Types of Designing Courses in India: UG & PG Courses & Career Options

Designing courses in India are available at certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate levels across specialisations. Students can choose a course based on their qualification, creative interests and career goals.

Types of Designing Courses

Types of designing courses in India include undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and certificate programmes in areas such as fashion design, interior design, graphic design, product design, textile design, UI/UX design, animation, VFX and game design. Students can choose a course based on their educational qualification, creative interests and career goals.

Design courses combine creativity with practical and technical skills. Depending on the specialisation, students may learn design principles, drawing, visual communication, computer-aided design (CAD), software tools, materials, user experience, fashion techniques or spatial planning. Shiksha lists UG, PG and diploma-level designing courses and highlights areas such as fashion, interior, graphic, product and UI/UX design.

Types of Designing Courses in India

Designing courses are available at different academic levels. Students can pursue diploma or certificate courses after Class 10 or 12, undergraduate degree programmes after Class 12 and postgraduate courses after graduation.

Design Courses After 10th

Students who want to enter the design field soon after Class 10 can consider diploma and certificate design courses. These courses are shorter than degree programmes and focus on practical skills.

Popular options include:

• Diploma in Fashion Design
• Diploma in Interior Design
• Diploma in Graphic Design
• Diploma in Jewellery Design
• Certificate in Graphic Design
• Certificate in UI/UX Design
• Certificate in Animation and VFX
• Certificate in Fashion Design

The eligibility for diploma courses depends on the institute. Some programmes accept students after Class 10, while others require Class 12. Students should check the individual college's admission criteria before applying.

A diploma can help students build basic design skills and a portfolio. However, students who want a broader academic qualification and more advanced career opportunities can consider a bachelor's degree after Class 12.

Also Read:

• Diploma in Jewellery Design courses in India
• Certificate in Fashion Design Courses in India
• UI/UX Courses & Certifications Online
• Certificate in Fashion Design Courses in India

Design Courses After 12th

Students who have completed Class 12 can choose from several undergraduate design courses after 12th. The most common degree is the Bachelor of Design (B.Des), but colleges also offer B.Sc, BA and other design-related programmes.

Popular undergraduate options include:

• B.Des in Fashion Design
• B.Des in Interior Design
• B.Des in Graphic Design
• B.Des in Product Design
• B.Des in Communication Design
• B.Des in Textile Design
• B.Des in Industrial Design
• B.Des in Animation and VFX
• B.Des in Game Design
• B.Sc in Fashion Design
• B.Sc in Interior Design
• BA in Design

The duration of undergraduate design courses is generally three to four years, depending on the programme and institute. 

Popular Types of Design Courses

Students can choose a design specialisation based on the type of work they want to pursue. The following are some of the most popular types of design courses in India.

1. Fashion Design Courses

Fashion design courses focus on clothing, textiles, fashion illustration, garment construction, pattern making and fashion trends.

Students can pursue B.Des or B.Sc programmes in fashion design after Class 12. Diploma and certificate courses are also available for students who want shorter programmes.

Career options: Fashion Designer, Fashion Illustrator, Fashion Stylist, Textile Designer and Fashion Merchandiser.

Also Read: Fashion Styling Courses

2. Interior Design Courses

Interior design courses teach students how to plan and develop functional and visually appealing indoor spaces. Topics can include space planning, colour theory, furniture design, lighting, materials and CAD. Students can pursue diploma, B.Des, B.Sc and postgraduate programmes in interior design. 

Career options: Interior Designer, Space Planner, Furniture Designer, Interior Consultant and Set Designer.

3. Graphic Design Courses

Graphic design focuses on visual communication. Students learn how to create designs for print and digital platforms using typography, colours, images, layouts and design software.

Career options: Graphic Designer, Visual Designer, Brand Designer, Art Director and Communication Designer.

4. UI/UX Design Courses

UI/UX design focuses on how users interact with websites, mobile applications and digital products. Students learn areas such as user research, wireframing, prototyping, interface design and usability.

Career options: UI Designer, UX Designer, Product Designer, UX Researcher and Interaction Designer.

5. Product Design Courses

Product design combines creativity, technology and problem-solving to develop physical products. Students may study materials, ergonomics, manufacturing, prototyping and user-centred design.

Career options: Product Designer, Industrial Designer, Design Consultant and Design Researcher.

Also Read: Product Design Courses

6. Textile Design Courses

Textile design focuses on creating and developing fabrics, prints, patterns and surface designs. The course may cover textile materials, weaving, printing, dyeing and surface ornamentation.

Career options: Textile Designer, Print Designer, Surface Designer and Textile Consultant.

7. Animation and VFX Design Courses

Animation and VFX courses combine art and technology. Students learn animation principles, 3D modelling, visual effects, storytelling and digital production.

B.Des in 3D Animation and VFX as a four-year undergraduate programme covering areas such as game mechanics, level design, narrative design, UI/UX and gameplay prototyping.

Career options: Animator, VFX Artist, 3D Artist, Motion Graphics Designer and Game Artist.

8. Game Design Courses

Game design courses focus on developing interactive games. Students may learn game mechanics, level design, storytelling, character design, gameplay and interactive media.

Career options: Game Designer, Level Designer, Game Artist, Game Developer and Game UI Designer.

Also Read: Best Game Design Colleges in India 

9. Communication Design Courses

Communication design focuses on using visual and digital media to communicate information and ideas. It can include graphic design, typography, illustration, photography, animation and digital media.

Career options: Communication Designer, Graphic Designer, Visual Designer, Art Director and Brand Designer.

10. Industrial Design Courses

Industrial design focuses on designing products that combine functionality, usability and visual appeal. Students can work on consumer products, furniture, transportation products and other manufactured goods.

Career options: Industrial Designer, Product Designer, Design Consultant and Design Researcher.

Postgraduate Design Courses in India

Students who have completed graduation can pursue PG design courses to gain advanced knowledge or specialise in a particular design area.

Popular postgraduate options include:

• M.Des
• M.Sc in Design-related specialisations
• MA in Design
• PG Diploma in Design
• M.Des in Fashion Design
• M.Des in Interior Design
• M.Des in Communication Design
• M.Des in Product Design
• M.Des in Interaction Design
• M.Des in Textile Design

Most postgraduate design programmes are around two years. Duration can differ between institutes and programmes. 

Design Courses After Graduation

Graduates from design or other disciplines can choose postgraduate design programmes if they meet the eligibility criteria of the institute.

For example, some M.Des programmes accept graduates from different academic backgrounds, while others may require a specific design qualification. Students should therefore check the eligibility criteria before applying.

A postgraduate design course can be useful for students who want to specialise in areas such as:

• Fashion design
• Interior design
• Product design
• Communication design
• Interaction design
• Textile design
• Strategic design
• Design management
• Digital design

Diploma Design Courses in India

Diploma programmes are suitable for students who want to develop specific design skills in a shorter period. They can also be considered by working professionals looking to change or upgrade their skills.

Popular diploma options include:

• Diploma in Fashion Design
• Diploma in Interior Design
• Diploma in Graphic Design
• Diploma in Jewellery Design
• Diploma in Animation
• PG Diploma in Fashion Design
• PG Diploma in Interior Design
• PG Diploma in Fashion Communication

Career Options After Design Courses

Design graduates can work across industries such as fashion, retail, media, entertainment, technology, advertising, real estate, manufacturing and digital products.

Check details about top Design entrance exams in India: 

• NIFT entrance exam 
• UCEED 
• CEED 
• NID Entrance Exam
• Pearl Academy Entrance Exam