Design Education • India

Top 10 Design Colleges in India

Choosing a design college in India is about fit. A strong institute will help you build a credible portfolio, learn design fundamentals, and gain exposure through studios, internships, critiques, and industry briefs. Your ideal college depends on your specialisation—product design, UX/UI, visual communication, fashion/textiles, animation/media, or interdisciplinary practice.

This list considers common criteria such as reputation, faculty mentorship, alumni outcomes, studio facilities, location advantages, fee structures, and admissions pathways (aptitude tests, situation tasks, interviews, and portfolios). Use it as a starting point, then verify details directly from each institute.

Disclaimer: Rankings are indicative and can change; verify on official websites.

Quick Take: How to choose a design college

Pick by specialisation fit: product/UX vs visual communication vs fashion/textiles vs media/animation.
Plan admissions early: entrance format, portfolio expectations, interviews, and timelines.
Compare outcomes: internships, industry briefs, alumni roles, and the portfolio quality graduates typically build.

National Institute of Design (NID)
IIT Bombay – IDC School of Design
IIT Delhi – Department of Design
MIT Institute of Design, Pune
Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Bengaluru
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
CEPT University – Faculty of Design
Pearl Academy
Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune
UPES School of Design, Dehradun

1) National Institute of Design (NID)

Location: Multiple campuses (India) • Best known for: Studio-led design education and portfolio culture

Key programs

Industrial/Product Design
Communication Design (Visual/Graphic)
Animation/Film/Video (program-dependent)
Interdisciplinary design pathways

Admissions snapshot

Typically includes a design aptitude test (often referred to as DAT) and additional rounds such as studio/situation tasks and interviews.

Fees & scholarships

Varies by program and campus. Scholarships/fee support may be available based on eligibility and policy.

Placements/career outcomes

Common outcomes include product design, UX, visual communication, design research, and creative technology roles.

Pros

Strong studio and critique culture
Recognised brand and alumni network
Portfolio-driven learning

Considerations

Highly competitive admissions
Demanding studio workload
Program mix varies by campus

Official website

2) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay – IDC School of Design

Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra • Best known for: Design + technology integration and HCI/UX ecosystem

Key programs

Industrial/Product Design
Interaction Design / HCI (program-dependent)
Visual Communication
Design research pathways

Admissions snapshot

Varies by program level and may include screening, portfolio/project evidence, and interviews. Expect evaluation of design thinking and fundamentals.

Fees & scholarships

Varies by program. Scholarships/assistantships may apply for eligible students as per institute norms.

Placements/career outcomes

Typical roles include UX/product design, service design, design research, and innovation roles in tech and studios.

Pros

Strong design + tech environment
Research-backed learning
Excellent peer and alumni network

Considerations

Limited seats in some programs
Competitive applicant pool
Portfolio/project quality matters a lot

Official website

3) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi – Department of Design

Location: New Delhi • Best known for: Rigorous design methods, systems thinking, and product/interaction pathways

Key programs

Product/Industrial Design (program-dependent)
Interaction Design / UX (program-dependent)
Design research and methods
Interdisciplinary electives within IIT ecosystem

Admissions snapshot

Varies by program and may involve screening, portfolio/project evaluation, and interviews. Clear design articulation helps.

Fees & scholarships

Varies by program. Scholarships/assistantships may be available depending on policy.

Placements/career outcomes

Graduates often enter product design, UX, design research, and innovation roles depending on specialisation.

Pros

Strong research environment
Access to IIT labs and ecosystem
Good fit for design + technology

Considerations

Seats can be limited
High competition
Portfolio/project evidence is important

Official website

4) MIT Institute of Design, Pune

Location: Pune, Maharashtra • Best known for: Applied studio projects and industry-oriented learning

Key programs

Product/Industrial Design
Communication / Graphic Design
UX / Interaction (program-dependent)
Design management / electives (program-dependent)

Admissions snapshot

Often includes aptitude assessment and/or portfolio evaluation plus interviews. Showcase process, sketches, and project outcomes.

Fees & scholarships

Varies by program. Scholarships/fee waivers may apply as per eligibility and policy.

Placements/career outcomes

Graduates commonly pursue product/UX roles, branding/visual design, and studio careers based on portfolio strength.

Pros

Hands-on studio approach
Applied industry-style briefs
Good design ecosystem access in Pune

Considerations

Program strengths vary
Portfolio quality drives outcomes
Verify admissions format officially

Official website

5) Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Bengaluru

Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka • Best known for: Interdisciplinary design, media arts, and creative technology

Key programs

Communication Design / Visual Arts
Interaction / Experience Design (program-dependent)
Animation/film/media arts (program-dependent)
Creative coding and interdisciplinary practice

Admissions snapshot

Often portfolio-led with creative tasks and interviews. Show process, experimentation, and personal projects.

