Career Paths in Design: From Product Design to Animation and Beyond

Design is everywhere today- whether it’s the smartphone in your pocket, the chair you sit on, or the animations in your favorite movie. If you’re creative, good at problem-solving, and have a strong visual sense, a career path in design might be perfect for you. The design industry is thriving, with many paths for creative professionals. In fact, the global specialized design market is set to grow at a 7.2% CAGR by 2028, offering a wide range of opportunities that bring together passion, creativity, and technology.

At MIT Institute of Design (MIT ID), we understand how crucial it is to align your career with your passion. If you’re excited to make a real-world impact through design, it’s time to explore the types of design careers that could shape your future.

1. Product Designer

Product designers are behind the innovative products we use every day. They blend functionality and aesthetics to create designs that solve real problems and are easy to use. From tech gadgets to everyday objects, product design career options are extensive. Whether you’re interested in sustainable design, ergonomic products, or high-tech devices, a product designer’s work is both challenging and rewarding.

• Typical Roles: Product Designer, Industrial Designer, Innovation Consultant
• Average Salary in India: 11- 12 LPA
• Skills Needed: CAD software, 3D modeling, problem-solving, creativity

2. UI/UX Designer

In the digital age, user experience is crucial. As a UI/UX Designer, you’ll create websites, apps, and digital interfaces that are not only visually appealing but also user-friendly. UI (User Interface) designers focus on the look and feel of a digital product, while UX (User Experience) designers ensure it is functional and intuitive.

• Typical Roles: UX Researcher, Interaction Designer, UI Designer
• Average Salary in India: 5-6 LPA
• Skills Needed: Wireframing, user research, prototyping, design software

3. Graphic Designer

If you have an eye for aesthetics and a love for visual storytelling, graphic design may be your calling. Graphic designers play a key role in branding, advertising, and digital media. They create visuals that communicate ideas, often working with companies to build a brand’s identity.

• Typical Roles: Graphic Designer, Brand Designer, Creative Director
• Average Salary in India: 6-8 LPA
• Skills Needed: Adobe Creative Suite, typography, color theory, layout design

4. Fashion Designer

Fashion design is about creativity, setting trends, and making wearable art. As a fashion designer, you’ll create clothing and accessories that stand out. You’ll sketch ideas, choose fabrics, and work with manufacturers or even in the entertainment industry to bring your vision to life. If you’re passionate about trends, fabrics, and expressing identity through fashion, this could be your ideal career.

• Typical Roles: Apparel Designer, Textile Designer, Fashion Consultant
• Average Salary in India: 7-8 LPA
• Skills Needed: Fabric knowledge, trend forecasting, illustration, sewing

5. Animation Designer

Animation design is all about storytelling through characters and scenes. As technology grows, animation career paths are expanding into areas like film, gaming, advertising, and more. You’ll create animations that engage and move audiences, making them laugh, cry, or feel inspired. It’s a chance to bring powerful stories to life through creative visuals.

• Typical Roles: Animator, Character Designer, Storyboard Artist
• Average Salary in India: 5-6 LPA
• Skills Needed: Animation software, storytelling, drawing, timing

6. Game Designer

If gaming is your passion, why not turn it into a profession? Game designers create the characters, storylines, environments, and gameplay mechanics that make games fun and engaging. This field combines creativity, storytelling, and technology, and it’s an exciting space with continuous innovation. If you’ve ever dreamed of creating your own video game, this might be the perfect career for you.

• Typical Roles: Game Designer, Level Designer, Narrative Designer
• Average Salary in India: 7-8 LPA
• Skills Needed: Programming basics, 3D modeling, game mechanics, storytelling

7. Film and Video Designer

Film and video design is perfect for those who love creating visual narratives. From directing to editing, this field offers multiple roles that are essential to the filmmaking process. With a focus on video content, you could work on anything from commercials to web series, short films, or documentaries.

• Typical Roles: Video Editor, Cinematographer, Visual Effects Artist
• Average Salary in India: 6-7 LPA
• Skills Needed: Video editing software, storytelling, sound design, visual effects

8. Interior Space and Furniture Designer

For those with a passion for transforming spaces, Interior Space and Furniture Design could be ideal. This design career focuses on creating functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces in homes, offices, restaurants, and more. You’ll work with textures, colors, furniture, and lighting to create environments that reflect a client’s personality and needs. With trends like minimalism and sustainable design on the rise, interior designers can bring their visions to life in various settings, from corporate spaces to personal homes.

• Typical Roles: Interior Designer, Furniture Designer, Space Planner
• Average Salary in India: 5-6 LPA
• Skills Needed: Spatial design, color theory, 3D modeling, furniture construction

9. Textile Designer

Textile design is for those who find joy in creating unique fabric patterns and materials. Textile designers work in fashion, home décor, and more. They design prints, weaves, and textures that add character and style to the products we use every day.

• Typical Roles: Textile Designer, Surface Pattern Designer, Fabric Engineer
• Average Salary in India: 4-5 LPA
• Skills Needed: Pattern making, fabric technology, dyeing, textile printing

Start Your Design Career with MIT ID Today!

In conclusion, the world of design is dynamic, diverse, and filled with endless possibilities. Whether it’s product design, UI/UX, fashion design, animation, or graphic design, your creative journey has the potential to shape industries and ideas. At MIT Institute of Design, we pride ourselves on being among the best designing colleges in India, offering comprehensive courses like fashion designing, product designing, graphic design, user experience design, and film & video design. With campuses in Pune, Indore, Alandi, and Shillong, we’re here to help you build a future in design. Explore the course that aligns with your aspirations and take the next step in your creative journey today!