Design courses and careers: Trends, skills and prospects

Designers act as a strategic problem-solver who bridges the gap between needs, aesthetics, and functionality. Design education in India is undergoing a massive change as careers have expanded in scope and designers are in high demand across industries.

The push for creating an Indian perspective and aesthetic in design has also become a major focus. Design courses are now emphasising on multidisciplinary training, as well as adapting to the rise in the use of Artificial Intelligence in the industry.

Top programmes now blend design with business, social science, and STEM fields. As the landscape is transforming rapidly, data-driven trends are being used to train future designers to create innovative, sustainable and accessible solutions.

To discuss this topic, The Hindu will host a webinar titled ‘Design courses and careers: Trends, skills and prospects’, on September 21, 5:00 p.m. Register now for free to ask questions and interact with the panellists. The three best questions will receive a free online subscription to The Hindu.

Bhaskar Bhatt is the Dean at the School of Design and Head of Artificial Intelligence Transformation Office at UPES, Dehradun. He oversees undergraduate and master’s programs, ensuring the curriculum aligns with current industry trends.

He was a member of the CII National Committee for Design (2022-24) and an advisory member for Gujarat’s Student Startup Policy. Akash Gaur is a filmmaker and design educator who works in the areas of visual communication, filmmaking, and cultural studies, with a background in oral traditions and proverbs.

He was the Head of Department at the Centre for Moving Image — Anant National University, Ahmedabad and Digital Film Making — GLS Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. Currently, he is working on Indian design education development through Prime Habitare, an art estate.

Pradeep Patil- Visiting faculty at NID, IIT Gandhinagar Pradeep Patil is a visiting faculty and curriculum advisor at various art/design Institutes and NGO’s in India, including National Institute of Design (NID), IIT Gandhinagar, and Sir J.J Institute of Applied Art.

He executes commercial projects under the banner of Roaming Design and is an associate director of the International Print Exchange Programme (IPEP) India. Devatri Banerjee completed her Master’s in Design for Retail Experience from NID, Bengaluru, in 2026.

She is currently working as a retail designer at Blackberry. She is also interested in installations, spatial design, and museum curation. Shreya Kedia did her Bachelor’s in Ceramic and Glass Design from NID, Ahmedabad. Through Project Restart, she has been working with prison inmates across India, using ceramics and creative practice as a way to explore rehabilitation, skill-building, dignity, and reintegration.

She does freelance illustration and ceramic workshops. (For any feedback or suggestions, reach out to us at education@thehindu.co.in)