A Designer Career

Your creative abilities can be expressed in myriad career avenues that satisfy the artist in you and also provide a rewarding livelihood. A career in design is one such path where you conceptualize, develop and realize design ideas to meet consumer needs. It is the expertise to incorporate functional requirements and aesthetics to create products that are visually appealing and work efficiently.

Designers encompass a variety of specialties. Industrial designers design everything from toys, equipment to automobiles. Individually they sub-specialize in the devising of a particular product line. Architects design and develop construction projects. They are involved in the various aspects of the construction process. They assist in selection of a site, ascertain client requirements, draw up structural plans, analyze costs and oversee the progress of work. A related field is Interior design. Designers in this specialty plan the layout and furnish the interiors of residential homes and commercial establishments. They provide the finishing touches by choosing the right accessories and lighting while keeping an eye on the budget and the taste of the client. Graphic design and Web design are the in-demand professions that call for designing skills in addition to know how of the state-of- the-art technology. Talented designers in the fashion, textile and furniture industries are also specialists in this career cluster.

While creativity, good aesthetic sense, attention to detail and a sketching ability are essential for a career in design, a formal education is also important to supplement your talents. A bachelor's degree in fine arts with a specialization in a design area is a good start. The curriculum combines general courses in drawing, three-dimensional design, art history with courses specific to the design concentration. A shorter duration alternative would be a certificate or a associate degree program. Computer-aided design (CAD) is being extensively used as a tool in many design areas hence this is a requisite skill for present day designers. In addition to the academic credentials, a portfolio of quality designs is indispensable given the keen competition in this field.

Depending on the area of expertise, designers are employed by varied industries: -

• Engineering firms
• Architectural consulting firms
• Interior designing services
• Textile companies
• Apparel manufacturers
• Fashion outlets
• Film and television production companies

While some designers opt for in-house salaried positions others choose to work as freelancers. Being a self-employed designer calls for the added ability to sell ideas to prospective clients.

In their line of work designers often have to consult with their clients so the workday may extend into the evening or into a couple of hours on the weekend. Project deadlines often require longer hours at work. Frequent travel to client sites is also part of the profession. While architects and interior designers visit their clients' offices or homes, fashion designers travel to fashion shows or production sites. As design professionals have to create to the client's satisfaction frustration can set in when ideas get rejected. These are some of the stresses that the career entails. But the hard work and job pressure pays off with advancement to senior positions within the firm. With experience under their belt, some entriprising designers launch successful businesses of their own.

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