Career as Handicraft
The world of Handicrafts is vibrant and colourful. It is a very creative sector which can offer numerous exciting job options for today’s youth. Handicrafts hone the hand skills and it also requires a keen eye for arts and crafts. There are various craft practitioners and fine artists who use various techniques on different types of materials to create beautiful art pieces which are appreciated and owned by multiple art connoisseurs. So, the question is how you can pursue a job in this field and make the best outcome of your skills and practice. Chances of employment in this field depends on the economy and also if people are willing to put in their money on artwork and they will be able to do it only if they can afford to do so.
- About Handicraft :
- Job Profile |
- How do I get there?
Job Profile
People working in this field are required to combine technical and traditional ways during design and making of jewellery, pottery or any other artwork. Their work is such that they have to communicate their ideas through their work and hence it should be thought-provoking and innovative. They can work as independent artists as well as join different industries which need designers and artists. Working in collaborations and companies can prove to be more beneficial as they get to learn more with exposure and also get the necessary exposure which can give their work better platforms. Many artists work on a full-time or part-time basis and have variable work schedules that depend on the demand for their artefacts. There is no limit to their working hours as it is imaginative work and requires detailing and attention.
Roles and Salaries offered
Among the various roles offered, a diploma holder in the streak
of handicrafts can go for positions like fine arts trainer or
teachers, set designers, creative director, 3D artist, furniture
designer and apparel designer. Here are the respective job
descriptions and their average salary packages.
|
Jobs |
Job Description |
Starting Salary Packages |
|
Fine Arts Teacher |
They generally work in schools with their primary job being to teach students basic skills of drawing, sketching and painting. |
2.4 LPA to 3 LPA |
|
Set Designer |
They can have various places to work at including advertising agencies, theatre societies and other film sets. Their job is to set the theme of the play or film with different elements adding depth and meaning to the set.
|
3 LPA to 4.5 LPA |
|
Furniture designer |
They can work with various furniture companies to design furniture for different purposes.
|
3.6 LPA to 6 LPA |
|
Creative Director |
They can work with different advertising agencies to create ad campaigns and films. Their job involves a lot of parties to make impressive advertisements like video artists, designers, copywriters, and marketing companies.
|
3.6 LPA to 6 LPA |
|
3D Artist |
People doing courses in handicrafts can take their skills to the virtual dimension by working in the field of 3D designing. Their job involves working with animation software in computers to create 3D characters. Diploma holders can opt for this job because of their expert knowledge on shapes and dimensions. With collaboration with software experts, a 3D artist can create amazing 3D graphics which are getting more and more attention in the age of virtual design.
|
3LPA to 4.8 LPA |
Companies hiring Handicrafts students:
Several start-ups, institutions and companies wish to hire handicraft students. Here are a few of them:
- Yarnsmith Arts, New Delhi
- National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum, New Delhi
- Nurture India Handicrafts LLP, New Delhi
- Handicrafts Villa, Jaipur
- North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation, Guwahati
Pros and Cons of Courses in Handicrafts
A course in Handicrafts can enhance your creative potential as
an artist or craftsperson. There are various accolades one can earn
with a job in handicrafts. There are also a variety of roles in
multiple streams which have a lot of potential for success.
- One can easily switch jobs
- Independence in career
- Worldwide opportunities
- Good work-life balance
However, there is a shortage of courses in India for the same,
which are easily accessible. There are very few courses only in
limited regions which can be a great hassle for real art aspirants.
Handicrafts, therefore, remain exclusive to a specific part of the
society who are either privileged or belong to a particular
heritage community.
- Lack Of good courses
- Very little promotion of jobs by government
- Growth depends on market trends
Future Growth Prospects
Pursuing a job in Handicrafts can be challenging in India. One must have a lot of patience and the right guidance to reach the success they desire. Success in Handicrafts can establish you as an independent artist and open your own companies and schools for designing. As many as five to ten years can go into becoming successful in the field. The salaries are also low initially, but can really grow if you are in the digital domain of designing. It can be pursued as a side job as well or a vocation along with a secure daily job. Success prospects are dependent on market trends and are volatile.
How do I get there?
There are various courses in Handicrafts spread out to different streams of arts and designs. There are very few national institutes offering full-fledged courses in this stream. However, one can also opt for different diploma and certificate courses which can be found in private and public institutes apart from distance learning programs.
- Certificate in Foundation Program for Design- Bachelor of Vocation (Crafts and Design)
- Certificate in Foundation Program for Design- Master of Vocation (Crafts and Design)
- Diploma in Art and Craft
- Diploma in Craft Brewing
- Diploma in Handicrafts
- Diploma in Handmade Paper
- Diploma in Paper Craft
- Master of Vocation (Craft and Design)
- Bachelor of Design (Ceramic and Glass Design)
- Post Graduate Diploma in Ceramic Design
- Advanced Diploma in Furniture Design
- Advanced Diploma in Interior Design and Decoration
- Advanced Diploma in Product Design
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Product Design)
Eligibility criteria for these courses
Most of these courses require the nominal eligibility of qualifying the 10+2 boards in India. Entrance exams are conducted by few institutes to get admissions to those well-known colleges. There are entrances conducted in some of the institutes, and the resulting scores give you the desired seat.
The Diploma in Art and Craft course needs a minimum qualification of Class 10+2. The admission is conducted on the terms of First Come First Serve mostly. There are no entrance exams, like most diploma courses.
How much does it cost?
The certificate courses in Handicrafts take three to six months to complete. Diploma courses can take one to two years depending upon the institute. The course fee can vary from Rs 8,000 to 1 lakh.
The Diploma in Art and Craft can take one to two years as per the institute. Exams can be given annually and semester wise and one needs to qualify in all these exams to get the diploma degree. The fees can also vary from Rs 9000 to Rs 81000.Top Colleges offering this course
|
Rank |
Institute Name |
Location |
Annual Fees |
|
1. |
Desh Bhagat University |
Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab |
Rs 32000 |
|
2. |
Khazani Women’s Vocational Institute |
New Delhi |
NA |
|
3. |
South Delhi Polytechnic for Women |
Delhi |
Rs 37000 |
|
4. |
Fortune Institute of Management and Technology |
Vadodara, Gujarat |
NA |
|
5. |
Institute of Fine Arts |
Chandigarh |
NA |
Study Material
For courses in Handicrafts, the study material can vary from institute to institute. More than books and theories, the student must focus on hand-based practice and skill-based crafts. These are studied through closely observing materials and objects. One would also require good teachers in the art field to get the required knowledge.
Some popular titles for students of Handicrafts are listed below:
- Handmade In India by Aditi Ranjan and M.P. Ranjan
- Textiles From India- The Global Trade by Rosemary Crill
- 10000 Years of Art
- Indian Art – The New International Sensation by Dr Alka Pande
- Arts and Crafts of India by Ilay Cooper and John Gillow
Alternate Careers
Among jobs, one can apply for roles and opportunities as designers and artists in different institutes and companies. There are quite interesting job prospects for people doing courses in handicrafts because of the creative edge of the artists and industries. There are various types of organizations which need arts and craftspeople, including educational institutes, advertising agencies, textile companies, and theatre societies. Numerous boutiques and fashion houses also need experts in handicrafts. Different types of NGOs can also offer good jobs to diploma holders in Handicrafts.
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Content on this page is by Career Expert Mrs. Kum Kum Tandon MA (Psychology), M.Ed, Diploma in Educational Psychology, Vocational Guidance & Counseling (NCERT, Delhi) | View Complete Profile |