Aspiring designers should pursue education, seek mentorship, and build portfolios to navigate their careers effectively and stay updated with industry trends.
Our world is getting more complex than ever, it’s changing rapidly. And with the changes in society, the methods used previously to solve the problems are no longer effective. There is a need to develop new ways of thinking in order to design effective solutions. Here, design thinking and human-centred approach towards problems play a role. Design changes the way problems are explored and solutions are created accordingly.
Global organisations are integrating design into their business functions. Design influences multiple functions of an organisation. ‘Design Thinking’ is now being considered important for innovation and for generating new solutions.
A designer is able to visualise, prototype the solutions and communicate their value inside and outside the organisation.
All these developments have positioned design as a viable career option. However, to pursue Design as a career, there are certain values and skills that one needs to nurture.
Develop Empathy And Observation Skills
Empathy is the core of the design thinking approach. It involves understanding the needs and desires of users and other people within the context of their specific problem and designing solutions accordingly.This often requires moving out of one’s comfort zone in order to create solutions that resonate with other people’s lives.
A designer should recognise the importance of the emotional variables and offer holistic solutions to articulated and unarticulated needs and wants with empathy. It is also important to recognise the role that the visceral ideas play in innovation. Designers should be able to nurture perception, immediate cognition and preserve the value of instinct.
Get A Certification Or Degree
To be a successful designer, it is important to plan learning pathways, continually advance artistry skills and stay updated with current digital design technologies. There are many design schools in India that help develop natural talent and prepare students for workplace challenges. Design schools offer training programmes and specialised design degree/certification featuring coursework in all disciplines of design. To build a foundation in design, it is important to pursue a relevant degree or certification.
Work With A Mentor
A design mentor can provide advice and encouragement at different stages of a career. Individuals may connect with experienced designers and seek mentorship. Their experience can help in navigating challenges in design practice. You may become the best in your field by mixing your designing tactics & his methods. It can help in supporting communication & management capabilities. Mentorship can also contribute to the development of design thinking.
Make Your Portfolio
A portfolio is a useful showcase that reflects creativity and capabilities as a designer. There are various portfolio platforms like Dribbble, Behance, Cargo Collective and DevianArt, where design work can be shared. In addition to these platforms, using social media and digital tools can help increase visibility. Maintaining an active presence across relevant channels allows designers to present their work consistently.
Take Up A Side Design Project/ Internships
An internship with a design studio can help individuals acquire hands-on skills while gaining real world experience and techniques. Internships allow designers to assess learning progress, identify strengths, and work on areas for improvement. They also provide opportunities to interact with creative professionals and refine skills. Internships introduce designers to current industry trends and techniques.
Design as a career has its own learning path. These tips may help individuals to make their first move, but the results depend on sustained efforts and practice. Working consistently in these areas can help improve creative career prospects and support entry into the design profession.
