There are several diploma courses in design including graphic designing, UI/UX, web designing, game design, multimedia and more. These diploma courses are shorter in duration and provide hands-on training in a real life working environment.
Diploma Courses in Design has been gaining popularity among the youth who aspire to create aesthetics and make the fashion world more innovative and creative. There are several diploma courses in design including web designing, photoshop, game designing, graphic designing, interior design and many more. List of diploma courses in design not only includes courses related to fashion and clothing but also courses related to architecture, games, art and creativity. The average cost of studying a diploma course in design lies between INR 30,000 to INR 2 Lakhs.
The duration of diploma courses in design is 6 months to 2 years which is shorter as compared to another degree. Many aspiring students choose diploma courses in design over degree because of its shorter duration, low fee structure and the hands-on training and practical skills it provides to students. There are several top colleges in India that offer a list of diploma courses in design such as the Academy of Applied Art, Aditya college of design studies, Aesthetic institute of design, etc. The average salary of a student with a diploma course in design is INR 2 Lakhs to INR 4 lakhs per year.
Apart from Diploma courses, there are also other Fashion Designing Courses in India that candidates can shortlist as an alternate option.
List of Diploma Courses in Design
There are several diploma courses in design that aim at providing practical, theoretical, and technical skills of creating own innovative designs. Students can choose any of diploma courses in designs based on interest and skills. The fee structure for these different courses of diploma in design may vary depending on the institution. The table given below provides list of diploma courses in design along with average fee structure and key focus areas of study:
Diploma Courses in Design |
Average Cost of Studying (INR) Per Year |
Key Focus Areas of Study |
Diploma in Motion Graphics Design |
INR 50,000 to INR 1.5 Lakh |
Video editing, motion graphics, visual storytelling, animation |
Diploma in Advertising and Media Design |
INR 40,000 to INR 1.5 Lakh |
Social media marketing, advertising, branding, digital marketing, photography |
Diploma in Textile Design |
INR 50,000 to INR 1.5 Lakh |
Fabric weaving, fabric design, textile design software, textile printing |
Diploma in Visual Communication Design |
INR 30,000 to INR 1.5 Lakh |
Typography, graphic designing, multimedia marketing, digital marketing |
Diploma in UX/UI Design |
INR 50,000 to INR 1.5 Lakh |
UX Research, UI design, interaction design, prototyping. |
Diploma in Animation and Multimedia Design |
INR 50,000 to INR 2 Lakh |
Video editing, motion graphics, multimedia design and animation, 2D/3D Animations |
Diploma in Interior Design |
INR 40,000 to INR 1.5 Lakh |
Lighting design, material design, aesthetics research and knowledge, planning, decoration designs. |
Diploma in Graphic Design |
INR 30,000 to INR 1.5 Lakh |
Photoshop, digital and graphic designing, typography, branding, illustrator. |
Diploma in Fashion Design |
INR 50,000 to INR 2 Lakh |
Fashion sketching, fashion merchandising, textile design, pattern making, garments designing. |
Diploma in Web Design |
INR 30,000 to INR 1 Lakh |
HTML, Java, CSS, Web designing tools. |
Diploma in Product design |
INR 60,000 to INR 2 Lakh |
User centered design, prototyping, product design and visuals, advertising effects |
Diploma in Jewellery design |
INR 40,000 to INR 1.5 Lakh |
Gemology, metalwork, jewellery design and creation, crafting, jewellery matching. |
Diploma in Photography |
INR 40,000 to INR 1 Lakh |
Photoshop, portraits, lighting design, photo designing, camera settings and positions. |
Diploma in Game design |
INR 60,000 to INR 2 Lakh |
Game development, narration, animation, game characters and environment build up, coding, game software development. |
Diploma in Environmental and Sustainable Design |
INR 50,000 to INR 2 Lakh |
Urban planning, eco-friendly practices, environment related planning and policy development |
Duration of Diploma Courses in Design
The duration of Diploma courses in design may vary depending on the course selected. Generally, the average duration of diploma courses in design lies between 6 months to 2 years. There are two types of design diploma courses which are shorter courses and comprehensive courses. While shorter courses include, graphic designing, web designing, photography, UX/UI etc are of 6 months to 1 year. Shorter courses focus on skills and practical application of designing techniques. On the other hand, comprehensive courses of diploma in design like fashion designing, interior design, game design, animation etc are of 1 year to 2 years duration as these include theoretical and understanding of some key concepts. Students can also select the duration of the courses depending on the college or university time period to complete diploma courses in design. However, the minimum duration is 6 months and is mandatory for students to study for 6 months in any diploma course in design.
Eligibility Criteria for List of Diploma Courses in Design
There are certain eligibility criteria which students need to fulfill in order to be considered eligible for admission into diploma courses in design. These eligibility criteria are different for institutions and states. The basic eligibility includes age, education, skills, entrance exam etc. Following is the eligibility criteria for list of diploma courses in design:
- Students must have completed 12th higher secondary from a recognised institution with 45% or above passing marks in any stream of Science, Art, Commerce.
- Some colleges and universities accept 10th or senior secondary students to be eligible for admission into diploma courses in design.
