Graphic Design Syllabus 2024: Subjects, Semester-wise Syllabus PDF, Top Colleges, Books
Anshuman SinghSenior Executive - Content
- Introduction
- Syllabus- Important Facts For Graphic Design
- List of Subjects in Graphic Designing
- Typical Core Subjects for Graphic Designing
- Typical Elective Subjects of Graphic Designing
- Detailed Syllabus for Graphic Designing
- Specialisations Offered in Graphic Design
- Books and Authors Related to Graphic Design
- Entrance exams for Graphic Design
- Syllabus for Distance Program in Graphic Design
- Top 5 Colleges in India Offering Graphic Design Courses
- FAQs on Graphic Design:
Introduction
Graphic Designing is an innovative field that involves the creative exploitation of visual elements to achieve the desired effect. It can be used for anything from advertisements, movies or books, whatever you are looking at it through. Once you become a Graphic Designer, also known as the architect of our visual world, you develop a strong potential to improve the brand’s identity that would help elevate any business. Whether you are just embarking on your Graphic Design journey or looking to expand your skill set by learning new tools or techniques, this Graphic Design syllabus guide will help you through the in-outs of the field to achieve your career goals.
Syllabus- Important Facts For Graphic Design
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BDes Graphic Design Course: The B. Des Graphic Design program is a 4-year undergraduate course that teaches students to communicate with the general public through visual content. It provides them with theoretical and practical business knowledge they can use in their work as designers or advertisers for companies all over India.
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Most colleges also offer a diploma in Graphic Design, which is 1-year or 2-semesters-long. They mainly help specialise in multimedia, gaming, and animation.
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MDes Graphic Design course: This is a Master's diploma course in Graphic Design for 2-years duration. It provides a more advanced outlook and ideas on how to use Graphic Design.
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Scope in India: These days, where everything is digital, the role of a Graphic Designer becomes vital because there are numerous positions one can take up depending on their familiarity in terms of designing. As a designer, you have the opportunity to work in various industries and fields. For example, newspaper agencies, advertising companies and web design.
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General Examination Pattern: Most Graphic Designing courses test a student on the basis of their design and illustration skills. Some courses at the undergraduate level may also test your interpersonal skills and your ability to work under pressure through presentations and tests.
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
| 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
| 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. |
Detailed Syllabus for Graphic Designing
The syllabus of Graphic Design varies from one educational institution to another. However, the subjects of the course are pretty similar. Let’s dive into the detailed syllabus for Graphic Design:
| 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
It’s not easy to choose one specialisation in Graphic Design as it’s a course with too many options available. However, the aspiring students can always opt for the specialisation that they are the best at within the realm of Graphic Design, or the one they are passionate about. It’s also important to ensure that the specialisation one has opted for has to be undertaken and developed throughout their degree studies.
| 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. |
Entrance exams for Graphic Design
The Graphic Design entrance exams are tough! But if you are looking for a way into your dream school, then this is it. The Graphic Design entrance tests list has been growing steadily over the recent years. It will only increase as colleges try to find talented designers from all around India in this competitive market.
It is important to get shortlisted for admission in Graphic Design courses if you aspire to make your career as a Graphic Designer. The first step in preparing for any competitive examination should be to understand the five-phases you are trying to achieve by taking these tests and how this will affect your future career prospects.
Predominantly, the applicants require to possess the following traits to crack the entrance exams of Graphic Design. Some of the popular entrances that one needs to appear at include:
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National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA): This tests your creative skills, robust problem-solving skills, IT skills, and communication skills.
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Common Entrance Exam for Design (CEED): This tests your commitment to client services, colour balancing skills, knowledge of styles with trends, eye for detail, and time management skills.
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National Institute of Design Entrance Test (NID): This tests your sketching skills and ability to be creative with your ideas. It is considered one of the toughest design tests, but with sufficient preparation, this should not be difficult to crack.
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Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE): This tests your typography, critical thinking, HTML and CSS knowledge, and your knowledge of other popular styles and trends.
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NIFT Entrance Exam: This tests your sketching, designing, observation, and innovating skills. You may also be tested for your comprehension and analytical abilities.
Syllabus for Distance Program in Graphic Design
Want to become a Graphic Designer but can’t afford to enrol in a college full time? You have a great opportunity to opt for this lucrative course through distance education. Many students choose this distance learning option if they do not meet the eligibility requirements for full-time admissions. Whatever be your reason, distance learning is an excellent alternative that enables you to become a proficient Graphic Designer.
