5 Key Factors To Consider Before Pursuing a Bachelor of Design Degree?

Introduction

A BDes or Bachelor of Design degree is one of the most sought-after programs for any design aspirant. With favorable marks in high school and a passion for design, any student can apply for this four-year course from a design college and get their education and degree.

The most basic factor to consider before opting for this career path is whether or not the individual wants to build a future in this field. However, there are many more factors that one must consider before choosing this program.

From the college reputation to its placement records to its pedagogy to the ambience and students there, a student has a lot to consider just about the design school. Moreover, they need to pass the necessary examinations and prepare accordingly.

Other external factors like travel, living arrangements, food available in the vicinity, the area in the city, etc., also play a major part in shaping the decision of a high school student before opting to pursue a BDes degree from the right design college.

What is a Bachelor of Design (B.Des) Degree?

A BDes, or a Bachelor’s in Design, is an undergraduate degree that equips students with technical skills, creative skills, and problem-solving skills in the field of design. It is typically a four-year course, where students learn about the basics of design in the first year. They learn the various specializations in the following years, i.e., second, third, and fourth.

Fundamentals like design, color theory, and drawing skills, as well as user interfaces, product branding, and various design tools, are all covered in this course. A BDes degree can be pursued in streams like:

Product Design [Apply Now]

Transportation Design [Apply Now]

Game Design [Apply Now]

Interior and Space Design [Apply Now]

Brand Identity and Visual Communication [Apply Now]

Interaction Design, etc. [Apply Now]

It can be pursued from reputed colleges such as the Strate School of Design, the National Institute of Design, UID etc.

5 Key Factors to Consider Before Pursuing a B.Des Degree

Here are the 5 major factors to consider before pursuing a BDes degree and essentially choosing a career in design:

1. Alignment with Career Goals

For any design aspirant going to a design school, it must start with their passion and interest in the field of work. Firstly, choose a specific field of specialization in design, such as Product Design, Transportation Design, Interior and Space Design, Game Design, etc. After that, choose the right college that offers the best course in that specialization.

Choose and align your career goals properly, and do an appropriate amount of research to find out the best career paths in that field of work. Move ahead in that path accordingly. Take every measure carefully, looking out for opportunities at every turn.

2. The Program Curriculum

Make sure that the program offers courses that cover the design principles and techniques that are relevant to your chosen specialization. Take note if that program covers every base of information properly concerning your relevant course. Practical experiences, pedagogy, seminars, lectures, outdoor events, etc., all of it together forms a healthy curriculum.

3. Faculty Expertise

The faculty forms the spine of any college or University. For any design college, the kind of faculty they have determines the kind of learning that goes on in that college. Learning about the faculty and what it’s about is very important before choosing a design college. For example, the college STRATE has its faculty comprised of industry experts.

That is done to closely align its students with industry needs and for them to have a clear, transparent vision of their future once they choose to work in the corporate world. They will also have industry connections from the very beginning. Other colleges’ faculty might have lecturers with years of experience. It all depends on the college. Therefore, choose according to your goal alignment.

4. Learning Environment and Infrastructure

Are there design studios, and if there are, then are they well-equipped? What’s the library situation like? What is the culture around the campus? etc., are some of the questions that should be on the mind of a design student before choosing to pursue a BDes from any college.

The answers to these questions are key factors that will determine the next four years (in college) in the student’s life. Therefore, it can potentially impact their future.

5. Placement and Career Support

The placement record of a college will directly impact its reputation, and thereby a student’s choice. The more the placement and the better the placement, the higher chances it has of talented students applying to the college. A college will also set entrance exams accordingly, and only the best can get in. Besides placement, several good colleges also provide career support.

They offer career counselling, resume workshops, job placement assistance, etc. Also, a good and healthy system of career assistance in a college will allow for proper networking opportunities to develop from within the campus. While the rest lies with the student itself, a college can nudge everyone towards making good networks and the potential career benefits that might come out of it.

Skills You Gain in a Bachelor of Design Degree

Some of the core skills that a designer develops vary according to the specialization that he/she is in. However, there are a lot more generic skills that any design student or aspirant usually gains in a BDes degree. Here are some of them:

• Students learn the ability to communicate visually without seeking the help of words. Or sentences. Their illustration, sketching, or design element, conveys the story that needs to be conveyed.

• Students gain a strong understanding of design principles such as color theory, composition, typography, visual hierarchy, etc.

• Students also gain a pretty solid stronghold on how to solve a problem and resolve an issue. BDes programs are heavy on critical and analytical thinking, and they encourage students to brainstorm and come up with their own ideas. It vehemently discourages sticking to the same norm and following the book all the time. This way, students identify problems, conduct research, and come up with solutions.

• Fostering creativity is another key factor behind the pursuance of a BDes program. It isn’t just the curriculum that’s designed to spark creativity in a student but also the overall design of the campus. Its usually secluded, surrounded by nature, in a serene environment, all of which enhances creativity. This way, students think outside the box, generate new ideas, and come up with unconventional design approaches.

• Experimenting with different materials and techniques and prototyping with practical skills is a skill that any BDes program successfully imparts on to its students.

• Students also learn a lot about the technical side of things. Industry-standard software, tools used in design specialization, etc., all become handy for any design aspirant.

• Learning how to communicate design ideas within the team as well to the outside world, is a skill one learns in BDes.

• They also learn how to manage a project and collaborate with different individuals within a team to come up with the design solution.

• Adaptability is a very important skill any design student learns during their BDes. However, it is more unique to each individual and how they want to adapt to every environment.

Career Opportunities After a B.Des Degree

BDes has a huge career potential for any design individual. Each of its many specializations is rapidly growing in a fast-paced Indian economy, and all of them have a surplus in demand for talented professionals. Be it Product Design, Game Design, Interior and Space Design, or Transportation Design, positions are opening up, and opportunities are aplenty. Here are some of the best career options after a BDes degree:

• Graphic Designer
• Art Director
• Industrial Designer
• UI/UX Designer
• Textile Designer
• Exhibition Designer
• Multimedia Designer
• Game Designer
• Product Designer
• Car Designer
• Interior Designer
• Fashion Designer

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a BDes degree?

A BDes, or a Bachelor’s in Design, is an undergraduate degree that equips students with technical skills, creative skills, and problem-solving skills in the field of design. It is typically a four-year course, where students learn about the basics of design in the first year.

2. Is a B.Des degree worth it?

Yes. If you want to pursue a career in design, then a BDes degree is not only worth it, it is also the best possible option for you to follow multiple career paths.

3. What is the future scope of a design career?

BDes is a growing field of study in India. There are around 470 BDes colleges in India that offer a Bachelor’s degree in a variety of specializations. With an improved economy, there is a rise in demand for design jobs across industries in India.

4. Can I pursue a B.Des degree without prior design experience?

Yes, you can pursue a BDes degree without prior design experience. Just ensure you pass class 12 with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks across academics.

5. Why should I study BDes?

You should study BDes if you want to build your career in the field of design or any of its specializations. A BDes degree will impart all the necessary skills required to be a good designer. It will also help you secure your a job in the corporate world, where the salary is lucrative.

6. How will Strate School of Design help me?

Strate school of design provides a UGC-approved B.Des degree in association with Alliance University (NAAC A+). It is ranked as one of the top 50 design schools in Europe and one of the top 60 design schools in the world.

It provides global exposure and an international immersion program. The curriculum includes a mix of theory and practical learning. Experts from the industry impart students at Strate with the industry-oriented knowledge about Game Design. This way, students are also clear about the expectations from them once they join a company. They also get to attend masterclasses and workshops by Industry experts.