MDes: Course Details, Fees, Colleges, Admission, Eligibility, Salary

MDes: Every ambitious professional’s ultimate goal is to reach new career heights, and a Master of Design is one of the degrees that can help them specialise and advance their skills for a career in the design field. Only those with a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field can pursue a master’s degree in design. Through projects, the two-year degree allows students to learn real-world based techniques, industry-specific theories, and design skills, allowing them to learn the nitty-gritty to the core.

Craft, Textiles, Special Needs, Publications, Media, Lifestyle Products, Graphics, and User Experience Design all benefit from a Master of Design degree, which is an advanced degree that allows you to specialise and research in the Fashion and Design Industry. Students from a variety of disciplines, including fashion, design, fine arts, engineering, commerce, science, and architecture, are eligible to apply for the degree. You should, however, have a basic understanding of the relevant design stream that you want to pursue through the Master of Design programme.

The Master of Design degree has a wide range of applications, including Industrial Engineering and Design, Product Research Analyst, Communication Design, Product Design and Engineering, Visual Design, Animation, and Automotive Designing, to name a few.

Overview of Master of Design

The following are some of the most important highlights of M.Des:

Course levelPostgraduate
Full-FormMaster of Design
Duration of Course2 years
Type of Examination Semester
Eligibility CriteriaBachelor’s degree in Design/Architecture/ Interior design/ Fine arts or in any stream with at least 50% marks from a recognized degree.
Process of Admission Through Entrance examination and personal interview 
Course FeeINR 1 to 3 Lakhs per annum.
Average SalaryINR 3 to 8 lakhs per annum
Top Recruiting CompaniesWipro Technologies Ltd, Eaton Corporation, Godrej & Boyce, Honeywell International Inc, Infosys Limited, Think Design, Craft Canvas, Lotus Design, etc par 
Job PositionsVisual Designer, Design Evangelist, Insight Officer, Design Thinker, Sustainable Development Officer, User Experience Designer, CSR Executive, Trend Analyst, Social & Cultural Executive.

Eligibility Criteria for Master of Design

Students interested in pursuing a postgraduate degree in design should meet the following requirements before applying.

  • A bachelor’s degree in design or any other field from a recognised university with a minimum aggregate of 50% is required.
  • They should have passed the entrance examination for the design programmes.
  • Candidates applying for the programmes typically have no upper age limit.

Admission Process for Master of Design

The following points have been used to explain the MDes Admission Process:

Entrance Exam: The CEED (Common Entrance Examination for Engineering and Design) is used by most of the top institutes to admit students. Some institutes, such as the Indian Institute of Crafts and Design, the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, and others, hold their own exams, such as NIFT, IICD, UPSES DAT, and so on.

Registration:  Candidates must register with the various universities or entrance examination bodies and create a login ID. Then they must complete the application form, upload the required documents, and pay the application fees.

Entrance Exam: Candidates must pass the entrance exam with flying colours.

Application: After passing the entrance exams and meeting the eligibility requirements for the stream to which one wishes to apply, one must fill out an application for a specific institute.

Personal Interview: After passing the entrance and application exams, universities will conduct a personal interview.

Skills Required for Master of Design

Candidates interested in pursuing a Master of Design degree should have a fundamental knowledge of design tools, methodologies, and applications. However, in addition to these fundamental skills, they should have the following for MDes:

  • Forecasting and Analytical skills
  • Communication, persuasive and people networking skills
  • Project Planning and Management
  • Creativity and Innovation
  • Observational skills and eye for details
  • Computer design software i.e. CAD/AutoCAD/CAM
  • Leadership and Management skills
  • Client Handling

Benefits of Pursuing Master of Design

Explore the following reasons to see why Master of Design can be a worthwhile course:

  • Increased Job Opportunities: According to a McKinsey research, the Indian Apparel Market would be valued USD 59.3 billion by the end of 2022, making it the world’s sixth largest behind Germany and the United Kingdom. This will provide employment prospects for MDes graduates.
  • Good remuneration and other benefits: MDes graduates in India earn an average of INR 982,635 per year, according to the website payscale. Aside from the pay, MDes graduates are eligible for a variety of benefits such as PF, medical insurance, travel expenses, and so on. These graduates are hired in big numbers by top recruiters such as Wipro Technologies Ltd, Eaton Corporation, Godrej & Boyce, Honeywell International IncThink Design, Craft Canvas, Lotus Design, and others.
  • Possibility of working in a rising industry: According to several Indian media sites, the Indian Fashion Industry is predicted to develop at a rate of 10-12 percent over the next few years. By 2022, over 300 new brands are predicted to open stores in India, resulting in the hiring of design candidates.
  • Chance to work in a variety of industries: A Master of Design can be used in practically any field that requires design. This course allows students to study thriving areas such as fashion, interior design, web development, gaming, graphic design, and animation.
  • Ability to become an entrepreneur: After completing the course or getting sufficient experience, candidates can become entrepreneurs immediately. Following the conclusion of the course, a large number of graduates have started their own clothing line.

