Containing the CATastrophe
The collapse of the IIMs’ first experiment with online testing should provide vital lessons in the management and conduct of online tests rather than writing them off completely, writes Sunit Dhawan

After several months of hardcore preparation, nearly 2,50,000 candidates had set out to bell the CAT this year, but the aspirants were caught in a technological mousetrap

Facts, they say, are stranger than fiction. Indeed. What else could be more ironical than the IIMs, which have long been regarded as the country’s premier management institutes credited with producing world-class managers, having failed to manage their first-ever online Common Admission Test (CAT) conducted recently?

The IIMs had outsourced the job of conducting the online CAT to Prometric, a USA-based company that claims to be a “leading global provider of comprehensive testing and assessment services”.

However, the test was a disaster with reports of thousands of candidates (almost 18 per cent of total examinees) from several cities not being able to take it due to technical snags in the computers at testing centres pouring in for several consecutive days.   

A virus attack was blamed for the fiasco, with Conflicker and W32.Nimda being named the major troublemakers.

At the same time, the authorities of the hitherto prestigious IIMs came under fire from various quarters for botching up the maiden online CAT. They were accused of putting all responsibility on Prometric and doing little to ensure that a foolproof testing mechanism was actually in place.

This casual and complacent approach adopted by the management of the IIMs caused irrecoverable loss to the reputation of the elite institutes, apart from playing havoc with the dreams of thousands of aspiring managers.

Experts point out that a simple step like conducting a rehearsal of the exam would have exposed the glitches in the system well in time to rectify the same. Some maintain that regimes like biometric identification, apart from online video and audio screening, also burdened the systems.

Expressing concern over the issue, Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said the organisers should have been more careful with the manner in which the test was conducted. The government has also sought a factual report regarding the matter.

Dr Nasib Singh Gill, Professor and Head, Department of Computer Science and Applications at Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, asserts that merely engaging an overseas company for conducting a test was not enough and the IIM authorities should have adopted a more proactive stance.

“We have been successfully conducting a statewide online test for entrance to the MCA course. Such initial hiccups cannot be ruled out, but a more rigorous regime to test the testing mechanism was definitely required,” he maintains.

Dr Gill further points out that instead of outsourcing the task of conducting the exam to a US firm, the authorities concerned should have explored the Indian companies as many of them are not only fully competent, but also well-versed with the ground realities prevailing here.

As of now, the authorities concerned have decided to extend the time frame for the conduct of online CAT, which was already spread over a period of 10 days as compared to the single-day exams conducted till last year, so that the candidates left out due to the snag can get a fair chance.

Such knee-jerk reactions are obviously not enough to contain the damage already done to the psyches and preparedness of thousands of CAT aspirants and to the prestige of the top B-schools of the country across the globe.

What can be done to contain the damage so that students’ faith in the elite management schools is restored is the question the managers of the IIMs should be asking themselves.  

Hiding behind the lame excuses of server failures due to virus onslaught or other such things simply won’t do. Nobody is going to buy such explanations from the IIM bosses, especially in this era of Internet and frequent online exams. In fact, thousands of Indian students take online tests like Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as a matter of routine.

These tests are given 30-40 times a year on pre-determined dates at over 4,000 secure Internet-based centres across the globe and technical glitches have been virtually unheard of in these exams.

The online tests have several benefits as well. First and foremost, the test is conducted at a location closer to the candidates’ place. Precious time, money and energy of the candidates are thus saved. Then, the chances of impersonation or paper leak are also minimised.

Aman Mittal, Assistant Director, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, states that the concept of established institutions going in for new ideas like online tests is a welcome change.

“However, the available IT infrastructure is still not adequate to the desired level,” he says, adding that conducting full-scale trial runs, stress-testing the software and taking corrective measures would go a long way in eliminating such glitches.

Education experts admit that it is not an easy task to launch a mega computer-based testing operation of this scale that involves training, equipping and coordinating activities among a large number of dispersed players.

