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M-DES-COMMUNICATION-DESIGN in Communication Design at Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology

Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology, now Dhirubhai Ambani University, is a premier autonomous university established in 2001 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. It is recognized for its academic excellence in ICT, BTech, MTech, and PhD programs, A+ NAAC accreditation, and strong placements, including a highest package of INR 82 LPA in 2024.

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location

Gandhinagar, Gujarat

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About the Specialization

What is Communication Design at Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology Gandhinagar?

This Communication Design program at DA-IICT focuses on fostering innovation through a user-centered, technology-driven approach. It equips designers with strategic thinking and practical skills for the evolving digital landscape, addressing critical demands in India''''s booming IT and creative industries. The program emphasizes integrated communication across diverse platforms.

Who Should Apply?

This program is ideal for creative graduates with a background in design, architecture, engineering, or arts seeking to specialize in communication design. It also caters to working professionals aiming to upskill for advanced roles in UX/UI, branding, or digital media, and career changers passionate about impactful visual and interactive experiences.

Why Choose This Course?

Graduates of this program can expect promising career paths as UX/UI Designers, Brand Strategists, Digital Media Specialists, and Design Researchers. Entry-level salaries in India typically range from INR 4-7 LPA, with experienced professionals earning INR 10-20+ LPA. The program aligns with industry demands for certified design professionals.

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Specialization

Student Success Practices

Foundation Stage

Master Core Design Software & Principles- (Semester 1-2)

Dedicate time to deeply learn industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, XD) and Figma. Simultaneously, internalize design principles through workshops, online courses (e.g., NPTEL, Coursera''''s Google UX Design track), and critical analysis of existing designs.

Tools & Resources

Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, Sketch, NPTEL courses, Interaction Design Foundation, Design blogs

Career Connection

Essential for creating professional design deliverables and securing internships in various design roles like graphic designer, UI designer, or visual communication specialist.

Cultivate a Critical Design Mindset- (Semester 1-2)

Actively participate in design critiques, analyze case studies of successful and failed designs, and develop a strong understanding of user psychology and behavior. Engage in peer reviews and seek feedback constantly to refine your problem-solving abilities.

Tools & Resources

Design case study websites (e.g., Behance, Dribbble), Design thinking workshops, Academic papers on design psychology

Career Connection

Develops problem-solving skills and a user-centric approach, crucial for strategic design roles and effective client communication in the Indian market.

Initiate a Personal Design Portfolio- (Semester 1-2)

Start documenting all projects, even small assignments, from day one. Focus on showcasing your design process, problem-solving abilities, and the impact of your work. Participate in university design clubs and internal hackathons to build initial projects.

Tools & Resources

Behance, Dribbble, Personal website builders (Wix, Squarespace), GitHub for design projects

Career Connection

A strong, evolving portfolio is the most critical asset for securing internships and entry-level jobs in the competitive Indian design industry.

Intermediate Stage

Pursue Specialized Internships & Live Projects- (Semester 3)

Actively seek internships (even short-term ones) at design studios, digital agencies, or tech startups in India. Prioritize live projects that align with your chosen specialization (e.g., UX/UI, branding, motion graphics) to gain real-world experience and apply theoretical knowledge.

Tools & Resources

LinkedIn, Internshala, College placement cell, Industry network

Career Connection

Builds industry contacts, provides practical exposure, and makes your resume stand out for full-time roles in the competitive Indian job market.

Network Strategically & Attend Industry Events- (Semester 3)

Connect with alumni, design professionals, and faculty mentors. Attend national design conferences (e.g., India Design Week, Kyoorius Designyatra), workshops, and webinars to stay updated on trends and expand your professional network for future opportunities.

Tools & Resources

LinkedIn, Industry meetups, Design community forums, College alumni network

Career Connection

Opens doors to mentorship, collaborative projects, and potential job opportunities through referrals, crucial for career growth in India.

Engage in Design Challenges & Collaborations- (Semester 3)

Participate in design challenges (e.g., UX Challenges on platforms like Devpost, Figma Community challenges) and collaborate with students from other disciplines (e.g., engineering, management) on interdisciplinary projects to enhance your problem-solving skills.

Tools & Resources

Devpost, Kaggle (for data visualization challenges), College innovation labs, Startup incubators

Career Connection

Enhances problem-solving skills under pressure, fosters teamwork, and adds diverse projects to your portfolio, attractive to Indian product companies.

Advanced Stage

Execute a High-Impact Major Design Project- (Semester 4)

Devote significant effort to your Major Design Project (MDP), ensuring it addresses a real-world problem, demonstrates advanced design skills, and has a clear impact. Document your entire process meticulously from research to final implementation.

Tools & Resources

Academic advisor, Industry mentor, Research databases, Prototyping tools, User testing platforms

Career Connection

This project often serves as the cornerstone of your final portfolio, directly influencing placement opportunities and demonstrating your capability for independent, complex design work.

Refine Portfolio & Practice Interview Skills- (Semester 4)

Polish your design portfolio to perfection, tailoring it for specific job roles and companies. Practice explaining your projects, design decisions, and thought process in mock interviews, focusing on behavioral and technical design questions common in Indian companies.