During the designing course, students will learn how to keep the product’s usefulness, functionality, and appearance intact while designing any product.

Entrance Exams for Master of Design

The prominent M.Des entrance exams that are conducted by various authorities in India every year are listed below:

Exam NameConducted byEligibility
CEEDIIT BombayCandidates must have passed a Graduation Level Degree / Diploma / Post Graduate Degree Programme of minimum 3 years.
NIFTNational Institute of Fashion TechnologyBachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized Institute/University
UPES DATUniversity of Petroleum and Energy Studies50% in the bachelor’s degree
IICDIndian Institute Of Crafts And DesignGraduates in any discipline with an aptitude towards crafts, fashion or design.

Preparation for Master of Design Entrance Exams

Entrance exams can be difficult to overcome, therefore here are some things to remember while studying for M.Des Entrance Exams.

  • Syllabus- Make a copy of the syllabus and begin developing study materials for each subject.
  • Question Papers- Gather previous year’s questions and sample papers for a better understanding and preparation.
  • Section Preparation- Be careful to thoroughly prepare for each section of the exam.
  • Time Table- Make a proper timetable and adjust it as necessary.
  • E-books and books- To clear up any ambiguities, browse through relevant websites and books.
  • Practice- Keep practising and using question banks until you’ve perfected your skills.
  • Follow-up- Keep track of the entrance exam’s shifting dates and updates.
  • Take a Break- Ensure that you get enough rest at regular intervals.

Top Colleges for Master of Design in India

Some of India’s best MDes colleges are listed here, along with their locations and average tuition.

College NameCityAnnual Average Fee (INR)
National Institute of Design [NID]Gandhinagar3,18,000 
National Institute of Design (NID)Ahmadabad3,26,000
National Institute of Fashion TechnologyMumbai2,24,000
Industrial Design Centre, Indian Institute Of TechnologyMumbai82,000
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)Hyderabad2,24,700
Centre for Environment Planning and Technology (CEPT)Ahmadabad3,78,000
National Institute of Fashion TechnologyNew Delhi2,24,700
National Institute of Fashion TechnologyKanpur2,24,700
Srishti School of Art, Design, and Technology, Bangalore (Srishti College)Bangalore5,18,000
Indian Institute of TechnologyKanpur64,050

Master of Design Colleges in Maharashtra

College Name Average Fees
NIFT Navi Mumbai INR 224,700
School of Fashion Technology (SOFT), PuneINR 250,000
Panache International School Of Design
Symbiosis Skills and Professional University 
Vijaybhoomi UniversityINR 400,000

Master of Design Colleges in Delhi NCR

College Name Average Fees
NIFT DelhiINR 224,700
Shiv Nadar UniversityINR 300,000
GD Goenka University (GDGU), GurgaonINR 229,000
SGT UniversityINR 162,500
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University Delhi INR 113,500

Master of Design Colleges in Rajasthan

College Name Average Fees
Banasthali Vidyapith University, JaipurINR 161,500
Amity University, JaipurINR 150,000
NIMS University JaipurINR 100,000
University of Technology, JaipurINR 80,000
Indian Institute of Crafts and Design (IICD), JaipurINR 307,500

Master of Design Colleges in Uttar Pradesh

College Name Average Fees
IIT KanpurINR 64,050
Shiv Nadar UniversityINR 300,000
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical UniversityINR 73,800
The Design VillageINR 450,000
UP Institute of DesignINR 73,800

Top Colleges for Master of Design in Abroad

Candidates frequently choose to continue their education at overseas universities. This rationale is based on the fact that foreign colleges/universities provide greater infrastructure, research possibilities, and remuneration when the degree is completed.

However, before enrolling for Design courses at international institutions and colleges, candidates should keep the following in mind.

