B-DES in Graphic Design at Manipal University Jaipur
Jaipur, Rajasthan
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About the Specialization
What is Graphic Design at Manipal University Jaipur Jaipur?
This Graphic Design program at Manipal University Jaipur focuses on visual problem-solving through creative communication. It integrates traditional art forms with cutting-edge digital technologies, preparing students for a dynamic Indian design industry. The curriculum emphasizes conceptual thinking, technical proficiency, and cultural relevance, equipping graduates with skills to excel in diverse design domains and meet evolving market demands.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for creative fresh graduates passionate about visual arts and communication, seeking entry into the thriving Indian design sector. It also caters to individuals looking to upskill in digital design tools and principles, or career changers aiming to transition into high-demand roles like UI/UX designer, brand strategist, or motion graphic artist within India''''s booming digital economy.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India, ranging from graphic designer, UI/UX designer, brand consultant, to motion graphics artist. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3-6 LPA, with experienced professionals earning INR 8-15+ LPA in leading Indian companies and startups. The program aligns with industry needs, fostering growth trajectories in digital agencies, corporate design teams, and entrepreneurial ventures across the country.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Design Fundamentals & Digital Basics- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate time to thoroughly understand the Elements and Principles of Design and practice basic drawing skills. Simultaneously, become highly proficient in core Adobe tools like Illustrator and Photoshop through daily practice and tutorials. This foundational strength is critical for all subsequent design work.
Tools & Resources
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Sketching Pads, Online tutorials (YouTube, Adobe official guides), Peer critiques
Career Connection
A strong foundation in design principles and software proficiency makes you agile and adaptable, enabling efficient execution of design tasks required in internships and entry-level positions across the Indian design industry.
Build a Diverse Inspiration Bank- (Semester 1-2)
Actively explore various art and design movements, both global and Indian, through museum visits (virtual/physical), design blogs, and historical texts. Create digital mood boards and scrapbooks of inspiring visuals, typography, and color palettes. This broad exposure fuels creativity and informs unique design solutions.
Tools & Resources
Pinterest, Behance, Dribbble, Museum websites (e.g., NGMA Delhi, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya), Design history books
Career Connection
A rich visual vocabulary helps generate innovative concepts, differentiate your work, and understand diverse client needs, crucial for standing out in Indian design competitions and professional projects.
Engage in Design Thinking Challenges- (Semester 1-2)
Participate in small design challenges or hackathons (even informal ones with peers) focusing on problem-solving through the design thinking process. Practice empathizing with users, defining problems, ideating solutions, and rapid prototyping. Document your process diligently.
Tools & Resources
Miro, Figma/Adobe XD (for quick prototypes), Design Thinking canvases, Peer groups for brainstorming
Career Connection
Developing a robust design thinking mindset from early on is highly valued by Indian companies, especially in product and UI/UX roles, as it demonstrates a systematic approach to innovation.
Intermediate Stage
Deep Dive into Specialization & Build Mini-Projects- (Semester 3-5)
Focus intently on Graphic Design specific subjects like Typography, Branding, and Illustration. For each subject, take on self-initiated mini-projects (e.g., design a brand identity for a local startup, create a series of editorial illustrations) beyond class assignments. Seek feedback from faculty and industry professionals.
Tools & Resources
Adobe InDesign, Figma, Behance, Industry mentors (through university programs), Local businesses for pro-bono work
Career Connection
These specialized mini-projects form the backbone of your initial portfolio, showcasing your skills in concrete areas. This is crucial for securing relevant internships in Indian design studios or agencies.
Network and Attend Industry Events- (Semester 3-5)
Actively attend design workshops, webinars, and conferences organized by professional bodies (e.g., India Design Council, FICCI). Connect with designers on LinkedIn, participate in online design communities, and engage with visiting faculty or guest lecturers. Seek mentorship opportunities.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Behance (for connecting with designers), Industry events calendars (Design India), Design-focused Facebook/WhatsApp groups
Career Connection
Networking is vital in the Indian creative industry. Building connections can lead to internships, freelance opportunities, and invaluable insights into industry trends and job openings.
Start Building a Curated Digital Portfolio- (Semester 3-5)
Begin documenting all your best design projects, from concept to final execution. Learn to write compelling case studies for each project, explaining your design process, challenges, and solutions. Upload these to a professional online portfolio platform.
Tools & Resources
Behance, Dribbble, Personal website (WordPress/Wix), Google Docs/Slides for case study writing
Career Connection
A strong, well-presented portfolio is your resume in the design world. It''''s the primary tool for recruiters in India to assess your capabilities and aesthetic, directly impacting interview calls and placements.
Advanced Stage
Undertake Industry Internships & Live Projects- (Semester 6-8)
Secure a substantive internship with a reputable design agency, tech company, or startup. Actively seek out live industry projects, either through your internship, faculty connections, or freelance platforms. Focus on understanding real-world constraints, client management, and team collaboration.
