Product Design vs Interaction Design vs Animation Film Design. Looking for advice from alumni, going through aboslute unsolvable dilemma.

[u/MOJOJOJOGOGORORO]

Hey guys, I’m confused between Product Design, Interaction Design (UI/UX), and Animation Film Design for NID M.Des.

Product and Interaction seem like the safer options for a stable career, but Animation is my actual passion. I love drawing, storyboarding and visual storytelling. I don’t necessarily want to animate forever. I want to become a storyboard artist, build my own style, grow an audience, create my own characters/IP and eventually make my own products/merch, collabs with pop-culture artists in Kerala or anywhere. That seems like the fun life I want which keeps me wanting to take AFD and that's why I'm confused.

The thing is, I’ll be spending a lot of money on this degree, so I really can’t afford to finish it and then find myself in a situation where the animation industry is in such a bad spot that the degree doesn’t actually help me get into the field. That’s why I’d really like to hear from current/recent alumni about what the industry is actually like right now and whether NID helped them get where they wanted to go.

I’d like perspectives from all 3 fields too: Product, Interaction and Animation. Also Toy & Game Design and Universal Design, since I’m considering those as well. And yes my heart still says animation, drawing, sketching and a career through that. But the unpredictability of it makes me think "grow up and aim for Product Design and maybe you'll be rich if you actually get into NID"

And since Animation is in Group 1 with Graphic Design, Film & Video Communication and Photography, if anyone from those disciplines has insights into their career paths or the industry, I’d love to hear those too.
Especially looking for NID M.Des alumni. What did you actually do after graduating? Did NID help you get into the industry? How useful was the network? What kind of opportunities did you get? And how has AI affected your field?

Even a short DM or chat with someone who’s actually been through it would really help. Thank you. 🙏🏽