  • Candidates must have completed a BDes or equivalent course at a recognised university.
  • Candidates must take English proficiency tests such as the IELTS, TOEFL, and others in order to be admitted to the programme. Individual colleges set their own minimum requirements.
  • Candidates are frequently asked to provide proof of their financial capability (Bank Statements), letters of recommendation, work experience, a medical certificate, a statement of purpose, and other documents.

In USA

College NameAverage Fees (In INR)
Parsons School of Design at The New School4,050,173
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)8,028,903
School of Art Institute of Chicago8,851,486
Pratt Institute8,265,680
Carnegie Mellon University6,265,600

In UK

College NameAverage Fees (In INR)
University College London1,282,211
University Of Edinburgh1,439,597
Imperial College London2,069,455
The University Of Manchester1,566,074
University Of Leeds1,379,576

In Canada

College NameAverage Fees (In INR)
University of Alberta1,566,391
Concordia University2,822,114
York University4,580,876
Carleton University2,809,650
Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD)2,113,128

In Australia

College NameAverage Fees (In INR)
Monash UniversityINR 20,73,917
RMIT UniversityINR 17,90,237
University of New South WalesINR 21,02,172
Griffith UniversityINR 19,49,595
University of Technology, SydneyINR 22,59,496

Syllabus for Master of Design

The following are some of the most prevalent topics covered during the Master of Design programme:

Introduction to Industry PracticesVisualization and Digital Representation
Sustainable systems and craft studiesDesign thinking and methods
Introduction to social designIndustry guided project proposal
Design for sustainability & craftDesign research methods
Trend research & forecastingDesign as a luxury (floating)
Introduction to Experience designBrand positioning and Curatorial practices
Strategy design managementDesign philosophy & critique
Information designBrand communication

Specializations in Master of Design

Master of Design students can choose from a variety of specialisations in the fields of fashion and textiles, communication, and more. The following are some of the most popular specialisations:

M.Des in Fashion Designing

This is one of the design courses that deals with fashion and industry, and it is open to anyone who is interested in designing garments and apparel.

Average Annual FeesINR 1 to 3 lakhs
Average Annual SalaryINR 5 to 8 lakhs

M.Des in Interior Designing

Interior design is concerned with coming up with innovative ways to design and decorate the interiors of a home. Students that are interested in pursuing this professional path might enrol in this course.

Average Annual Fees INR 1 to 2 lakhs
Average Annual Salary INR 2 to 5 lakhs

M.Des in Communication Studies

Communication is a wide notion that follows a variety of patterns. This course is suitable for anyone who is interested in designing diverse communication patterns.

Average Annual Fees INR 2 to 3 lakhs
Average Annual SalaryINR 4 to 5 lakhs

M.Des in Industrial Design

The study of selecting items to be made for market usage is known as industrial design.

Average Annual Fees INR 1.50 to 2.50 lakhs
Average Annual Salary INR 5 to 6 lakhs

M.Des in Game Design

As new games are released on the market every day, this is one of the most popular design courses. Aspiring game designers will have to accomplish everything from building the game’s framework to constructing the software.

Course Comparison

To help students understand the differences between M Des (Master of Design) and MTech in Design (Master of Technology in Design), we’ve created the table below.

ParametersMaster in Design (M Des)Master of Technology in Design (MTech in Design)
ObjectiveThe course’s goal is to use technology to invent and build designs that will be a part of the millennium for all time.The curriculum is meant to familiarise applicants with the abilities required for the synthesis, design, and analysis of a wide range of mechanical engineering systems.
SpecializationsFashion, Interior, Web, Gaming, Graphic, Animation etc.No Specializations are available.
Average Annual Fees INR1,00,000 to 3,00,000INR 50,000 to 2,00,000
Duration of Course2 years2 years
Eligibility CriteriaBachelor’s degree in Design/Architecture/ Interior design/ Fine arts or in any stream with at least 50% marks from a recognized degreeBachelor’s or equivalent degree
Process of Admission Entrance examination and personal interview Entrance examination 
Top CollegesNational Institute of Design [NID] Ahmedabad, National Institute of Fashion Technology Industrial Design Centre, National Institute of Design (NID) Gandhinagar, Indian Institute Of Technology, etc.BITM, Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute, GLA University, Gokaraju Rangaraju Institute of Engineering and Technology, etc.
Job RolesVisual Designer, Insight Officer, Design Thinker, Design Evangelist, Sustainable Development Officer, User Experience Designer, etc.Design Engineer, Lecturer, Service Engineer, Design Consultant, etc
Average Annual Salary INR 3 to 8 lakhs per annumINR 2 to 6 lakhs per annum

Job Profiles in Master of Design

Holders of an M.Des degree might work in the fields of craft, textile, special needs, publication, media, lifestyle products, graphics, and user experience design, among others, in large fashion, design, or corporate companies. The student’s path in the design sector will be determined by their specialisation.

