PhD in Design: Course Details, Fees, Colleges, Admission, Eligibility, Salary

A PhD in Design is a doctoral degree programme. The doctoral programme aids in the enhancement and development of a strong ability to think creatively and innovatively about business operations. Candidates will study major topics such as design fundamentals, entrepreneurship, multi-sensory processes, behavioural economics to Neuro-marketing, project management, cognitive neuroscience, social behaviour, aesthetic appreciation, designing strategies, playfulness and gratification, experience design, design audit to service and systems design during their time in school.

It will teach candidates how to take a blank canvas and transform it into a beautiful space using fabric, furniture, and lighting. The doctoral programme was created to help applicants gain a deeper knowledge of design concepts such as space and structures, as well as how we interact with them. Candidates who complete this course successfully may find work in fields such as information technology, environment design, textile industry, fashion design, event management companies, film companies, television, and theatres, among others.

Overview of PhD Design

Below is a list of some of the most popular highlights of the PhD Design programme.

Course Level	Doctorate
Duration of Course	3-Years
Type of Examination	Semester based
Eligibility Criteria	M.Des or Equivalent Degree with an aggregate mark of 50%
Process of Admission	Merit-based or Entrance-based
Top Entrance Exams	NIFT, CEED, AIEED
Average Annual Fee	INR 10,000 to 2 lakhs
Average Starting Salary	INR 2 LPA to 20 LPA
Top Job Profiles	Costume Designer, Fabric Designer, Technical Designer, Interior Designer, Assistant Manager, Fashion Coordinator, Interior Designer Executive, Accounts Executive, Architect, etc.
Top Recruiting Areas	Information Technology, Textile Industry, Environment Design, Events Management Companies, Fashion Design, TV, Theatres, Film Companies, etc.
Top Recruiting Organizations	Steelcase, Microsoft, Motorola, Concentrix, Apple, Amazon, AMTI, and, UBIQUITY global services, etc.

PhD Design: Introduction

Prior understanding of the programme one wishes to pursue improves one’s performance in that programme by a factor of ten. It is necessary to be extremely clear about the expectations that one has for the course. As a result, a quick overview of the PhD Design programme is provided below to help with the process.

• PhD in Design is a graduate-level course in design. The course teaches students how to harness their creative impulses to create dependable and practical fabric, furniture, and lighting designs.
• This advanced-level degree programme in Design necessitates the ability to be both creative and innovative. It is necessary to be able to think beyond the box and turn those ideas into complete and usable products.
• The PhD in Design programme enables students to comprehend the complexity of the entire design profession. It improves and strengthens the ability to think creatively and innovatively about various business processes.
• Basics in design, social behaviour, cognitive neuroscience, aesthetic appreciation, playfulness and gratification, creating methods, multi-sensory processes, entrepreneurship, project management, experience design, system design, and so on are some of the primary subjects addressed in this course.
• The course teaches students how to use a creative strategic leadership approach throughout the design process, leading to the capacity to create contextually successful strategies, business processes, policies, tools, and methodologies for a variety of industries.

Eligibility Criteria for PhD Design

Students interested in pursuing a PhD in design must complete the following requirements.

• A Master’s degree in Design or an equivalent degree from a recognised college or university is required.
• A candidate’s postgraduate examinations must have secured at least 50% marks.

Admission Process for PhD Design

Admission to the programme is usually based on academic merit. The marks gained in the qualifying examinations are taken into account when candidates are offered admission. Certain universities, on the other hand, have their own entrance tests to select applicants for admission to their programmes. AIEED, CIEED, SOFT, CEED, and other national admission tests are among the most popular.

Selection on the basis of merit

• Submit your application to the colleges or institutions where you want to study.
• Perform well on postgraduate exams, as the results of these exams form the foundation for the entire admissions procedure.
• Universities will reveal their cutoff lists in due time. Check to see if you are eligible for the course you want to take.
• Visit the college and submit all relevant paperwork if you are eligible.

Selection on the basis of Entrance Exam

• Submit your application to the colleges or institutions where you want to study.
• Register for the admission examinations that you will need to pass to get into the college of your choosing.
• To be considered for further admission rounds, students must achieve higher than the college or university’s minimal qualifying marks.
• Following the written test, a personal interview stage is held to determine the final merit list of the individuals who have been shortlisted.
• After all of the exams have been completed, the colleges or universities announce the results and publish a merit list of candidates who have been shortlisted based on the written test and personal interview phase.
• Following the admissions procedure, seats are assigned to deserving candidates, who must then pay the course fee and register for the academic year in question.

