Updated on May 20, 2025 05:58 IST

Graphic design is an innovative field of visual elements to get the desired effect. It can be used for anything from advertisements, movies or books whatever you are looking at it through. This Graphic Design syllabus guide will help you-

List of Subjects in Graphic Designing

Numerous colleges in India offer the option of the Graphic Design program. The admission process for this course is based on merit and entrance examination. However, to crack the Graphic Design examination, one needs to know all the crucial subjects this course features fully.

Want to know them all? Let’s dive in!

Typical Core Subjects for Graphic Designing

Here is the list of the core subjects and it's detailed information -

Subject Title

Subject Details

Introduction to Modern Graphic Design

From layout concepts like composition & colour theory through typography guidance (including font families), this subject enables students to develop skills needed to design projects.

Typography

Typography is an essential part of Graphic Design because it's what makes your message readable and aesthetically pleasing. The typographic elements don't ask you to draw any letterforms yourself but work with fonts that already exist for them to be more effective on paper or screen.

Colour and Colour Theory

Colour theory is the study of how colours communicate with one another to create visual interfaces.

Designers use these rules and guidelines for their designs to be appealing schemes, which users can more easily understand than without them.

Layout Design and Collage

Collaging is a simple yet creative contemporary design form.

Advertisements, Publications, Photography and Visual

Graphic Designers are in charge of creating the perfect design for your company's advertisement. This subject is a guide to original and professional-looking artwork that suits what you need to do, whether or not it promotes a product or service.

Typical Elective Subjects of Graphic Designing

Students can check out the list of elective subjects and it's detailed information -

Subject Title

Subject Details

Graphic Design Elective

This course will cover a range of topics such as composition, colour theory, typography, and more. By the end of the class, you'll have a strong foundation in Graphic Design principles that you can apply to any future projects.

Business Information Design

Business information design is the process of creating visual representations of data and information that can be easily understood by businesses and organisations.

Motion Graphics

Motion graphics are Graphic Designs that use animation and video to create visually appealing displays. Common uses for motion graphics include titles, Lower Thirds, and Overlays.

History of Graphic Design

The subject deals with the art of communicating visually using text, images, and other visual media. The field of Graphic Design covers a wide range of creative disciplines, including typography, illustration, branding, and advertising.

Visual Systems

Visual systems in Graphic Design are used to organise and structure information. This subject teaches how to create hierarchy, contrast, and visual unity within a design.

Syllabus of Graphic Designing 

Let’s dive into the detailed syllabus for Graphic Design:

Below mentioned are the subjects and it's detailed information -

Semester

Core/Elective

Subject title

Subject Details

1st

Design Overview/Basic Photography

Design Overview/Basic Photography

  • Design Overview- Graphic Design is not just about the pretty visuals. It's also an opportunity for professionals to communicate their messages in creative ways.

  • Basic photography- The subject teaches you how photography in Graphic Design can be a great tool to help you create the perfect image for your product.

2nd

History of Design

 

History of Design

 

  • The subject deals with the art of communicating visually using text, images, and other visual media. The field of Graphic Design covers a wide range of creative disciplines, including typography, illustration, branding, and advertising.

3rd

Photography Advance

 

Photography Advance

 

  • This subject explains how photography skills can lead to better design. Going through this subject also strengthens the ability to consider the composition of elements in an image.

4th

Print Production

Print Production

  • Students will learn about creating prints, typically on a printing press. This process can include some combination of prepress (which may include design, typesetting, and proofing).

5th

Branding & IdentityDesign

Branding & IdentityDesign

  • This subject teaches about the company or organisation in question.

6th

Publication Design

Publication Design

  • Publication design is one of the subjects in Graphic Designing that deals with the layout and informs students of the appearance of printed material. This includes books, magazines, newspapers, and other types of publications.

7th

Interaction Design/ UI, UX

Interaction Design/ UI, and UX

  • Interaction design focuses on the way users interact with digital products. In contrast, UX design focuses on the overall experience of using a product.

8th

Degree Project

Degree Project

  • The degree project in Graphic Design focuses on creating a new brand identity for a small business. It includes research, planning, designing and presenting the new branding proposal.

