Masters in Design
Introduction
A Master of Design (MDes) is an advanced postgraduate degree program that equips students with the knowledge and skills to be successful professional designers. Master’s in Design programs typically take two years to complete, and they cover a broad range of design disciplines. The Degree typically involves a combination of coursework, studio projects, and a final thesis or capstone project. A Master of Design degree can be a valuable asset for anyone who wants to pursue a career in design. It can help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful designers, and it can also open doors to new career opportunities.
Why Pursue MDes Courses?
Here’s why pursuing an MDes course in India can be a great choice:
- Specialization and Career Advancement: An MDes is a postgraduate degree, that allows you to deep-dive into a specific design field. This specialization can significantly boost your resume and open doors to better career opportunities in your chosen field like product design, user experience (UX) design, or fashion design [Search MDes courses in India].
- Skill Development: MDes programs go beyond design software and focus on core design thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. You’ll also gain expertise in areas like user research, prototyping, and design for manufacturability. These skills are highly sought after by employers in the design industry.
- Increased Earning Potential: MDes graduates typically command higher salaries compared to those with a bachelor’s degree in design. Reports suggest an average annual salary of around INR 982,635 for MDes graduates in India.
Who can Study MDes Courses?
Typically, MDes programs require a Bachelor’s degree in design or a related field like architecture or engineering. Some institutes might accept candidates from other backgrounds as well, but they may have to take additional qualifying exams.
Here are some additional factors to consider:
- Portfolio: Most MDes programs require a portfolio showcasing your design skills and creativity. So if you have a design background, start building a strong portfolio well before applying.
- Entrance Exams: Many institutes conduct entrance exams to shortlist candidates for MDes programs. These exams might assess design aptitude, general knowledge, and domain-specific knowledge.
If you’re passionate about design and want to take your career to the next level, an MDes program in India can be an excellent investment in your future.
MDes Entrance Exams 2024
There are several entrance exams for MDes programs in India, depending on the specific colleges and specializations you’re interested in. Here’s a list of some of the most popular ones:
- CEED (Common Entrance Examination for Design): This is a national-level exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) for admissions to MDes programs offered by them.
- NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) Entrance Exam: This exam is conducted by NIFT for admissions to its MDes programs in Fashion Design, Textile Design, Lifestyle Accessory Design, and Knitwear Design.
- NID DAT (National Institute of Design Entrance Exam): This exam is conducted by NID for admissions to its various postgraduate design programs.
- SEED (Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design): This exam is conducted by Symbiosis International University (SIU) for admissions to its MDes programs offered by its constituent colleges like Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID).
Other universities and institutes may conduct their own entrance exams or accept scores from these national-level exams. It’s important to check the specific admission requirements of the colleges you’re interested in.
The application deadlines and exam dates for these entrance exams typically fall between November and February of each year. It’s already June 2024, so most deadlines for this year would have passed. However, you can keep an eye out for the application dates for the next intake.
MDes Syllabus
The Master of Design (MDes) syllabus will vary depending on the specific program and school you choose. However, there are some general core elements you can expect to find across most MDes programs. Here’s a breakdown:
General Structure:
- Duration: Typically 2 years (4 semesters)
- Specializations: Offered in various design fields like industrial design, communication design, interaction design, etc. You can choose one to specialize in.
Coursework (Core Subjects):
- Design Thinking and Methods: Learn design problem-solving processes and methodologies.
- Visualization and Digital Representation: Hone skills in creating visual representations of design concepts using software.
- Trend Research & Forecasting: Develop the ability to identify and understand design trends.
- Sustainable Systems and Craft Studies: Explore sustainable design practices and traditional craft techniques.
- Brand Positioning and Curatorial Practices: Understand branding strategies and how to curate design experiences.
Additional Elements:
- Industry-specific courses: Depending on your specialization, you’ll take courses relevant to that field.
- Project Work: Throughout the program, you’ll work on design projects to apply your learnings.
- Thesis/Dissertation: A final-year project involving in-depth research and design exploration.
Finding a Specific Syllabus:
For a detailed syllabus of a particular MDes program, you can look at the program information on the university website you’re interested in. They usually have a curriculum section outlining the courses offered.
