Are you someone who sees the world not as it is, but as it could be? If you doodle a lot, question poor designs, or just dream up the next big trend, if your mind thrives on creativity, critical thinking and finding solutions, then you should think about pursuing a Bachelor of Design Degree. B.Des is not just a qualification, it's what builds innovators, strategists and artists ready to shape the future of industries, be it tech, automotive or fashion and architecture.
Let's begin with uncovering what Bachelor of Design really means, the career paths it opens up, the colleges leading the way and the kind of salaries graduates are landing.
B.Des is a 4 year undergraduate degree that focuses on cultivating creative and technical skills needed for the design industry. Unlike the traditional arts degrees, B.Des is a multidisciplinary, hands-on course rooted in human centered design. Students learn to research what users need, they study about the prototype solutions, understand materials and think strategically about how a product, service or space impacts people's lives.
The degree blends theoretical knowledge with intensive studio work, building up to a professional portfolio and industry internships. The flexibility of a B.Des degree allows specialisation in a field that resonates with your core interests.
If you are someone who can relate to the following, then you should think about pursuing B.Des:
Curious Observer: You constantly analyse why certain products or systems work or don't work, like why an app is confusing or a chair uncomfortable.
Creative Problem Solver: You find satisfaction in coming up with creative solutions and like thinking outside the box.
Detail-Oriented: You have an eye for aesthetics, form, colour and texture, but also the patience for technical precision and testing designs.
Multidisciplinary Learner: You enjoy the idea of blending art with technology, psychology and engineering.
If this is you, then read along to know the top colleges in India that offer B.Des programmes and the criteria for getting in.
India is home to world-class design institutions that offer state-of-the-art facilities and strong industry connections, ensuring phenomenal placement opportunities. From government-run institutes that are hubs of research to private academies known for industry-focused curricula, these colleges are the gateways to an elite design career.
The career scope after a B.Des extends beyond the traditional art jobs, given the flexibility that the degree offers. The average starting salary for a B.Des graduate in India is between INR 3 LPA and INR 8 LPA. Graduates from premier institutes, particularly in tech-focused roles, often receive packages of INR 10 LPA - INR 25+ LPA as they gain experience.
This is one of the highest paying and fastest growing roles in the design industry today. UX Designers focus on how a product feels, its usability and accessibility. In contrast, UI Designers focus on how it looks and functions, like the visual layout, buttons and interaction elements on apps, websites and software.
Average Starting Salary: INR 4 LPA - INR 7 LPA
Mid-to-Senior Level Salary: INR 12 LPA - INR 20+ LPA
Product Designers create the concepts for manufactured goods, focusing on form, function, and user experience. They design entire products that can range from physical products like consumer electronics and appliances to digital products like specialised software tools. They are the ones who bring a product from a conceptual sketch to a market-ready model.
Average Starting Salary: INR 4 LPA - INR 8 LPA
Mid-to-Senior Level Salary (Industrial/Automotive): INR 8 LPA - INR 15+ LPA
Fashion Designers create original clothing designs, accessories and complete collections, they go from sketching and fabric selection to final production. A Fashion Merchandiser on the other hand strategically plans and manages the movement of products from the manufacturer to the retail floor, combining design knowledge with business strategy.
Average Starting Salary: INR 3 LPA - INR 6 LPA
Mid-to-Senior Level Salary (in established luxury brands): INR 8 LPA - INR 18+ LPA
Graphic Designers create captivating visual content for branding, marketing, advertising and corporate communication across print and digital media. They design logos, brochures, social media campaigns and website visuals, that act as the visual voice of a brand.
Average Starting Salary: INR 2.5 LPA - INR 5 LPA
Mid-to-Senior Level Salary (Art Director): INR 8 LPA - INR 15+ LPA
Interior Designers plan and design interiors for commercial, residential and institutional spaces, focusing on aesthetics, functionality, safety and compliance with building codes. Spatial Designers may work on larger public spaces, exhibitions or experiential environments.
Average Starting Salary: INR 3.5 LPA - INR 7 LPA
Mid-to-Senior Level Salary (With strong client portfolio): INR 10 LPA - INR 20+ LPA per annum
In a Nutshell..
Design is everywhere, in our apps, the clothes we wear, the spaces we live in and even the systems that run our cities. With a B.Des Degree, you can move beyond observing this world to reshaping it.
With the flexibility that this degree offers, whether you’re sketching sleek automobiles, building intuitive user experiences, redefining fashion trends or reimagining interiors, you’re not confined to one lane. You can build a portfolio that reflects your unique voice, a skill set that’s relevant across industries and a vision that employers and clients value deeply.
Supriyo Khan
Supriyo Khan
Supriyo Khan
Supriyo Khan
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