Graphic Design Syllabus 2024: Subjects, Semester-wise Syllabus PDF, Top Colleges, Books
Vidhi JainContent Writer
Introduction
Graphic Designing is an innovative field that involves the creative exploitation of visual elements to achieve the desired effect. It can be used for anything from advertisements, movies or books, whatever you are looking at it through. Once you become a Graphic Designer, also known as the architect of our visual world, you develop a strong potential to improve the brand’s identity that would help elevate any business. Whether you are just embarking on your Graphic Design journey or looking to expand your skill set by learning new tools or techniques, this Graphic Design syllabus guide will help you through the in-outs of the field to achieve your career goals.
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
|
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
|
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:
|
Semester |
Core/Elective |
Subject title |
Subject Details |
|
1st |
Design Overview/Basic Photography |
Design Overview/Basic Photography |
|
|
2nd |
History of Design
|
History of Design
|
|
|
3rd |
Photography Advance
|
Photography Advance
|
|
|
4th |
Print Production |
Print Production |
|
|
5th |
Branding & IdentityDesign |
Branding & IdentityDesign |
|
|
6th |
Publication Design |
Publication Design |
|
|
7th |
Interaction Design/ UI, UX |
Interaction Design/ UI, and UX |
|
|
8th |
Degree Project |
Degree Project |
|
Specialisations Offered in Graphic Design
It’s not easy to choose one specialisation in Graphic Design as it’s a course with too many options available. However, the aspiring students can always opt for the specialisation that they are the best at within the realm of Graphic Design, or the one they are passionate about. It’s also important to ensure that the specialisation one has opted for has to be undertaken and developed throughout their degree studies.
|
Specialisation |
Subjects |
Details |
|
Animation and Visual Effects |
|
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
|
Students who often opt for this specialised course in Graphic Design are very interested in digital and interactive media. |
|
Mobile Application Design |
|
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 |
|
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. |
Entrance exams for Graphic Design
The Graphic Design entrance exams are tough! But if you are looking for a way into your dream school, then this is it. The Graphic Design entrance tests list has been growing steadily over the recent years. It will only increase as colleges try to find talented designers from all around India in this competitive market.
It is important to get shortlisted for admission in Graphic Design courses if you aspire to make your career as a Graphic Designer. The first step in preparing for any competitive examination should be to understand the five-phases you are trying to achieve by taking these tests and how this will affect your future career prospects.
Predominantly, the applicants require to possess the following traits to crack the entrance exams of Graphic Design. Some of the popular entrances that one needs to appear at include:
Syllabus for Distance Program in Graphic Design
Want to become a Graphic Designer but can’t afford to enrol in a college full time? You have a great opportunity to opt for this lucrative course through distance education. Many students choose this distance learning option if they do not meet the eligibility requirements for full-time admissions. Whatever be your reason, distance learning is an excellent alternative that enables you to become a proficient Graphic Designer.
The syllabus of the distance program is precisely similar to the regular Graphic Design courses. However, applicants might witness a few changes in the evaluation format.
The best colleges for Graphic Design distance learning programs include Mahatma Gandhi University- Bangalore, Apeejay Institute of Design (AID) - Delhi, Madras Institute of Fashion technology- Chennai, Annamalai University- Delhi, and many others.
Top 5 Colleges in India Offering Graphic Design Courses
Here is a list of the top 5 colleges that provide the best course in Graphic Design for students in India:
|
S.No |
College/University/Institution |
Syllabus (PDFs) |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad |
To be uploaded soon |
|
2 |
MIT Institute of Design, Pune |
To be uploaded soon |
|
3 |
Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design, and Technology, Bangalore |
To be uploaded soon |
|
4 |
LPU Jalandhar, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar |
To be uploaded soon |
|
5 |
Vishwakarma University, Pune |
To be uploaded soon |
FAQs on Graphic Design:
Q. What is the work of a Graphic Designer?
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?
Q. What does a Graphic Designer use to create designs?
Q. What are Vector and Raster Graphics?
Q. What else does a Graphic Designer do for the client?
Q. Is a Graphic Designer a good career option?
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?
Let’s check out the job opportunities available for Graphic Designers today:
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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?
Q. How much is the course period for Graphic Design?
Q. Can I learn Graphic Design myself?
Q. What is the role of a Graphic Designer?
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
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News & Updates
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
The BDes Graphic Design syllabus is not the same for all colleges but rather differs on the basis of the college/institute where you're planning to study the course. This is because each institute has its own syllabus approach where some core subjects focusing on the design fundamentals, typography
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The entrance exam difficulty level for BDes Graphic Design admissions differs based on the particular exam that you're preparing to appear for. For admission you have exams like UCEED, NIFT Entrance, NID DAT and CUET for admission to top Graphic Design colleges in India offering the BDes course. If
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
You generally have to pay an application fee of around INR 1,500 to INR 3,000 for admission to the BDes Graphic Designing course. The application fee needs to be submitted along with the duly filled college application form to confirm the submission status. The amount differs on the basis of the des
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The time involved in the Graphic Designing admission process cannot be said with any certainty but can easily take around 4 to 6 months because of the steps involved like college applications, entrance exams, merit lists, portfolio, college counselling, course fee payment and final admission. It is
V
Contributor-Level 10
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Is the BDes Graphic Design syllabus the same for all colleges?