What are the Specialisations in MDes?
Master of Design (MDes) is a postgraduate program that offers various specializations. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Communication Design: This specialization equips students with the skills to create visual communication elements like brochures, presentations, and marketing materials.
- Graphic Design: This specialization focuses on creating visual content for various purposes, including print media, branding, and web design.
- Interaction Design: This specialization teaches students to design interactive experiences for products and services. This could include designing user interfaces (UIs) for websites and applications.
- Product Design: This specialization equips students with the skills to design physical products, from furniture and appliances to consumer electronics.
- Fashion Design: This specialization covers the entire fashion design process, from sketching and prototyping to production and marketing.
- Interior Design: This specialization teaches students to design and create functional and aesthetically pleasing interior spaces.
- Animation Design: This specialization equips students with the skills to create animations for movies, television, and video games.
- Game Design: This specialization teaches students to design video games, including the game’s concept, mechanics, and visuals.
- User Experience (UX) Design: This specialization focuses on designing user experiences for products and services. This could include designing the way users interact with a website or application.
These are just a few of the many specializations available in MDes programs. The specific specializations offered will vary depending on the university or institution.
Top Private Colleges for MDes
Please note that this list is not exhaustive and many other good colleges are offering MDes programs in India. The best college for you will depend on your specific interests and qualifications. However, the following is the list of Top Private Colleges for MDes:
|
College
|
Cutoff
|
Ranking
|
Application Deadline
|
Fees
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
 #1 out of 200 in India 2023
|
CAT 2023 Cut off 85
|
27 Apr - 18 Jun 2024
|
₹214,500
1st Year Fees |
|
 #4 out of 281 in India 2023
|
CAT 2023 Cut off 90
|
10 Jun- 18 Jun 2024
|
₹223,600
1st Year Fees |
|
 #2 out of 50 in India 2019
|
CAT 2023 Cut off 99
|
3 July - 21 Feb 2024
|
₹3,300,000
Total Fees |
|
|
#1 out of 50 in India 2019
|
CAT 2023 Cut off 99
|
20 Jun- 30 Nav 2023
|
₹3,396,000
Total Fees |
|
|
#99 out of 200 in India 2023
|
CAT 2023 Cut off 99
|
30 Jun - 23 Nav 2023
|
₹3,100,000
Total Fees |
|
|
#1 out of 281 in India 2023
|
CAT 2023 Cut off 98
|
14 Mar - 31 Mar 2024
|
₹254,650
1st Year Fees |
|
 #1 out of 80 in India 2021
|
-
|
22 Feb 24
|
-
|
|
|
#2 out of 281 in India 2023
|
JEE-Advanced 2023 Cut off 67
|
14 Mar - 31 Mar 2024
|
₹230,550
1st Year Fees |
Top Government Colleges for MDes
Please note that this list is not exhaustive and many other good colleges are offering MDes programs in India. The best college for you will depend on your specific interests and qualifications. However, the following is the list of Top Government Colleges for MDes:
|
Colleges
|
Course Fees
|
Placement
|
User Reviews
|
Ranking
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
₹29,350
B.Com 1st Year Fees |
₹10, 15,000
Average Package ₹35, 00,000 Highest Package |
 4.4/5 Based on 1263 User Review |
#1 /225 in India
2023
|
|
|
₹23,670
B.Com 1st Year Fees |
₹7, 50,000
Average Package ₹37, 80,000 Highest Package |
4.2/5 Based on 129 User Review |
#4/225 in India
2023
|
|
|
₹49500
B.Com 1st Year Fees |
₹5, 00,000
Average Package ₹10, 00,000 Highest Package |
4.3/5 Based on 2220 User Review |
#5/225 in India
2023
|
|
|
₹49000
B.Com 1st Year Fees |
₹6, 00,000
Average Package ₹21, 00,000 Highest Package |
4/5 Based on 243 User Review |
#29/225 in India
2023
|
|
|
₹19100
B.Com 1st Year Fees |
------
|
4.1/5 Based on 121 User Review |
#17/107 in India
2023
|
|
|
₹19100
B.Com 1st Year Fees |
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|
4.1/5 Based on 121 User Review |
#17/107 in India
2023
|
|
|
₹19100
B.Com 1st Year Fees |
------
|
4.1/5 Based on 121 User Review |
#17/107 in India
2023
|
|
|
₹19100
B.Com 1st Year Fees |
------
|
4.1/5 Based on 121 User Review |
#17/107 in India
2023
|
MDes Job Profiles and Salary
An MDes degree opens doors to a wide range of exciting careers in the design field. Here are some popular job profiles for MDes graduates in India:
- User Experience (UX) Designer (Avg. Salary: ₹8.01-11.94 LPA): Designs user interfaces (UI) that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, ensuring a positive user experience for digital products.
