Diploma in Graphic Design

Diploma in Graphic Design is six months to one-year diploma level Animation, Multimedia and Gaming programme. They have to work across several platforms such as web, print, motion graphics and screen. The syllabus of the Diploma in Graphic Design covers topics such as photography, 3D design, fine art, graphics, jewellery, video, textiles, printmaking and glass and digital media. Several software tools such as Adobe, Photoshop, Illustrator and 3D Studio Max are taught to students. The eligibility criteria for Graphic Design is 50% in higher secondary from a recognised board. Besides excellent design skills, a meticulous eye for detail and quick thinking help in emerging as a skilled Graphic Designer. The top Diploma in Graphic Design colleges in India are Aligarh Muslim University, Vidya Knowledge Park, Janki Devi Vocational Centre, International School of Design and National Institute of Computer Arts. The annual course fee is between INR 20,000 and INR 50,000. There are several Graphic Design colleges abroad for students who wish to pursue an international career.  

Students can immediately join jobs after Diploma in Graphic Design such as Graphic Designers, UX Designers, Web Designers, Identity Designers and Brand Designers. After completion of a Diploma in Graphic Design, candidates are offered numerous job opportunities in cities such as Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and other parts of India. They get an average salary of INR 2,00,000 to INR 4,00,000 as Graphic Design freshers. The top recruiters hiring Graphic Designers are Design Factory India, Ikea, Mangoblossm Design, Cognizant, Scaler, Squareboat and Blueone. The curriculum of the course focuses on imparting an understanding of different software and computer skills. 

Some of the highlights of Diploma in Graphic Resign are mentioned in the table below.

A Diploma in Graphic Design gives a basic knowledge of the principles, tools and techniques of Graphic Design. It is a short-term course that gives an overview of the theoretical aspects of the course and hands-on training on the same. Here are the things that you must know while pursuing a Graphic Design Diploma:

• Students are introduced to design fundamentals such as design theory, colour theory, composition and layout principles. There are several software tools that they need to practice on such as Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. 
• They are given instructions related to illustration, photoshop, layering, 2D design, digital media and video editing.
• The creative field of Graphic Design is flourishing in leaps and bounds with different job opportunities in designing sectors. The students get jobs in Game Industry, Web Designing, Fashion Companies, Designing Studios, etc. 

Those who are confused about when to do a Diploma in Graphic Design can do it immediately after school or college. The Diploma in Graphic Design can be pursued by:

• Students who have completed class XII and want to establish a career in the creative design industry. 
• Those who have done other courses but wish to explore Graphic Designing as a career, they can study Diploma in Graphic Design. 

A Diploma in Graphic Designing is a short-term course for students. They can pursue it with other bachelor's courses. The reasons to pursue Diploma in Graphic Design are:

• Good Career Prospect: Graphic Designing presents an excellent career opportunity with its dynamic industry. It is easy to grow in this field. 
• Artistic Expression: Graphics Designing revolves ais a creative process and is essential for the creative industry to promote businesses. 
• Good Earning Potential: Graphic Designers earn well with projects with freelancers get the potential to earn significantly from the comfort of their homes. The demand for graphic designers in large companies is also high. 
• Exposure to Various Industries: For a successful career, Graphic Designing is an ideal choice as companies across various sectors seek skilled graphic designers to enhance their growth. 

The Diploma in Graphic Design course includes Design Typography, Print Media Production, Digital Design, Interaction Design, Information Design and Visual Design. Let us understand each of them in detail:

• Design Typography: It is the art of arranging typefaces and styling them to convey a message by creating visually appealing designs. 
• Print Media Production: The process of preparing graphic designs for printing that includes layout creation and colour management to produce brochures, posters and business cards.
• Digital Design: Here visual content is created for websites, social media and apps, using design software to produce graphics that look best in online versions. 
• Interaction Design: Here the focus is on the user experience (UX) by designing interactive digital interfaces to enhance engagement from users by making navigation easier. 
• Information Design: The complex information and data are presented visually using charts, infographics and diagrams, to convey information in a crystal clear manner. 
• Visual Design: It encompasses colour, imagery, layout and typography to create visually appealing and cohesive designs to communicate the identity of a brand or message to the audience. 

The eligibility criteria to pursue a diploma in Graphic Design varies from college to college. Captured below are the minimum requirements that a candidate is expected to meet applying for admission to a desired college or university.