IT experts opine that a standard anti-virus programme should be installed in every computer and the back-up systems used for the entire 10-day exercise. The second task is to equip the centers with multiple levels of back-up systems.

There should be two levels of server back up with automatic switchover to the other server in case there is any glitch in the original one.

All in all, it is high time that the persons at the helm of affairs take stock of the situation and besides chalking out a damage-control plan to minimise the impact of the CATastrophe, they should put on their thinking caps and devise some sound strategy to ensure that such debacles do not happen in future.

Career Hotline
Medicine in the US
Pervin Malhotra

Q. Since it is very difficult to get admission to a medical college in India, please tell me the procedure for pursuing MBBS in the US. — Harpreet Sodhi

A. Unlike here, students don’t enter Medical School at the Bachelor’s level in the US.

If you want to be a doctor, you have to first pursue a Bachelor’s degree pre-medical subjects. Here, you will be taking a lot of mandatory life science courses. Your main focus could be on “exercise science”, biology or other related fields. But you have to make it clear to the university that you are a pre-med student, and they will allot you your course options accordingly.

Once you’ve completed your bachelor’s degree as a pre-med, you must take your MCAT exam. To get into a good Medical School you need to have a very good GPA in your Bachelor’s programme plus a decent MCAT score.

There are several hundred Medical Schools in the US, primarily as part of some major university.

Once you are accepted in a Med School, you will study Medicine for five years or more to get your MD degree. Also, pursuing a medical degree in the US costs a pretty package.

Only after that do you become a doctor. Now depending on what kind of doctor you want to be, you work for the next three or more years in your area of interest, 48 hours a day (yes you heard me right).

Of course to acquire a super-specialisation, you’ll need to study further. Only after that will the bucks start rolling in. So don’t be surprised by the fact that on an average, “young doctors” in America are in their 30s.

Research in photonics

Q. I am science student of Class XII. I am very interested in optics and would like to do research on ‘photonics’. I would like to know if there is any institution that provides specific courses in this field. Please specify the details and eligibility criteria for pursuing this course. —Dipankar Biswas

A. You have asked the right question at the right time. The International School of Photonics at Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT) in Kerala, which has one of the finest photonics laboratories in the country, is one of the few universities in the country that provides facilities for research, development and teaching of photonics and related fields.

Photonics is a high-tech subject that has evolved from the fusion of optical technology with electronics. Besides the photonics industry itself, it has impacted a large number of areas such as communication, computing and control besides medicine, defence and entertainment. Being a cutting-edge technology, those who complete this course and go for further qualifications in the relevant field, can land good jobs in fibre optical systems and components. Photonic companies, which supply optical components, systems and software, are growing rapidly. All these companies need graduates and experts to design manufacture and test photonics components.

CUSAT offers a five year integrated MSc programme in photonics. The course has a significant component of physics but very little of mathematics, chemistry or statistics — just enough for students to understand the science of photonics. The emphasis is on practicals. From the third semester onwards, you will be attached to a faculty member who will help you with your lab work. The 10th semester is devoted completely to project work, which has to be done in an industry R & D lab or in a reputed national lab. Students are sent to various National laboratories such as the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, or the National Physical Laboratory in New Delhi for project work. Some even go abroad for internship as well as for projects. You can subsequently pursue doctoral programmes at leading universities in the US, Europe and Japan, if you wish.

Eligibility: Class XII (PCM 50 per cent)

BSc in physics and mathematics are also eligible to pursue MSc in photonics.

Selection: All India Entrance Exams

Fees: Rs 8,000 per semester.

Further details log on towww.photonics.cusat.edu

CUSAT’s International School of Photonics also offers MTech (Optoelectronics & Laser Tech), MPhil and PhD in Photonics.

The University of Kerala, D/o Opto Electronics, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, offers M.Tech in Opto Electronics & Laser Technology, MPhil and PhD.

