Get Ahead reader Rajesh has got a flair for design. So, he joined a course in textiles and did pretty well. But now, he wants to be a fashion designer. How should he go about it? 

JAM editor and Get Ahead columnist Rashmi Bansal, tackled career queries related to design, during a chat on January 31. Here is her advice to Rajesh:  

'The way most designers come up is to become an apprentice to an already established fashion designer or fashion house. The other option is to set up your own boutique, if you have the required funds.'

• Have a question you want to ask?

For those of you, who missed the chat, here's the transcript.

Rohit R asked, Hi Rashmi !! Please reply !! I am a NIFT Graduate and have appeared for Entrance Exam of NID (Results Awaited) for Animation Film Design. Please tell me what are prospects after doing this two year PG course. What are the trends of the Passouts of NID (where have they been absorbed by in the industry)
Rashmi answers, NID graduates are doing excellently. Just keep your fingers crossed and hope that you get in.

rajesh jaglan asked, HI RASHMI .HER MR RAJESH JAGLAN I HAVE DONE MY BSC IN TEXTILE DESIGN OF COLLAGE OF N.I.F.D IN SURAT I WAS AWARD WINNER IN N.I.F.D FASHION SHOW AS THE BEST DESIGNER .THE AWARD IS GIVEN BY TINUSARY DUTTA. THAT TIME I JOB IN PRATHIBA GROUP. BUT MY AM IS I WANT TO COME ON RAMP AS A DESIGNER PLEASE GIVE ME WHAT CAN I DO FOR MY BEST CARREAR .MY E-MAIL IS just4uraajesh@yahoo.co.in cont-09898463629 please give me responce as possible
Rashmi answers, My dear Rajesh. The way most designers come up is to become an apprentice to an already established fashion designer or fashion house. The other option is to set up your own boutique, if you have required funds.

• Why D-schools are the future

soma asked, hi, i am doing my graduation in graphic designing and advertising from wigan and leigh college,i want to become a copywriter, so i would like to know what are the oppurtionities for me and how can i apply for a job in an ad agency for the post of copywriter?
Rashmi answers, You will have to go around and give a copy test in different agencies.

dictatorofworld asked, hi rashmi, i am doing architecture 4th year in chennai. im currently working as a trainee in calcutta. i wanna pursue constrcution management in NICMAR as i can see a great future for it. but i also fear that i wud have to compromise on one of my strongest points, designing! wht wud u advice?
Rashmi answers, Architecture +  NICMAR sounds like a good combination to me. But please do check with some practising architects before you make a final decision.

rohan asked, hello.we have a tie up with domus academy italy,here in art,design and media school in nanyang tech uni in singapore.they offer a masters in design management.my major is product design.wats design managment all abt and wat r d scopes in both the fields once i return to india.plz lemme kno.thnx
Rashmi answers, I always advise people not to worry about 'scope'. There is scope in every field for those who have the aptitude and passion for that field. Go for it if you think you do!

Sanjo asked, Hi Rashmi, Please reply.. My sister is completing her 12th std and now she is not that great in maths. So she wishes to take up her carerr in desgin, she is interested though. What course do you suggest her to take (it should be a degree course, not a short term course)? Can you also suggest a good college in the north (delhi and above).
Rashmi answers, Your sister can apply to schools like Delhi College of Art, Apeejay Institute of Design, South Delhi Polytechnic or Pearl Academy.

raj asked, Hi!!!, this is RAJ again.....Without a certificate, can I be able to get into the multimedia and designing field, becoz I have work very hard to learn on my own 2D and 3D animations, web page designing, admaking, video editing, audio editing, graphics designing, HOW WILL I BE ABLE TO MAKE IT IN THE MULTIMEDIA FIELD, PLEASE ADVICE.....
Rashmi answers, It will be harder, of course, but not impossible. Would advise you to try and get feedback on your basic aptitude from a senior in the industry. Concentrate on one of the many areas you have trained in and become master of that instead of a jack of all trades.

mahendra asked, Hi Rashmi. While I am all aware about design education in India, I am skeptical about finding a proper job after such course. Do think Indian industry is going to value the skills design graduate brings in?
Rashmi answers, A graduate from a reputed design school has no dearth of opportunities today.

pank asked, hi, are the salaries in design field are comparable to that in management field??
Rashmi answers, Not all MBAs are from IIMs. And not all from IIMs get the famous one crore kind of salaries. A design graduate from a good school would definitely get paid more than a MBA from a mediocre school. In any case, money should not be the only criterion for choosing a career.

Rohit R asked, Please Reply:-) FTII & NID both offer a course in Animation Film Design. where NID gives a PG Diploma; FTII gives a certificate. Though a certificate or Diploma is not my concern, I want to know which out of the two gives the better output ? Which is the more industry known course ? Also I would like to know abt Whistling Woods International (WWI), the latest in the list of animation & film design institutes. I had been to their stall at an event & found the curriculumn very interesting, though the fee structure is pretty high (8 lakhs for a 2yr course). Do you think WWI students will be better absorbed by the animation industry. Presently their first batch is in progress, hence i am a bit confused.
Rashmi answers, NID would be my first choice, followed by FTII. Whistling Woods is yet to prove itself and more expensive. The other route is to get into an animation company and work your way up.

Sanjeev asked, Hi Rashmi, I'm a Graphic/Web/UI Designer for the Past 4 years... The Companies I have worked for are always good. But still I wanted to get into some real MNC's like Microsoft or MacroMedia... But could not find any opening with a design skill set requirement. why is that ? or Waht we have to do on to get into them ? any suggestions will help me out.
Rashmi answers, In reply to your question, and many similar ones asked here, do not equate working for a large MNC with your own self worth. Maybe you will work for MS one day, maybe not. It's no big deal as long as you are enjoying what you do and living life to the fullest. Focus on growing as a person and a professional along the way.

urmez asked, Hi, I am finishing with my 12th Isc this march and i am keen on joining a Design school to do product design and then stream into automobile design. I am good in drawing and sketching and also have made a small potfolio of my work. My marks are at an average level. I have already written the Nid Entrance. Could you suggest some good Design colleges in India ?
Rashmi answers, Besides NID, you can try for Srishti in Bangalore.

Rashmi says, Bye folks. That's all for today.

 Part I: How lucrative is a career in design?