Tools & Resources
Internshala, LinkedIn Jobs, University placement cell, Freelance platforms (Upwork, Fiverr - for experience)
Career Connection
Internships provide invaluable practical experience, often leading to pre-placement offers. Live projects enhance your portfolio with professional work, making you highly employable in the Indian design market.
Specialize and Refine Your Portfolio- (Semester 6-8)
Identify your niche within Graphic Design (e.g., UI/UX, Motion Graphics, Branding, Illustration) and tailor your final projects and portfolio accordingly. Create 3-5 high-quality, in-depth case studies that demonstrate mastery in your chosen specialization. Practice presenting your work confidently.
Tools & Resources
Advanced Adobe Creative Suite tools, Figma/Sketch/Adobe XD, Portfolio review sessions with faculty/mentors, Presentation practice with peers
Career Connection
A specialized and polished portfolio directly targets specific job roles, increasing your chances of securing placements in top-tier companies in your desired domain within India.
Prepare for Placements & Freelancing- (Semester 6-8)
Actively participate in placement preparatory sessions, mock interviews, and resume/portfolio reviews. Understand the legal and financial aspects of freelancing (GST, contracts) if pursuing that path. Develop strong communication and negotiation skills. Research potential employers thoroughly.
Tools & Resources
University placement cell, Career counselors, Legal aid for contract review, Online resources for startup/freelance finance
Career Connection
Proactive preparation for interviews and a clear understanding of career options (job vs. freelance) ensures a smooth transition into the professional design world, maximizing your earning potential and career satisfaction in India.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- 10+2 (HSC) in any stream from a recognized board with minimum 50% aggregate marks. Relaxation of 5% for SC/ST/OBC candidates. Admission based on MU-OET / MET scores and portfolio review/interview as per university norms.
Duration: 4 years / 8 semesters
Credits: 165 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 40%, External: 60%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FD101 | Elements and Principles of Design | Core | 4 | Points, Lines, Planes, Volume, Color Theory and Application, Form, Space, Texture, Balance, Rhythm, Contrast, Unity, Gestalt Principles, Visual Hierarchy |
| FD102 | Basic Drawing and Sketching | Core | 4 | Observational Drawing, Perspective Drawing, Figure Drawing, Shading and Rendering Techniques, Composition and Scale, Still Life and Landscapes |
| FD103 | Material and Process | Core | 3 | Properties of Materials, Traditional Craft Techniques, Basic Workshop Safety, Material Manipulation, Sustainable Design Practices, Design for Production |
| FD104 | History of Art and Design - I | Core | 3 | Prehistoric Art, Ancient Civilizations Art, Classical Art and Architecture, Medieval Art and Design, Renaissance Art and Humanism, Indian Traditional Art Forms |
| FD105 | Digital Tools for Design - I (Adobe Illustrator) | Lab | 4 | Vector Graphics Fundamentals, Pen Tool Techniques, Shapes and Pathfinder, Typography in Illustrator, Color Palettes and Swatches, Logo Design Principles |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FD201 | Form and Structure | Core | 4 | 3D Form Generation, Modular Design, Ergonomics and Anthropometry, Structural Systems, Kinetic Forms, Prototyping Techniques |
| FD202 | Visual Communication - I (Introduction to Graphic Design) | Core | 4 | Fundamentals of Visual Communication, Image Making and Storytelling, Layout and Composition, Semiotics in Design, Audience and Context, Design Process Workflow |
| FD203 | Design Thinking and Innovation | Core | 3 | Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test, Problem Identification, Brainstorming Techniques, User-Centered Design, Innovation Strategies, Design Brief Analysis |
| FD204 | History of Art and Design - II | Core | 3 | Industrial Revolution Design, Art Nouveau and Art Deco, Bauhaus Movement, Modernism and Postmodernism, Contemporary Global Design Trends, Design in India Post-Independence |
| FD205 | Digital Tools for Design - II (Adobe Photoshop) | Lab | 4 | Raster Graphics Fundamentals, Image Editing and Retouching, Layers and Masks, Color Correction Techniques, Compositing and Manipulation, Photo Montages |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GD301 | Typography - I | Core | 4 | Anatomy of Type, Typeface Classification, Font Pairing Principles, Hierarchy and Readability, Tracking, Kerning, Leading, Typographic Layouts |
| GD302 | Illustration and Image Making - I | Core | 4 | Drawing for Illustration, Digital Painting Techniques, Character Design Basics, Storyboarding Fundamentals, Stylization and Abstraction, Visual Narrative |
| GD303 | Print Media and Production | Core | 3 | Offset Printing Process, Paper Types and Properties, Color Modes (CMYK, Spot), Pre-Press Techniques, Binding and Finishing, Costing and Estimation |
| GD304 | Packaging Design - I | Core | 3 | Packaging Functions, Structure and Dielines, Material Selection for Packaging, Visual Graphics for Packaging, Sustainable Packaging, Brand Integration |