The University of Madras offers M.Sc photonics and biophotonics courses. More details can be obtained from the website www.unom.ac.in

Bharathidasan University, Periyar E.V.R Government College The Department of Physics, offers M.Sc in photonics. Eligibility: B Sc Physics and BSc Applied Physics & Electronics.

CUSAT and IIT Delhi are the leading institutions offering M.Tech and Ph.D courses in photonics.

For details log on to www.photonicsindia.com

IIT-M is the place to be

Q. I want to do masters in industrial design and visual communication from IIT-Mumbai. Please tell me about eligibility, admission process and scholarships. Can I do any short-term correspondence or online course in communication from there? — Tarun Lamba

A. Business Week, a leading US business magazine, adding another feather to its cap, has acknowledged the Industrial Design Centre (IDC) at IIT Powai (Mumbai) as one of the 60 best design schools in the world recently. IDC offers masters programmes in industrial design, visual communication, animation and interaction design as well as a PhD in design.

The programme is meant to develop skills, knowledge and aptitude among students to become creative problem solvers who can bring about innovation in the manufacturing and communication industry. The first two semesters in the first year consist of theory courses and learning oriented projects, while the second year is more or less spent on design projects.

Depending on your interests, you can choose elective courses in the second and third semester. You can choose to specialise in the following areas: studies in form, product detailing, product visualization, advanced ergonomics, exhibition design, typography, video, photography, animation, multimedia, information design, computer graphics and illustration.

Visual communication plays a vital role in national development. The emphasis is on meeting the unmet communication needs for which normally resources are not readily available. The programme gives students a better maturity in handling communication design problems, a deeper understanding of aesthetic aspects, and generating methods and processes for solving communication problems. It equips you to become a creative and analytical problem solver who can effectively use various design methods.

You can also specialise in one of the several areas of visual communication e.g. typography, information visualisation, interaction design, video/film making, exhibition design, animation, photography, etc.

The industrial design programme concentrates on developing skills, knowledge and attitude among students to become creative problem solvers who can effectively and strategically use different design processes and methods. You will learn to correlate a product’s technical and ergonomic functions with real human needs.

The course will develop your innovative and aesthetic sensibilities to solve socially relevant problems and design a coherent and appropriate product. While working on a project, students interact with industries, institutions and social organizations to understand, study, analyze and solve various kinds of existing problems.

The animation programme grooms experts who will eventually emerge as leaders to influence the future of Animation — directly responsible for nearly all aspects of the film making process — from concept to drawing, shooting, camera etc. India is emerging as a major global player in animation production. This is an opportune time to be looking at a holistic approach to animation.

Students have access to cutting-edge IT capabilities and the proximity to other engineering disciplines that facilitates cross-disciplinary and collaborative projects. You can also explore and experiment with new areas for animation applications.

The Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) is an all India exam conducted by IIT Bombay for admission to Master of Design programmes at the IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur), IISc Bangalore, and PhD programmes in design in some Institutes. For details, log on to: www.idc.iitb.ac.in

Serving the nation

Q. I am doing my MCA, but I’m very interested in joining the armed forces. Are there any possibilities for me at this stage? — Farhad Ahmed

A. Sure you can join the armed forces after completing your MCA.

The Indian Air Force recruits Officers in the Technical Branch under its University Entry Scheme as Aeronautical Engineers in the Electronics branch. Eligibility: MCA, Indian, unmarried males (18-28 yrs) or married (above 25-yrs). Selection: Engineering Knowledge Test, Psychological Tests, Group Tests & Interview.

The Indian Army also offers a Technical Graduates Course (TGC), which is a PG course (Non-Engineering) for recruitment to the Army Education Corps (AEC).

Eligibility: MCA. Selection: Group Tests, Psychological Tests, and Interview & Medical Exam.

Watch out for their notifications in Employment News and other leading newspapers.

