I would like information about Commercial Art

I am a student of Std X and I would like information about the field of Commercial Art. What courses do I need to take up and what are the career options that I can explore?
Mahi (15) / Bangalore

Commercial artists use various art media to promote sales of products and services to consumers. The sole aim is directed towards influencing public opinion. The work encompasses advertisements, catalogues, books and magazines cover designing to industrial designing to artistically decorating and furnishing of interior of homes and buildings.

To refine your talent it is necessary to go for some formal training in Fine Arts/Applied Art/Commercial Art/Painting/Graphic Design/Animation Design/Visual Communication Design. The basic qualification to join a course like Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is 10+2. Admission to this 4-year course is usually through aptitude tests.

Many institutes and polytechnics all over the country offer related courses. While polytechnics offer such courses to tenth pass students, other institutes may require students to clear 10+2 first.

A strong portfolio (a collection of the artist’s best work) is the best way to enter the profession.

Knowledge of computer packages like PageMaker, CorelDraw, Photoshop, is a requirement for all animators today. You may join computer classes to learn these during your summer holidays.

This is a field that changes constantly as it evolves. Digital editing, digitized effects and the latest computer advances make new, ever more amazing things possible. The growth rates and opportunities in this sector are tremendous, but competition is keen as many are attracted to this work for the associated glamour and excitement.