- Interest in designing, creativity innovation, perceptual ability, visuo-spatial aptitude and a curiosity of creation.
- A portfolio of personal designs might be required by some institutions for admission into a list of diploma courses in design.
- There are several private and government colleges which have their own entrance examination as a prerequisite for admissions into diploma courses in design.
- Personal Interview or counselling conducted by Design colleges and universities to check the abilities and eligibility of students for diploma courses in design.
Also Read: ITI Fashion Designing Course
Admission Process for Diploma Courses in Design
The admission process for the list of diploma courses in design includes fulfilling eligibility criteria, filling in with registration for admission, submitting required documents and more. The admission process for each institution is different and general admission starts for diploma courses in design in the month of Aug every year. Students can note down the below given admission process for diploma courses in design:
Step 1: The first and most important step in the admission process for a list of diploma courses in design is selection of college, university or institution. The selection can be based on fee structure, recognition of institution, course duration, course availability etc.
Step 2: Once the institution has been selected, students must keep a check on admission and application dates to avoid late admission.
Step 3: Students must check the eligibility criteria for specific institution and diploma courses in design.
Step 4: Apply for the course of diploma in design for which students need to fill in with application form, submit fees and documents required.
Step 5: There might be a design aptitude test or institution specific entrance examination which is required to complete the admission process.
Step 6: Some institutions require a portfolio of work of design from students. So, students must prepare a portfolio to take admission into design diploma courses.
Step 7: Admission and counselling for diploma design courses take place once the entrance exam and application is filled. Some institutions conduct Personal Interviews for admission.
Step 8: Enrollment, fee submission and commencement of classes is the last step, where students start with a diploma course in design.
Documents Required for Admission into Diploma Courses in Design
Admission process requires submission of some important documents at the time of filling in with the application form for the Diploma course in design. Students must check the list of required documents for admission into diploma courses in design given below:
- 10th or 12th marksheet from a recognised institution.
- Birth certificate
- Personal Details like name, address, contact information
- Aadhar Card
- Photograph
- Portfolio (if asked by institution)
- Application fee
- Entrance exam
Top colleges for Diploma courses in Design
There are several Top 10 Fashion Designing Colleges in India, universities, institutions which provide a list of diploma courses in design all over India. Some of the famous colleges for diploma in design include Academy of applied arts, IIFT, Pearl Academy etc. The fee structure, eligibility and admission process for these institutions might change. The table given below provides a list of Top colleges for diploma courses in design:
Name of Institution |
Location |
National Institute of Fashion Technology |
Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, etc. |
Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology |
Bangalore, Karnataka |
Institute of Design Environment and Architecture |
Pune, Maharashtra |
Symbiosis Institute of Design |
Pune, Maharashtra |
Banasthali Vidyapith |
Rajasthan |
National Institute of Design |
Gujarat |
Pearl Academy |
Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur etc |
MIT Institute of Design |
Pune, Maharashtra |
Doon Design College |
Dehradun, Uttarakhand |
The Design Village |
Noida |
Professions and Job roles after Diploma Course in Design
There is a vast career scope for students with diploma courses in design such as graphic designer, fashion designer, interior designer etc. The average starting salary of a student with a diploma in design ranges from INR 4 to 5 lakhs. The table given below provides average salary for different job roles after diploma course in design:
Job Role |
Average Salary |
Fashion Designer |
INR 5 Lakh to 8 Lakh |
Web Designer |
INR 5 Lakh to 7 Lakh |
Product Designer |
INR 7 Lakh to 10 Lakh |
Jewellery Designer |
INR 5 Lakh to 7 Lakh |
Game Designer |
INR 6 Lakh to 8 Lakh |
Graphic Designer |
INR 5 Lakh to 7 Lakh |
Textile Designer |
INR 5 Lakh to 8 Lakh |
UX/UI Designer |
INR 6 Lakh to 10 Lakh |
Animation Designer |
INR 6 Lakh to 8 Lakh |
Interior Designer |
INR 6 Lakh to 8 Lakh |
Architecture and Landscape Designer |
INR 7 Lakh to 10 Lakh |
Advertising and Branding Designer |
INR 6 Lakh to 8 Lakh |
Why Study Diploma Courses in Design?
Diploma courses in Design offer a variety of advantages, benefits and career scope to students. Students with genuine interest in creation of designs and innovation find diploma courses in design to be an excellent course. While, there are several other reasons apart from creative interest to study Diploma courses in design as mentioned below:
- Diploma courses in Design offer practical hands-on training and skills development rather focusing on theoretical information. The curriculum of course of diploma in design has been developed to provide practical and technical designing knowledge to students.
- There are a list of diploma courses in design with several disciplines including web designing, graphic design, interior design, fashion design, jewellery design etc. Students can select from a variety of choices of diploma in design.
- Diploma courses in design offer competitive and high salary to students with an entry level salary of INR 4 to 5 lakh per year.
- The career scope of Diploma courses in design keep expanding and increasing and students get open to several international career opportunities within design job roles.
- The duration of the course is neither too long nor too short which helps students to complete the course within 6 months to 2 years.