For more details log on to: www.joinindianarmy.nic.in & www.careerairforce.nic.in

Pillars of advanced engineering

Q. I am in Class XII (PCM). I want to become an astronaut, so I want to take admission in aeronautical engineering. But I am not very good at studies and also do not like maths much. Is it necessary to be good in maths for becoming an astronaut? — Prerna Kaul

A. Aeronautical Engineering is all about designing, constructing and maintaining commercial as well as military aircraft and even satellites, spacecraft and missiles.

It includes the study of fluid dynamics, material science, structural analysis, propulsion and electronics. Technologically speaking, this is one of the most advanced branches of engineering.

At the Bachelor’s level, the course would cover the study of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and gas dynamics, material science, structural analysis, propulsion, acoustics and electronics. You can further specialise in aerodynamics, thermodynamics, propulsion, structures, celestial machines, acoustics and guidance and control systems.

Yes you do need to be good in studies as well as in maths to pursue this as well as any of the advanced fields of engineering. If you want to be an astronaut, a mere B.Tech won’t suffice. So you must enjoy studying to be able to pursue higher studies. But if you are passionate about a field and find it interesting, the urge to study will automatically arise. Remember, success is 99 per cent perspiration and 1per cent inspiration. It’s just a matter of developing a habit of discipline, practice and perseverance. And it’s never too late to begin.

Be your own boss

Q. When going through job ads, we come across several terms such as a freelancing, part-time jobs and working on contract. What exactly do they mean? —Leela Mehta

A. A few major distinctions between working as a freelancer, part timer or contract professional and working in other professions include the following:

First, you can still keep your current position or other full-time job while earning some extra income by working freelance (this is also colloquially called “moonlighting”).

Or you can begin a whole new career as a freelance expert working full time on projects you enjoy.

Additionally, you can work as your own boss, choosing how many projects you wish to take on at any given time. You can even pick the types of projects that match your talents and interests.

Freelance and contract jobs exist in nearly every field and industry — from positions in IT and engineering to financial analysts, accountants, marketers, executives, designers, teachers, makeup artistes, consultants — there’s something for everyone.

Being Boss
Delegate sensibly
D.C. Sharma

Productivity in business or profession depends upon its delegation system. Yet many ignore it. They say delegation is alluring in theory but tough in practice. Even the highest officer has had a boss at one time or the other and this experience can make him aware of the benefits of delegation.

Ankit, an otherwise smart officer in a multinational company, reports in agony: “I delegated a job to one of my subordinates. He was to finish it within a week. But he kept on bothering me by often asking me how and when to do that, and I had to advise him again and again. In spite of all that, he completed the job in two weeks. I myself would have done that job single handedly in a much lesser time.”

Isn’t it strange? Instead of blaming his subordinate, Ankit should have thought well before delegating. He should have learnt the art of delegation himself before practising it. He should have known that a worker is not a machine tool and hence, can’t be driven as per the boss’ will. People don’t work as they are ordered to do. Keeping in mind the interest and efficiency of a worker is the key to successful delegation.

Learn to trust

Distrust is a major cause of delegation blues. Ankit’s idea that he could have himself done the job better arises from distrust in his subordinate’s competence. Ankit doesn’t know that he should have trained his subordinate before delegating authority to him. Every boss should do that. Otherwise, who would handle his job when he is out of station?

Ankit’s idea that he himself is indispensable is based on his false pride, which can be detrimental to the organization in the long run. Every officer should learn how to delegate his authority to suitable subordinates. The subordinates thus trained can share the boss’ burden, lighten his workload, and can enable him to enhance productivity substantially.

Motivate right

Delegation becomes an effective tool when the boss motivates his subordinates. Affectionate care can boost the morale of subordinates. That way the boss can get wonderful cooperation, which is always constructive and productive. The boss can then spend most of his time in planning and deciding many important matters. The atmosphere at the workplace becomes family like then.

Own up

Owning responsibility of any error on the part of the subordinate is the most important aspect of proper delegation. In such cases an efficient boss often admits: “It is all my fault for not explaining to you the details of how to get the job done!” Then even stonehearted worker outbursts: “No Sir, all good doings are thine, all faults are mine.”

