Builds and renders three-dimensional views of a space or product so a client can see it before it is made, typically for interiors, architecture or advertising. Speed and lighting judgement separate the good from the merely competent.
Field
Design and Fashion
Setting
Interior design studios, Real estate developers, Modular furniture companies (Livspace, HomeLane)
Skills tested
Visual design
Creativity
Attention to Detail
Common routes
Certificate in Interior Design
Diploma in Interior Design
+1
Designs, makes or curates clothing and sells it directly, running the making, the stock and the customers as one business. Most start with tailoring or fashion design skills and learn retail on the job.
Field
Design and Fashion
Setting
Garment manufacturing units, Boutiques and tailoring shops, Fashion designers' studios, Export houses
Skills tested
Entrepreneurship
Practical hand skills
Business awareness
Common routes
ITI Dress Making
Diploma in Fashion Design
Turns a designer's concept into working drawings, specifications and material schedules, mostly in interiors, product or engineering studios. Draughting accuracy and software fluency count for more at entry than the qualification does.
Field
Design and Fashion
Setting
Interior design studios, Real estate developers, Manufacturing design offices, Engineering consultancies
Skills tested
Attention to Detail
Visual design
Creativity
+1
Common routes
Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Polytechnic)
ITI Draughtsman (Mechanical)
+1
Advises clients on design decisions rather than executing them in-house - scope, materials, cost and feasibility. Most work freelance or in small practices, and work arrives through a portfolio rather than a posting.
Field
Design and Fashion
Setting
Freelance practice, Technology product companies, Manufacturing and consumer goods firms, Startups
Skills tested
Analytical Thinking
Visual design
Creativity
+1
Common routes
Bachelor of Design (B.Des)
Master of Design
+1
Builds a product, studio or label around their own design work, which means owning manufacturing, pricing and sales as well as the design. Design school teaches the first part and rarely the rest.
Field
Design and Fashion
Setting
Technology product companies, Manufacturing and consumer goods firms, Startups, Design studios
Skills tested
Entrepreneurship
Visual design
Creativity
+1
Common routes
Bachelor of Design (B.Des)
Master of Design
Designs garments and collections. Entrance examination and portfolio matter more than marks; NIFT and NID lead the field.
Field
Design and Fashion
Setting
Fashion houses and design studios, Garment export firms, Retail apparel brands, Film and television costume departments
Skills tested
Visual design
Creativity
Attention to Detail
Common routes
Bachelor of Design (B.Des)
ITI Fashion Design and Technology
+1
Designs manufactured products - form, use, materials and how they will actually be made. Sits between engineering and aesthetics, and has to satisfy both.
Field
Design and Fashion
Setting
Technology product companies, Manufacturing and consumer goods firms, Startups, Design studios
Skills tested
Visual design
Creativity
Attention to Detail
Common routes
Bachelor of Design (B.Des)
Master of Design
Designs and specifies fitted kitchens - layout, storage, materials, hardware and cost - and coordinates the installation. A specialised, high-volume corner of interior design.
Field
Design and Fashion
Setting
Interior design studios, Modular furniture companies (Livspace, HomeLane), Architecture firms
Skills tested
Visual design
Creativity
Attention to Detail
Common routes
Certificate in Interior Design
Diploma in Interior Design
Turns a garment or product design into the pattern pieces production will cut, including grading across sizes. An error here repeats across every unit made.
Field
Design and Fashion
Setting
Fashion houses and design studios, Garment export firms, Retail apparel brands, Film and television costume departments
Skills tested
Visual design
Creativity
Attention to Detail
Common routes
ITI Fashion Design and Technology
Diploma in Leather and Footwear Technology
+1
Field
Design and Fashion
Setting
Skills tested
Visual design
Practical hand skills
Creativity
+1
Common routes
Bachelor of Design (B.Des)
Master of Design
Designs how a shop presents its products - displays, windows, layout and signage - to move stock. Retail and design in equal measure, with sales figures as the test.
Field
Design and Fashion
Setting
Interior design studios, Modular furniture companies, Real estate developers, Retail display firms
Skills tested
Visual design
Creativity
Attention to Detail
Common routes
ITI Interior Decoration and Designing
Certificate in Retail Sales Associate
