BDes Syllabus & Subjects List 2026: Download Semester-wise Syllabus PDF

BDes is a four-year bachelor's degree programme at the undergraduate level that focuses on the theoretical design process, furniture design, interior decorating, graphic design, and culinary design. This course intends to provide in-depth design knowledge in order to develop a reservoir of research personnel with design skills. BDes graduates can find a plethora of job options and work as fashion designer, graphic designer, Art Director, Design Manager, and so on. The BDes syllabus focuses on developing intellectual creativity as well as technical abilities among students who wish to enter the various design industries.

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BDes Overview

BDes Important Facts

Some of the important facts related to BDes course are:

Advantages: According to several news organisations, the Indian Fashion Industry is predicted to grow at a rate of 10-12% in the next years, opening up opportunities for growth as well as diverse career possibilities. Also, hundreds of new brands are expected to open new stores by 2023, highlighting the enormous possibilities of expansion. Students can also start their businesses, which could be fashion designing or creating their own consultancy.

Admissions: Candidates must have a decent grade point average in their higher secondary level from a recognised college. At the time of admission to a good college, aspiring students should have a work/design portfolio available.

Students who have received high results in either of the entrance tests can gain admission to a good college. Because there are fewer places available for BDes students in government colleges, the higher the scores, the better the prospects of admission to premier institutes such as NIFT, NID, IIT-IDC, MITID, and others.

Scope: Students can pursue MDes after completing BDes. It is a two-year post graduate course that trains the candidates in the disciplines of User Experience & Interaction Design, Industrial Design, and Visual Communication, etc . The MDes curriculum is divided into four semesters. The first three focus on theoretical themes, while the final focuses on internship or industrial dissertation. Admission to these programmes is based on entrance tests such as NIFT, IICD, CEED, and so on.

Fees: BDes course can be completed from the prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) at a cost varying from INR 6 to INR 7 lakhs and from Pearl Academy in Delhi at an estimated cost of INR 10 lakhs. However, the fees structure varies from college to college and type of specialisation taken.

BDes Syllabus

The curriculum has been created by industry experts in a manner that students gain deep understanding about the Designing subjects that can help them in shaping their careers. The BDes course curriculum varies by speciality, but the structure of the course is consistent, consisting of basic subjects, learning strategies, and projects with industrial exposure.

Semester-1
Subject	Details
Design skills and concepts-1	In this subject, students are made aware about the various skills needed to become a designer.
Design and Sensitisation-1	Sensory design principles stress the interdependence of human perception and encourage designers to experiment with non-visual solutions.
Design and Contextual Building-1	It is a user-centered design process. The students are apprised about the same and its applications.
Computer skills-1	Students are provided deep understanding about the computer related skills.
Applied Science for Designers	The applied sciences are a broad category for the practical application of scientific knowledge and study.
Evolution of Design	In this, students are apprised about the phases of development in design industry.

 

Semester-2
Subject	Details
Design skills and concepts-2	------
Design and Senitisation-2	------
Design and Contextual Building-2	------
Computer skills-2	------
Design Studio	A design studio, sometimes known as a drawing office, is a workspace for designers and craftspeople who are involved in the conception, creation, and development of new goods or objects.
Fundamentals of Arts	The fundamentals of art are the basic building blocks of an artwork.

 

Semester-3
Subject	Details
Project Work	------
Fashion Design Fundamentals	It provides knowledge about fashion design to aspirants for a better career.
Design Studio-2	-------
Creative Thinking Methods	Students are informed about how to develop techniques that develops creative thinking in them.
Environmental Studies	Environmental studies is an interdisciplinary academic field that investigates human interaction with the environment in depth.
Visual Studies	The Art, Film, and Visual Studies (AFVS) emphasis develops skills in both the practise and critical study of the visual arts.

 

Semester-4
Subject	Details
History of Art and Design	It talks about the origin and history of art and design.
Design Studio-3	------
Communication Theories	The body of knowledge concerned with the principles and methods of conveying information
Storytelling	Storytelling allows people to share and interpret their experiences.
Summer Project	-------

 

Semester-5
Subject	Details
Elective	-------
Elective	-------
Applied Ergonomics	Applied Ergonomics is a contract furnishing dealer that incorporates excellent design and ergonomic principles into all projects.
Design and Technology	It is related to planning and creation of things related to designing.
Collaborative Design Project	Collaborative design occurs when people from several areas are involved in the early stages of a project.