When such a situation reigns supreme at a workplace then only sky is the limit to productivity.

Think beyond ‘I’

The boss who wants to do the job done himself single handedly is a sure failure. By doing even the odd jobs himself, he not only harms his own image and status but that of the organisation as well.

He gets no spare time to supervise and guide his subordinates who often need his mature counseling. But the boss who just blows his own trumpet brings about the downfall of the orgainsation where he works.

Caution: A boss should never give logical reasoning as to how a work can be done. He should appeal to the instincts of his subordinates and must know how to motivate them. That way the boss creates a win-win atmosphere. At the same time he must not neglect making handsome payments to them. Otherwise it would mean blackmailing.

Don’t interfere

Delegation becomes productive when the boss provides a blue print to his subordinates for action to be initiated. A competent boss never tells how not to do a job. He just shows the end result, and then delegates. The way to follow lies entirely with the subordinate. He just gives his men a goal to shoot for, points out the right direction, but never preaches methodology. Giving a free reign to the subordinates is the true art of delegation. “Don’t interfere too much, once delegated,” cautions Curtis M. Smith, Jr. PRO Specialist, Texas.

Healthy rivalry

Assigning similar duties to two subordinates is also a valuable supervisory tool. In such cases rivalry ensues but it originates from the desire to win. Each one with a similar authority tries to excel. Herein both make superb efforts to achieve something worthwhile. When pats always come from the boss, a time comes when it no longer remains a matter to win or lose but just to shine, and feel cheered even if defeated.

Delegation works wonders when the boss makes the goal exciting. He gives his subordinates a worthwhile cause to fight for. He never asks them to follow him blindly. He advises them to rule by work and not work by rule. The boss often amends rules to enhance productivity in a genuine yet profitable way. Providing his workers a congenial atmosphere a successful boss makes delegation an effective tool.

Unleash your brand power
Building yourself as a ‘brand’ on the Internet can go a long way in keeping you always “saleable” in the job market, writes Yogesh Bansal

With the changing time it has become extremely important for each one of us to find the unique qualities in the brand in us. In fact, one is no more a professional or a worker or just a job title. One is a brand. Google yourself to know if you are a known Brand. The proliferation of Internet has made it imperative to have the right kind of online presence through right kind of profile. That will definitely connect one with the right individual or group.

Manleen Kaur, a PR professional is becoming a known brand as her profile was found and checked out online. She says, “We need to build ourselves as brands —You and I. How do sites like Facebook, Linkedin, Apnacircle, blogging communities add to our benefit: Type my name on Google, do you find Manleen Kaur... if yes, this is how you would realise the HR managers or employers go through your profiles these days before hiring you. My boss did the exact same thing, she found out if I was somewhat a known ‘brand’. She liked my profiles which helped me win the trust of my employer.”

We are no less than a “product brand” as individuals if we might think so. Everyone knows who Amitabh Bachchan or Shah Rukh Khan or Irfan Pathan or even Sanjeev Kapoor is — they have become “Brands” in their respective fields and as individuals they hold a worth whether it be films, sports or the culinary world.

So, you may belong to the IT industry, banking institutions or public relations or to the corporate world, it is a must for you to create a “Brand” for yourself as an individual. You have to market yourself with your efficiency, skill-set and tools that can “package” and “brand” you well.

Security ring

Branding is something that one has to learn. It is important for a professional to create his own job security and branding is an integral part of that.

With the emergence of Internet, especially with the emergence of Google it is critical to try and control what information comes up when one’s name is searched online by a potential employer, or business partner or potential customer. That is why it has become more relevant to brand oneself with the right messaging; otherwise Google will brand you with not so relevant messaging. Perhaps even worse can happen i.e. nothing will pop up.

