A few days back we came to know about the game that fetches everyone’s attention that was Pokémon Go with 65 million users. The reason for the success of that game was the use of technology that is Augmented reality. So, what is Augmented reality?
Reality is the technology that imposes virtual elements in the real-world environment. A reality designer is one who superimposes technology into the real world. In the present era as the world is moving towards the top of technology, augmented reality designer is the perfect career for one to pursue with.
New work prospects are growing in all horizons for the jobs in the field of Augmented reality. The size of the AR market was USD 67.5 million in 2019 and now it is expected to reach 1848.9 million by 2025. The reality field is growing very fast and unprecedented. The growth of the projects in Augmented Reality is estimated to be 1.73 billion by 2024. According to the research of Goldman Sachs, Virtual and reality have the potential to become the next big computing platform.
Augmented reality is going to hold the grip of technology in the coming years as it has a close relationship with AI (Artificial Intelligence). AR can also be used for teaching and training, pharma industry, automobile industry. Augmented reality is the technology that is helping in all the fields. Course wise any person with sound knowledge of technology and computer languages can do any diploma, degree, or master’s program and become an Augmented reality designer or developer or Virtual reality designer.
The career options in these fields of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality seem to be never-ending, so there is a bright future for someone going ahead with these courses.
| Industry | IT |
| Eligibility | Any graduate with some knowledge of computer language |
| Average starting salary | Rs.2,40,000/- Per Annum |
| Employment Opportunity | Medicine, Education, Travel and Hospitality, Gaming, Maintenance, Training, Automobile Industry |
- Types of Augmented Reality Designers
- Steps to become Augmented Reality Designers
- Courses to become Augmented Reality Designers
3.1 BCA
3.3 Online Courses
4.1 Top Colleges
4.2 USA
4.3 UK
4.4 Canada
4.5 Australia
- Benefits of Career as a Augmented Reality Designer
- Skills Required to Become Augmented Reality Designers
- Salary of Augmented Reality Designers
7.1 City Wise
7.2 Average Salary
7.3 Experience wise
Types of Augmented Reality Designers
Augmented reality and virtual reality seem to be separate fields but they are generally coming up to the same end. They are together known as extended reality. The future in the field of Augmented Reality is very bright and seems never-ending, here are a few fields that are going along with Augmented Reality.
- Augmented Reality Designers: The work of AR designers is to superimpose technology in the real world.
- Virtual Reality Designers: The work of VR is to create a completely new digital environment that people can see through devices.
- Graphic Designers: The work of graphic designers is to create visual concepts to communicate the idea through computer software.
- UX Designers: The work of UX designers is to create interaction between humans and technology.
- UI Designers: The work of UI designers is to design all the design aspects.
- Software Designers: The work of software designers is to plan and solve all the problems related to software.
- Design Architect: The work of the design architect is to design the exterior as well as the interior of the device that we use for AR/VR.
-
System Validation Engineer: The work of a system validation engineer is to resolve technical issues that arise.
How to become an Augmented Reality Designer: Steps to follow
The specialization required to become an Augmented Reality designer is not fixed, one can do BCA (Specialisation in AR or VR) or MCA or B.Tech. in computer science, even graduates from design backgrounds are also well equipped to become Augmented reality designers or developers.
The field of Augmented reality is very new and not many colleges are offering specific courses in Augmented design, one can do Augmented designing with a background in computer science or designing or with some knowledge of coding and computer languages. The process of admission is also different from university to university and course to course. To help students to understand the general process of becoming an Augmented Reality designer Step by step guide is given below.
Decision Making
The field of augmented reality is a very creative field and if one is creative and passionate about entering into the field of designing or developing Augmented reality then they can go about that. He/she has to be consistent with their work, ready to learn new things, quick with the decision making, have an eye for detail, and multitasking.
Subject Choices
A candidate should be a graduate in any field, but having a base of computer science or IT as one subject will be very helpful in entering into this field as one will be able to understand the technical basics of that field. Good subject knowledge of science and maths subjects is very important and helpful.
Entrance Exam
JEE score is required for admission in B. Tech-Computer Science. For bachelor’s courses or BCA grades, 10+2 marks and a combination of PCM is necessary for the 12th examination. University-based Interviews are also eligibility criteria for admission in some colleges.
Selecting Correct Colleges
The selection of college is also a big problem after qualifying entrance examination. To find out a good college one should check the ranking of the college, placements every year from the college, Internships, and training that the college is providing, and most important faculty of the college. The Courses of Augmented Reality are available in international colleges also.
After Qualifying Exam
The admission criteria are different in different colleges, all the colleges have different rules for taking admissions. Some colleges have rules to qualify for specific cut-off and others are asking for a personal interview and then one has to submit documents and take admission.
Courses to become an Augmented Reality Designer
BCA: Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality
BCA is bachelor’s in computer application, specialization in virtual and Augmented reality are available in few colleges in India.
Eligibility Criteria:The candidate should have completed 10+2 with PCM and with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/OBC candidates) from any recognized board.