• Candidates should have passed class 12th in any stream from a recognised board of education.
• Some colleges have set an aggregate percentage for an HSC exam. Students who have acquired either equal to or more than that are considered for admission.
• Few colleges even let students waiting for the result or appearing for the intermediate exam to apply for the course, provided that they produce the prerequisites and necessary documents before the prescribed date.

The admission process that most of the colleges conduct to shortlist the deserving candidates for Diploma in Graphic Design is mentioned below.

• Colleges do not conduct an entrance exam to shortlist students for the course.
• Admission is largely offered on merit basis or on the basis of marks secured in class 12th.
• The higher the aggregate score of a candidate in intermediate, the higher is his/her chances of getting admission to the course.

Admission to a Diploma in Graphic Design is mostly merit-based, however, few entrance exams are conducted by some top Graphic Design colleges. Here is a list of the same:

• JMI Entrance Exam
• SHIAST
• CUCET

Students must keep track of the application dates for Graphic Designing Diploma entrance exams so as not to miss the chances of admission. 

Before delving into taking the Diploma in Graphic Design course, you must have a few of the details in mind:

• Choose your Interest Domain: Pick an area of interest to pursue in your future as enrolling without knowing it will not lead anywhere. 
• Invest in High-Quality Equipment: A large and good computer with a big screen for sketching and painting graphics is important. Invest in it before enrolling for the diploma course as it will make your designing process easier.
• Make a Portfolio of Designs: Prepare a portfolio of your basic graphic designs to present them while taking admission to the course. It will be able to persuasively present your candidature. 
• Network with Other Students: Connect with students who are pursuing Diploma in Graphic Design. Get knowledge of the course, the syllabus and the in-hand training that is being provided. 
• Take Programming Language Classes: Learn programming languages such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript. This will give you an edge in the graphic designing scenario. 

The syllabus of Diploma in Graphic Design including the important topics has been outlined below. 

Semester 1: The syllabus of Diploma in Graphic Design for the first semester is mentioned underneath.

Semester 2: The Diploma in Graphic Design syllabus for semester 2 is as follows.

Note: The syllabus may vary from college to college

The Diploma in Graphic Design abroad provides exposure to students to international design principles and curriculum. They get the opportunity to connect with international peers and learn from industry leaders. Here are some of the Diploma in Graphic Design colleges abroad:

Diploma in Graphic Design is a diploma level course. Students can opt for higher studies in Graphic Design or can start working after qualifying a diploma in Graphic Design. Given below are the recruitment areas and opportunities which will be available to a candidate upon completion of the course.

Top Recruitment Areas: Here are some of the areas or sectors that actively look out for a professional who has pursued a Diploma in Graphic Design.

• Corporate Businesses

• Training Institutions

• TV and Film Company

• Design Studios

• Multi-Media Companies

• Television Industry

• Commercial Packaging

• Ad Agencies

• Publishing Houses

• MNCs

• Web Designing

• Marketing Firms

• Printing and Publishing

Hiring Companies: Mentioned below are the top organisations and companies that offer career opportunities to aspirants.

• Cogwheel Studios

• Designer Graphics

• Wipro technologies

• IKEA

• Fisheye, New Delhi

• Vistaprint Inc

• General Motors Design

• Edge Studio, New Delhi

• Eastern Silk Industries Ltd

• Think Design, Hyderabad

• SAP Labs India Pvt. Ltd

• Mangoblossom Design, Mumbai

• Design Factory India

• Moonraft Innovation Labs Pvt. Ltd

Job Profiles: The top job profiles that can be considered after finishing a diploma in graphic design are mentioned below.

• Advertising Art Director

• Corporate Identity Designer

• Creative Director

• Editorial Designer

• Multimedia Programmer

• Packaging Designer

• Teacher

• Graphic Designer

• Layout Designer

• SEO Consultant

• Flash Animator

• Web Developer

The salary of Diploma in Graphic Design holders may be a little less initially, however, with experience and skills they have better earning prospects. Entry level salary for Diploma in Graphic Design holders is INR 2 LPA to INR 3 LPA. The salary according to the job roles after Diploma in Graphic Design is given below:

Some of the top companies that hire Diploma in Graphic Design holders pay an average salary package as given below:

Here is a list of the colleges and universities that offer Diploma in Graphic Design courses to students in India. Also, check out the fees charged by these institutes:

Graphic Designers need a combination of technical and soft skills. Here is a list of what one should possess to be a successful after Diploma in Graphic Design: