Design Careers

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What is Design?

Design is a career stream that candidates pursue at undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), or doctorate (PhD) level to become designers. Design as a career is extremely popular among students having a creative flair. What makes design careers even better is that this stream is vast and offers ample opportunities to students with different talents, skills, and educational background.  

To pursue a design course, no subject is mandatory. This means that candidates from any educational background have the liberty to pursue their dream career if they have the required skills and aptitude.

Candidates can pursue UG, PG, and PhD design courses in a range of specialised fields such as fashion design, interior design, graphic design, web design, textile design, apparel design, jewellery design, industrial design, product design, furniture design, and the list continues.  

Popular Design Specialisations

Interior Design Graphic Design
Jewelry Design Product Design

Popular Design Entrance Exams

Admission in most of the popular design colleges in India is offered through an entrance exam. Broadly speaking, these design entrance exams shortlist aspirants for admission in the courses offered by them based on a candidate’ performance in the below-mentioned tests/ rounds:

  • Design aptitude test
  • Studio test/ group discussion (GD) round
  • Personal interview (PI)/ portfolio round

Popular design entrance exams that aspirants should consider giving are:

Popular Design Entrance Exams in India

CEED

NID Entrance Exam

NIFT Entrance Exam

UCEED

FDDI AIST

GD Goenka DAT

SEAT

Pearl Academy Entrance Exam

Check the complete list of Design Entrance Exams.

Design Eligibility Criteria

Basic eligibility criteria for design courses offered at UG and PG levels are mentioned below

UG Design Courses: Candidates can secure admission in a UG level design course if they have completed 10+2 from a recognised board with passing marks. Aspirants from any stream (Science/ Commerce/ Arts) are eligible to apply for admission in a UG design course.

PG Design Courses: To secure admission in a PG level design course, candidates should have completed graduation from a recognised college/ institute. It may be noted that for PG level admissions, most colleges prefer graduates with a bachelor’s degree in design stream only. However, aspirants from other streams are also sometimes eligible to apply for admission in a PG design course if they possess the required skill-set and aptitude.

Note: The eligibility criteria mentioned above might vary depending on the course and college opted for by the candidate.

Desired Design Skills

Design as a stream requires aspirants to have a creative flair along with an eye for detail. Design skills that candidates should possess for a successful career in the field include:

Creative and artistic taste

Knowledge of colours, shades, and tones

Good communication skills

Innovativeness

Good sketching skills

Visual imagination

Good observation

Goal-oriented

Knowledge of market requirements

Eye for detail

Design Courses

Candidates can pursue certificate, diploma, and degree design courses in the classroom, distance/ correspondence, and online modes. Candidates can pursue these courses at all - UG, PG, and PhD levels.

Given below are some of the popular design courses that are offered at UG and PG levels:

UG Design Courses

Bachelor of Design (BDes)

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVA)

Bachelor of Vocational Education (BVoc)

Bachelor of Architecture (BArch)

Bachelor of Fashion Technology (BFTech)

PG Design Courses

Master of Design (MDes)

Master of Arts (MA)

Master of Science (MSc)

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Master of Architecture (MArch)

PG Diploma

Design Branches & Specialisations

There are a variety of design branches/ specialisations that candidates can choose to pursue their careers. Some of the popular design specialisations offered at colleges in India are:

Popular Design Branches/ Specialisations

Fashion Design

Interior Design

Graphic Design

Web Design

Product Design

User Experience Design

Textile Design

Knitwear Design

Fashion Technology

Fashion Communication

Fashion Management

Accessory Design

Design Subjects & Syllabus

Design curriculum for courses offered at UG and PG levels varies as per the specialisation and college selected by the candidates. However, given below is the syllabus that is usually taught in popular UG and PG courses offered at Design colleges across India:

