If I were to list some of the emerging career options in Indian, a career in ‘Product Design’ would definitely make it to the top five in the list. Unfortunately, when students think of possible degrees & career options after completing their 10th/12th, most don’t think of careers in ‘Product Design’. And the reason for that is because traditionally when one thinks of a design school, they think of Fabric/Garment or Interior design. Product design as a career option is something that most kids and parents are not aware of.
What is Product Design ?
Product Design involves designing the look, feel, and features of products. It also includes identifying market opportunities, understanding consumer requirements and developing products accordingly, as well as testing/validating existing products and recommending improvements. Almost every industry needs product designers – from designing automobiles, industrial components, phones, chairs, watches, gadgets, medical devices, to even games and apps. The opportunities are endless.
What does it take to be a product designer ?
To begin with you ought to be a ‘creative’ person. If you have an interest in sketching, drawing, building models and prototypes, you are good to go. Having a good imagination and good observation skills would help you in your journey towards becoming a good product designer.
Where to study Product Design ?
Here are few institutes that offer courses in Product Design
- NID (National Institute of Design) (http://www.nid.edu/)
- MIT WPU (Pune) (https://mitwpu.edu.in/school-of-design/)
- World University of Design (WDU), Sonipat (https://www.worlduniversityofdesign.ac.in/school-of-design.php)
- ISDI Parsons (Mumbai) (https://www.isdi.in/product-design/)
- Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology (Mumbai) (http://srishti.ac.in/academics/courses-offered )
- Unitedworld Institute of Design (UID) (https://karnavatiuniversity.edu.in/uid/)
- IIT Bombay (http://www.idc.iitb.ac.in/academic/bdes-program)
- IIT Hyderabad (https://design.iith.ac.in/BDes/index.html)
- IIT Guwhati (https://www.iitg.ac.in/design/Courses.html)
and a few others
Who can apply for a degree in design and how?
Now this is the best part. Students who have completed their 12th from ANY stream (Science, Arts, Commerce) can apply for a degree in Design. Students who have completed their three-year full-time diploma in engineering, can also apply.
However there are several entrance exams conducted by individual design schools such as NID, IIT (UCEED), UID Aptitude Test, MITID DAT, ISDI DAT and so on to decide on admissions. Institutes also look at applicants’ portfolios and conduct personal interviews too.
In 2005 Jay Rege, along with his wife Jothsna Rege, co-founded Academy One, a career guidance and study abroad counseling venture. Prior to co-founding Academy One, he worked as a software developer with HCL Technologies. He holds a computer engineering degree from Mumbai University and a MBA from the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University, USA. He has also been a visiting faculty at a few colleges where he teaches topics related to entrepreneurship.