Design & Media Careers After 12th: Visionary Advice from Mr. K. Kumar, CEO of Image Group

Recently, for Padipom Jeippom, a popular educational program aired on Malai Murasu TV, the CEO and Founder of Image Group of Creative Education, Mr. K. Kumar, was invited to share his perspective on design and media education, the opportunities in it and how it's evolving to meet the needs of tomorrow's creative industries.

Mr. Kumar, one of the earliest visionaries in India to recognize the potential of design careers, founded ICAT College in 2004. At a time when creative technologies were still emerging, he launched India's first formal college-level programs in animation, graphic design, VFX, and game development.

Speaking to a wide audience of students and parents, Mr. Kumar shared valuable insights on the scope and opportunities in studying full-time design programs. Let's take a closer look at some.

Every Industry Requires Design. And They're Hiring for It.

In line with global trends, Mr. K. Kumar emphasized a paradigm shift - design is no longer limited to film or entertainment. It has become a necessity across all major industries.

To explain this shift, he shared how gaming, once considered just entertainment, is now powering education through gamification. This approach makes learning more interactive and is increasingly adopted by schools and ed-tech platforms.

He also pointed out how companies like Netflix are leveraging interactive storytelling and design-led personalization to improve viewer engagement. Likewise, brands such as Nike are embracing AR, immersive media, and design thinking to enhance customer experience and brand loyalty.

Just Passion & Interest Is Enough. Not Special Talents.

Another key message Mr. K. Kumar shared was that you don't need special talents or a background in art to pursue design and media. According to him, any student who has completed their class 12 (or equivalent) can take up a creative course. What truly matters is having genuine interest, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.

The Reality of Short-Term Courses vs Full-Time Education

In today's digital age, short-term online courses in design have become widely accessible. However, Mr. K. Kumar highlighted an important reality: while these quick solutions may offer quick results, they often skip the deeper layers of research, critical thinking, and contextual understanding that are essential for real-world impact.

He cautioned that such courses often produce output-focused designers, those who can create visually appealing work, but lack the ability to conduct deep research, solve real problems through design, or innovate beyond existing trends. As a result, their portfolios may look polished but lack strategic depth, originality, and relevance in today's competitive job market.

Looking Ahead: AI, Industry Trends & Future-Ready Designers

Mr. Kumar also addressed the impact of AI on creative careers. He believes that rather than replacing creativity, AI is only serving as a catalyst. When students learn how to collaborate with technology, not compete with it, the outcomes will be greater.

A Wholesome Session

The session concluded with Mr. Kumar answering several viewer questions, ranging from admissions to career paths in gaming, animation, UI/UX design, fashion design and more. He shared advice on choosing the right design stream based on one's passion and what they are good at, and ultimately how at ICAT College they can prepare themselves for entering the dynamic creative industry.

About ICAT College

ICAT College of Design and Media is one of India's most respected institutions for full-time programs in Animation, Visual Effects, Game Design, Filmmaking, UI/UX, Graphic Design, and more, offered across campuses in Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.

At ICAT College, students are supported from day one. The programs are designed to build strong creative and technical fundamentals before guiding learners into their areas of specialization in animation, visual effects, game design or development, multimedia or any field.

Each course equips students with industry-relevant skills such as:

• Visual storytelling
• Conceptual thinking
• Research and analysis
• Understanding and leveraging industry practices, tools and techniques

What sets ICAT College apart is its cross-disciplinary training. A visual effects student gains exposure to sound design. A UI/UX student learns the basics of motion graphics. This integrated approach ensures graduates are versatile, job-ready, and confident in a fast-evolving industry.

If you're passionate about creativity and want to build a rewarding career in design or media, ICAT College is the place to start.