BDes full form is Bachelor of Design, it is an undergraduate degree programme of four years duration, spread across eight semesters. The course provides knowledge of technical and practical aspects of design in various fields. Some of the popular specialisations offered are fashion design, product design, industrial design, and fashion communication.
To pursue a BDes course, candidates must have completed 10+2 from a recognised board with a minimum of 50 per cent marks. Reserved category students usually receive a 5–10 per cent relaxation. This course is open to students from any stream who have strong creative and design skills.
The BDes syllabus covers Design Fundamentals, Visual Communication, CAD, CAM, branding, material design, and UI/UX design. It blends basic and advanced concepts, offering both technical and creative learning. Students are trained through theory and practical projects to prepare for careers across multiple design-related industries and professional fields.
Key Attributes of BDes Course:
The full form of BDes is Bachelor of Design, which is a design-related undergraduate specialised degree programme. BDes admission process and BDes fees differ from one college to another. Several colleges have entrance examinations for admissions, while others offer admissions based on a 10+2 merit system.
The Bachelor of Design (BDes) is a four-year undergraduate degree focused on creativity, innovation, and design applications across industries. Admission is based on merit or entrance exams, and the course opens diverse career opportunities. Below are key highlights, including eligibility, duration, exams, fees, and job opportunities:
| Particulars | Values |
|---|---|
Course Type | Degree |
B.Des Course Level | Undergraduate |
B.Des Course Duration | 4 years |
B.Des Eligibility | 10+2 from a recognised board |
B.Des Admission Process | Merit-based or entrance examination |
B.Des Entrance Examination | AIEED, UCEED, NID DAT, NIFT Entrance Exam |
B.Des Average Fee | Rs. 4 lakhs to Rs. 14 lakhs |
B.Des Job Profiles | Fashion designer, Graphic designer, Fashion stylist, Art director, Design manager |
B.Des Average Salary | Rs. 4.5 LPA (Fashion Designer) |
B.Des is an ideal course for creative individuals and those wishing to make a career in the design discipline. Graduates can work in both private and government sectors, set up their design firms, or work for a company on a contractual basis.
BDes course fees vary depending on the institution. For Bachelor of Design admissions, private universities may charge a high B.Des course fees, whereas government colleges may charge low B.Des course fees. A BDes (Bachelor of Design) degree will cost somewhere between Rs. 4 lakhs to Rs. 14 lakhs.
In this section, we will discuss the detailed eligibility criteria, admission process, entrance examination and dates, exam resources, and how to prepare for some well-known design exams.
B.Des course eligibility criteria are quite similar for every institute. However, admission to the B.Des course depends on various factors; therefore, candidates must be aware of these guidelines. In the table below, we have provided the eligibility details for the Bachelor of Design (B.Des) course.
| Particulars | Eligibility Parameters |
|---|---|
Educational Qualification | Bachelor's degree from a recognised institute in India |
Minimum eligibility requirements | 50 per cent aggregate score (5-10 per cent relaxation for reserved category applicants) |
Age limit | For National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)-
|
The admission process for the Bachelor of Design course differs depending on the institute. However, many design institutes admit students based on entrance examinations. NIFT Entrance exam, NID DAT, UCEED, and AIEED are popular entrance examinations.
Step 1- Eligibility Criteria- Candidates who have fulfilled the eligibility criteria can apply for admission. Students can check the official website of the institute or the programme brochure.
Step 2- Application Form- Students are advised to carefully fill out the application form with all the relevant details. Candidates can get the form either through an online mode or the programme brochure.
Step 3- Appear for the Entrance Examination- Candidates should appear for the relevant entrance examination. NIFT, NID DAT, and AIEED are popular entrance examinations.
Step 4- Cutoff- After the declaration of exam results, a merit list will be prepared, and students will be allotted colleges depending on their exam results.
Step 5- Personal Interview and Group Discussion- Apart from entrance examinations, many institutes also conduct personal interviews, group discussions or aptitude test sessions.
Step 6- Pay the course fees and submit the required documents- Students should pay the course fees and submit the required documents to conclude the admission process.
Also Read: How to Create a Portfolio for Admission into Design Schools
Admission to BDes programmes depends on various national-level, university-level entrance examinations, such as UCEED, NID DAT, AIEED, and NIFT Entrance Examinations. In the table below, we have mentioned the details of the entrance examination.
| Exam Name | Conducting Body | Exam Result |
|---|---|---|
Arch College of Design & Business | ||
IIT Bombay | ||
National Institute of Design | ||
National Testing Agency |
The B.Des cutoff is the minimum mark that a student must get to be admitted to a university. Every course and the university has a separate cutoff. Cutoffs are determined by factors such as the difficulty of the entrance exam, the number of candidates, prior year cutoff trends, and the course's popularity. Separate cutoffs are released by universities that provide B.Des (Bachelor of Design) degrees for the next batch.