Top Colleges to Pursue BCA in Augmented Reality:
| Name of the College | Average Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Chandigarh University | 3 Lakh |
| Presidency University | 4 Lakh |
| srinivas university | 3 Lakh |
| Periyar University | N.A. |
B. Tech in Computer Science
Eligibility Criteria:
- Candidates should have qualified 10+2 examination with minimum 50% marks in PCM from any CBSE or any other recognized board.
-
The candidate must have appeared for JEE or any other national level examination and has a valid test score. A high score in JEE examination will lead to the topmost colleges of India.
How to prepare for the JEE Exam:
- JEE exam is of mainly PCM subjects
- Fill the form, check the current syllabus and paper pattern
- Solve previous years test paper, polish your knowledge
- Clear your basics
-
Practice Mock tests
Top Colleges for B. Tech in Computer Science:
| Name of the College | Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| IIT Madras | 75,116 |
| Vellore Institute of Technology | 1,98,000 |
| Indian Institute of Technology Dhanbad | 2,27,500 |
| Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology | 429,000 |
| Malviya Institute of Technology | 94,333 |
| Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology | 3,87,000 |
| Ramaiah Institute of Technology | 86,726 |
Online Augmented Reality Courses
Online sites like Coursera, udemy, classcentral, edx are also providing courses in Augmented and Virtual Reality, that can be completed at your own pace and in fewer fees or free.
If one has sound knowledge of computer and programming languages, these courses can be very helpful in adding to one’s portfolio.
| Name of the course | Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Augmented Reality and ARCore | 1 month | Free |
| Intro to AR/VR/MR/XR: Technologies, Applications & Issues | 1 Month | Free |
| Getting Started with Augmented Reality | 1 Month | Free |
| Virtual Reality Specialization | 1 Month | Free |
How to become an Augmented Reality designer Abroad?
To work abroad as an augmented reality designer, one should do some courses from any foreign university in Augmented and Virtual Reality.
Many universities from UK, Singapore, and Canada are offering various master's courses in Virtual and Augmented reality (AR/VR). The scope of Augmented reality courses in the UK is very high. Few basic requirements that a candidate need to fulfill are as follows:
- A degree in engineering with Physics, mathematics, or engineering with 60% or above marks.
- Sound knowledge of basic mathematics like linear algebra, differential equations, and computer programming.
- IELTS score above 6.0 is mandatory but few universities are also offering admission without IELTS also by taking online interviews with admission officers.
- Many scholarships are also available for meritorious students.
-
For admission in Canada, one needs to provide two references and a study permit.
Top Colleges
| Name of the course | Name of the College | Duration | Admission Procedure |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.A. in Virtual and Extended Realities | University of the West of England Bristol | One Year | Interview |
| M.Sc. Computer Science (Virtual and Augmented Reality) | Liverpool John Moores University | One Year | Direct Apply |
| MA/M.Sc. Virtual and Augmented Reality | Goldsmiths, University of London | One Year | Interview |
| MA in Virtual and Augmented Reality | York St John University | One Year | Interview |
| B.Sc. (Hon) in Multimedia Technology with a specialty in VR/AR | Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation Singapore | Three Years | Direct Admission |
| Computer Science-Augmented and Virtual reality (M.Sc.) | Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin | One Year | Direct Admission |
| Master of Digital Media | The CDM | Sixteen Months | Direct Admission |
| A Diploma in AR/VR Design & Development Education | VANCOUVER FILM SCHOOL | Eight Months | Interview and Portfolio |
| Virtual and Augmented Reality Certificate | Lethbridge College | One Year | Interview |
| Bachelor of Information Technology | Deakin University | 3 Years | Interview |
USA
The eligibility criteria for study in USA college:
- For Vocational or diploma Courses: A higher secondary degree is required.
- For Undergraduate Courses: A higher secondary degree.
- For post- graduate courses: A valid degree in computer science.
- A GRE score between the range of 300 to 330 is necessary for taking admission in the USA.
- IELTS/TOEFL score of 6.5 and above is required for taking admission to a USA university.
| Name of the College | Fee Structure (Tuition Fees) |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | $55,510 Per Year |
| University of California, Berkeley | $5,721 Per Year |
| University of Washington | $ 906 Per Year |
| Cornell University | $ 60,286 Per Year |
| Princeton University | $ 56,010 Per Year |
UK
- For Vocational Courses: A higher secondary degree with a national extended diploma in computing.
- For Undergraduate Courses: A higher secondary degree.
- For post-graduate courses: A valid degree in computer science.
- GCSE English language 4, IELTS overall 6.5 scores is required
| Name of the College | Fee Structure (Tuition Fees Per Year) |
|---|---|
| University of Oxford | £ 37,510 |
| The University of Warwick | £ 27,060 |
| University of Bristol | £ 23,900 |
| University of Manchester | £ 24,500 |
| University of Cambridge | £ 33,825 |
Canada
- For Diploma Courses: A higher secondary degree with a good TOEFL/IELTS Score.
- For Undergraduate Courses: A minimum of 12 Years of formal education with a good TOEFL/IELTS Score.