Specialisations Offered in Graphic Design

Here are the semester wise specialisations -

Specialisation

Subjects

Details

Animation and Visual Effects

  • 3D Modelling

  • Illustrations

  • Design Concept & theories

 

Students who choose this specialisation are interested in animation and visual effects. After completing this specialised course, the students are empowered to utilise the emerging technologies of art and science.

Digital and Interactive Media Design

Study the technical aspects of

  • Protocols

  • Image processing & delivery

  • File formats

Students who often opt for this specialised course in Graphic Design are very interested in digital and interactive media.

Mobile Application Design

  • Design Patterns and Colour Palettes

  • Drawing Wireframes

  • Creating User Flow Diagram for each screen and Mockups

This course is generally opted by students who want to grab the information from a different perspective and unify the requirement for optimal usability, accessibility, engagement, and enhancing user experience.

User Interface Animation

  • Scripts for superlight workflow.

  • Animating shapes and preloaders.

  • Morphings and animating infographics

The course primarily makes the students proficient in animation that guides them around the interface, influences their decisions, alerts them of a change and indicates a relationship between elements.

Books and Authors Related to Graphic Design

Here is a table compiled with a list of the best Graphic Design books in the market with their authors. Let’s have a look:

Book Title

Authors

Description

Designing Brand Identity

Alina Wheeler

It is a comprehensive, pragmatic book considered ideal for all brand builders, global or local. The valuable piece is presented through a highly visible step-by-step approach in 5 phases.

Branding: In Five and a Half Steps

Michael Johnson

The book is best if you want to enhance your brand image. It helps readers comprehend how their visual and verbal approaches affect their daily decisions.

Logo Modernism

Jens Muller

As the name suggests, the book focuses on the crucial period between 1940 and 1980, scrutinising modernist ideas in Graphic Design through documentation of more than 6k logos.

The Elements of Typographic Style

Robert Bringhurst

The book primarily focuses on typography. It not only enlightens you to describe how to use fonts but lets the users know how to create them. Robert (The book’s author) has tried to explain the maths and science involved in font design.

Show Your Work!

Austin Kleon

How do one gets creative work of any sort done? Want to know the answer? Read this book. It is a personal manifesto that involves personal expression on everything and anything you do. It is based on Kleon’s perspective on doing what you love.

FAQs on Graphic Design:

Q. What is the work of a Graphic Designer?

A.

Graphic Designers are responsible for the communication of information/ideas through visuals. They create layouts and production designs to ensure that their client's message is delivered effectively, whether on a report or advertisement.

Q. Where is Graphic Design used?

A. Graphic Designers are the backbone of any company. They help create logos and print materials like brochures and signs that promote your business and improve brand awareness across multiple platforms, including websites with online ads, virtual presentations etc.

Q. What does a Graphic Designer use to create designs?

A. Graphic Designers are able to use traditional illustration techniques with nearly endless digital design tools. With programs like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, their work seems to have become easier.

Q. What are Vector and Raster Graphics?

A. Raster Graphics are composed of individual pixels that lose their quality when scaled, while Vector graphics can be stretched to any size without losing their high quality in every resolution because they are created with mathematical points which tell the path and colour it will fill by default.

Q. What else does a Graphic Designer do for the client?

A. A Graphic Designer's speciality tasks include collaborating on the concept (usually with a team), attending meetings about your project, paying attention to what customers desire by analysing their clicking patterns and presenting designs that explain various potential products.

Q. Is a Graphic Designer a good career option?

A. Graphic Design is a hot career in 2022. Graphic Designers are high in demand these days. They aren't just needed to create logos and websites. They are also involved with marketing campaigns, product packaging design like food, retail environments, and even taxi cabs. If your dream job were to design anything from scratch, this would be the perfect field of art and work.

With the rapid growth in industry and technology, there will always be new projects that you can take on by being versatile enough. It is possible to become rich as a Graphic Designer! You can even start your own business and reap massive profits out of it. All it takes is some creativity and hard work.

Q. What are Graphic Design job opportunities in India?

A. Numerous Graphic Designers are hired by companies worldwide. More than 23,900 openings are projected to open for Graphic Designers each year, on average. Plus, the future of Graphic Designers is bright not only in India but across the globe.

