Summary
A Production Designer solves problems visually — combining research, craft and software to produce work that communicates clearly and looks right. In India this work sits inside the Film Making stream: students usually take Any stream in Class 11–12 (subject requirements vary by programme) in Class 11–12, qualify through Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject, and specialise later through work experience or a master's. The sections below set out the study route, the entrance exams, the leading institutes in India and abroad, and the day-to-day reality of the job.
Core skills
- Visual sense, colour and composition
- Industry-standard design software
- Concept development and storytelling
- Time management across parallel briefs
Where you can work
- Design studios and creative agencies
- Product, apparel and manufacturing companies
- Media, gaming and entertainment houses
- Freelance and own-label practice
Professional Opportunities
Design studios and creative agencies
Product, apparel and manufacturing companies
Media, gaming and entertainment houses
Freelance and own-label practice
Career Path
| Stage | What you study | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| After Class 10 | Any stream in Class 11–12 (subject requirements vary by programme) | 2 years (Class 11–12) |
| Graduation | Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject | 3–4 years |
| After Graduation | Master's degree / PG diploma in a specialisation | 2 years |
| After Post-Graduation | M.Phil. / Ph.D. for research and teaching roles | 3–5 years (optional) |
Important Facts
- Entry qualification: Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject.
- Most institutes ask for 50–60% in the qualifying examination; reserved categories usually get a 5% relaxation.
- Admission is through the entrance exams listed below — national tests plus the state CET where applicable.
- Government and private institutes both offer this route; fee levels differ sharply between them.
- Scholarships listed on the HBK scholarships page apply to most of these programmes.
Leading Institutes in India
| # | Institute | Entrance / Category | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune | FTII JET | ftii.ac.in |
| 2 | Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata | SRFTI JET | srfti.ac.in |
| 3 | AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia | JMI Entrance | jmi.ac.in |
| 4 | Whistling Woods International, Mumbai | WWI Entrance | whistlingwoods.net |
| 5 | National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad — Film and Video | NID DAT | nid.edu |
| 6 | Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi | IIMC Entrance | iimc.gov.in |
| 7 | L. V. Prasad Film and TV Academy, Chennai | Institute Test | lvprasadacademy.org |
| 8 | Asian Academy of Film and Television, Noida | Institute Test | aaft.com |
| 9 | Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune | SET / SNAP | simc.edu |
| 10 | Manipal Institute of Communication, Manipal | MET | manipal.edu |
| 11 | Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai | XIC Entrance | xaviercomm.org |
| 12 | St. Xavier's College, Mumbai — Mass Media | Merit | xaviers.edu |
| 13 | K. R. Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts, Kottayam | Institute Test | krnnivsa.org |
| 14 | Government Film and Television Institute, Bengaluru | State Selection | gfti.karnataka.gov.in |
| 15 | MIT School of Film and Television, Pune | Institute Test | mitsft.edu.in |
| 16 | Amity School of Communication, Noida — Film and TV | Amity Test | amity.edu |
Institutions Abroad
| Institute | Country | Website |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | United Kingdom | www.ox.ac.uk/ |
| University of Cambridge | United Kingdom | www.cam.ac.uk/ |
| Harvard University | United States | www.harvard.edu/ |
| University of Toronto | Canada | www.utoronto.ca/ |
| University of Melbourne | Australia | www.unimelb.edu.au/ |
| National University of Singapore | Singapore | www.nus.edu.sg/ |
Entrance Exams
| Exam | Full name | What it admits you to | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| FTII JET | Film and Television Institute of India Joint Entrance Test | PG diploma in direction, cinematography, editing and sound. | ftii.ac.in |
| SRFTI JET | Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute Entrance | PG programmes in film and television. | srfti.ac.in |
| CUET-UG | Common University Entrance Test (UG) | BA Film Studies and Mass Communication. | cuet.nta.nic.in |
| JMI Entrance (AJK MCRC) | Jamia Millia Islamia Mass Communication Entrance | MA Mass Communication and film production. | jmi.ac.in |
| Whistling Woods Entrance | Whistling Woods International Admission Test | UG and PG filmmaking programmes. | whistlingwoods.net |
| NID DAT (Film and Video) | National Institute of Design Aptitude Test | M.Des Film and Video Communication. | admissions.nid.edu |
| IIMC Entrance | Indian Institute of Mass Communication Entrance | PG diploma in radio and television journalism. | iimc.gov.in |
Work Description
- 01Understand the brief, the audience and the constraints of the medium.
- 02Research references, sketch options and develop the strongest concept.
- 03Produce finished work in the required software and file standards.
- 04Take feedback from clients or art directors and iterate.
- 05Prepare final files for production, print, screen or manufacture.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Creative, portfolio-driven career where skill beats pedigree
- Freelance and remote work are genuinely possible
- Fast-growing demand from digital brands
Cons
- Income is uneven at the start
- Subjective feedback and rework are constant
- Portfolio must be kept current to stay employable
Are you fit for this career?
Take the free HBK psychometric test and see how Production Designer matches your interests and aptitude.