Graphics Designing Jobs

Graphic design offers a diverse choice of specialties, ranging from commercial and industrial design (cars, furniture, appliances, etc.) to advertising media (merchandising, marketing, Web design, newspapers, and publishing). Of the more than half a million designer jobs in the United States, positions in graphic design comprise about 40 percent.

The impact of design is everywhere - in the layout of People magazine, on your Starbucks coffee cup, in the logo of this site, and perhaps in the design of the chair you're sitting in right now. It would take a page or more to list all the positions available in the industry, so what's important to know is that there are many specialties and you can choose whichever direction most appeals to you.

In spite of the millions of dollars made by advertising firms and by the companies they represent, the graphic designers are not at the top of the heap when it comes to the big bucks. With salaries averaging in the mid-thirties, you can expect to make a decent living, but as with any job, it's time, talent, and advancement that will bring the promotion to Creative Director and the bigger salary that goes with it. Freelancers, quite common in the industry, can also make good money, but must bear the costs of running their own business and the financial risks of operating solo.

Graphic Designing Career

Have you ever been seduced into buying something by a wildly creative ad - or at least been tempted to try it out? How many of the choices you make when shopping at the mall were influenced by an ad or a phrase or a picture, or all of the above? If you know how powerful imagery can be in influencing your habits, then you know that marketing and advertising are big business.

For an artist with an eye for people and their needs and desires, graphic design seems a logical choice - it allows you to utilize your talent in a productive and satisfying career. In the arts industries, the graphic design area is expected to continue to grow at an average pace, and to create more job availability than all the other creative arts industries combined.
Our fast-paced world of video entertainment and online design relies heavily on the talents of designers, which is also the case in other media-heavy realms of advertising, such as publishing and merchandising. Opportunities to specialize in various media forms and industries abound. A noticeable talent, a degree, people skills, and a reputable portfolio are the key elements for landing a top job in graphic design.

Education Required

Some graphic designers are self-taught. For the most part, though, you'll need a minimum of a bachelor's degree, and you'll obviously need to be familiar the software used to create and modify designs. Creativity and talent are a must, but to be competitive, a portfolio of accomplished work is essential to landing the best job; it may be the only difference between you and the next applicant.

A keen ability to analyze and understand what customers need and the ability to translate those needs visually is an inherent talent that you may need more than schooling to acquire. Without some basic instincts and skills, a degree may get you a job, but it won't make you marketable for the top jobs. However, a degree from a school that specializes in fine arts or graphic design may go a long way in developing not just your creative skills, but your analytical ones as well.

Career in Architecture and Planning

Architecture & Planning is both an art and science, dealing with design and development of physical structures, from the macro level of urban planning to the micro level-basic construction details.

AICTE -All India council of Technical Education conducts entrance examinations for admissions to architecture courses all over India. A prospective architecture student must have passed 10+2 with Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics as subjects.

Specialized Architecture courses are available both at graduation and Post-Graduation level. Bachelor in Architecture (B.Arch) is a five year long course with specialization in architecture. Post-Graduation course with specialization in Architecture last for two years. You can enroll for it after earning a B.Arch degree.

In architecture, one may specialize in the following:

• Urban designing,
• Regional planning,
• Building engineering and management,
• Architectural conservation,
• Industrial design,
• Landscape architecture,
• Naval architecture,
• Architecture concerning traffic and transport planning etc.

However, such specialized courses can be taken up only at the post-graduation level, after successful completion of a Bachelor of Architecture course.

Personal Skills Required

To excel in the field of architecture, it is essential to be good at Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. A person with creativity and artistic expression who is skilled in drawing and sketching is generally considered better equipped to undergo a course in architecture. It is also important to possess certain knowledge about the physical environment and urban planning as this helps in preparing environmental-friendly physical structures and designs. A prospective architect must be able to work both on the desk and on the field too.

Top recruiters

Architects are recruited by various public sector undertaking such as

• The archaeological survey of India,
• Housing and urban development corporation (HUDCO) or the
• National building construction corporation ltd (NBCC).

Private sector entities include Larsen and Toubro (L&T), Emaar MGF India, DLF and a host of other companies.

Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan

Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships are funded by the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Following are the salient aspects of this award:

• The scholarship is for Commonwealth citizens of high academic ability
• Students are expected to make a significant contribution to their home countries upon return from study in the UK
• Awards are generally available to citizens of any Commonwealth country (this includes India)
• Scholarships are generally available for postgraduate study
• If there are no undergraduate courses in a particular subject in your own country or regional university, it may sometimes be possible for you to apply to do a first degree course under this scheme also.
• Scholarships are usually tenable for between one and three years
• They cover the cost of travel to and from the UK, tuition fees and living expenses.

Note: In some cases an allowance may be paid to help with the cost of maintaining a spouse and family in the UK

Studying Abroad Cost and Fees

Studying abroad often requires financial assistance for extra expenses such as travel, accommodations and materials, which can make it a greater financial commitment. Though studying abroad is comparatively expensive, you can reduce your expenses to an extent. A number of universities and colleges offer financial aid in the form of scholarships, tuition fees waivers, and part-time work options. However scholarships are usually numbered. It is recommended that you start the search for aid early, if you want to seek admission to a programme that is not within your budget. Many countries like the UK and Australia allow you to work part time on your study visa. You can work part time to fund your tuition fees.

