The Bachelor of Design (B.Des) is a four-year undergraduate program that comprises Fashion Design, Industrial Design, Communication Design, and UX/UI Design. If you want to know how to take admission in design courses, then you may want some knowledge about the eligibility criteria, entrance exams, and top colleges. This article gives in-depth information regarding the B.Des entrance exam, top B.Des colleges in India, course fees for B.Des, career options for B.Des, and more.
Your Path to a Design Career Starts Here
A] B.Des Admission 2026: Eligibility & Entrance Exams
1. Eligibility for Designing Courses
To be eligible for a B.Des program, candidates must fulfil the following criteria:
- 10+2 passed (any stream: Science, Commerce, or Arts) from a recognised board.
- Some institutes may have a minimum percentage requirement (e.g. 50%).
- The core courses are not mandatory; students from all academic backgrounds can enrol in this one.
2. B.Des Entrance Exams
The entrance to these top design colleges is purely competitive, and admission is obtained by clearing the following exams. The key exams include:
- UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design): Conducted by IIT Bombay for admission to IITs, IIITDM, and other participating institutes.
- NID DAT (National Institute of Design – Design Aptitude Test): Required for admission to NID campuses across India.
- NIFT Entrance Exam: This exam is important to pursue the fashion and textile design courses from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).
- Other private university exams: Conducted by institutes like MIT-ID, Srishti, and UID.
If you are looking for more help, UCEED Coaching in Mumbai will go a long way in preparing you for a hard attempt at these exams.
B] Top Colleges for B.Des in India
Choosing the right college is crucial for building a successful design career. Some of the best B.Des colleges in India are:
- IIT Bombay (IDC School of Design)
- National Institute of Design (NID) – Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru
- MIT Institute of Design (MIT-ID), Pune
- Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore
- Unitedworld Institute of Design (UID), Ahmedabad
- ISDI – Parsons Mumbai
- Indian Institute of Art and Design (IIAD), Delhi
These institutions are among the top 10 B.Des colleges in India, offering excellent faculty, infrastructure, and placement opportunities for students aspiring to enter the design field.
C] B.Des Course Fees
The B.Des course fees vary based on whether the college is a government or private institution:
- Government Colleges (IITs, NIDs): ₹2-5 Lakh for the full course
- Private Colleges (MIT-ID, UID, ISDI): ₹8-20 Lakh for the full course
Understanding the fee structure helps students plan their finances accordingly while applying to their preferred design institutes.
D] B.Des Syllabus: Industrial Design & Other Specialisations
A B.Des curriculum is designed to develop creative thinking and technical skills. The industrial design syllabus and other specialisations typically include:
Foundation Year
- Design fundamentals
- Sketching and colour theory
- Elements and principles of design
Core Subjects
- Product Design
- Ergonomics & Human Factors
- UX/UI Design
- CAD Tools & Digital Prototyping
Electives
Students can choose from specialisation-based electives, such as:
- Automotive Design
- Fashion Illustration
- Interaction Design
Internships & Projects
Practical exposure is a key part of the curriculum, allowing students to gain hands-on experience through industry projects and internships. Most B.Des programs collaborate with top design studios, tech companies, and industrial firms, ensuring students work on real-world projects. These internships often provide insights into trending design methodologies, user experience research, and branding strategies, helping students build a strong portfolio. With a robust industrial design syllabus, students can develop essential skills in prototyping, usability testing, and design thinking, preparing them for diverse career opportunities.
E] Career Options After B.Des
A career after B.Design is diverse, offering exciting roles across various industries. Here are some popular career paths:
- Product Designer (₹6-15 LPA): Industrial design firms, consumer product brands
- UX/UI Designer (₹8-20 LPA): IT and e-commerce industries
- Graphic Designer (₹4-12 LPA): Advertising, branding agencies
- Fashion Designer (₹5-15 LPA): Luxury brands, apparel companies
- Automobile Designer (₹10-30 LPA): Automotive companies like Tata, Mahindra
- Furniture & Interior Designer (₹6-15 LPA): Architecture firms, home décor brands
With numerous career options after B.Des, graduates can find rewarding roles in both creative and technical domains. A well-planned career after B.Design can lead to exciting job profiles and high salary prospects.
F] Job Opportunities After B.Des
The job opportunities after B.Des are immense, with leading companies actively hiring design graduates. Some of the top recruiters include:
- Design Studios: Elephant Design, Tata Elxsi, IDEO
- Tech Companies: Google, Microsoft, TCS
- Automotive Sector: Tata Motors, Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki
- Fashion & Textile: FabIndia, Raymond, H&M
Graduates can explore roles in design strategy, branding, UI/UX, and industrial design across global organisations. Job opportunities after B.Des are expected to grow with the increasing demand for designers in technology, fashion, and product design sectors.
For those interested in studying design in metro cities, design courses in Mumbai provide access to top colleges and industry exposure, further improving placement opportunities for graduates.
Your Path to a Design Career Starts Here
Conclusion
A B.Des degree offers so many options across multiple fields, which is why it’s a great option for aspiring designers. Whether you are targeting IIT Bombay, NID or private colleges, cracking UCEED and NID DAT is essential for admission. Knowing course fees, syllabus and career prospects will help you make an informed decision about your design education.
Looking for expert guidance to crack entrance exams and build a strong design portfolio? Urmi’s Art Forum offers specialised coaching for UCEED, NID, and NIFT, as well as design courses to help you achieve your dream career. Contact us today and start your design journey!
Komal Ullal
Ms. Komal Ullal, a recipient of the prestigious President’s Award and Co-founder of UAF, is an expert in student profiling, enhancing artistic skills, mentoring in design thinking and an inspiring women entrepreneur. With an impressive collection of 577 awards—including 196 trophies and 109 medals—earned in drawing and painting at both national and international levels, she was featured in the Limca Book of Records in 2007 as the youngest achiever of such accolades. Her passion and dedication continue to inspire budding artists and designers worldwide.
