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B-DES in Communication Design at Sharda University
Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh
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About the Specialization
What is Communication Design at Sharda University Gautam Buddh Nagar?
This Communication Design program at Sharda University hones professionals to craft compelling visual narratives across diverse media. Integrating traditional design with cutting-edge digital tools, it meets the dynamic needs of the Indian market. The program emphasizes practical, project-based learning and an interdisciplinary approach, preparing students for impactful roles in India''''s evolving creative industry.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for creative fresh graduates seeking entry into India''''s vibrant design and advertising sectors. It also caters to working professionals looking to upskill in UI/UX or digital illustration, and career changers transitioning into visual communication. Prerequisites include artistic aptitude and a 10+2 qualification with at least 50% marks, as per university guidelines.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates can expect diverse India-specific career paths as graphic designers, UI/UX designers, illustrators, or advertising professionals. Entry-level salaries in India typically range from INR 3-6 LPA, growing significantly with experience. The program aligns with industry standards, equipping students for roles in top design studios, ad agencies, and tech companies across the country.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Fundamental Design Principles- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate time to deeply understand elements and principles of design, color theory, and basic composition. Practice drawing and sketching daily to improve observational skills and hand-eye coordination. Actively participate in all design workshops to gain hands-on experience with diverse materials and basic digital tools.
Tools & Resources
Online tutorials for Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator, Art supply stores, Sharda University Design Labs, Peer feedback sessions
Career Connection
Strong fundamentals are the bedrock for any design career, enabling effective visual communication and problem-solving, crucial for entry-level roles in graphic design, illustration, and UI/UX.
Develop Strong Communication and Critical Thinking Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Engage actively in communication skills classes, focusing on both verbal and written expression. Participate in debates or group discussions to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Practice presenting your design ideas clearly and concisely, incorporating constructive feedback.
Tools & Resources
University communication labs, Online forums for critical thinking exercises, Presentation software like Canva/PowerPoint, Academic writing guides
Career Connection
Essential for collaborating in design teams, presenting portfolios to clients, and articulating design rationale, leading to better project outcomes and career progression.
Build an Early Digital Portfolio & Network- (Semester 1-2)
Start documenting all your design projects and exercises from day one. Curate your best work into an online portfolio using platforms like Behance or Adobe Portfolio. Attend college design events, workshops, and connect with seniors and faculty to expand your professional network within the design community.
Tools & Resources
Behance, Adobe Portfolio, LinkedIn, Sharda University Design Club events, Faculty mentorship
Career Connection
An early, well-maintained portfolio is vital for internships and future job applications, while networking opens doors to opportunities and mentorship in the Indian design industry.
Intermediate Stage
Specialise and Deepen Technical Skills- (Semester 3-5)
Focus on subjects like Typography, Graphic Design, and Illustration techniques to build a strong specialization foundation. Independently explore advanced features of design software (e.g., Illustrator, InDesign) and consider learning new tools relevant to communication design like Figma for UI/UX. Work on self-initiated projects to apply theoretical knowledge.
Tools & Resources
Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Procreate, Udemy/Coursera courses on advanced design skills, Online design communities
Career Connection
Deep specialization makes you a valuable asset, preparing you for specific roles in graphic design, branding, or digital product design sought after by Indian companies.
Seek Industry Exposure through Internships/Projects- (Semester 4 (Summer Internship), Semester 5 (Design Project I))
Actively look for summer internships or live studio projects during breaks. Apply your classroom knowledge to real-world design challenges, learn professional workflows, and understand client expectations. Document these experiences meticulously for your portfolio.
Tools & Resources
Sharda University placement cell, LinkedIn, Internshala, Company websites, Industry contacts
Career Connection
Internships are critical for gaining practical experience, building a professional network, and often lead to pre-placement offers in Indian design studios or tech companies.
Engage in Design Competitions & Collaborative Projects- (Semester 3-5)
Participate in national and international design competitions (e.g., Adobe Design Achievement Awards, India Design Mark student categories) to test your skills and gain recognition. Collaborate with peers on interdisciplinary projects to simulate team-based professional environments.
Tools & Resources
Design portals announcing competitions, University project groups, Design forums
Career Connection
Winning or participating in competitions enhances your portfolio and visibility, while collaboration skills are highly valued in dynamic design agencies across India.
