heavily on eye-catching posters and templates to attract customers so that it can leave a lasting impression.
Graphic designers are required in almost all industries. They have a lot of scope in India as well as abroad. Talented graphic designers provide for a very bright career with high-paying jobs and lucrative salaries. Graphic Designers are required in almost all sectors of the economy. They can be employed in Magazines, Newspapers, Advertising Agencies, Print and Electronic Media, Websites, Design Companies, Publishing Houses, Architecture Firms, and the Corporate sector. They can be employed as Art Directors, Marketing Managers, Creative Directors, Logo Designers, and Web Designers. The career of a Graphic Designer has seen considerable growth over the years. The opportunities have grown by 5 % and are expected to grow more by the year 2030.
Graphic Designer Salary
According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a Graphic Designer is around INR 3.01 LPA. However, The salary is also dependent on a number of factors such as experience, skills, academics, company profile etc. Candidates with a minimum of 4 years of experience are INR 4.26 LPA while candidates with experience of 10 years is INR 9.44 LPA.
Tabulated below is the salary of a graphic designer based on their specialization
| Specialization | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Visual Designer | 6.90 L |
| Marketing Designer | 2.40 L |
| User Interface Designer | 4.93 L |
| Publication Designer | 2.80 L |
Check: Graphic Designing Jobs
How to Become a Graphic Designer: FAQs
Ques. What does a graphic designer do?
Ans. A graphic designer develops artistic concepts to convey information/ideas to users, either by hand or by computer tools. A graphic artist is in charge of the illustration and production design for documentation such as records, advertising, magazines, and brochures.
Ques. Is graphic design a good career?
Ans. As the Internet has increased in popularity, graphic design has become a popular career choice. Graphic design as a profession necessitates excellent coordination, insight, intellect, imagination, and technological ability.
Ques. Do graphic designers get paid well?
Ans. Graphic designers' salaries differ from one organization to the next. Graphic Design Inc., IKEA, Vistaprint, and Designer Graphics are some of the top recruiters in this area. Graphic designers should expect to earn about Rs 3 lakhs on average.
Ques. Do I need to be good at drawing to become a graphic designer?
Ans. Candidates are told that a large portion of the graphic design career description would not enable them to draw by hand. As a result, becoming a successful artist is not needed to succeed in this area. On a normal workday, graphic designers must use art/graphics to improve and advertise a product, company, or other entity.
Ques. How do I get a graphic design job?
Ans. Candidates who seek formal education in this area will find jobs as graphic designers. After that, one can do an internship at a company to hone their expertise in this area and learn about the culture of the industry. Following that, applicants may apply for full-time or part-time graphic design work.
Ques. Can you become a graphic designer without a degree?
Ans. While having a formal education and earning a degree is the best way to start a career in graphic design, it is not needed. Candidates may also become graphic designers by taking short-term courses or obtaining a diploma in the industry. As a consequence, becoming a graphic designer without completing a conventional degree program is feasible.
Ques. How long does it take to become a graphic designer?
Ans. Graphic design classes usually last four years at the undergraduate level and are delivered by universities. Postgraduate degree graphic design classes, on the other hand, last two years.
Ques. Can I learn graphic design on my own?
Ans. No, in order to take a course in graphic design, students must enroll in a successful design program. To make a name for oneself in this area, one must have a sound understanding of the history, philosophy, and practical application of graphic design. Candidates will study the fundamentals in graphic design from a reputable design school and then continue to hone their talents using other tools.
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