 If you are thinking what the brand power can do for you, then just think of certain well-known brand names like Britannia and Disney. If a child says, “you know I was watching Disney, they are coming out with a new show on Teen Fashion on the channel”, the fellow kids will give him an ear and might go back home and look out for the show. Similarly, if I ask the shopkeeper for some nice creamy biscuits and he suggests Britannia, I would not mind buying it, as I know that there is no harm trying a Britannia product.

Starting point

Not being online today is almost like not existing. So establishing an online presence is a strict YES. But now the question is where? It is advisable to start small so you won’t be overwhelmed. Choose either LinkedIn or Facebook or ApnaCircle – the sites most often recommended by branding and job search specialists as a crucial first step in establishing your brand.

 All these sites also help in other ways — provide information on job openings, online mentoring programme, and interest groups among others.

It is also advisable not to join multiple sites, rather one should join a site, which is oriented toward one’s field and provides local information. It is also important to mention about the niche that you have.

There are four important processes for self-branding — discover, create, communicate, maintain. Consistency is the key. 

more than a resume

Is branding just a new term for what we all knew when we marketed ourselves by sending out a resume — a resume highlighting the expertise and emphasising the achievements?

No, it is beyond that. In fact, branding is about building a community or being part of a community. Creation of an online profile is just the beginning. It is important to be part of a larger group — alumni, former employees of your last jobs, trade groups, etc. Join the groups and wait and observe the discussions.

When there is something thoughtful to say, then chip in with the comments.

Stand apart

Start branding yourself as someone insightful in that particular area. The Brand YOU needs to be unique and authentic. Ideally, one should create the profile before the need for a job arises, to be an established part of a network when one goes out looking for a job.

 As you build relationships and networks, know that these people will act as your “career insurance” at the worst. Should a job or career fall short and you need to make a change, then these individuals will help you in getting your next position.

 So, package and brand yourself well so that people know your worth and are willingly open to buy you as a brand.

Dream big Dream design
Neha Kapoor

Naveen Gupta, CEO, Frameboxx Animation and Visual Effects Institute

Design is fast emerging as a promising field for youngsters with an ability to impart an aesthetically appealing shape and form to ideas, thereby converting them into products with heightened beauty and use. Naveen Gupta, dwells on the opportunities in this sector and the skills needed to excel in this field.

Q. Are designers born or created?

I think it is both ways. Some of us are born with an in-built sense of aesthetics and design while others acquire and develop this skill through training. Design itself is much more than just the ability to draw and a designer these days can be said to be both a technician and an artist. A designer is also a business professional who develops solutions for commercial needs, while at the same time harmonises technical, commercial, human and aesthetic requirements.

Moreover, design requires attention to technical detail, person-to-person consultation and communication, and a great deal of administration-abilities that can be developed and honed through training.

Q. What are the key responsibilities of a designer?

Design, being a vital communication component, has emerged as an inherent part of every organisation’s marketing mix. Consequently, the scope of responsibilities entrusted to a designer has enlarged. There is a growing demand for designers in every field. Consequently, new design disciplines have evolved and the responsibilities of a designer differ according to the discipline opted for.

But broadly speaking, all designers are involved with the task of conceptualising ideas, organising elements in an aesthetically appealing manner, while at the same time retaining and enhancing their functional value. Functionality and beauty make for a complete product. Take the example of a mobile. To sell in the market, it not only has to function well but also look good and that is precisely what designers do.

Q. You mentioned disciplines. Which are the various disciplines that one can opt for under designing?

Design is a field with limitless scope and application. Consequently within design, there are several disciplines and each design discipline serves a particular industry. If you are keen to carve out a career for yourself in design, you first need to identify your area of interest and decide which type of designer you want 
to be.

Depending upon your interest and skill, you can choose to be an industrial or product designer, textile designer, graphic designer, animation designer, fashion designer, jewelry designer, interior designer, apparel designer, lifestyle accessory designer or a transportation designer.

Q. Does one need an aesthetic bent of mind to be a designer?

According to me all of us possess some amount of aesthetic sense that can be further identified, refined and developed through appropriate training. This is where design education rendered by professional Design schools (D-schools) of the country, assumes importance.