Advanced Stage
Build a Professional, Targeted Portfolio- (Semester 6-7)
Refine your design portfolio to showcase your best, most relevant projects for your desired career path (e.g., separate portfolios for UI/UX vs. Branding). Include case studies detailing your design process, problem statement, solutions, and impact. Seek faculty and industry mentor feedback.
Tools & Resources
Portfolio platforms (Behance, Dribbble, personal website), Design mentors, Career services
Career Connection
A strong, specialized portfolio is the primary tool for securing job interviews and demonstrating readiness for senior designer roles in India''''s competitive market.
Master Advanced Specialization & Industry Tools- (Semester 6-7)
Deep dive into advanced topics like Motion Graphics, UI/UX Design II, and Animation for Communication. Gain proficiency in industry-standard software (e.g., After Effects, Figma, Adobe XD). Work on complex design problems, potentially with real clients, to simulate professional challenges.
Tools & Resources
Advanced online courses, Industry workshops, Specialized design software licenses, Live client projects facilitated by the university
Career Connection
Advanced skills in niche areas make graduates highly employable for specialized roles, commanding better salaries and opportunities in leading Indian design and tech companies.
Prepare for Placements & Freelancing Opportunities- (Semester 7-8)
Actively participate in university placement drives, practice interview skills, and prepare tailored resumes/CVs. Explore freelancing platforms and understand the legal and business aspects of being an independent designer in India. Network intensively with industry professionals for job leads.
Tools & Resources
Sharda University Placement Cell, LinkedIn Learning for interview prep, Freelancer/Upwork, Legal templates for design contracts, Industry meetups
Career Connection
Ensures a smooth transition from academics to professional life, whether securing a job in a leading firm or establishing a successful independent design practice in India.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- 10+2 with minimum 50% marks
Duration: 4 years / 8 semesters
Credits: 155 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 30% (for most theory subjects, higher for practical/studio), External: 70% (for most theory subjects, lower for practical/studio)
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDS101 | Elements of Design | Core | 4 | Introduction to Design, Form and Structure, Principles of Design, Visual Composition, Design Thinking Basics |
| BDS102 | History of Art & Design - I | Core | 2 | Prehistoric Art, Ancient Civilizations, Classical Art, Medieval Art, Renaissance Art |
| BDS103 | Basic Drawing & Sketching | Core | 4 | Introduction to Drawing, Line and Tone, Perspective Drawing, Figure Drawing Basics, Still Life Drawing |
| BDS104 | Digital Tools for Design - I | Core | 4 | Introduction to Adobe Photoshop, Image Editing, Layers and Masks, Typography Basics, Digital Painting Tools |
| BDS105 | Communication Skills | Core | 2 | Verbal Communication, Non-Verbal Communication, Presentation Skills, Written Communication, Interpersonal Skills |
| BDS106 | Critical Thinking & Problem Solving | Core | 2 | Logic and Reasoning, Problem Definition, Analytical Thinking, Decision Making, Creative Problem Solving |
| BDS107 | Design Workshop - I (Craft Based) | Core | 2 | Material Exploration, Basic Craft Techniques, Form Making, Hand Tool Usage, Surface Embellishment |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDS201 | Principles of Design | Core | 4 | Design Principles (Unity, Balance, Rhythm), Color Theory, Aesthetics, Gestalt Principles, Visual Hierarchy |
| BDS202 | History of Art & Design - II | Core | 2 | Baroque and Rococo, Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism |
| BDS203 | Advanced Drawing & Rendering | Core | 4 | Advanced Perspective, Human Anatomy Drawing, Expressive Drawing, Rendering Techniques, Live Sketching |
| BDS204 | Digital Tools for Design - II | Core | 4 | Introduction to Adobe Illustrator, Vector Graphics, Logo Design Principles, Brand Identity Basics, Layout Design |
| BDS205 | Environmental Science | Core | 2 | Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Pollution, Climate Change, Sustainable Development |
| BDS206 | Professional Ethics | Core | 2 | Ethical Theories, Professional Conduct, Workplace Ethics, Social Responsibility, Design Ethics |