Top Entrance Exams for PhD Design

Admission to the PhD in Design programme is based on either an entrance exam or a merit-based selection process. In an entrance-based strategy, students must pass an entrance exam in order to be considered for admission to any given college. The following are some of the most popular entrance exams used to select applicants for admission to PhD programmes in design.  

AIEED: ARCH Academy of Design administers the AIEED, or All India Entrance Examination for Design. It is a nationwide entrance exam that is used to select individuals for admission to various Design-related degree programmes.

NIFT: The National Institute of Fashion Technology administers its own entrance exam to select students for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programmes.

CEED: The Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) is an annual joint entrance examination for admission to various postgraduate and doctoral programmes in the field of design.

Preparation Tips for PhD Design

It is not difficult to do well in an entrance exam if one is familiar with the most recent exam format. As a result, one should review previous year’s papers and conduct a thorough study of the exam pattern.

• Questions on reading comprehension, verbal ability, logical reasoning, basic math, and general knowledge appear on the GAT, or General Ability Test.
• The exam’s English part assesses one’s understanding and verbal skills. Reading as much as possible is the greatest approach to become acquainted with the language. Apart from that, sectional questions from previous year’s examinations and sample papers should be avoided.
• The aptitude and logical reasoning sections are intended to assess an individual’s aptitude and problem-solving abilities.
• The arithmetic questions are straightforward and are based on high school maths.
• The most crucial aspect of the entire preparation process is mock tests. After completing the syllabus, students should begin taking practise examinations. Before taking the real exam, you should complete at least 15 to 20 practise tests.

Benefits of Pursuing PhD Design

In terms of personal development and career advancement, a PhD in Design is one of the most sought-after courses in India. There are numerous advantages to taking the course. The following are some of the advantages and benefits of taking this course:

• PhD in Design is a graduate-level programme. This course is required for students interested in learning the subtleties of the design industry.
• The course provides fundamental information on the design process, including how it is carried out and how it has changed through time. It is a course that is based on research. It necessitates a great deal of research in the realm of design. Students typically choose a topic and then create a research-based project around it.
• After earning a PhD in design, one is qualified to teach as a professor or lecturer at any design school or university. As a result, it’s a must-take course for those interested in pursuing a career in academia.
• The course teaches a person a variety of abilities. Problem-solving, drawing conclusions, making logical recommendations, time management, and other skills are among them.
• The training teaches you how to make a lot of money. A PhD Design professional’s initial compensation ranges from INR 2 to 20 LPA.
• The course provides a wide range of work prospects. Costume Designer, Fabric Designer, Technical Designer, Fashion Coordinator, Interior Designer Executive, Interior Designer, Assistant Manager, Accounts Executive, Architect, and others are some of the top employment titles to expect.

Top Colleges for PhD Design

• Getting a seat in a good college does not appear to be a difficult endeavour when one understands the entire path that must be followed during the admissions process. Some of the most important points to remember if you want to get into a good institution are listed below.
• The course admissions method is either entrance-based or merit-based.
• In the case of merit-based selection, the qualifying examinations must be passed with flying colours.
• In the event of entry-based selection, it is critical to do well on the entrance exam and obtain a sufficient score in order to gain admission to a top college.
• The most recent exam pattern must be understood. In addition, one must be aware of the weighting allocated to each component of the exam and prepare accordingly.
• One should begin studying for the entrance exam a year in advance to allow adequate time for learning and revision. Keep a certain institute in mind.

Many leading institutions across the country offer a PhD in Design programme. Below are some of the top institutions that offer this programme, along with some more information.

NIRF Ranking 2020	College Name	Fee Structure	Average Salary Package
4	Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai	INR 67,900	INR 6 LPA
6	Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur	INR 57,000	INR 5.7 LPA
7	Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati	INR 12,200	INR 6 LPA
63	Amity School of Fashion Technology, Noida	INR 1,16,000	INR 9.6 LPA
73	Symbiosis International University	INR 3,00,000	INR 6 LPA
–	National Institute of Design, Gandhinagar	INR 2,12,000	INR 4 LPA
–	Banasthali VIdyapeeth, Jaipur	INR 1,07,000	INR 3.2 LPA
–	NIFT Tea College of Knitwear Fashion, Tiruppur	INR 18,200	INR 3.8 LPA
–	PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore	INR 8,900	INR 3 LPA

Syllabus for PhD Design

The PhD in Design is a three-year programme. Each year is divided into two semesters. The course includes a variety of assignments as well as extensive research. Below is a thorough year-by-year breakdown of the course.