The syllabus of the distance program is precisely similar to the regular Graphic Design courses. However, applicants might witness a few changes in the evaluation format.
The best colleges for Graphic Design distance learning programs include Mahatma Gandhi University- Bangalore, Apeejay Institute of Design (AID) - Delhi, Madras Institute of Fashion technology- Chennai, Annamalai University- Delhi, and many others.
Top 5 Colleges in India Offering Graphic Design Courses
Here is a list of the top 5 colleges that provide the best course in Graphic Design for students in India:
| S.No |
College/University/Institution |
Syllabus (PDFs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad |
To be uploaded soon |
| 2 |
MIT Institute of Design, Pune |
To be uploaded soon |
| 3 |
Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design, and Technology, Bangalore |
To be uploaded soon |
| 4 |
LPU Jalandhar, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar |
To be uploaded soon |
| 5 |
Vishwakarma University, Pune |
To be uploaded soon |
FAQs on Graphic Design:
Q. What is the work of a Graphic Designer?
Graphic Designers are responsible for the communication of information/ideas through visuals. They create layouts and production designs to ensure that their client's message is delivered effectively, whether on a report or advertisement.
Q. Where is Graphic Design used?
Q. What does a Graphic Designer use to create designs?
Q. What are Vector and Raster Graphics?
Q. What else does a Graphic Designer do for the client?
Q. Is a Graphic Designer a good career option?
With the rapid growth in industry and technology, there will always be new projects that you can take on by being versatile enough. It is possible to become rich as a Graphic Designer! You can even start your own business and reap massive profits out of it. All it takes is some creativity and hard work.
Q. What are Graphic Design job opportunities in India?
Let’s check out the job opportunities available for Graphic Designers today:
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Multimedia Designer- To become a Multimedia Designer, you need to have creative and innovative skills and specialised knowledge in applying for various software programs. Multimedia designers are the people who bring life to a project by creating props, costumes, and sets. They direct assistants in areas such as design interpretations for technical production of sound or light on behalf of their client.
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Art Directors- Visual artists are often responsible for the look and feel of a project. They create concepts, come up with new ideas to make products stand out on shelves or screens, and design layouts that show off their work effectively. Art Directors are creative minds. They work with photographers, animators, and writers to bring their vision into reality by guiding how it should look visually and content-wise for each project they take up.
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Photoshop artists- Photoshop artists are in high demand as e-commerce companies look for ways to increase customer engagement, and photo editing is one way they can do it. The ability of these professional Graphic Designers provides an endless supply of fresh ideas that will please your customers and encourage them to buy from you more often.
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Freelancer- Freelancing is the best opportunity that empowers you to start your own business. You get complete creative control and unlimited earning potential, and the best part is you are not tied down like a nine-to-five job would be. With a fantastic resume and an outstanding portfolio of your previous work samples, you can get high-end opportunities in niche areas like designing or graphics.
Q. Can you become a Graphic Designer without a degree?
Q. How much is the course period for Graphic Design?
Q. Can I learn Graphic Design myself?
Q. What is the role of a Graphic Designer?
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Graphic Designers are professionals and create captivating logos, advertisement campaigns, and other Graphic Design projects that help retain the audience's attention and boost revenue for any business.
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Graphic Designers spend a lot of time working on logos and branding for companies. To become a master of your art, many students choose to attend design schools and learn more about the industry. The top design institutions are the best way to gain expertise and knowledge in your desired path.
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As a designer, you have the opportunity to work in various industries and fields. For example, newspaper agencies for layout designing or established advertising firms if your passion lies there instead of designing it.
Popular Graphic Design Colleges in India
Graphic Design Applications open till Jan 13, 2025. Apply Now
Graphic Design Applications open till Jan 13, 2025. Apply Now
Graphic Design Applications open till Jan 13, 2025. Apply Now
Popular Private Graphic Design Colleges in India
Graphic Design Applications open till Jan 21, 2025. Apply Now
Graphic Design Applications open till Jan 21, 2025. Apply Now
Graphic Design Applications open. Apply Now
Most Popular Courses
Popular Courses
- B.Des. in GraphicsLPU - Lovely Professional University
- B.Des. in Communication DesignSymbiosis Institute of Design, Symbiosis International, Pune
- B.Des. in Graphics and Communication DesignSchool of Design, UPES
- UG Program in Communication DesignIndian Institute of Art and Design
- B.Sc. in Multimedia, Animation and Graphics DesignNSHM Design School, NSHM Knowledge Campus - Kolkata Campus
- 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 Graphic and Web DesigningChandigarh Group of Colleges, Landran
- 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
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- UG Diploma
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- B.Sc.