| BDS207 | Design Workshop - II (Digital Fabrication) | Core | 2 | Introduction to 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, CNC Machining, Digital Prototyping, CAD Software Basics |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDC301 | Typography - I | Specialization Core | 4 | Type Anatomy, Type Classification, Font Pairing, Typographic Hierarchy, Readability and Legibility |
| BDC302 | Graphic Design - I | Specialization Core | 4 | Principles of Graphic Design, Layout Grids, Composition, Visual Communication, Brand Elements |
| BDC303 | Illustration Techniques | Specialization Core | 4 | Traditional Illustration Methods, Digital Illustration, Storyboarding, Character Design, Editorial Illustration |
| BDS304 | Photography | Core | 4 | Basics of Photography, Camera Settings, Composition, Lighting, Digital Image Processing |
| BDS305 | Design Thinking & Innovation | Core | 2 | Design Process, User Research, Ideation Techniques, Prototyping, Testing and Iteration |
| BDS306 | Elective I | Elective | 2 |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDC401 | Typography - II | Specialization Core | 4 | Advanced Type Layouts, Expressive Typography, Web Typography, Calligraphy & Lettering, Type as Image |
| BDC402 | Graphic Design - II | Specialization Core | 4 | Branding & Identity Design, Packaging Design, Print Media Design, Environmental Graphic Design, Information Graphics |
| BDC403 | Digital Illustration | Specialization Core | 4 | Advanced Digital Painting, Vector Art Techniques, Concept Art, Motion Graphics Basics, Digital Portfolio |
| BDS404 | Design Research Methodologies | Core | 2 | Research Design, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Data Analysis, Research Ethics |
| BDS405 | Elective II | Elective | 2 | |
| BDS406 | Summer Internship / Studio Project | Internship/Project | 4 | Industry Exposure, Project Execution, Professional Practice, Report Writing, Presentation Skills |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDC501 | Advertising Design | Specialization Core | 4 | Advertising Principles, Campaign Strategy, Copywriting, Visual Merchandising, Digital Advertising |
| BDC502 | Publication Design | Specialization Core | 4 | Editorial Design, Magazine Layout, Book Design, Print Production, Digital Publishing |
| BDC503 | UI/UX Design - I | Specialization Core | 4 | User Research, Wireframing, Prototyping, Information Architecture, Usability Testing |
| BDS504 | Professional Practice for Designers | Core | 2 | Design Business Models, Intellectual Property Rights, Freelancing, Client Management, Portfolio Development |
| BDS505 | Elective III | Elective | 2 | |
| BDS506 | Design Project - I | Project | 4 | Problem Identification, Research & Analysis, Concept Development, Design Implementation, Project Presentation |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDC601 | Motion Graphics | Specialization Core | 4 | Principles of Animation, Kinetic Typography, After Effects, Visual Effects, Storytelling for Motion |
| BDC602 | Packaging Design | Specialization Core | 4 | Package Structure, Material Science, Branding on Packaging, Sustainable Packaging, Dieline Creation |
| BDC603 | UI/UX Design - II | Specialization Core | 4 | Interaction Design, Responsive Design, Design Systems, Mobile App Design, Accessibility |
| BDS604 | Entrepreneurship in Design | Core | 2 | Startup Ecosystem, Business Plan, Funding, Marketing for Startups, Legal Aspects of Business |
| BDS605 | Elective IV | Elective | 2 | |
| BDS606 | Design Project - II | Project | 4 | Advanced Problem Solving, In-depth Research, Iterative Design, User Testing, Comprehensive Documentation |
Semester 7
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDC701 | Animation for Communication | Specialization Core | 4 | Principles of Animation, Character Animation, 2D/3D Animation, Stop Motion, Narrative Animation |
| BDC702 | Environmental Graphic Design | Specialization Core | 4 | Wayfinding Systems, Signage Design, Public Space Graphics, Retail Graphics, Experiential Design |
| BDC703 | Design Portfolio | Specialization Core | 4 | Portfolio Strategy, Project Selection, Presentation Skills, Personal Branding, Resume & Cover Letter |
| BDS704 | Elective V | Elective | 2 | |
| BDS705 | Design Project - III | Project | 6 | Specialization-focused Project, Advanced Research, User-Centric Design, Industry Standard Deliverables, Final Presentation |
Semester 8
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDS801 | Major Design Project / Dissertation | Project | 15 | Independent Research, Comprehensive Design Solution, Advanced Prototyping, Detailed Documentation, Public Exhibition/Defense |