The BDes syllabus is different for every university, although some of the BDes subjects are common for every specialisation. In the table below, we have mentioned the B Des syllabus of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow.
In the first year of the B.Des (Bachelor of Design) course, students will study subjects such as Design Drawing, Elements of Design, Principles of Design, Physical Ergonomics, and Form Studies.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
Introduction to Design | Design Thinking |
Materials and Processes in Design | Indian Air and Craft |
Creative Visualisation Techniques | Form Studies |
Elements of Design | Rendering & Illustration |
Communication Studies in Design- I | Principles of Design |
Design Drawing | Physical Ergonomics |
- | Technical Communication |
- | - |
Cyber Security, Design Management, Environmental Science, and Kinetic Art and Automate Design are some of the common subjects.
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
|---|---|
Architectural Studies in Design - I, Space | Design Management - I |
Model Making and Hand Tools Workshop | Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing -II |
Universal Human Values and Professional Ethics | Tinkering Studio |
Design Project – I, Simple Product Design | Environmental Science |
Communication Studies in Design- II | Kinetic Art and Automate Design |
Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing -I | Nature and Form |
Design Documentation – I | Design Project – II, Display & Control Design |
Cyber Security | - |
Some of the subjects covered in the third year of B.Des are Creative Narration, Product Branding, and Humanities and Social Science.
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
|---|---|
Creative Narration | Product Branding and Identity |
Design Management – I | Materials and Processes in Design - II |
Architectural Studies in Design – II, Connectivity and Mobility | Elective - III |
Design Project – III, User Interface Design | Design Project – IV, Technically Complex Product Design |
Humanities and Social Studies | Design Research Methodology - II |
Design Research Methodology - I | Sustainable Design |
Design Workshop | Elective - IV |
Constitution of India | The Essence of Indian Traditional |
In the fourth year of B.Des, students will undergo a project. Some of the topics covered are Professional Practice in Design, Packaging Design, and Industrial Training.
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
|---|---|
Professional Practice in Design | Design Degree Project |
Packaging Design | - |
Industrial Training | - |
Design Project – V, Systems Thinking in Design | - |
Elective - V | - |
Design Documentation-II | - |
There are multiple specialisations in Bachelor of Design degrees, such as Animation, Fashion Design, and Product Design. Major BDes specialisations are discussed below:
B.Des has a broad scope not only in India but also abroad. Listed below is the scope of the B.Des degree.
After pursuing a BDes degree programme, students can choose from various career opportunities based on their specialisations. Some of the career options are mentioned below.
| Job Profiles | Job Description | Average Salary (LPA) |
|---|---|---|
Fashion designers create clothing and accessories that blend creativity with functionality. They work with fabrics, colours, and trends to design unique collections. | Rs. 4.5 LPA | |
Graphic designers develop visual content for digital and print platforms. They use typography, images, and layouts to communicate ideas effectively. | Rs. 4.4 LPA | |
Fashion Stylist | Fashion stylists curate outfits and looks for clients, photoshoots, and media events. They ensure that fashion choices align with current trends and individual style. | Rs. 4.4 LPA |
Art Director | Art directors oversee the visual style of magazines, films, advertisements, and campaigns. They guide creative teams to maintain consistent design aesthetics. | Rs. 10 LPA |
Design Manager | Design managers coordinate design projects from concept to completion. They balance creativity with business goals, ensuring efficiency and quality. | Rs. 15.5 LPA |
Source: AmbitionBox
The B.Des salary of an individual in the design field depends on their skills and experience. Different job roles get paid differently by employers. In the table below, we have mentioned a few top companies that hire BDes graduates.
Fashion Designer in Top Companies | |
Boutique International | Rs. 1.8 LPA |
New Delhi Export House | Rs. 3.2 LPA |
Myntra | Rs. 3.8 LPA |
Pantaloons | Rs. 2.2 LPA |
Graphic Designer in Top Companies | |
Intel | Rs. 33 LPA |
American Broadcasting Company | Rs. 12.6 LPA |
Rs. 13.9 LPA | |
Gartner | Rs. 9.6 LPA |
National Institute of Fashion Technology, popularly known as NIFT, is highly regarded as one of the best colleges for design. NIFTs are present all over India and offer B.Des in a variety of specialisations.
