Graphic Design is the study of communicating and conveying ideas through images, colours, and shapes. It investigates design components including typography, iconography, photography, page layout strategies, user interface, user experience, and software tailored to a particular industry.

Topics of study in a Graphic Design curriculum include colour and form, technical drawing, representation techniques, visual culture, image design, page architecture, creative thinking, words and images, graphic principles and psychology of play. Basic principles are balance, proximity, alignment, visual hierarchy, repetition, contrast, colour, negative space, topography, and rules.

Students who major in Graphic Design typically have strong artistic and aesthetic sensibilities. They naturally have an eye for matching hues, and even when they cannot always explain why, they can usually tell when something does not look right. In addition, they will have an experience with programmes like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign, and graphic tablets that are at the top of the list of desired features.

Study levels:

Courses in the field of Graphic Design is offered by colleges and universities in India and abroad at the undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level via degrees, certificates and diplomas. These include:

• Bachelor in Graphic Design
• Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Graphic Design
• Bachelor of Arts in Communication Design
• Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design
• Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design & Visual Communication
• Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication Arts
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Design with emphasis in Graphic Design
• Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design
• Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design
• Master in Design and Advertising
• Master in Graphic Design
• Master in Graphic Design and Digital Art
• Master in Visual Design
• Master of Arts in Design Specialising in Digital Graphic
• Master of Arts in Design Specialising in Graphic Design
• Master of Arts in Graphic Design
• Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
• Master of Science in Graphic Art Specialising in Graphic Design
• Master’s Degree in Digital Graphic Design
• Graduate and Postgraduate Diploma in Graphic Design
• Doctor of Philosophy in Graphic Design

Specialisations:

At the postgraduate level, students will be given more opportunities to focus on their interests, choosing one or more topics as a specialisation. The possible specializations in Graphic Design may vary depending on the institution and these include:

• Animation
• Architecture & Engineering Drafter
• Brand Identity / Logo Design
• Capstone
• Digital Illustration
• Digital Media Track
• Flash Design
• Iconography
• Layout and Print Design
• Mobile Application Interface
• Multimedia Design
• Packaging Design
• Photo Editing
• Print Media Track
• Product Design
• Studio Electives
• Typography & Calligraphy
• User Interface Animation
• Video & Film Editing
• Web and Mobile Design

Employability

A degree in graphic design opens the door to a range of creative careers as graphic designers are artists who design art in print & electronic media, such as magazines, television graphics, logos and websites.

Graduates can find employment in sectors such as advertising agencies, architecture firms, brand management, corporate sectors, design companies, fashion houses, magazines, newspapers, print and media, publishing houses, show business, television, web designing industry, Websites graphics and many more.

Possible job roles include:

• 3D illustrator
• Animator
• Architecture and Engineering Drafter
• Art Director
• Banner and Poster Designer
• Book cover Designer
• Brand Identity Designer
• Campaign Manager
• Creative Designer
• Design Consultants
• Email Marketing Designer
• Film Editor
• Flash Designer
• Freelancer
• Game Designer
• Illustration Artist
• Industrial Designer
• Layout Artist
• Letterpress Printer
• Logo Designer
• Marketing Manager
• Marketing Specialist
• Multimedia Artist
• Muralist
• Packaging Designer
• Product Designer
• Production Artist
• Sign Painter
• Surface Pattern Designer
• Teacher
• User Experience Designer
• User Interface Designer
• Video Editor
• Visual Merchandiser
• Visualisation Artist
• Web Designer
• Web Designer
• Wedding Invitation Designer