Let’s check out the job opportunities available for Graphic Designers today:

  1. Multimedia Designer- To become a Multimedia Designer, you need to have creative and innovative skills and specialised knowledge in applying for various software programs. Multimedia designers are the people who bring life to a project by creating props, costumes, and sets. They direct assistants in areas such as design interpretations for technical production of sound or light on behalf of their client.

  2. Art Directors- Visual artists are often responsible for the look and feel of a project. They create concepts, come up with new ideas to make products stand out on shelves or screens, and design layouts that show off their work effectively. Art Directors are creative minds. They work with photographers, animators, and writers to bring their vision into reality by guiding how it should look visually and content-wise for each project they take up.

  3. Photoshop artists- Photoshop artists are in high demand as e-commerce companies look for ways to increase customer engagement, and photo editing is one way they can do it. The ability of these professional Graphic Designers provides an endless supply of fresh ideas that will please your customers and encourage them to buy from you more often.

  4. Freelancer- Freelancing is the best opportunity that empowers you to start your own business. You get complete creative control and unlimited earning potential, and the best part is you are not tied down like a nine-to-five job would be. With a fantastic resume and an outstanding portfolio of your previous work samples, you can get high-end opportunities in niche areas like designing or graphics.

Q. Can you become a Graphic Designer without a degree?

A. Graphic Designers are often required to have a degree, but it's not always necessary. A candidate can become one by even taking short courses or pursuing diploma programs that would qualify them if he has enough talent and work experience under his belt already.

Q. How much is the course period for Graphic Design?

A. Graphic Design courses at colleges usually last four years. However, postgraduate-level programs have two-year durations.

Q. Can I learn Graphic Design myself?

A. Graphic Design is a complex field that requires knowledge of its history, art and theory, and practical application. A person should be admitted into a reputed institution if they wish to learn how to work in Graphic Design.

Q. What is the role of a Graphic Designer?

A. Graphic Designers are in high demand these days, with more and more people turning to Graphic Designing to execute their business ideas. The skilful use of graphics can give you an edge over your competitors at the time of promotion or advertising.
  1. Graphic Designers are professionals and create captivating logos, advertisement campaigns, and other Graphic Design projects that help retain the audience's attention and boost revenue for any business.

  2. Graphic Designers spend a lot of time working on logos and branding for companies. To become a master of your art, many students choose to attend design schools and learn more about the industry. The top design institutions are the best way to gain expertise and knowledge in your desired path.

  3. As a designer, you have the opportunity to work in various industries and fields. For example, newspaper agencies for layout designing or established advertising firms if your passion lies there instead of designing it.



Table of contents
  • Popular Graphic Design Colleges in India
  • Popular Private Graphic Design Colleges in India
  • Popular Exams
  • Most Popular Courses
  • Popular Graphic Design UG Courses
  • Popular Graphic Design PG Courses

Popular Graphic Design Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Graphic Design Colleges in India. Learn more about these Graphic Design colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
1 Course
1.18 L
1 Course
18.68 L
3.8

#3 The Week

27.89 L

#7 The Week

1 Course
20.42 L

#5 The Week

2 L - 14.72 L
4.0

#19 The Week

1 Course
4.0
3.68 LPA

#13 The Week

Popular Private Graphic Design Colleges in India

1 Course
11.2 L

Graphic Design Applications open. Apply Now

8.9 L - 17.8 L
3.0
7.16 L
32 K - 5.2 L
4 Courses
2.65 L - 9.1 L
4.0
22.65 L - 43.74 L
4.0

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Graphic Design. Students interested in pursuing a career on Graphic Design, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

8 Dec ' 25 - 6 Jan ' 26

NIFT 2026 application form OPEN (Regular fees)

7 Jan ' 26 - 10 Jan ' 26

NIFT 2026 application form (Late fees)

27 Feb ' 26

Last date to apply for March Attempt

14 Mar ' 26

SAT India exam (March attempt)

21 Dec ' 25

NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) Date: B.Des & M.Des

17 Feb ' 26

NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) - Results for M.Des

Popular Graphic Design UG Courses

Following are the most popular Graphic Design UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Graphic Design PG Courses

Following are the most popular Graphic Design PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

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