What is Exhibition Design? Courses, Fees, Top Institutes, Careers & Salary 2026

Akansha BishtSenior Executive
Exhibition Design teaches you the art of narrative communication or storytelling to attract, inform, and entertain a real-time audience. It equips one with knowledge and skills of spatial planning, image manipulation, colour, lighting, and multimedia to create engaging physical and virtual environments.
Exhibition Design courses are offered at multiple levels, including UG, Diploma, and Certification. Admissions are taken through entrance exams like NID Entrance, NID DAT, etc. The eligibility criteria for these courses are to pass Class 12 with any stream from a recognized board.
Some popular Exhibition Design colleges in India include NIFT Delhi, Apeejay Institute, AAA, YWCA, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, etc. The average Exhibition Design course fees can range from INR 75,000 to INR 18 Lakh.
Employment sectors for this field include Hospitality, Textile Design, Interior Design, etc. The average salary of an Exhibition Designer is INR 4 LPA. Continue reading the article for more details on the Exhibition Design course.
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Exhibition Design graduates can leverage their skills to contribute to areas like brand launches, themed fairs and festivals, or cultural installations. Exhibition Design is the new face of experiential marketing and branding. Check the table below for some key points of the Exhibition Design courses.
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Particulars
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Course Details
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| Exhibition Design Course Level | UG, Diploma, and Certificate |
| Exhibition Design Course Duration | UG: 3 - 4 Years, Diploma: 1 - 2 Years, Certificate: 3 - 6 Months |
| Exhibition Design Eligibility Criteria | UG: Class 12 from a recognized board. UG / PG Diploma: Class 12 from a recognized board / A bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline. |
| Exhibition Design Admission Criteria | Merit and Entrance exam-based |
| Exhibition Design Entrance Exams | NID Entrance |
| Top Exhibition Design Colleges | NIFT Delhi, NID Ahmedabad, Apeejay Institute of Design, Academy of Applied Arts, YWCA Vocational Training Institute, etc. |
| Exhibition Design Course Fees | INR 75,000 - INR 18 Lakh |
| Exhibition Design Jobs | Exhibition Designer, Interior Consultant, Textile Artist, Product handler, Event Manager, etc. |
| Top Exhibition Design Recruiters | Orient Craft, Pantaloon, Shoppers Stop, Snapdeal, Amazon, Benetton, etc. |
| Average Exhibition Design Salary | INR 4 LPA |
Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.
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Exhibition Design degree gives various choices for students to pursue after completion such as opting for a job or pursuing higher studies in other related designing courses. Candidates can opt for jobs like Interior Designers, Textile Designers, Product Designers, etc. Upon pursuing exhibition design, a candidate has a multitude of job options at their disposal. There is good opportunity for students in this field.
Being an exhibition designer is one of the most sought-after career paths available to applicants. Outdoor events, museum exhibits, trade shows, showroom displays, conferences, and other events are frequently under their purview. In addition to being an Exhibition Designer, a prospective applicant can pursue careers as a Product Designer, Textile Designer, Industrial Designer, and numerous other fields.
- Exhibition Design Course Eligibility Criteria & Admission Process 2026
- Top Exhibition Design Entrance Exams 2026
- Exhibition Design Course Syllabus
- Best Exhibition Design Colleges in India
- Popular Private Exhibition Design Colleges in India
- Exhibition Design Salary: Career Scope, Job Profiles & Top Recruiters
- Exhibition Design Course FAQs
- Popular Exhibition Design UG Courses
- Popular Exhibition Design PG Courses
Exhibition Design Course Eligibility Criteria & Admission Process 2026
You need to meet the eligibility requirements to take admission in an Exhibition Design course. The eligibility standards for UG and PG programmes in this field are as follows.
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Course Level |
Eligibility Criteria |
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UG Diploma / BDes in Exhibition Design |
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PG Diploma in Exhibition Design |
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Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.
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Exhibition Design Admission Process 2026
The admission process for every Exhibition Design college is similar. Some steps can differ based on the course level and mode. For your reference, here are some Exhibition Design admission process steps.
- First of all, check out the colleges that provide the Exhibition Design course in which you want to enroll.
- Then you have to check if you fulfill the eligibility requirements.
- After that, prepare and appear for the entrance exams if required.
- Then you will have to apply for admission on the official website of the college by filling out the form and attaching the required documents with it.
- Many Design colleges also need the candidates to provide a portfolio, their Design projects, their achievements, and work experience (if any).
- Then, document verification will happen, for which you have to visit the college, pay the admission fee, and confirm the admission within the timeline specified by the college to save your seat in the program.
Depending on the course level here are some important documents you must carry during an Exhibition Design admission process:
- Class 10 and 12 marksheets
- Bachelor's degree (if applicable)
- Valid ID proof (Adhaar, Passport, PAN Card, etc.)