Design education helps in inculcating an understanding of the historical precedents in the industry, a broad understanding of techniques, materials and tools and most importantly the standards and values by which the industry operates. Research is also an important ingredient of designing. Know your market, your target audience and design accordingly.

Q. Are there any specific skills that D-schools are looking for in students?

Admission to the design schools depends upon one’s score in entrance exams like CEED, NEED or GATE. These tests usually consist of a written test, situation test, studio test, group discussion and interview. In other words, they seek to test the entire personality of an individual.

As designing is more than just the ability to draw, D-schools are looking for students with innovative thinking, creative ability, visual perception, sound aesthetics as well as good communication and presentation skills.

While there are a plethora of D-schools to prepare one for a career in designing, there is a dearth of institutes to prepare you for the challenges of D-schools, especially the entrance exams that are a hard nut to crack so it always helps to have some preparation for design school entrance exams.

Q. Is self-training an option for budding designers?

Self-training was a possibility which existed decades ago. But keeping in mind the sheer number of skilled and qualified graduates who are jumping onto the bandwagon of designing, a self-trained designer will lose out in the market.

Q.  How bright are the job prospects for designers?

Umpteen career opportunities exist for designers. They can be employed by manufacturing establishments, large corporations or design firms. Even the Government of India recruits a large number of designers. Designers can also freelance.

You can also choose to become a teacher in a design school and university. As a teacher and faculty you have the option to continue to provide consultation or operate small design studios to complement classroom teaching.

After one or two years of on-the-job training, students gradually advance to higher-level positions. They may undertake positions of chief designer, design department head, or other supervisory positions in large firms or corporate houses. Some even go on to set up their own design studios.

Q.  Is this field financially lucrative?

For youngsters with talent, design is a promising and financially lucrative field. Candidates from premium D-schools of the country get hefty pay packages. Beginners can expect anything from Rs 10,000 to 40, 000 depending upon the job as well as the company.

Besides financial satisfaction, seeing the object of your creation being accepted, used and appreciated fills you with happiness that is unparalleled.

Q. Amidst all the competition in the market, how can new designers carve a niche for themselves?

No doubt, there are hordes of experienced designers and design companies all competing furiously for what work there is available. But then it is competition that helps in bringing out the best in you. So according to me competition is good for an individual, good for the industry and good for the consumer. New designers can bring in new ideas and help inject freshness into the field. 

Originality, drive, individuality and an unwavering passion to create something new, can help upcoming designers in carving a niche for themselves.

Q. A word of advice for budding designers.

In order to excel in the field of design, you need to be a visual person. Having all the software tools at your disposal does not guarantee your success as a designer, for ultimately, it is the ideas to which you are going to give a form. So, think visually.! 

  Being a product based industry with constant production deadlines, the field of design requires long working hours. So you need to be self motivated to keep it up day after day. 

Happiness @ work
Gems of ancient wisdom
Defocus for deep focus

Krishna (Gita 7.3) says that only one in a million achieves perfection. But then, how does one begin on this arduous route?

Legendary detective Sherlock Holmes has a tip for us. “The brain-attic has a limited size. Therefore, it is of the highest importance not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones.”

Dronacharya set up a test for the Kuru princes in which the eye of a wooden bird on a tree was the target. All princes, except Arjuna, saw things in the surroundings as well. When Arjuna’s turn came, he saw the bird’s eye and nothing else. No doubt, he hit the target.

Krishna says withdraw from the surroundings as a tortoise withdraws its limbs and remain steady like an ocean that doesn’t lose its calm even while it is constantly being filled by rivers (Gita 2.58, 2.70).

Sage Patanjali guides us step by step. Steps five, six and seven in his ‘Ashtangyog’ (eight-part yoga) are defocus the surroundings (pratyahar), focus on the target (dhyan) and become one with the target (dharana). Then, hit bull’s eye! — Sai R. Vaidyanathan

The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com