Year I	Year II	Year III
Management organizational behavior	Accounting for managers	HRM
Managerial economics	Computer applications in management	Entrepreneurship development
Customer relationship management	Research methodology	Business laws
communication skills and report writing	Building materials and elements	Interior space planning services
Foundation to design basic drawing	CAD	Estimation costing

Recommended Books for PhD Design

The following are some of the top books to read when studying for a PhD in Design:

Books	Author
Geometry of Design	Kimberly Elam
Laying the Foundations: A Book About Design Systems	Andrew Couldwell
About Face — The Essentials of Interaction Design	Alan Cooper, David Cronin, and Robert Reimann
100 things every designer needs to know about people	Susan Weinschenk
The Paradox of Choice — Why More Is Less	Barry Schwartz

Course Comparison: PhD in Design vs PhD in Architecture

PhD in Design and PhD in Architecture are two distinct programmes built on the same creative and innovative foundation. The following table lists some of the significant similarities and differences between these two courses:

Parameters	PhD in Design	PhD in Architecture
Overview of Course	The PhD Design course teaches students how to harness their creative impulses to create dependable and practical fabric, furniture, and lighting designs. This advanced-level degree programme in Design necessitates the ability to be both creative and innovative. It is necessary to be able to think beyond the box and turn those ideas into complete and usable products.	PhD in Architecture is a three-year programme in which students must conduct considerable study in the field of architecture. The subtleties of the entire construction process are taught to students. They must submit a thesis based on their research effort at the conclusion of the programme.
Process of Admission	Entrance based or Merit-based	Entrance based or Merit-based
Entrance Exams	AIEED, NIFT, CEED, etc.	NATA, CETs, etc.
Average Fee	INR 10,000 to 2 lakhs	INR 20,000 to 2 Lakhs
Average Salary Offered	INR 2 LPA to 20 LPA	INR 3.5 LPA to 18 LPA
Top Job Profiles	Costume Designer, Fabric Designer, Technical Designer, Fashion Coordinator, Interior Designer Executive, Interior Designer, Assistant Manager, Accounts Executive, Architect, etc	Civil Engineers, Construction Managers, Industrial Designers, Drafters, Building constructor, etc.
Top Colleges	National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Hyderabad, National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Gandhi Nagar, Amity School of Fashion Technology, Noida, Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID), Pune, Pearl Academy, Mumbai, etc.	School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, NIT, Trichy, Anna University, Chennai, etc.

Job Profiles in PhD Design

The PhD in Design programme leads to a variety of work and professional prospects. Fresh graduates of the degree can expect to earn between INR 2 lakhs and INR 20 lakhs per year. The pay scale is based on the amount of experience you have in the field.

The following are some of the primary job profiles available to PhD Design professionals:

Job Profile	Job Description	Average Annual Salary
Costume Designer	A costume designer visualises and analyses the character completely before combining colour and fabric textures to achieve any given look. It is a very competitive field in which to work. Those who can observe and think creatively are more likely to survive in the long run.	INR 5,40,000
Architect Interior	Interior architects aim to decorate private residences and business buildings with furniture. While doing so, they have in-depth discussions with clients about their preferences. These experts construct designs that comply with state, federal, and local building codes.	INR 3,74,000
Graphic Designer	A graphic designer uses digital, electronic, and print mediums to produce an appealing image. They design brochures, movie credits, logos, signs, and website designs, among other things. Marketing, advertising, and media management organisations are frequent places to look for such experts. They are in charge of generating graphics that are well welcomed by the general public.	INR 2,74,000
Fabric Buyer	These individuals buy a wide range of finished goods and products for resale in the wholesale or retail markets. They usually assess current trends and make purchases in accordance with them.	INR 5,21,000
Technical Designer	A technical designer works with computers and, if necessary, draws designs. In order to develop layouts and generate animation effects, they employ technologies such as CAD. They make every effort to convey the information in the most effective manner feasible. They do so while keeping a close eye on consumer wants and preferences.	INR 9,00,000

Scope of PhD Design

Recent trends in the future scope of PhD Design degree programmes point to a promising professional path. The following items address the program’s future scope.

• A PhD in Design has grown in popularity among students in recent years. This course is being pursued by an increasing number of students. Students might use the course to seek a profession in design. Students learn how to envision and convey things to others.
• The design industry has exploded in popularity in recent years. People are growing increasingly worried with their own appearance. This indicates that the course’s scope will expand in the near future.
• A profession in design can be quite rewarding. As a result, it is drawing an increasing number of students. Interior designers, fashion designers, graphic designers, textile designers, and other types of designers are common. With more specialities on the horizon, the course is projected to see an increase in enrollments in the near future.
• The training provides a wide range of job options. Costume Designers, Fabric Designers, Technical Designers, Fashion Coordinators, Interior Designer Executives, Interior Designers, Assistant Managers, Accounts Executives, Architects, and other PhD Design professionals are common.

Frequently Asked Questions