Fees & scholarships

Varies by program. Scholarships may be available; confirm current details on the official site.

Placements/career outcomes

Outcomes include UX, visual design, media production, creative tech roles, and independent practice depending on portfolio.

Pros

Strong interdisciplinary culture
Great for media + design blends
Emphasis on experimentation and process

Considerations

Self-directed learners thrive most
Portfolio/fit is important
Confirm specialisation availability per intake

Official website

6) National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)

Location: Multiple campuses (India) • Best known for: Fashion, textiles, lifestyle, and retail-focused education

Key programs

Fashion Design
Textile Design
Accessory/Lifestyle Design (program-dependent)
Fashion communication/management (program-dependent)

Admissions snapshot

Typically involves the NIFT entrance route with aptitude plus creative/situation-based rounds and interviews (program-dependent).

Fees & scholarships

Varies by campus and program. Scholarships/financial support may be available based on criteria and policy.

Placements/career outcomes

Common outcomes include fashion design, merchandising, retail roles, textiles, styling, and brand communication functions.

Pros

Strong fashion and textile ecosystem
Industry exposure through projects/internships
Wide campus footprint across India

Considerations

Campus strengths can differ
Best aligned to fashion/lifestyle careers
Verify the latest entrance format officially

Official website

7) CEPT University – Faculty of Design

Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat • Best known for: Context-led design thinking and applied practice

Key programs

Communication/Visual Design (program-dependent)
Interaction/Product pathways (program-dependent)
Design in relation to built environment (contextual learning)
Studio and project-driven curriculum

Admissions snapshot

Can involve an entrance process and portfolio/interview evaluation. Confirm the latest documents and rounds on official sources.

Fees & scholarships

Varies by program. Financial aid may be available for eligible students as per university policy.

Placements/career outcomes

Outcomes may include studio roles, UX/visual design pathways, and project-based careers depending on discipline and portfolio.

Pros

Strong project culture and critique
Contextual learning approach
Good fit for systems-aware design

Considerations

Program focus can be niche
Verify admissions and portfolio needs
Outcomes vary by specialisation

Official website

8) Pearl Academy

Location: Multiple campuses (India) • Best known for: Industry-linked fashion, communication, and creative programs

Key programs

Fashion Design / Styling (program-dependent)
Communication / Graphic Design
Interior / Spatial Design (program-dependent)
Business-oriented creative pathways (program-dependent)

Admissions snapshot

Typically includes aptitude testing and interview/portfolio review. Show project work and explain your process clearly.

Fees & scholarships

Varies by program/campus. Scholarships may be offered for eligible students; verify officially.

Placements/career outcomes

Outcomes include fashion/retail, branding, visual communication and studio roles depending on portfolio and internships.

Pros

Industry touchpoints and workshops
Wide range of creative disciplines
Portfolio-building focus

Considerations

Campus/program strength varies
Verify admissions pattern officially
Outcomes depend on portfolio/internships

Official website

9) Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune

Location: Pune, Maharashtra • Best known for: Structured design education with industry briefs and portfolio outcomes

Key programs

Communication Design
Product Design
UI/UX pathways (program-dependent)
Design research and studio practice

Admissions snapshot

Often includes an aptitude route plus creative/portfolio rounds and interviews. Practice timed tasks and communicate design intent clearly.

Fees & scholarships

Varies by program. Scholarships may be available per eligibility and institute policy.

Placements/career outcomes

Graduates often pursue studio and company roles across product, UX, and visual design, based on portfolio strength.

Pros

Clear structure and studio output
Industry-style briefs
Strong portfolio readiness focus

Considerations

Admissions format may change
Placements vary by cohort/discipline
Portfolio and internships drive outcomes

Official website

10) UPES School of Design, Dehradun

Location: Dehradun, Uttarakhand • Best known for: Industry-aligned multi-disciplinary design pathways

Key programs

Product/Industrial Design (program-dependent)
Communication / Graphic Design
UI/UX and digital design (program-dependent)
Animation/media pathways (program-dependent)

Admissions snapshot

Often includes aptitude and/or portfolio/interview evaluation depending on program. Show projects, fundamentals, and specialisation clarity.

Fees & scholarships

Varies by program. Scholarships may be offered based on merit/need and institute guidelines.

Placements/career outcomes

Graduates may enter product/UX, visual design, media, and entry-level creative roles based on portfolio and internships.

