PathFinderPathFinder — Career Explorer by StudioQ
Explorer
ArtsDesign

Designer (Product / UX / Graphic)

Designers create everything from apps and products to brands and experiences. A career open to any stream — what matters most is a strong portfolio and a curious eye.

Salary range
₹4–35 LPA
Job growth
high
Work type
Office + Remote
Paths to entry
4 routes

Actions for your grade

  • Build a small portfolio — 5–10 pieces
  • Maintain 60%+; any stream works for design
  • Start UCEED / NIFT exposure

Your complete path from Grade 10 to Designer (Product / UX / Graphic)

Every step you need — from now to your first job.

UCEED → IIT B.Des
Any Stream

Premier design school route — open to all streams.

  1. Now
    Any Stream Stream
  2. Exams
    UCEED
  3. Degree
    B.Des (4 yrs)
  4. Colleges
    IIT Bombay Idc · IIT Guwahati · IIT Hyderabad
  5. Career
    Designer (Product / UX / Graphic)
NIFT Entrance → B.Des
Any Stream
  1. Now
    Any Stream Stream
  2. Exams
    NIFT Entrance
  3. Degree
    B.Des (4 yrs)
  4. Colleges
    NIFT Delhi · NIFT Mumbai · NIFT Bangalore
  5. Career
    Designer (Product / UX / Graphic)
NID DAT → B.Des
Any Stream

NID is India's top design school — competitive prelims + studio test.

  1. Now
    Any Stream Stream
  2. Exams
    NID DAT
  3. Degree
    B.Des (4 yrs)
  4. Colleges
    NID Ahmedabad · NID Gandhinagar
  5. Career
    Designer (Product / UX / Graphic)
Private design schools (portfolio-based)
Any Stream

Most accept portfolio + interview; some have own entrance.

  1. Now
    Any Stream Stream
  2. Exams
    —
  3. Degree
    B.Des / BA Design
  4. Colleges
    Srishti Bangalore · Mit Id Pune · Pearl Academy
  5. Career
    Designer (Product / UX / Graphic)

Entrance exams

ExamEligibilityDifficultyWindow
NIFT Entrance
NIFT
Class 12 (any stream)MediumFeb
UCEED
IIT Bombay
Class 12 (any stream)HardJan
NID DAT
National Institute of Design
Class 12 (any stream)HardJan (Prelims) + Apr (Mains)

Where to Study

Institutes known to offer this career pathway in India.

IDC IIT Bombay
Industrial Design Centre, IIT Bombay
Central GovtMumbai, Maharashtra
UCEEDCEED
IIT Guwahati
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Central GovtGuwahati, Assam
JEE AdvancedGATEJAM
IIT Hyderabad
Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad
Central GovtSangareddy, Telangana
JEE AdvancedGATEJAM
NIFT Delhi
National Institute of Fashion Technology
AutonomousNew Delhi, Delhi
Institute entrance
NIFT Mumbai
National Institute of Fashion Technology, Mumbai
AutonomousMumbai, Maharashtra
NIFT entrance (CAT & GAT)
NIFT Bengaluru
National Institute of Fashion Technology, Bengaluru
AutonomousBengaluru, Karnataka
Institute entrance
NID Ahmedabad
National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
Central GovtAhmedabad, Gujarat
NID DAT (Prelims + Mains)
NID Gandhinagar
National Institute of Design, Gandhinagar
AutonomousGandhinagar, Gujarat
NID DAT
Srishti
Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology
PrivateBengaluru, Karnataka
Institute entranceMerit-basedDirect admission
MIT-ID
MIT Institute of Design
PrivatePune, Maharashtra
MITID DATNID DATCEED
Pearl Academy
Pearl Academy
PrivateNew Delhi, Delhi
Institute entranceMerit-based
Recommendations only — verify eligibility, seat availability, and admission rules from official portals before applying.