Design Syllabus for UG Courses

Course Subjects
BDes (Fashion Design)
  • Fashion Illustration and Design
  • Fashion Studies
  • Elements of Textiles
  • Surface Development Techniques and History of Costumes
  • Colour Techniques
  • Visualisation and Drawing Techniques
  • Pattern Making and Sewing Techniques
  • Digital Designing
  • Fabric Processing and Surface Design
BDes (Leather Design)
  • Fashion Illustration
  • Pattern Making and Construction
  • Leather Processing
  • Surface Techniques
  • Field Studies
  • Computer Applications
  • Retailing and Design Projects in garments and small goods 
BDes (Accessory Design)
  • Elements of Design
  • Geometry, Visualisation and Representation techniques
  • Overview of Fashion
  • Material Studies
  • Computer Application
  • Field Study and Integrated Term Projects
  • History of Design
  • Photography
  • Technical Studies - Materials and process-1
  • Fabrication and Machining Skills
  • Design Methodology
  • DM - Prototyping & Documentation Professional Communication & Documentation Techniques Fashion Studies I
  • History of Fashion
  • Technical Studies -2
  • Computer Application (Auto CAD)
  • Product Graphics
  • Human Factors and Ergonomics
  • Fashion Studies - II Trends and Forecast
  • Technical Studies III - Technical Science
  • Cluster initiative and Documentation
  • Hardware Design & Product detailing
  • Technical Studies  - Production process & planning Range Design -  Prototyping
  • Computers VI - 3DS MAX / MAYA
  • Intellectual Property Rights
  • Design Management (Common Elective)
  • Retail Product & Environment
  • Prototyping & Documenting
BDes (Textile Design)
  • Dyeing
  • Printing & Finishing
  • Quality Analysis & Assurance
  • CAD & Weave Design
  • Print Design and Marketing & Merchandising
BDes (Knitwear Design)
  • Fashion Art & Illustration
  • Basic Weaving & Hand Knitting
  • Textile Science
  • Processing & Knitting Technology
  • Traditional Textiles
  • Pattern Making & Construction
  • Surface Techniques
  • Fashion Art & Illustration
  • Pattern Making
  • Draping & Construction
  • Product Realisation
  • Merchandising & Marketing
  • Advanced Knitting Technology
BDes (Fashion Communication)
  • Fashion Studies
  • History and Philosophy of Design
  • Communication Concepts & Processes
  • Writing Skills
  • Consumer Behavior in Fashion
  • Computer Application
  • Graphic Design
  • Visual Merchandising
  • Photography
  • Design Methodology
BFTech (Apparel Production)
  • History of costumes
  • Fundamentals of Fashion Design
  • Principles and Elements of Design
  • Fashion Communication
  • Fundamentals of Textiles Fibers and Yarns
  • Introduction to Patternmaking and Stitching
  • Fashion Illustration
  • Pattern making through Drafting  and Flat Pattern Technique
  • Fabric formation and processing
  • Fashion Merchandising
  • Graphic Design
Diploma in Fashion Designing
  • Illustration & Textile Knowledge
  • Drafting & Pattern Construction
  • Garment Manufacturing
  • Quality Control
  • Draping & Merchandising
  • Computer-Aided Design & Manufacturing
Diploma in Apparel Merchandising
  • Introduction to Textiles
  • Apparel Manufacturing
  • Garment Merchandising & Quality Control
  • Costing, documentation & Shipping Procedures
  • Fabric production and Garment Making- Practical
  • Garment Merchandising & MIS- Practical
BSc in Fashion Design
  • Basics of Design and Illustration
  • Traditional Textiles
  • Garment Construction
  • Textile Science
  • Fabric Construction
  • Basics of Computer Skills-
  • History of Indian Costumes
  • Introduction to Dyeing and Printing
  • Concept of Fashion
  • Marketing and Merchandising
  • Apparel Manufacturing Technology
  • History of World Costumes
BA (Hons) Fashion Design
  • Basics of Drawing Skills
  • Perspective/Technical Skills
  • Analytical Visual Skills
  • Material Understanding
  • Understanding Design Elements and Principles
  • History of Art and Design
  • Relevance of Design in Contemporary Situations
  • Creative Writing Skills
  • CAD/ CAM
  • Introduction to the Fashion Design Process
  • Understanding Basic Pattern Making/Draping and Construction Techniques
  • Fashion Illustration and Technical Drawing
  • Contextualising Fashion through the Ages
  • Final Design Portfolio
  • Advanced Pattern Making/Draping and Construction Techniques
  • Fashion Illustration and Technical Drawing through CAD
  • Understanding and Experiencing the Indigenous Craft Industry
  • Final Design Portfolio
BA (Hons) Product Design
  • Lighting and luminary design
  • Interior accessories & objects d’art
  • Kitchenware
  • Bath ware
  • Products for hospitality industry
  • Eco-friendly and sustainable product design
BA (Hons) Jewellery Design
  • Fundamentals of Jewellery design and Gemology
  • History of Jewellery
  • Indian & International Jewellery markets
  • Diamond grading & sorting
  • Manufacturing process
  • Marketing, Advertisement & Brand building
BA (Hons) Communication Design
  • Basics of Drawing Skills
  • Perspective/Technical Skills
  • Analytical Visual Skills
  • Material Understanding
  • Understanding Design Elements and Principles
  • History of Art and Design
  • Relevance of Design in Contemporary Situations
  • Creative Writing Skills
  • CAD/ CAM
  • Fundamentals of Graphic Design
  • Illustrations / Topography
  • Visual Communication Design – Principles and Practice
  • Digital Media Design
  • Print and Publication Design
  • Photography and Video
  • Story Telling
  • Audio-Visual Media
  • Market Relevance for Media
  • Design for interaction
  • Advertising Marketing and Band Management
  • Design Research Method
  • Professional Design Practice
  • Personal Studio Project 1
BA (Hons) Fashion Styling & Image Design
  • Visual Studies
  • Design Concepts
  • Cultural Studies
  • Material Exploration
  • Communication Skills
  • Computer Skills
  • Fundamentals of Styling
  • Research Tools and Techniques
  • Makeup and Hair Styling
  • Visualization and Communication Techniques
  • Phenomena of Image and Identity
  • Fashion Marketing and Brands Promotion
  • Spatial Styling
  • Fashion Styling, Image & Identity in Media and Communication
  • Department Workship1: Personal Styling
  • Department Workship1: Fashion Editorial & Styling
Bachelors in Textile Design
  • Elements of Design
  • Geometry
  • Visualisation Representation
  • Overview of Fashion
  • Material Studies
  • Computer Application
  • Field Study
  • Integrated Term Project
  • Design Methodology
  • Fashion Studies
  • Surface Techniques
  • Textile Science
  • Introduction to Weaving Skills & Knitting Skills
  • Appreciation of Traditional Textiles
  • Computer-Aided Design for Print
  • Digital Imaging & Editing Techniques
  • Textile Design Development Project
  • Dyeing
  • Printing and Finishing
  • Quality Analysis & Assurance
  • CAD and Weave Design
  • Print Design
  • Styling for Apparel & Home Furnishings
  • Woven Design Project
  • Dobby & Jacquard Design
  • Marketing & Merchandising