30 Colleges
- B.Voc
19 Colleges
- B.A.
14 Colleges
Popular Graphic Design PG Courses
PG Courses
- M.Des
24 Colleges
- PG Diploma
18 Colleges
- MBA/PGDM
9 Colleges
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- M.Sc.
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Popular Exams
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21 Feb ' 25 | SAT Registration Deadline for March Test |
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17 Feb ' 25 | NID DAT 2025 (Prelims) - Results for M.Des |
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News & Updates
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 5 days ago
Hi, If you're wanting some top colleges for a Graphic Designing course, here are a few excellent options:
- National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad – Renowned for its design programs and creative environment.
- MIT Institute of Design, Pune – Known for its hands-on approach and industry-aligned cur
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Joining the top Graphic Designing colleges in Pune can be worthwhile for you. For that, you need to check its ROI. Listed below are some colleges along with their tuition fees and average placement package:
College Names | Total Tuition Fee | Annual Average Package |
|---|---|---|
INR 19 lakh | INR 9 LPA | |
INR 8 Lacs – INR 15 lakh | INR 5 LPA – INR 6 LPA | |
INR 6 Lacs – INR 12 lakh | INR 4 LPA |
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Listed below are the top colleges offering BVoc in Graphic Design courses in Lucknow along with their tuition fees:
College Names | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
INR 4 lakh |
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The table below shows the average placement package offered by top recruiters who participated in top Graphic Design colleges in Delhi NCR:
College Names | Average Placement Package | Top Recruiters |
|---|---|---|
| Lovely Professional University, Admission Office | INR 7 LPA | Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Cognizant, Infosys, etc. |
| UPES (Admission Office) | INR 4 LPA - INR 7 LPA | HUL, Microsoft, Adobe, Genpact, PwC, etc. |
| The Design Village | INR 6 LPA | Jio, Deloitte, Vihara, Masque, etc. |
| DIT University - Admission Office | INR 8 LPA | Amazon, Microsoft, Deloitte, KPMG, IBM, Optum, Commvault, etc. |
| ILAM - Jagannath University, Delhi | INR 5 LPA | Air India, Tata, Indigo Airlines, ITC, DLF, Deloitte, etc. |
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
It is estimated that joining the top Graphic Design colleges in Delhi NCR can be affordable as most colleges have tuition fees of less than INR 1 lakh. Some of them are mentioned below along with their tuition fees:
| Low-cost Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| NIELIT Delhi YMCA, Institute for Fashion Technology and Technology | INR 35,000 |
| Arena Animation, Noida | INR 42,000 |
| NIELIT Delhi | INR 5,000 - INR 7,000 |
| Sri Aurobindo Centre For Arts And Communication | INR 25,000 - INR 75,000 |
| AND Academy, New Delhi | INR 84,000 |
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
There are about 60+ Graphic Design colleges in Delhi NCR. Of these, 55 are privately owned and 2 colleges are owned by public/government entities. Students can secure admission after Class 12 boards or through entrance exams like CUET, NIFT Entrance Exam, NID Entrance Exam, UCEED, etc. Some of the
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
It is estimated that joining the top Graphic Design colleges in Mumbai (All) can be affordable as most colleges have tuition fees of less than INR 1 lakh. Some of them are mentioned below along with their tuition fees:
| Low-cost Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| St. Shivaji Maharaj University | INR 80,000 |
| Arena Animation, Dadar, Mumbai | INR 25,000 |
| St. Pauls Institute of Communication Education | INR 20,000 |
| Arena Animation, Chembur | INR 25,000 |
| Xavier Institute of Communications | INR 16,000 |
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Although pursuing formal education and getting a degree is the ideal way to make a career in the field of Graphic Design. However, candidates can also become graphic designers by pursuing short-term courses or diplomas in the field of graphic design.
