Career after MDes: Popular Job Roles, Industries, Entrepreneurship & Freelancing Opportunities

Planning to pursue an MDes course but confused about its career prospects? Check out the article below to know all the exciting career options after an MDes degree.

There is a constant demand for designers in the market. And, a Master of Design (MDes) degree not just gives you the skills required by the industry but also gives you a way of thinking that unlocks many doors for a prosperous career.

So, what is a career after MDes like? What kind of job opportunities are available for MDes graduates? What are the possibilities of higher education? Is there any job scope abroad after an MDes degree? Let us find out answers to all such questions below.

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Career after MDes – Popular Job Roles, Industries & Companies  

MDes graduates can work in a variety of job profiles depending on their specialisation. Many MDes colleges in India also offer placement opportunities to students at the end of the course. Some of the popular job profiles in which MDes graduates can pursue their careers include:

• UI/UX Designer
• Product Designer
• Industrial Designer
• Design Manager
• Fashion Designer
• Interior Designer
• Fashion Coordinator
• Graphic Designer
• Game Designer
• Textile Laboratory Manager

Popular MDes Industries & Companies  

Candidates with an MDes degree can work as designers in both government and private sectors. Depending on the specialisation, candidates can work for different industries such as:

• Automobile
• Textile
• Fashion
• Retail
• E-Commerce
• Merchandising
• Real Estate
• Animation
• Software
• Media
• Film & Video

Some of the popular public sector organisations, which hire MDes graduates, include:

• National Handloom Development Corporation
• National Textile Corporation Limited
• National Jute Manufacturers Corporation
• Handicrafts & Handlooms Export Corporation

Some of the popular private companies in which MDes candidates can secure jobs include:

• Wipro
• MakeMyTrip
• Infosys
• Microsoft
• Siemens
• Samsung
• BMW
• Volkswagen
• Eureka Forbes

Salary Prospects for MDes Graduates

The salary of an MDes graduate varies depending on various factors such as area of specialisation, years of experience, geographical location, etc. The average salary of an MDes graduate in India is Rs 9 lakh per annum, as per PayScale. However, the salary of professional increases significantly as s/he grows in experience and job role/designation. Given in the table below are the average salaries of MDes graduates in India belonging to different specialisations:

Job Roles	Average Annual Salary (in lakh)
UX Designer	INR 8.01-11.94
Design Manager	INR 8.86
Product Designer	INR 4.55-17.85
Interior Designer	INR 2.60
Graphic Designer	INR 4.47
Fashion Designer	INR 4.75

Source: PayScale      

Entrepreneurship & Freelancing Opportunities for MDes Graduates

Those interested, can also start their own company or work as a freelancer. However, for the same, candidates are advised to first build a strong portfolio, which they can show to their potential clients for obtaining projects. Candidates can also consider pursuing a job for few years before starting with their own work. Having relevant industry experience always helps before starting own venture as it prepares one to action better in different circumstances.     

Higher Education after MDes

Candidates who wish to pursue a career in the field of academics or research can also consider pursuing PhD in Design. After pursuing PhD, candidates can apply for a job as an Assistant Professor in different universities and colleges. Those interested can also submit their research paper and pursue a job in any reputed MNC.  

Some of the popular universities (as per Shiksha popularity) from which candidates can consider pursuing PhD in Design include:

• IIT Kanpur
• Banasthali Vidyapith, Jaipur
• Amity university, Gurgaon
• Lovely Professional University (LPU), Jalandhar
• Amity University, Lucknow

MDes Career Scope Abroad

There is a great demand for Design professionals all over the world. Therefore, those interested can also apply for jobs abroad. Candidates can apply for jobs directly after completing the MDes course or can also apply after gaining some relevant work experience in India.

Candidates with MDes in Game Design or Multimedia Design can particularly find lucrative job opportunities as these specialisations are popular outside India. Candidates are advised to keep themselves updated with the latest technologies to get a job outside India smoothly.