You can also look out for international student loans. As the lending rates in countries such as the US and Canada are lower than that of India, loans are available at competitive interest rates. There are no application fees or out-of-pocket fees you need to pay when applying for International student loans. All you have to do is fill an online loan application and you will receive funds within 5 working days after submitting the complete online loan application. Students can actually find out within 15 minutes if they qualify for the preliminary approval or not.

Knowing about country for Education

Knowledge about the destination country is always helpful in adjusting to the new environment and culture. During your stay abroad, initially you may be confronted with some difficulties, problems in adjusting with new culture and society. Some of you may also face difficulty in understanding the accent or language but if you prepare yourself in advance and learn about the culture and people of the country you can overcome these problems in no time.

You must consider your suitability to the course and colleges and your adaptability to the culture of the country. You should gather as much information as possible about the country and its education system. Be ready to adapt to the change in environment, style of education, language, food and your routine life in the country you plan to study in. Be prepared to adjust to the cultural differences, bouts of homesickness, and the pressure of studies. If you plan to go to a country where English is not commonly spoken, try to learn the native language before you leave. This will help you in adapting to the new culture and environment.

Make the most of your stay

You plan to invest substantially in your study abroad, so it is always better to make most of your stay abroad. Some countries like UK and Australia may allow you to work there for 1-2 years after you complete the course. If you get the opportunity then make most out of it. Meet people in your industry, network with alumni of your institution and gain as much global and cross cultural exposure as possible. This will boost your career tremendously.

Get Admission in abroad university

Once you decide on the study programme and the country you can go ahead and apply to the institutions that offer your preferred education programme. Getting admission in a foreign university or institution is not an easy job, but you can make it easier if you plan in advance and focus on the key aspects of the general admission requirements and procedures. You need the following to get admission in most of the universities abroad.

• A good academic record.
• Many universities in the US, UK, and Australia give significant importance to your participation in extracurricular activities.
• Your scores in standardized tests such as GMAT, GRE, SAT, and TOEFL play a significant role in your selection for a specific programme.
• Your statement of purpose and letters of recommendation are important as well. Statement of Purpose is one of the most important components of the application procedure. It comprises your personal details; factors that have defined your career path so far and your aspirations.

The general criteria for admission in a foreign university are:

• The nature of your academic pedigree
• Your GRE, TOEFL score
• Your Grade Point Average (GPA) or cumulative
• Letters of recommendation
• Your work experience, summer work experience
• Degree you intend to work towards Ph.D./MS.
• Personal qualities, motivation, reliability, sincerity maturity, integrity, communication skills
• Extracurricular activities, volunteering for leadership roles

Choose right Course and College

What to study and where to study are perhaps the most difficult questions to answer. It is the most critical decision that will shape your career. You need to research and shortlist various study options available to you. The following questions will help you to research and analyze information and take a better decision.

• Is the programme going to add substantial value to your career?
• Do you have the fundamental aptitude for the course?
• Is the course you have chosen well recognized by the industry?
• What are the chances of getting a good job in India or abroad after you get your certificates?
• Does your choice of study programme allow you to get a job in the country you plan to study?
• Is the programme offered in English language or the native language?

It is a good idea to do some basic research on your own end like talking to your peers, attending study abroad fairs, interacting with college representatives and alumni, so that yours is a well thought out decision.

After you decide on the right programme you can go ahead and explore the countries that offer quality education in your area of interest. If needed, take professional help; speak to the consultants and counsellors, experts in study abroad programmes. Some questions that can help you decide are given below.

• Is the programme offered by your choice of institutions is accredited or recognized globally?
• Does the cost of study match your budget?
• Does the college allow you to work part time to fund your education?
• Does the country you plan to go allow you to work there after completing the course?
• What is the duration of the course?
• What are the living expenses and study costs?

Research and collect as much information as you can. Speak to alumni of the programme or institution, take professional counselling, and then decide your study programme and institution.

Study Abroad for Good Career

The education system in countries such as the US, UK, Australia, Singapore, and many other European countries is better than the Indian education system in many ways. These countries offer better education infrastructure and skills enhancement programmes. Studying abroad adds significant value to your CV and gives you a global edge. Your job prospects increases manifold. This is the reason why the number of Indian students going abroad is increasing every year. Last year India sent around 83000 students to the US, around 45,000 to Australia and almost 30000 students to the UK.

A study abroad experience will make an important difference in getting a job after completing your studies. It will help you in pursuing careers in different countries. An overseas experience will help in your personal enrichment and development. Studying abroad makes a major contribution to your knowledge of other countries and cultures and to your foreign language proficiency. It helps you develop the cross cultural skills and knowledge that are needed to enhance your global competitiveness. In some cases, you may not be able to follow your course of choice in your native country, and therefore have no choice but to go abroad. The list of benefits of studying abroad is endless, but before you plan to enrich yourself with an overseas experience you need to plan your study abroad options in detail and well in advance.

British Chevening Study Scholarships

The popular British Chevening Scholarship offers merit based financial assistance to deserving Indian students and professionals, who wish to study or train in the UK. It comprises of a range of short-term tailor-made professional courses and long-term taught academic courses tenable at various higher education institutions in the UK.

• Chevening is the UK government's flagship scholarship scheme
• It is aimed at future leaders, opinion formers and decision-makers
• The programme is funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and;
• It is managed by the British Council worldwide
• It supports around 2,000 international students annually to study in the UK
• The India chapter began in 1987 and has supported over 1900 Indians to date
• The India programme is now the FCO's second largest scholarship programme globally