| GD305 | Digital Tools for Design - III (Adobe InDesign) | Lab | 4 | Document Setup for Print, Master Pages and Grids, Text and Image Integration, Styles and Formatting, Interactive PDFs, Pre-flight and Export |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GD401 | Typography - II (Advanced) | Core | 4 | Experimental Typography, Kinetic Typography, Type as Image, Grid Systems in Layout, Responsive Typography, Typographic Branding |
| GD402 | Branding and Identity Design | Core | 4 | Brand Strategy Development, Logo Design Process, Brand Guidelines Creation, Identity System Application, Rebranding Strategies, Brand Storytelling |
| GD403 | Photography for Designers | Core | 3 | Camera Basics and Optics, Composition Rules, Lighting Techniques, Digital Image Capture, Product Photography, Photo Editing Workflow |
| GD404 | Illustration and Image Making - II | Core | 3 | Advanced Digital Illustration, Concept Art Development, Character and Environment Design, Editorial Illustration, Iconography and Infographics, Portfolio Development for Illustration |
| GD405 | Digital Tools for Design - IV (Web Design Basics) | Lab | 4 | Introduction to HTML/CSS, Responsive Web Design, User Interface Principles, Wireframing and Prototyping, Basic JavaScript Interaction, Web Layout Tools (e.g., Figma/Adobe XD) |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GD501 | UI/UX Design - I | Core | 4 | User Research Methods, Information Architecture, Wireframing and Mockups, Usability Testing, Interaction Design Principles, Design Systems Fundamentals |
| GD502 | Motion Graphics - I (Animation Principles) | Core | 4 | 12 Principles of Animation, Keyframe Animation, Kinetic Typography, 2D Animation Software (e.g., After Effects), Storyboarding for Motion, Visual Effects Basics |
| GD503 | Advertising Design | Core | 3 | Advertising Strategy, Campaign Development, Copywriting for Ads, Print and Digital Ad Design, Social Media Marketing Graphics, Market Research |
| GDE504A | Elective - Data Visualization | Elective | 3 | Principles of Data Visualization, Chart Types and Usage, Infographic Design, Storytelling with Data, Tools for Data Viz, Interactive Data Displays |
| GDE504B | Elective - Publication Design | Elective | 3 | Magazine and Book Layout, Editorial Grids, Image and Text Pairing, Digital Publishing, Cover Design, Journalistic Graphics |
| FD505 | Design Research Methods | Core | 3 | Qualitative and Quantitative Research, Ethnographic Research, Surveys and Interviews, Data Analysis for Design, Persona and Journey Mapping, Research Ethics |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GD601 | UI/UX Design - II (Advanced) | Core | 4 | Advanced Prototyping, Responsive and Adaptive Design, Accessibility in UI/UX, Micro-interactions, Mobile App Design, Portfolio Development for UI/UX |
| GD602 | Motion Graphics - II (Video Production) | Core | 4 | Video Editing Fundamentals (e.g., Premiere Pro), Sound Design for Motion, Advanced Compositing, Green Screen Techniques, Corporate Video Production, Short Film Graphics |
| GD603 | Environmental Graphic Design | Core | 3 | Wayfinding Systems, Signage Design, Exhibition Design Graphics, Public Space Branding, Information Graphics for Environments, Materiality in EGD |
| GDE604A | Elective - Game Design Graphics | Elective | 3 | Introduction to Game Art, Character and Asset Design, UI/UX for Games, Level Design Visuals, Concept Art for Games, Game Engine Basics |
| GDE604B | Elective - Photography (Advanced) | Elective | 3 | Studio Lighting, Fashion Photography, Architectural Photography, Fine Art Photography, Post-Processing Techniques, Building a Photography Portfolio |
| FD605 | Professional Practice and Ethics | Core | 3 | Client Management, Project Management, Pricing and Contracts, Intellectual Property Rights, Design Ethics, Freelancing and Studio Models |
Semester 7
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GD701 | Design Project - I (Advanced Graphic Design Project) | Project | 8 | Problem Identification and Research, Concept Development, Design Execution, Client Feedback Integration, Presentation and Documentation, Self-Directed Project Management |
| GD702 | Internship / Industrial Training | Practical | 8 | Real-World Design Application, Industry Workflows, Professional Networking, Mentorship and Learning, Report Writing, Portfolio Building with Live Projects |
| GDE703A | Elective - UX Writing and Content Strategy | Elective | 3 | Principles of UX Writing, Microcopy Design, Content Strategy for Digital Products, Voice and Tone Guidelines, Information Design, A/B Testing Content |
| GDE703B | Elective - Portfolio Development and Presentation | Elective | 3 | Curating Design Work, Case Study Writing, Digital Portfolio Creation, Presentation Skills, Interview Techniques, Personal Branding |
Semester 8
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GD801 | Degree Project - Final Major Project | Project | 16 | Comprehensive Design Research, Advanced Concept Generation, In-Depth Design Execution, User Testing and Iteration, Final Product/Service Delivery, Thesis and Viva Voce |