Design: career ladder

A lead designer who earns Rs 6-8 lakh annually leads a multi-disciplinary design team, managing most of the creative work in the project and is typically involved in more than one project at a time. Institutes in India | Challenges

Junior designer
He or she works under an experienced designer and is usually employed in a team. Responsibilities include ‘finishing’ concepts using digital tools and doing the legwork needed to collect and analyse market data.
Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh a year

HT Image

Lead designer
He or she leads a multi-disciplinary design team, managing most of the creative work in the project and is typically involved in more than one project at a time.
Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh a year

Project leader
Responsibilities include managing all aspects of projects and interfacing with clients.

Design director
He or she conducts research to evolve design strategies and manages high-value, large-team projects. A design director is expected to mentor younger designers.
Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh a year

Chief designer
Responsibilities include evolving brand and product strategies. From in-house to brands to manufacturing companies, he or she has to manage them all.
Rs 25 lakh upwards a year
Rs 8 lakh to Rs 10 lakh a year