Graphic Design Syllabus 2024: Subjects, Semester-wise Syllabus PDF, Top Colleges, Books

Pallavi Priyadarshini PandaContent Writer
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 |
|
|
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
Here are the semester wise specialisations -
|
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. |
Graphic Designers are basically the backbone of any company. They help in creating logos and print materials like brochures and signs that promote your business and improve the brand awareness of the company on multiple platforms like websites with online ads, virtual presentations etc.
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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.
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Popular Exams
Feb '26 | NIFT 2026 Issue of Admit Cards TENTATIVE |
8 Feb ' 26 | NIFT 2026 (Stage 1: Written Exam) |
27 Feb ' 26 | Last date to apply for March Attempt |
14 Mar ' 26 | SAT India exam (March attempt) |
17 Feb ' 26 | NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) - Results for M.Des |
17 Feb ' 26 - 18 Feb ' 26 | NID DAT 2026 (Prelims) - Results Recheck for M.Des |
28 Jan ' 26 | UCEED 2026 Release of FINAL Answer Key |
6 Mar ' 26 | UCEED 2026 Result Date |
Most Popular Courses
Popular Courses
- B.Des. in Communication DesignSymbiosis Institute of Design, Symbiosis International, Pune
- B.Des. in Graphics and Communication DesignSchool of Design, UPES
- BVA in Graphic DesignJECRC University
- B.Sc. in Graphic and Web DesigningChandigarh Group of Colleges, Landran
- B.Tech. (Hons.) in Computer Science and Engineering (Graphics and Gaming)School of Computer Science, UPES
- B.Voc in Visual Communication and Digital DesignEcole Intuit Lab, Mumbai
- B.Sc. in Media Graphics and AnimationUnity Veda Animation College
- B.Des. in UX in collaboration with ImaginXPImaginXP - Jagran Lakecity University
Popular Graphic Design UG Courses
UG Courses
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70 Colleges
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PG Courses
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News & Updates
Student Forum
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Candidates must pass Class 12 or equivalent from a recognised board to apply for BA Graphic Design and Digital Marketing at Manipal Institute of Communication. Aspirants also need to appear for a Home-Based Test followed by a PI round to get admission in this course.
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Graphic Designers are basically responsible for the communication of information or ideas through visuals.
They usually create layouts and production designs to be sure that their client's message is delivered effectively to the audience, whether on a report or advertisement with the help of softwares like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.
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Graphic Design Course
How to make a Design Portfolio