 

Semester-6
Subject	Details
Elective	--------
Elective	--------
Design Management	Design management outlines how firms use design elements to help them reach their goals, create products and services, and so on.
System Design Project	--------
Summer Internship	--------

 

Semester-7
Subject	Details
Studio Project	--------
Research Project	--------
Intellectual Property Rights	Intellectual property (IP) refers to mental creations such as inventions, literary and creative works, and designs.

 

Semester-8
Subject	Details
BDes Projects	--------

The below table includes the name of elective subjects in BDes:

Subject	Details
Furniture & Interior Design	Interior Designers use or create uselful and less space occupancy furniture in designing houses.
Aerospace Design	Aerospace Design is a subset of Aerospace Engineering, the science of developing aircraft, spaceship, and other projectiles.
Mobility and Vehicle Design	Auto companies are designing environment-friendly vehicles and this can be opted as an elective subject.
Design of Medical Equipment	It is related to designing of equipments used in surgeries and medical purposes.
Graphics and Animation	The movement on the screen of the display device caused by displaying a sequence of still images is referred to as animation.
Toy and Games Design	Learning of fundamentals on designing of toys and games for kids.

BDes Specialisations

BDes is a vast course available in a number of specialisations. The programme is designed to introduce students to various design processes, specialisations, and communication strategies. Students can pick from a variety of specialisations, some of which are listed below:

Important Specialisations in BDes
Fashion Design	Leather Design
Fashion Communication	Exhibition Design
Textile Design	Accessory Design
Animation Film Design	Knitwear Design
Lifestyle and Accessory Design	Industrial Design
Furniture and Interior Design	Product Design
Visual Communication	Footwear Designs and Production

 BDes Books and Authors

Some of the popular books for BDes students are:

Name of Book	Author	Details
Ornamental Design	Kale James	This book talks about decorative designs meant for use by artists, designers, and craftspeople. It provides as a guide for them on various topics related to jewellery design.
The Design of Everyday Things	Don Norman	The book seeks to educate readers on the inherent aspects of user-friendly design as well as the process of building from the ground up.
Interior Design	Chris Grimley	Examines interior design elements that contribute to the creation of a given mood or character, such as natural and artificial lighting, sound, and fragrance.
Design As Art	Bruno Munari	This insightful and entertaining book lays out the author's thoughts on visual, graphic, and industrial design, as well as the function it plays in the products we use every day.
Non-Designer’s Design Book	Robin Williams	This book includes four basic principles of design and provides understanding about the design as per colour and type.

BDes Entrance Exams

AIEED: Arch College of Design and Business offers admission to its undergraduate and postgraduate design programmes through the All India Entrance Examination for Design (AIEED). The exam is designed to assess students' "sense of aesthetics, originality, and design sensibility" as they pursue meaningful professions in the various sectors of design. 

NIFT: The National Institute of Fashion Technology conducts NIFT entrance exam to provide admission to bachelors of fashion technology, bachelors of design, masters of design, masters of fashion technology, and masters of fashion management programmes, among other topics. To be considered, candidates must pass the Creative Ability Test (CAT) and the General Ability Test (GAT). 

NID: The National Institute of Design (NID) Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is a national-level entrance test administered by the National Institute of Design (NID) for admission to Bachelor of Design (BDes) and Master of Design (MDes) programmes provided by member institutes. The Design Aptitude Test is divided into two parts DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. 

UCEED: IIT Bombay administers the Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) for admission to the BDes programme at the following participating institutes:

• University of Mumbai
• IIT, Delhi
• University of Guwahati
• Hyderabad's IIT
• IIITD Jabalpur

Common Entrance Examination for Design: The Common Entrance Exam for Design, or CEED, is administered by IIT Bombay for admission to MDes and Ph.D. programmes at member institutes. IISc Bangalore, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee, and IIITDM Jabalpur provide the MDes programme. Meanwhile, the PhD programme is offered in a number of IITs and design schools.

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Top Colleges for BDes

BDes Distance Programme

A distant B.Des programme is provided by numerous Indian colleges. This four-year distance education programme has been approved by the UGC/AICTE. It has the same status as a full-time B.Des programme. The distance programme in BDes can be completed at a fees ranging from INR 1.5 lakhs to INR 5 lakhs. Some of the colleges which offer a BDes Fashion Design in remote education method are:

• Pearl Academy Delhi
• NIFT Ahmedabad
• NIFT Chennai
• JD Institute Mumbai
• Tamil Nadu Open University
• IGNOU

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How to prepare for NIFT Exams

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Following are the most popular B Des (Bachelor of Design) Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

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