What are the salary packages or placements in design after NID, NIFT & UCEED/CEED?

National Institute of Design (NID), National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), and IIT Institute of Design (IIT-IDC) are hailed to be some of the most prestigious design institutes in India.

The entrance exams to secure admission into these colleges are highly competitive, and the admission process is rigorous. However, the education and rewards are worth the effort. They are known for their meticulous curriculum, experienced faculty, strong industry connections, and impressive alumni network, providing their students with a solid foundation for a successful career in design.

In this blog, sticking to the theme of whether ‘my passion will pay for my bills’, let’s discuss placements and salary packages of those graduating from NID, NIFT and IIT-IDC. Let’s keep a few things in mind before starting out though -

- The data presented is according to the recent reports up till 2024. So, if you stumble across this blog in the year 2060, I’m afraid the numbers will be very different and much better.

- Not all branches of the following institutes have official placement fairs. This would mean that one may have to look out for their own placement and while that would entail its own challenges , the resulting placement & salary package isn’t any much different. It all narrows down to skill, portfolio and communication.

So now that we have cleared those out, let’s begin with (*drumrolls please*) :

National Institute of Design (NID)

Being one of the oldest brands of design institutes around, placement records at NID have always been impressive. Summarizing the latest placement season for you—

the average package offered - INR 21 Lakhs per annum

Companies like Amazon, Adobe, Wipro Technologies, Microsoft, Toshiba, Philips, Trident Group, Bombay Design House, JP Morgan and Flipkart participate in the placement drive, offering roles in various design domains such as product design, textile design, UI/UX design, and branding.

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)

NIFT is the one of the most renowned brands of institutes in the field of fashion design and technology with its placements being—

the average package offered - INR 4-10 Lakhs per annum

Top recruiters include fashion brands like Tommy Hilfiger, W, Aditya Birla Group, Bombay Dyeing, Myntra, FabIndia, Boat and Marks & Spencer, as well as consultancies like Ernst & Young and KPMG.

IIT Institute of Design (IIT-IDC)

IIT IDC School of Design being a premier institution offers world-class education and research opportunities in various design disciplines. Placements as per recent data went as—

the highest package offered - INR 36 Lakhs per annum

the average package offered - INR 10-15 Lakhs per annum

IDC IIT placement hosts companies like Bennett & Coleman, American Express, British Airways, Coca-Cola, Ernst & Young, Dabur India Ltd., HCL Group, Gillette India Ltd., Hindustan Times and Samsung.

Illustration by Nandini Seshan

Do note that the salary packages can vary based on factors such as the student's performance and portfolio, the industry they choose, and their specific design specialization. However, design being a growing field in India, there are plenty of opportunities for students who perform well at college and are very passionate about their work. Salary packages have gone as high as 78 lacs and 84 lacs per annum in some of these colleges.

In addition to the placement opportunities, one can also explore freelancing or starting their own design studio. India's growing startup ecosystem offers ample opportunities for designers to work on innovative projects and make a significant impact. This is definitely a more high-risk, high-rewards route.

Moreover, design graduates could also consider pursuing higher studies or specialized courses to upgrade one's skills and knowledge. This leads to better job prospects and higher salary packages.

In conclusion, design is a promising field with ample opportunities for growth and success. By performing well in colleges like NID, NIFT & IIT-IDC, having good portfolios and making connections, students can land good jobs with attractive salary packages. With hard work, dedication, and a passion for design, the possibilities are endless.

Discover our other blogs for more information on design education and the industry, and guidance to enhance your design skills 🙂

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Nandini Seshan

Communication Design/NID Vijayawada

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