| Colleges | Fees |
|---|---|
Rs. 13.97 Lakhs | |
Rs. 13.42 Lakhs | |
Rs. 13.30 Lakhs | |
Rs. 13.97 Lakhs | |
Rs. 11.47 Lakhs | |
Rs. 13.97 Lakhs | |
Rs. 13.42 Lakhs | |
Rs. 13.42 Lakhs | |
Rs. 13.42 Lakhs | |
- |
Several private Indian institutes offer the B.Des degree. A private university education is significantly more expensive than a public university education. In the table below, we have mentioned some of the private BDes colleges in India and the BDes course fees.
| Top Colleges | Fees |
|---|---|
Rs. 6 Lakhs | |
Rs. 11.10 Lakhs | |
Rs. 6.92 Lakhs | |
Rs. 5.29 Lakhs | |
Rs. 6.48 Lakhs | |
Rs. 7.42 Lakhs | |
Rs. 4.56 Lakhs | |
Rs. 8 Lakhs | |
- | |
- |
It is less expensive to attend a government-run college than it is to attend a private college. These colleges are well-known throughout India for their high academic standards. In the table below, we have mentioned some of the government BDes colleges in India and the BDes course fees.
| Top Colleges | Fees |
|---|---|
Rs. 8.59 Lakhs | |
Rs. 8.55 Lakhs | |
Rs. 8.54 Lakhs | |
Rs. 9.37 Lakhs | |
Rs. 8.90 Lakhs | |
- | |
- | |
- |
BDes is one of the most sought-after courses amongst students who wish to start a career in design. Some of the career options that can be pursued by BDes graduates are fashion designer, graphic designer, fashion stylist, web designer and design manager. Corporate houses, furniture manufacturing, garment manufacturing units and boutiques are a few places where the designers can work.
A. Bachelor of Design (B. Des.) is an undergraduate design degree for 4 years and it is offered by many top design institutes of India. Students who are interested to study this course can apply and if selected, they can study the technical and practical aspects as well as uses of design in a variety of fields.
For Bachelor of Design admissions, private universities may charge high tuition, whereas government colleges may charge a low rate. A B.Des degree will cost somewhere between Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 1,00,000.
Top B.Des employers: Orient Craft, Snapdeal, Oracle, Pantaloon, Shoppers Stop, Amazon, Benetton, Disney, Mumbai Dyeing, Pearl Global.
Top freshly graduates of B.Des recruiters: Corporate houses, Furniture manufacturing, Garment manufacturing unit, Shopping malls, Boutiques.
Top B.Des colleges are: NIFT Bangalore - National Institute of Fashion Technology, Visva Bharati University - Visva-Bharati, NIFT Chennai - National Institute of Fashion Technology, NIFT Hyderabad - National Institute of Fashion Technology, MSU Baroda - Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.
Some of the job profiles are for students after B.Des. are Fashion designer, Graphic designer, Fashion stylist, Art/Set director, Design manager.
Aspiring students can directly take admission into a B.Des course if they have graduated high school from a recognized educational board, through direct admission to colleges, or through various entrance and counselling afterwards. Students can pursue B.Des. if they have completed their diploma course in design recognized by AICTE.
The average salary of B.Des graduates is Rs. 8 LPA.
The skills that are required for a B.Des (Bachelor of Design) degree are Attention to detail, Communication skills, Creativity, Drawing Skills.
Some top entrance examinations which are required for B.Des are AIEED, UCEED, NID DAT, NIFT Entrance Exam.
Here are top BDes (Fashion Design) colleges in Bangalore:
National Institute of Fashion Technology , Bangalore – Top choice
JD Institute of Fashion Technology
Vogue Institute of Art and Design
IIFA Multimedia
Army Institute of Fashion and Design
Taking a second drop is not an issue if you clear the required entrance exams or meet the eligibility criteria.
FLAME University Pune is a good option for B.Des if you’re looking for a creative and interdisciplinary learning environment . The university offers a well-structured design program combined with liberal arts, allowing students to explore multiple interests It has a beautiful and modern campus with strong academic support and personalized attention due to smaller batch sizes. However, it is more know liberal arts and business programs, so if you want a purely design-focused education, you might also consider institutes like MIT-WPU or Shiv Nadar University. Overall, FLAME is suitable for students who want a broad, flexible design education and can afford the higher fees.
CUET qualifies BDes Fashion Designing students.
The basis for admission is the CUET score.
Hello,
No, for B.Des Fashion Designing , CUET is not always needed.
Some colleges take admission through CUET, but many top fashion institutes like NIFT have their own entrance exam. So, it depends on the college you are applying to. Always check the admission process of that particular college.
Hope it helps !
yes, Indeed, CUET qualifies BDes Fashion Designing students.
Admission CUET score is very important.
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