What Should I Study After 12th to Become a Professional Artist?

If you want to become a professional artist after 12th in India, study a creative bachelor’s like BFA, BDesign, BA Visual Arts, BSc/BA Animation, Film or Photography, prepare a portfolio, clear relevant entrances like NID DAT, UCEED or NIFT where required, and stack skill based courses in digital tools with internships and client projects. This mix of degree, portfolio and practice is the fastest, reliable path. Career Counselling !

• Key takeaways
  • Choose a primary degree, BFA, BDesign, Visual Communication, Animation, Film, Photography, Performing Arts.
  • Build a portfolio from Class 11–12, sketchbooks, digital art, mini films, photos, UI mockups.
  • Some design schools need exams plus portfolio. Fine arts colleges often do a studio test or interview.
  • Skill based courses accelerate industry readiness, software, workflow, freelancing.
  • Use career guidance after 12th to match strengths with the right specialization and college list.

What should I study after 12th to become a professional artist in India?

You have two strong routes. A formal degree with a structured studio curriculum, or a portfolio first route supported by short, skill based courses. Most students combine both.

If your aim is purely studio art, BFA is the classic path. If you want user centered problem solving and industry placements, BDesign or Visual Communication is ideal. For digital media careers, Animation, Game Art or Film schools are effective.

Do I need a specific stream, Science, Commerce or Arts, in Class 11–12?

No, students from any stream can apply to most art and design colleges. Some programs prefer a background in art, but your portfolio matters much more than marks.

Maths helps for design research and 3D, physics is useful for photography and animation lighting, but neither is compulsory in most cases.

If you are unsure about streams and switching, read this guide: Streams Are Not Destinies. For a step by step method to select or change a path, see, How should you decide on the future course or stream?.

Which entrances and portfolio elements really matter for art and design?

Most design schools test creativity, problem solving and visual communication. Some fine arts colleges assess drawing and composition live.

• Major design entrances in India
  • UCEED for BDesign at IITs and partner institutes, plus portfolio and interview.
  • NID DAT for National Institute of Design, Prelims, Mains, studio test, interview.
  • NIFT Entrance for Fashion Design and related programs, includes situation test.
• Fine arts and film schools typically conduct drawing tests, studio tasks, interviews and portfolio reviews.
• Portfolio essentials
  • 15 to 25 pieces that show range, observation drawings, digital pieces, process work, not just final art.
  • A few projects showing research to final output, posters, UI flows, storyboards, photo series.
  • Keep an online portfolio link, Behance, Art Station, a simple site, and a physical folder.

Bookmark this list of Important Entrance Exams After Class XII. Always confirm current formats on official pages since dates and patterns can change.

Can I skip a degree and rely on skill based courses after 12th?

Yes, many artists begin with a portfolio and short courses, then work as freelancers or join studios. This is popular in graphic design, motion, 3D, and photography.

• Pros of the skill route
  • Faster to job ready if you practice daily and build proof of work.
  • Lower cost and flexible learning with projects for real clients.
  • You can specialize quickly, for example concept art or 3D environment.
• Cons to watch
  • You must be self disciplined without campus structure.
  • Some employers and visas still prefer a formal degree.
  • Networking and critique depend on the communities you join.

Explore this curated list of Which Skill Based Courses After 12th Can Help You Start Earning Immediately?. If you choose this path, treat your portfolio as your curriculum.

Arts, Design, Animation, UX, Photography, which path fits me?

Think about the problems you like solving and the medium you love.

• Fine Arts, Illustration, you love drawing from observation, experimenting with media, building a personal style.
• Communication Design, Visual Communication, you like telling visual stories for people and brands, posters, packaging, motion graphics.
• Product or Industrial Design, you enjoy fixing everyday objects and systems with human centered research.
• UI/UX Design, you like simplifying digital products, wireframes, prototyping, user testing.
• Animation, Game Art and VFX, you like 2D or 3D, characters, environments, effects and storytelling.
• Film and Photography, you think in frames, sequences, light and sound.

Not sure which of these you are closest to? A structured career guidance after 12th session can map your strengths to the right choice.

What does a realistic 12 month plan look like for Study After 12th to Become a Professional Artist?

Here is a sample plan you can adapt.

• Months 1 to 2, explore, observational sketches daily, try a digital tool like Photoshop or Procreate, one weekend photography walk.
• Months 3 to 4, pick a focus, for example Visual Communication or Animation, do one guided course, complete two portfolio pieces.
• Months 5 to 6, attempt a design challenge weekly, redesign an app screen, poster series, short 30 second motion clip.
• Months 7 to 8, apply for entrances and open days, build a simple site, Behance or Art Station.
• Months 9 to 10, revise portfolio with mentor feedback, do one paid or pro bono project for a local business or NGO.
• Months 11 to 12, interviews and studio tests, continue making, do a capstone project and document process.

This plan works with a degree path or a portfolio first path, because both reward consistent making and reflection.

What are the most practical courses after 12th for fast creative careers?

If you want an early earning start, combine a college option with one or two compact, skill based courses.