Tools & Resources

Portfolio review sessions (with faculty/mentors), Mock interview platforms, Online resources for design interview questions

Career Connection

Direct preparation for placement drives and job interviews, significantly improving your chances of securing desired roles in top design and tech companies.

Explore Entrepreneurial Ventures or Advanced Studies- (Semester 4)

Consider leveraging your MDP as a potential startup idea and explore incubation opportunities within or outside DA-IICT. Alternatively, research options for further specialization through international masters programs or research opportunities to deepen your expertise.

Tools & Resources

DA-IICT Innovation & Entrepreneurship Cell, Startup incubators (e.g., IIM-A CIIE), GRE/IELTS preparation, Scholarship databases

Career Connection

Prepares you for leadership roles, enables you to create your own design enterprise, or opens pathways for academic/research careers in design, offering diverse long-term career prospects.

Program Structure and Curriculum

Eligibility:

  • Bachelor''''s degree in Design (B.Des./B.Tech. in Design/B.Arch./B.Plan.) or B.Tech./B.E./B.Sc./B.A. with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks or equivalent CPI/CGPA. Candidates must have qualified in CEED (Common Entrance Exam for Design) or DAIICT''''s own entrance test (if conducted).

Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)

Credits: 80 Credits

Assessment: Assessment pattern not specified

Semester-wise Curriculum Table

Semester 1

Subject CodeSubject NameSubject TypeCreditsKey Topics
Visual Communication Theory and PracticeCore4Principles of Visual Design, Semiotics and Meaning Making, Typography and Layout, Image Making and Photography, Visual Narrative Structures, Design Elements and Principles
Introduction to Design ResearchCore4Research Methodologies in Design, Ethnographic Studies, User Interview Techniques, Data Collection and Analysis, Literature Review, Formulating Design Briefs
Human-Centered DesignCore4Design Thinking Process, User Experience (UX) Principles, Usability and Accessibility, Ideation and Brainstorming, Prototyping and Wireframing, User Testing and Feedback
Digital Tools for Communication DesignStudio/Lab4Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), Vector and Raster Graphics, Digital Asset Management, Wireframing and Prototyping Tools (Figma/XD), Introduction to Motion Graphics, Pre-press and Digital Output
Design Studio I: FoundationsStudio/Project4Concept Development and Exploration, Design Process and Iteration, Material and Form Studies, Presentation and Critiquing Techniques, Visual Problem Solving, Basic Project Management

Semester 2

Subject CodeSubject NameSubject TypeCreditsKey Topics
Interaction Design PrinciplesCore4Interaction Paradigms and Models, Information Architecture, User Interface (UI) Design Patterns, Wireframing and User Flows, Prototyping Interactive Experiences, Usability Evaluation Methods
Narrative and Storytelling in DesignCore4Elements of Story Structure, Character and Plot Development, Visual Storytelling Techniques, Transmedia Narratives, Brand Storytelling and Communication, Audience Engagement Strategies
Advanced TypographyCore4Typographic Systems and Grids, Font Selection and Pairing, Responsive Typography, Expressive and Experimental Typography, History of Typefaces, Typographic Hierarchy
Elective I (e.g., Design for Sustainability)Elective4Sustainable Design Principles, Circular Economy Concepts, Life Cycle Assessment, Ethical and Responsible Design, Eco-friendly Materials, Design for Social Impact
Elective II (e.g., Information Design)Elective4Data Visualization Techniques, Infographics and Explanatory Graphics, Visualizing Complex Data Sets, Usability of Information, Information Architecture for Clarity, Data Storytelling
Design Studio II: Communication SystemsStudio/Project4Systems Thinking in Design, Communication Ecosystems, Multi-channel Design Campaigns, User Journey Mapping, Service Blueprinting, Integrated Communication Strategies

Semester 3

Subject CodeSubject NameSubject TypeCreditsKey Topics
Design Management and EntrepreneurshipCore4Design Strategy and Business Alignment, Design Project Management, Business Models for Design Agencies, Intellectual Property and Copyright, Marketing and Branding for Design, Startup Ecosystem and Funding
Future of Design & TechnologyCore4Artificial Intelligence in Design, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Speculative Design and Futures Thinking, Ethical Implications of Emerging Tech, Interactive Environments, Future Trends in Communication
Elective III (e.g., Service Design)Elective4Service Blueprinting, Stakeholder Mapping and Analysis, Touchpoint Design, Co-creation Methodologies, Service Innovation, Experience Design for Services
Major Design Project - Part IProject8Problem Definition and Scoping, Advanced Design Research Synthesis, Concept Generation and Refinement, Prototyping Strategies, User Validation and Iteration, Detailed Project Planning

Semester 4

Subject CodeSubject NameSubject TypeCreditsKey Topics
Professional Ethics and Research MethodsCore4Research Ethics and Integrity, Academic Writing and Publication, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Professional Conduct in Design, Intellectual Property Rights and Law, Design Consulting Best Practices
Major Design Project - Part IIProject16Final Prototyping and Implementation, Advanced Iterative Design Process, Comprehensive User Testing, Design Documentation and Deliverables, Final Project Presentation, Portfolio Integration and Refinement
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