Design Syllabus for PG Courses

Course Subjects
MDes
  • Basic of Design
  • Visual Design- Principles & Applications
  • Ergonomics
  • Design Methods
  • Form Studies
  • Graphic Design
MA Fashion Design
  • Apparel Manufacturing Technology
  • Fashion Communication
  • Advanced Pattern Making
  • Design Illustration
  • Computer Designing
  • Knitwear Design Technology
  • Construction of Women’s Wear
  • Construction of Men’s Wear
MA Fashion Merchandising
  • Introduction to Fashion Merchandising
  • Retail Management
  • Fashion Analysis and Forecasting
  • Marketing and Promotion Strategies
  • Visual Merchandising
  • Economics
  • Financial Accounting
  • Fashion Market Research
MA Fashion Retail
  • Introduction to the Fashion Industry
  • Fabric Knowledge for Merchandisers
  • Retail Management
  • Principles of Fashion Marketing & Merchandising
  • Computer Applications in Fashion & retail Industry
  • Principles and Practices of Management
  • Elements of Design & history of Fashion
  • Introduction to Garment Manufacturing
MFTech
  • Apparel Manufacturing Technology
  • Fashion Communication
  • Advanced Pattern Making
  • Construction of Women’s Wear
  • Design Illustration
  • Computer Designing
  • Retail Marketing & Merchandising
  • Knitwear Design Technology
  • Construction of Men’s Wear
MSc Costume Design and Fashion
  • Research Methodology and Statistics
  • Costumes and Textiles of the World
  • Indian Textile Industry
  • Fashion Illustrations
  • Draping for Fashion Design
  • Fashion Merchandising
  • Apparel Quality Standard and Implementation
  • Designs with Prints
  • CAD in Fashion Designing
  • Advanced Garment Construction
  • International Trade and Documentation
  • Technical Textiles
  • Textile Testing
  • CAD in Pattern Making
  • Ornaments and Accessories
MSc Fabric and Apparel Designing
  • Statistics
  • Research Methods and Computer Applications
  • Advanced Fabric Science
  • Historic Costume
  • World Textiles: Techniques and Master Pieces
  • Fashion Marketing
  • Apparel Production
  • Pattern Making
  • Fashion Illustration
  • Textile Design Development
  • Quality Assurance in Textiles and Apparels
  • Dyeing, Printing and Colour Measurement
  • Textile Finishing and Evaluation
MSc Fashion Designing
  • Apparel Manufacturing Technology
  • Fashion Communication
  • Advanced Pattern Making
  • Construction of Women’s Wear
  • Design Illustration
  • Computer Designing
  • Retail Marketing and Merchandising
  • Knitwear Design Technology
  • Advanced Pattern Making
  • Construction of Men’s Wear
Master of Fashion Management (MFM)
  • Basic Product and Manufacturing related subjects like design, fabric, patterns and the likes
  • Principles of Fashion Marketing, Merchandising and Management
  • Economic Analysis and Statistics
  • Information Technology
  • Marketing Research and Consumer Behaviour
  • Global Textiles and Apparel Product Market characteristics
  • Retail Management and Advanced Export Merchandising
  • Qualitative Techniques and Operations Research
  • Management Accounting
  • Marketing strategies and Brand Management
  • International Marketing
  • Fashion Forecasting and Product Development
  • International Marketing
  • Fashion Forecasting and Product Development
  • Financial Management and International Finance
  • Human Resource Management
  • Supply Chain Management and E-Business
  • Customer Relationship Management
  • Visual Merchandising
  • Intellectual Property Rights
MSc Fashion Technology
  • Apparel Manufacturing Technology
  • Fashion Communication
  • Advanced Pattern Making
  • Construction of Women’s Wear
  • Design Illustration
  • Computer Designing
  • Retail Marketing and Merchandising
  • Knitwear Design Technology
  • Construction of Men’s Wear
  • Research Methods
  • Statistics
  • Design Illustration (Kid’s Wear)
  • Pattern Making (Kid’s Wear)
  • Garment Construction (Kid’s Wear)
  • Computer-Aided Designing
  • Entrepreneurship Development
  • Quality Control and Standardisation
  • Textile Design Development
  • Pattern Making Through Draping