Pros

Wide range of design pathways
Portfolio-oriented coursework
Industry-aligned projects

Considerations

Specialisation availability may vary by intake
Outcomes depend heavily on portfolio/internships
Verify admissions route officially

Official website

Fees comparison (high-level)

Fees can change by campus, program, and year. The table below uses ranges like Low / Medium / High (relative, not exact numbers). Always verify the latest fee structure and scholarship options on official websites.

College	Type	Relative tuition level	Scholarship availability	Notes
NID	Public/Institute	Low–Medium	Possible (policy-based)	Varies by campus/program; check official circulars.
IIT Bombay – IDC	Public/Institute	Low–Medium	Possible (assistantships/aid)	Program level may affect aid options; verify per intake.
IIT Delhi – DoD	Public/Institute	Low–Medium	Possible (assistantships/aid)	Aid depends on eligibility and level; confirm officially.
MIT Institute of Design	Private/Institute	Medium–High	Possible (merit/need)	Material/studio costs may apply depending on projects.
Srishti Manipal	Private/University	Medium–High	Possible (policy-based)	Costs vary by program and studio requirements.
NIFT	Public/Institute	Medium	Possible (policy-based)	Fashion programs may include material costs for making.
CEPT – Faculty of Design	Private/University	Medium–High	Possible (policy-based)	Fee structure depends on program and year; verify officially.
Pearl Academy	Private/Institute	High	Possible (merit/need)	Costs may vary across campuses and specialisations.
Symbiosis Institute of Design	Private/University	High	Possible (policy-based)	Check for additional studio/material fees for projects.
UPES School of Design	Private/University	Medium–High	Possible (merit/need)	Varies by program; confirm current scholarship criteria.

How to use this table: If your shortlist includes both public and private institutes, compare the total cost of attendance: tuition + materials/studio costs + accommodation + travel. Scholarships can reduce tuition but may have eligibility and renewal criteria.

Program fit comparison

A quick high-level view. Always confirm admissions routes, specialisations, and campus-level strengths on official sources.

College	City	Focus area	Typical entrance route	Best for
NID	Multiple	Product, Communication, Interdisciplinary	Aptitude + studio/interview rounds	Studio-led portfolio building
IIT Bombay – IDC	Mumbai	HCI/UX, Product, Research	Program-specific screening	Design + tech careers
IIT Delhi – DoD	New Delhi	Methods, Systems, Product/UX	Program-specific screening	Rigor + research orientation
MIT Institute of Design	Pune	Applied studios, Product/Visual	Aptitude + portfolio/interview	Industry-style project learning
Srishti Manipal	Bengaluru	Interdisciplinary, Media, Creative Tech	Portfolio + tasks/interview	Experimentation-led learning
NIFT	Multiple	Fashion, Textiles, Lifestyle	Entrance + creative rounds	Fashion ecosystem careers
CEPT – Faculty of Design	Ahmedabad	Contextual, Applied practice	Entrance + portfolio/interview	Systems + context-aware design
Pearl Academy	Multiple	Fashion, Communication, Interiors	Aptitude + portfolio/interview	Industry-linked creative tracks
Symbiosis Institute of Design	Pune	Product, Communication, UX	Aptitude + creative rounds	Structured portfolio development
UPES School of Design	Dehradun	Digital + physical design pathways	Aptitude + portfolio/interview	Multi-domain design starters

FAQ

Which entrance exams are most common?

Many institutes use aptitude tests, situation/studio tasks, and interviews. Some are institute-specific; always check each college’s official admissions page.

Is NID better than NIFT?

It depends on your goal. NID is associated with broader design disciplines, while NIFT is strongly aligned with fashion, textiles, and lifestyle/retail careers.

What portfolio is needed?

Show process: research/insight, sketches, iterations, prototypes, and outcomes. Include 4–8 projects and explain decisions clearly.

What are the main design specialisations?

Product/industrial, UI/UX & interaction, visual/communication, animation/media arts, fashion/textiles, and service/design research are common tracks.

How to prepare for DAT/UCEED-style exams?

Strengthen drawing/observation, practice timed aptitude sets, and build small projects demonstrating problem-solving. Review past papers when available.

What is the cost range?

Costs vary widely by institute type and program. Compare tuition, materials, housing, and scholarship options before deciding.

Conclusion

Use this guide to shortlist 3–5 colleges based on your specialisation, admissions route, and learning style. Then validate curriculum, faculty, studio culture, fee structure, and outcomes. Ultimately, your portfolio and process-thinking will be your strongest differentiator.

Download the Design College Shortlist Checklist

Note: Always verify admissions dates, exams, eligibility, fees, and program availability on official websites.