Thus, it is possible that one becomes a graphic de
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
The table below shows the top private Graphic Design colleges in Bangalore along with their tuition fees and accepted entrance exams:
| Private Colleges | Tuition Fee | Accepted Entrance Exam |
|---|---|---|
| RV University Admission | INR 16 lakh | RVSAT |
| Indian Institute of Fashion and Animation, Bangalore Admission | INR 6 lakh | Merit-based |
| Pearl Academy, Bangalore Admission | INR 2 lakh | Pearl Academy Entrance Exam |
| Asian Institute of Art and Design Admission | INR 1 Lacs - INR 6 lakh | Merit-based |
| Asian Institute of Design Admission | INR 75,000 | Merit-based |
| IDeA World College Admission | INR 2 Lacs - INR 12 lakh | Merit-based |
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
The essential eligibility criteria for admission to colleges offering best Commerce/ in Bangalore are given below:
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
It is estimated that joining the top Graphic Design colleges in Bangalore can be expensive as most colleges have tuition fees of more than INR 5 lakh. However, there are some affordable colleges are mentioned below along with their tuition fees:
| Low-cost Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Asian Institute of Design | INR 75,000 |
| AIMSENRICH Global Education Pvt.Ltd. | INR 12,000 - INR 18,000 |
| Vogue Institute of Art and Design | INR 1.36 lakh |
| IDeA World College | INR 1.89 lakh |
| Asian8 School of Design, Bangalore | INR 1.65 lakh |
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Joining the top Graphic Design colleges in Bangalore can be worthwhile for you. For that, you need to check its ROI. Listed below are some colleges along with their tuition fees and average placement package:
College Names | Total Tuition Fee | Annual Average Package |
|---|---|---|
| Jain Deemed-to-be University, School of Design Media and Creative Arts | INR 7 Lacs - INR 17 lakh | INR 5 LPA - INR 8 LPA |
| Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design And Technology | INR 3 lakh | INR 4 LPA |
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
There are about 30+ best Graphic Design colleges in Bangalore. Of these, 28 colleges are privately owned. Students can secure admission after passing Class 12 boards or through entrance exams like NID ENtrance Exam, NIFT Entrance Exam, UCEED, etc. Some of the top Graphic Design colleges in Bangalor
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, being good at drawing will be major plus point for graphic design students. Candidates are informed that a major part of the Graphic Design job profile is such that aspirants do not need to draw by hand. Thus, in order to excel in this field, it is not mandatory to be good at drawing.
On a typic
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Students who wish to become Graphic Designers can enrol in undergraduate, diploma, or certification-level Graphic Design courses after passing class 12. Graphic design courses are open to students from any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts). Students need to clear entrance tests, studio test round
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Students cantake a look at the table below to get an idea of dufferent types of Graphic Design courses available:
| Types of Graphic Design Courses | |
|---|---|
| Visual identity Graphic Design | Packaging Graphic Design |
| User Interface Graphic Design | Marketing & advertising Graphic Design |
| Motion Graphic Design | Environmental Graphic Design |
Publication Graphic Design | Art and illustration |
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Listed below are the best Graphic Designing colleges in Nagpur that offers the average placement package to their students:
College Name | Average Placement Package |
|---|---|
Symbiosis School of Planning, Architecture and Design Placements | INR 20 LPA |
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Joining the top Graphic Designing colleges in India can be worthwhile for you. For that, you need to check its ROI. Listed below are some colleges along with their tuition fees and average placement package:
College Names | Total Tuition Fee | Annual Average Package |
|---|---|---|
| JECRC University | INR 2 lakh - INR 3 lakh | INR 4 LPA - INR 5 LPA |
| Symbiosis Institute of Design | INR 19 lakh | INR 9 LPA |
| Galgotias University | INR 4 lakh | INR 4 LPA |
| School of Design, UPES | INR 22 lakh - INR 44 lakh | INR 7 LPA |
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Pursuing Graphic Design courses in colleges in India is affordable as most of the colleges have a total tuition fee is less than INR 1 lakh. Tabulated below is the number of Graphic Design Colleges in India along with their total tuition fee structure:
| Low-cost Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University | INR 80,000 |
| CSJM - Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University | INR 24,000 |
| Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University | INR 5,000 |
| AND Academy | INR 84,000 |
| Asian Institute of Design | INR 75,000 |
T
Contributor-Level 10
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