- Passport-sized photographs
- Migration certificate
Of course most Exhibition Design colleges now conduct their entire admissions procedures online. To begin the application process, visit the official websites of your desired colleges and review the admission process steps in detail.
Top Exhibition Design Entrance Exams 2026
The NID entrance is the only exam conducted for the Exhibition Design course admission in India. Here are a few more Popular Design entrance exams that you can prepare for.
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Entrance Exams
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Exam Schedule
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NID Entrance Exam 2026
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Note - The information is taken from the official site of the exam.
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7 Apr ' 26 - 11 Apr ' 26 | NIFT Stage 2: M.Des and M.F.M Interview |
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17 Apr ' 26 | Last date to apply for May Attempt |
2 May ' 26 | SAT India exam (May attempt) |
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10 Mar ' 26 - 31 Jul ' 26 | UCEED 2026 Score Card |
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21 Mar ' 26 - 1 Apr ' 26 | NID Mains Exam: M.Des Interview |
The NID Entrance Exam is considered to be one of the toughest design entrance exam conducted in the country. In NID DAT, more weightage is given to subjective, drawing related questions. Thus, candidates need to be extremely creative and have a clear understanding of their concepts when appearing for the NID exam.
For preparing the final results for the B. Des program, the DAT Prelims will be allocated 40% weightage, while DAT Mains will be given 60%.
During the DAT Mains, which comprises a Studio Test, the candidate is tested hands-on and have to show their drawing abilities, creativity, innovativeness, and material-handling ability.
Of course, you can. Diploma and certificate programs in Exhibition Design don't require any entrance exam scores. If you want admission to a Exhibition course in the same, then you may need to appear for an entrance exam.
Know more about -
Exhibition Design Course Syllabus
The course curriculum of an Exhibition Design course varies depending on the degree. Apart from this, the subjects/ topics taught in an Exhibition Design course may vary from one college to another. Some of the common topics that are taught in an Exhibition Design course offered at different levels are given below.
BDes in Exhibition Design Syllabus
BDes in Exhibition Design is a 4-year-long UG degree program, divided into 8 semesters. Some common topics covered in the BDes in Exhibition Design.
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BDes Exhibition Design Syllabus
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Colour Theory and Techniques
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Design Technology
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Drawing (Technical)
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Design Practice
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Design Theory
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Communication Skills
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Basics of Interior Design
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Furniture Design
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Note: The information is taken from external sources and may vary.
Diploma in Exhibition Design Syllabus
Diploma in Exhibition Design programs can be pursued at either the UG or PG levels. Some common topics covered in Diploma programs in Exhibition Design.
| Diploma in Exhibition Design Syllabus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Photography | Fashion Forecasting | Graphic Design |
| Fashion Styling | Fashion Consumer Behaviour | Retail and Brand Management |
| Visual Merchandising | Packaging Design | Fashion Psychology |
Note: The information is taken from external sources and may vary.
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An Advanced Diploma programme in Exhibition Design is equivalent to the final year of a bachelor's degree or a Graduate Diploma.
Its syllabus may vary depending on the college offering the course however some common subjects covered are:
| Advanced Diploma Programme in Exhibition Design Subjects | |
|---|---|
| Design Elements | Event Styles |
| Collateral Material | Drafting |
| Colour Code and Palette Techniques | Corporate Events |
| Wedding Events | Lighting |
| Production | Customer Profiling |
| Software: Auto CAD 2D | Coordinate Event Elements and Requirements |
The above information is fetched from different external/ official sites, hence may vary.
Yes, there are many popular books written for Exhibition Design students apart from their regular syllabus:
- The Exhibition and Experience Design Handbook by Timonthy J. Mcneil.
- Exhibition Art - Graphics and Space Design by Wang Shaoqiang (Editor).
- Exhibit Labels: An Interpretive Approach by Beverly Serrell.
- Small Museum Toolkit by Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko president & CEO Abbe Museum (Editor).
- The Art of Relevance by Nina Simon.
- Creating the Visitor-Centred Museum by Peter Samis.
Best Exhibition Design Colleges in India
There are around 10 Exhibition Design colleges in India, offering Exhibition Design courses at various levels. These colleges include both government and private entities. Find the top Exhibition Design college options, along with course fee details below
| Top Exhibition Design Colleges | Course Fees |
|---|---|
| Academy of Applied Arts | INR 75,000 |
| YWCA Vocational Training Institute | INR 85,000 |
| Academy of Applied Arts - Dwarka Campus | INR 85,000 |
| NIFT Delhi | INR 1.89 Lakh |
| Apeejay Institute of Design | INR 10.5 Lakh |
| NID Ahmedabad | INR 18.04 Lakh |
Note - The information is taken from the official site of the college.