- Product Designer (Avg. Salary: ₹4.55-17.85 LPA): Creates physical or digital products, focusing on user needs, functionality, and aesthetics throughout the entire product development cycle.
- Industrial Designer (Avg. Salary: Varied): Designs and develops manufactured products, considering factors like usability, production methods, and user needs.
- Design Manager (Avg. Salary: ₹8.86 LPA): Leads and oversees design teams, manages projects, and ensures design quality aligns with brand strategy.
- Fashion Designer (Avg. Salary: Varied): Designs clothing, footwear, and accessories, considering trends, target audience, and functionality.
- Interior Designer (Avg. Salary: ₹2.60 LPA): Plans and designs indoor spaces, considering factors like aesthetics, functionality, and space utilization.
- Graphic Designer (Avg. Salary: ₹4.47 LPA): Creates visual content such as logos, illustrations, and marketing materials using design software.
- Other Roles: MDes graduates can also find opportunities in fields like animation, game design, textile design, and furniture design.
Important Note: Salary information mentioned here is an average and can vary depending on factors like experience, specialization, location, and the company you work for.
MDes Top Recruiters
There are many recruiters for MDes graduates in India, both in the government and private sectors. The specific companies that recruit will depend on your area of specialization. Here are some of the top recruiters for some of the most popular MDes specializations:
- User Interface (UI) / User Experience (UX) Design: These specializations are in high demand across industries. Top recruiters include:
- IT companies like Infosys, Wipro, TCS, Accenture
- E-commerce companies like Flipkart, Amazon, Myntra
- Design consultancies like McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company, BCG
- Product Design: This specialization is focused on designing physical or digital products. Top recruiters include:
- Automobile companies like Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra
- Consumer goods companies like Hindustan Unilever, ITC, Nestle
- Design consultancies like Ideo, Frog Design, and Fuseproject
- Industrial Design: This specialization is focused on designing the aesthetics and functionality of physical products. Top recruiters include:
- Manufacturing companies like Godrej, Voltas, Havells
- Design consultancies like Designworks (BMW Group), IDEO, Fuseproject
- Communication Design: This specialization is focused on creating visual communication for a variety of purposes. Top recruiters include:
- Advertising agencies like Ogilvy & Mather, DDB Mudra, Lowe Lintas
- Media companies like Times of India, Hindustan Times, NDTV
- Design consultancies like Landor, Wolff Olins, Interbrand
This is not an exhaustive list, but it gives you a good starting point for your job search. It is important to tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific company and position you are applying for. You should also highlight your skills and experience that are most relevant to the job.
1. What is an MDes course?
MDes stands for Master of Design. It’s a postgraduate program that equips you with advanced design skills and knowledge in a specific design field like User Experience (UX) or Product Design.
2. Who should consider an MDes course?
If you have a background in design (e.g., Bachelor of Design) or a related field (e.g., engineering, computer science) and want to specialize or upskill, an MDes could be a great fit. It’s also suitable for those with strong creative problem-solving abilities and a passion for innovation.
3. What are the typical learning methods in an MDes course?
MDes programs often combine lectures, workshops, studio projects, and critiques. You’ll develop your design thinking skills through hands-on projects, learn from industry professionals, and refine your portfolio.
4. What are the career prospects after an MDes?
An MDes can open doors to various design roles in fields like product design, user experience (UX) design, interaction design, information design, and more. You could find work in design agencies, tech companies, consultancies, or even start your own design practice.
5. Where can I find more information about MDes courses?
Many universities and design schools offer MDes programs. You can search their websites for specific programs or explore resources to find programs that match your interests.