Top Design Careers & Companies

There are a variety of design careers available for candidates at UG and PG levels. However, career/ job opportunities for candidates depend on the design specialisation that they choose. Some of the popular design careers available for candidates include:

Design Careers

Descriptions

Fashion Design

After completing a course in Fashion Design candidates can become fashion designers, fashion marketers, quality control managers, fashion coordinators, etc.

Textile Design

After completing a course in Textile Design candidates can become textile designers, fabric resource managers, fabric analysers, embroidery designers, etc.

Accessory Design

After completing a course in Accessory Design candidates can become accessory designers, brand managers, precious and costume jewellery entrepreneurs, giftware entrepreneurs, etc.

Interior Design

After completing a course in Interior Design candidates can become interior designers, interior decorators, window/ display designers, etc.

Graphic Design

After completing a course in Graphic Design candidates can become graphic designers, web designers, interaction designers, communication designers, etc.

Web Design

After completing a course in Web Design candidates can become web designers, graphic designers, digital imaging specialists, interactive designers, etc.

Game Design

After completing a course in Game Design candidates can become 2D game designers, 3D game designers, 2D web & graphics designers, 3D web & graphics designers, game testers, etc. 

Furniture Design

After completing a course in Furniture Design candidates can become furniture designers, interior decorators, etc.

Industrial Design

After completing a course in Industrial Design candidates can become industrial designers, industrial design researchers, art directors, etc.

Product Design

After completing a course in Product Design candidates can become product designers, packaging designers, computer-aided design technicians, etc.

Footwear Design

After completing a course in Footwear Design candidates can become footwear designers, shoe designers, etc.

Automotive Design

After completing a course in Automotive Design candidates can become automotive designers, car designers, motorbike designers, etc.

Apparel Design

After completing a course in Apparel Design candidates can become apparel designers, fashion coordinators, quality control managers, fashion merchandisers, etc.

Knitwear Design

After completing a course in Knitwear Design candidates can become knitwear designers, merchandisers, textile designers, etc.

Exhibition Design

After completing a course in Exhibition Design candidates can become exhibition designers, stage designers, museum designers, etc.

Information Design

After completing a course in Information Design candidates can become information designers, graphic designers, data visualisers, etc.

Leather Design

After completing a course in Leather Design candidates can become leather designers, sample makers, pattern-making executives, brand managers, etc.

Toy Design

After completing a course inToy Design candidates can become toy designers, toy creators, toy engineers, etc.

Ceramic & Glass Design

After completing a course in Ceramic & Glass Designcandidates can become glass designers, ceramic and glass designers, interior decorators, etc.

Top Companies that Hire Design Graduates

Design graduates have a plethora of career opportunities before them. After completing their course aspirants can work with designers as well as corporates. Given below are some popular design companies that hire design graduates:

Raymonds Benetton
Arvind Garments ITC Ltd.
Levis Lifestyle
Madura Garments Modelama Exports
Omega Designs Orient Craft
Pantaloon Proline
Shahi Exports Span India
Spykar Swarovski India
Uni Style India Texport Overseas
Snapdeal Shoppers Stop
Pearl Global Mahajan Overseas
Kimaya Gokuldas Images
Indus League Clothing


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