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Here are some top YWCA Design college options in India offering courses at affordable tuition fee structure mentioned below
| Exhibition Design Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| NIFT Delhi Exhibition Design | INR 1.89 Lakh |
| YWCA of Applied Arts Exhibition Design | INR 75,000 |
| YWCA Vocational Training Institute Exhibition Design | INR 85,000 |
The above information is fetched from different external/ official sites, hence may vary.
The top five colleges in India for the MA in Exhibition Design are mentioned in the list below
- National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad
- Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay)
- National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi
- Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID), Pune
- Pearl Academy, New Delhi
The above information is fetched from different external/ official sites, hence may vary.
Popular Private Exhibition Design Colleges in India
Exhibition Design Salary: Career Scope, Job Profiles & Top Recruiters
Besides gaining the degree, one should also focus on working on an impressive portfolio, gaining relevant experience, and leading some creative projects. This may ensure better chances of you getting a good job after your graduation in exhibition design.
After completing the Exhibition Design course, you can either opt to pursue further studies or apply for a job. Check out the table given below for details on a few of the top job profiles you can opt for.
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Job Profiles
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Job Description
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Average Salary
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| Exhibition Designers | They provide clients with a brief for museum exhibits or display events through 3D spaces, helping them communicate their products or services. They carry out CAD layouts, manage budgets, and supervise on-site events. | INR 4 LPA |
| Design Consultants | They provide consultation to their clients, helping them meet their project goals by tailoring design solutions and functional needs. | INR 8 LPA |
| Textile Designers | They design sarees, bed linens, towels, etc., and indulge in the task of weaving or knitting fabrics. They usually develop fabrics, yarns, trims, and prints. | INR 5.2 LPA |
| Interior Designers | They work on transforming a space into a more aesthetically good yet functional one. They work according to their client's needs and turn their desired design into a functional space. | INR 4.3 LPA |
| Product Designers | They work on designing different types of products, including both digital and physical ones. They research, design, test, and ensure the final product meets the quality standards. | INR 16.2 LPA |
Note - The salary is taken from Ambitionbox.com.
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Top Exhibition Design Recruiters
There are many opportunities in the exhibition design industry, such as event management, retail, museums, galleries, trade exhibitions, and more. Some top brands that hire exhibition design graduates in India are listed below.
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Top Exhibition Design Recruiters
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Orient Craft
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Pantaloon
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Shoppers Stop
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Snapdeal
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Amazon
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Benetton
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Oracle
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Texport Overseas
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Mumbai Dyeing
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Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.
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The salaries expected after completing the Exhibition Design courses are INR 4 lakh. The salary can increase with experience and knowledge gained from the course pursued.
Some of the top profiles along with salaries are mentioned here. Take a look
Job Profile | Average INR Salary |
|---|---|
Junior Exhibition Designer | INR 4 LPA- INR 7 LPA |
Exhibition Designer | INR 5 LPA- INR 8 LPA |
Senior Exhibition Designer | INR 6 LPA- INR 9 LPA |
Exhibition Design Manager | INR 8 LPA-INR 12 LPA |
Creative Director | INR 10 LPA-INR 15 LPA |
The above information is fetched from different external/ official sites, hence may vary.
Education, experience and a solid portfolio are necessary to become an exhibition designer. Get a degree in exhibition design, interior design, architecture, etc to begin.
Gain expertise with design tools and exhibition space creation skills. Getting hands-on experience is necessary by applying for internships or entry-level jobs in event management, design or museums.
Exhibition Design Course FAQs
Candidates can refer to this section for Exhibition Design course FAQs.
Exhibition Design is a design specialisation. It aims to have students master venue design skills to turn their passion into a professional career.
It teaches several design disciplines that are necessary for success in the field of design.
They examine the process of designing exhibitions in the context of Museums, Cultural Collecting Institutions, and Heritage Agencies.
They also investigate contemporary innovative exhibitions, as well as their designs, technologies, audience development, project management, and stakeholder consultation.
Important skills you will require to pursue a career in the Exhibition Design field are mentioned here. Take a look
| Creativity and artistic taste | Knowledge of colours, shades and tones |
| Visual imagination | Eye for detail |
| Good at sketching | Observational skills |
Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.
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Popular Exhibition Design UG Courses
UG Courses
- UG Diploma
5 Colleges
- B.Des
2 Colleges
Popular Exhibition Design PG Courses
PG Courses
- PG Diploma
1 College
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Answered a month ago
Of course, you can. Diploma and certificate programs in Exhibition Design don't require any entrance exam scores. If you want admission to a Exhibition course in the same, then you may need to appear for an entrance exam.
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Exhibition Design is a narrative communication. It is narrative, spatial layout, colour, lighting and multimedia. It prepares students to create displays to present data, artefacts, goods or experiences in an immersive and visually appealing way. is the multidisciplinary field of exhibition design. It includes a variety of settings, including galleries, trade exhibitions, museums, stores, and events.