- For Postgraduate courses: A relevant undergraduate degree from a recognized institute, certificate in the field of Computer science, and a good IELTS/TOEFL score.
| Name of the College | Fee Structure (Tuition Fees) |
|---|---|
| The University of British Columbia | $ 5,616 |
| Carleton University | $ 28,998- $ 42,848 |
| Queen’s University | $ 25,463 |
| University of Waterloo | $7,254 |
Australia
For taking admission in undergraduate programs in Australia University, Candidate should have qualified any of the following examinations:
- All India Senior school certificate (CBSE) or Indian School certificate or any state board matriculation Examination.
-
A valid IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE Academic test score is required. The validity of these scores has been extended from two to three years.
| Name of the College | Fee Structure (Tuition Fees Per Year) |
|---|---|
| The University of Melbourne | $AUD 10,000 |
| Australian National University (ANU) | $ 994 |
| The University of Sydney | $ 7,950 |
| RMIT University | $ 36,480 |
| Monash University | A$42,800 |
Benefits of Career as an Augmented Reality Designer
The benefits involved in the career of Augmented are reality are not yet fully disclosed as the field is new and running very fast, and many new developments are going on. The Few benefits that can be enlisted for the career as an Augmented Reality Designer are
- Salary perspectives are very high in the field of Augmented reality and the market of AR is going to increase in the coming years, so the future is very good in this field. Companies are offering many incentives and benefits in the Augmented reality field.
- Job Security is high as one can work as a freelancer also, if not interested to work with a company. One can do many projects simultaneously while working as a freelancer and can be more creative and more productive.
- Higher studies or addition in the present qualification can be helpful in many ways. One can do many online courses while doing their current job, and that will be an add-on to one’s portfolio.
- Augmented Reality is a creative field and if a person is good with technical abilities, computers can easily do various specializations and can get promoted quickly from the present position.
Skills Required to Become Augmented Reality Designer
Apart from excellent technical knowledge and creativity, Augmented reality designers should also be equipped with few following skills. The few top skills which employers are looking for in the budding Augmented Reality Designer are listed in the table.
| Programming Skills | Strong Communication Skills |
| Visualization Skills | 3 D modeling |
| Critical Thinking | Web or Mobile programming |
| Multitasking | Knowledge of Computer language |
Salary of Augmented Reality Designer in India
The salary of an Augmented Reality Designer varies from Field to field or rather depends on which field this technology is being used, like if they are using it for gaming purposes or in the education or training field or in the medical domain, or in data visualization. The salary also depends upon company to company and the role of the designer or developer.
City Wise
| Cities | Average Annual Salary LPA (in INR) |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | 500000 |
| Bengaluru | 700000 |
| New Delhi | 372,804 |
| Gurugram | 372,804 |
| Pune | 500000 |
| Kolkata | 182,580 |
| Chennai | 500000 |
| Hyderabad | 500000 |
Average Salaries of Augmented Reality Designers
| Role | Salary (Per Year) |
|---|---|
| User Interface Designer | $ 81,285 |
| Software Engineer | $ 105,334 |
| Senior Designer | $ 80,658 |
| Product Designer | $ 116,003 |
| Data Scientist | $ 119,983 |
Experience Wise
| Experience | Average Annual Salary LPA (in INR) |
|---|---|
| Starting salary | 2,40,000 |
| Mid-Level | 5,00,000 |
| Higher-level | 10,00,000 |
After the Augmented Reality Course
Candidates after completing the course in Augmented reality can start the job, or if the candidate is experienced, he/she can start freelancing or can open their own studio.
Higher Education
Post completing the course or gaining some experience after doing some job or Internship one can definitely go for enhancing their skills and can do more courses for skill enhancements like developing software, designing games,3D designing, etc.
Start Job
The starting job is a good option post completing your degree or master's, starting salary for Augmented reality designers is very good in few cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad.
How to Become an Augmented Reality Designer: FAQs
Ques. What is the average course fee for BCA in Augmented Reality?
Ans. The average course fee for BCA in Augmented Reality is around 3 Lakhs.
Ques. What are the minimum eligibility criteria for admission to BCA in Augmented Reality?
Ans: The minimum eligibility criteria for admission in BCA is 10+2 with above 60% with math and science as main subjects.
Ques. What is the entrance examination to study in a master’s course in Augmented Reality?
Ans: There is no specific entrance examination for the admission in Augmented reality course. Most of the universities are taking Interviews and checking minimum eligibility criteria for admission in Augmented reality courses.
Ques. What test score for English Language proficiency is accepted internationally?
Ans: The English proficiency required for admission to Foreign Universities is above the 6.0 IELTS score.
Ques. What are the skills needed to become an Augmented Reality Designer?
Ans: Skills needed for one to become an Augmented Reality Designer are Strong technical and designing skills, knowledge of programming languages, creativity, strong communication skills, and multi-tasking.
Ques. Is their financial aid available for International Augmented Reality Designer courses?
Ans: Yes, in most of the international colleges’ scholarships are available for candidates from other countries.
Ques. Which Industries are hiring Augmented Reality Designers?
Ans: Industries that are hiring Augmented Reality designers are education, pharma, software, gaming companies.
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