For the Creative Souls: Various Design Professions to Consider
If you have a penchant for all things creative, you're likely familiar with the word "design." Design, which is a loanword from the English language, refers to the framework or blueprint of something. Initially recognized as part of art and craft, the term "design" is now applied to various fields. It's not just in the realm of fine arts; you often hear the word "design" in technology and engineering too. Those who craft these designs are known as designers.
However, don't assume that all designer jobs are the same. Each design profession has its own multidisciplinary nature. While they all involve designing in general, what they learn during their academic journey varies. Here are various types of designers that you can study and turn into a profession in the future.
1. Architecture
An architect is deeply involved in the construction and development of a region. Beyond aesthetics, architects must consider social factors, climate, and the surrounding environment of the building being designed. The functional value of the building also needs to be taken into account, as it impacts how people interact with the structure. If a region doesn't need more buildings, constructing one would be a fruitless endeavor.
To become an architect, you need to pursue formal education. Even within the field of architecture, there are various specializations to delve into, such as landscape architecture, building design, environmental sustainability, lighting, and more. You'll need to study a range of subjects within this major. You can also open your own architecture firm and seek clients for building designs, but it may require additional certifications, such as membership in the Indonesian Institute of Architects.
2. Interior Designer
Interior designers work closely with clients and architects to design and arrange the interior spaces of buildings. Many architecture graduates also choose to specialize in this field. Interior designers create sketches, both manually and digitally, to ensure that a room functions well and makes the occupants feel comfortable and content.
3. Product Designer
Behind the products and items you buy, there's a product designer. This profession involves designing chairs, bags, drink bottles, and more. Product designers need to think about form, function, and the market value of the products they design. Job opportunities for product designers are vast, and the income is decent. To become a product designer, you need to understand what consumers want and provide value to companies launching new products. You must also have a grasp of the materials used in products and be able to visualize the size, shape, and color of your ideas.
4. Automotive Designer
If you have a creative passion for automobiles, you can aspire to be an automotive designer. Still related to product design, the difference is that the product here is vehicles. Designing cars, trucks, airplanes, and bicycles is the job of an automotive designer. They don't work alone but as part of a team with other experts. The skills required include conceptual design from initial sketches, both by hand and using 3D design software like CAD and 3DMax. The design should cover both exterior and interior aspects, color concepts, and the choice of materials. This profession is a challenge for those who love street vehicles.
5. Fashion Designer
Creating clothing designs is the task of a fashion designer. This profession is quite popular for those who are passionate about fashion. Fashion designers need to have a keen sense of the latest fashion trends, both current and historical. Having ideas to create new fashion trends is also a skill. The scope of fashion design is broad, from designing men's and women's clothing to children's clothing, shoes, pants, jewelry, and more.
6. Web Designer
The rapidly advancing world of the internet has made web designer a highly sought-after profession. A web designer is responsible for the visual design or layout (user interface) seen by web visitors. Besides aesthetics, web designers must consider user comfort and interaction aspects to convey information effectively to website visitors. Web designers need to master image processing software and programming languages like HTML, CSS, and Javascript. The web layout they design will be synchronized with other programming languages like PHP. This profession is suitable for those who enjoy computer science.
7. Graphic Designer
Graphic designers are in high demand due to the wide range of job prospects available. Graphic designers work on visual designs using typography, photography, and illustration. By combining various elements, they design layouts to present their ideas effectively. Job opportunities for graphic designers are diverse, including advertising agencies, design studios, print shops, advertising agencies, general companies, or even starting your own business.
A graphic designer must possess a high level of creativity. Apart from digital design skills, they need to have an in-depth understanding of various concepts. Designing logos, brochures, calendars, catalogs, and other products are some of the tasks they perform. Designers must also demonstrate visual communication designs through media that are easy for clients or readers to understand.