These individuals can find work in both the commercial and public sectors, with annual salaries ranging from INR 3 to 8 lakhs. Here are a few of the most popular occupations available to Master of Design graduates.

Job RoleJob DescriptionAverage Annual Salary (INR)
Graphic DesignerGraphic designers use computer software to generate visual concepts that communicate an idea to inform, excite, and engage customers. They can work in specialist design firms, publishing or advertising firms, public relations firms, and so on.3,00,000
Design Thinking expertExperts in design thinking concentrate on finding creative and unique solutions to issues. To identify alternate techniques and solutions, they aim to understand the user, challenge assumptions, and redefine challenges.3,55,000
Industrial DesignerAutomobiles, household appliances, food packaging, electronics, medical equipment, and other items are created, planned, and manufactured by industrial designers. They collaborate with other experts to improve existing items and introduce new ones.6,00,000
Interior DesignerInterior designers determine the requirements in various places and select vital and decorative objects to make indoor or interior spaces appealing, safe, and functional. They may be able to find work in specialist design services, architecture, or engineering-related services.4,00,000
User Experience DesignerThe UX designer’s job is to make a product or piece of technology useable, entertaining, and accessible to people. They typically serve as a link between the user, the development team, and business stakeholders.8.00,000

Scope of Master in Design

  • Candidates interested in becoming fashion designers should enrol in the programme. MDes (Fashion Design) courses are required of the candidates.
  • Candidates who desire to work as game developers will benefit from the training. They must enrol in the MDes in Game Design course.
  • Candidates interested in becoming interior designers can enrol in the programme.
  • Candidates who have finished their B.Des programme can enrol in the M.Des programme to advance their careers.

After earning the degree, one can either work in a top private organisation or begin studying for examinations in order to obtain a career in the government sector. However, for these candidates, pursuing a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline is also highly suggested.

Government Sector- Top government recruiters such as the National Handloom Development Corporation, National Jute Manufacturers Corporation, National Textile Corporation Limited, Handicrafts & Handlooms Export Corporation, and others hire these specialists by paying them well and recognising their accomplishments.
Ph.D. in Design- Candidates with a Ph.D. in Design will be able to improve and develop their sense of inventive and creative methods to corporate efficiency.

Working hard to earn a government job in the design business or getting a second higher degree will both improve one’s professional prospects and open the door to explore opportunities in the foreign industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. How are Master of Design admissions conducted?

Ans. M.Des admissions are handled through the CEED (Common Entrance Examination for Engineering Degrees). Some colleges, like as IITs, use CEED to choose candidates, while others, such as NIFT, use their own tests.

Ques. Is an M.Des degree in design similar to MA and MSc degrees in science?

Ans. All of these degree programmes have a comparable subject of study, however the Master of Arts focuses more on aesthetic talents, while the Master of Science concentrates on the technical components of any product or equipment. M.Des, on the other hand, concentrates on design methodologies and problem-solving inventive skills.

Ques. What are my choices for a career after I finish my M.Des?

Ans. Graduates can work in a variety of industries, including automobiles, textiles, and media creation. Industrial designers, graphic designers, landscape architects, interior decorators, fashion designers, design engineers, product designers, art directors, product managers, art production designers, material engineers, and other positions are available to them.

Ques. What is a Master of Design (M.Des) degree?

Ans. M.Des is a postgraduate degree programme that focuses on understanding design principles and applying creative skills in a range of settings. Students explore unique approaches to solve problems related to human needs by studying topics such as User Experience & Interaction Design, Industrial Design, and Visual Communication.

Ques. Who can apply for the Master of Design programme?

Ans. An applicant for a Master of Design must have a bachelor’s degree in any subject, including Design, Engineering, Architecture, Interior Design, and Fine Arts. Although some universities do not accept bachelor’s degrees in Interior Design or Fine Arts as qualifying for this programme.

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