• Graphic design and branding fundamentals, layout, typography, packaging.
• Digital illustration and concept art, character design, environment studies.
• 3D foundations, Blender or Maya, modelling, texturing, lighting.
• Motion design, After Effects basics, 2D animation.
• Photography and color grading, Lightroom and basic studio lighting.
• UI design with Figma, component libraries, accessibility basics.

For a curated list and ROI tips, read, Short Courses you can take up after the board exam and Six ways to explore new skills this summer.

How do I build a standout portfolio in Class 11–12?

Admissions teams care about how you think, not just pretty outcomes.

• Show process, research snippets, thumbnails, iterations, not only final images.
• Mix media, pencil, ink, gouache, digital, 3D, photo, short videos.
• Include one self initiated project you care about, a local problem, a cultural story, a product you redesigned.
• Write one paragraph of reflection for each piece, what worked, what you would change.
• Seek critique, school art teachers, alumni, online communities.

A thoughtful portfolio answers why you made choices, which is what design and art schools value.

What are typical job roles for art and design graduates in India?

Creative careers are diverse and expanding, both in studios and as independent creators.

• Fine artist, illustrator, concept artist, muralist.
• Communication or brand designer, motion designer, art director over time.
• UI/UX designer, product designer, design researcher.
• 3D artist, animator, compositor, game environment or character artist.
• Photographer, cinematographer, editor, assistant director.
• Fashion designer, textile designer, stylist.
• Art educator, workshop facilitator, content creator.

Start with internships, assistant roles or freelance briefs, then specialize. Strong ethics, deadlines and collaboration habits will multiply your creative skills.

How do ELYSIAN INSPIRES counsellors help you pick the right path?

Choosing between BFA, BDes, VisCom, Animation or a portfolio first route can be confusing. Our career guidance program brings clarity.

• Multiple Intelligence based assessments to reveal strengths and learning style.
• One to one career guidance after 12th that maps interests to realistic options.
• Goal setting and skill road mapping so your portfolio grows month by month.
• Profile building inputs, competitions, volunteering, internships, and CV writing.
• Guidance for higher studies, entrances, statement of purpose and interview prep.
• Exam stress counselling and mindset support during board and entrance seasons.
• Online appointment booking for families across India, convenient and private.

Learn how our process works in, How Our Career Counselling Programs Help Students Choose the Right Degree and why online suits many families, Advantages Of Online Counselling Sessions. If you are selecting a mentor, this guide helps you assess the best career counsellor in India.

What is the difference between Fine Arts and Design schools?

• Fine arts emphasizes personal expression and mastery of mediums. Studios are open ended and critiques focus on ideas and craft.
• Design focuses on solving user or business problems with research and prototyping. Outcomes are functional and contextual.
• Many students blend both, for example illustrators in product teams or designers who paint and exhibit.

If you like open exploration, try BFA. If you like briefs and structured problem solving, try BDesign or Visual Communication.

How do I choose colleges and keep options open for the future?

Use a simple filter, fit, faculty, facilities, fees and placements. Prioritize mentorship and studio time over brand alone.

• Check studio hours, critique culture and alumni work, not just infrastructure photos.
• Prefer schools that help you ship real projects and publish portfolios.
• Keep a backup path, skill based courses or internships even if you aim for top schools.

This guide will help you evaluate choices step by step, How to Ace Your College Course Selection for Better Job Satisfaction.

Quick comparisons and examples

• Example 1, Arjun loves sketching and museums. He chooses BFA Painting, adds a 6 month digital illustration course and starts freelance book covers.
• Example 2, Riya enjoys apps and usability. She targets BDesign in UI/UX via UCEED, builds Figma case studies and interns at a startup.
• Example 3, Kabir wants 3D. He takes BSc Animation, spends evenings mastering Blender and gets a junior 3D artist role.

Pros and cons in one view:

Can I study abroad for art or design later?

Yes. Many students do a bachelor in India, then a specialized master’s abroad in illustration, interaction design, motion graphics or film. If you plan for scholarships or overseas programs later, build a strong portfolio and profile now. Read, Top Scholarships for Indian Students to Study UG Courses Abroad.

Final checklist for Study After 12th to Become a Professional Artist

• Pick your primary path, BFA, BDes, VisCom, Animation, Film or Portfolio first.
• Schedule weekly portfolio time in your calendar, output over inspiration.
• Shortlist 5 to 8 colleges or studios and map their selection process.
• Add two compact skill based courses aligned to your niche.
• Seek critique, mentors and a counsellor if you feel stuck or overwhelmed.

Ready to personalise your plan? Book a session with ELYSIAN INSPIRES for online counselling for career guidance, or visit our in person counselling in Chennai. We will help you choose the most practical courses after 12th and build a confident creative roadmap.

• Start here, How Our Career Counselling Programs Help Students Choose the Right Degree.
• Prefer online? See, Advantages Of Online Counselling Sessions.
• Explore creative futures, Top Emerging Career Fields After 12th for 2026 and Beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions