How to Become a Graphic Designer after 12th: Careers, Courses, Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Top Colleges, Skills, Benefits, Salary

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Ahana Bhaduri

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Candidates aspiring to become a graphic designer after class 12 can enrol across the specific degree, certificate, or diploma programs that place an emphasis on the overall development of candidates' graphic designing abilities. Aspirants can also opt for a master of arts (MA) in graphic design or MDes in graphic design for better opportunities and exposure. 

The average annual salary of a Graphic Designer in India is INR 3 LPA with the highest salary being INR 6.5 LPA. The monthly income of a graphic designer in India ranges between INR 21,498 to INR 23,139. Check: Graphic Designer Govt Jobs

Diploma in Graphic and Web Design, BDes in Graphic Design, MDes Graphic Design, BSc in Animation and Graphic Design, Certificate Course in Graphic Design, etc. are some of the popular graphic design courses for candidates looking to become graphic designers in India. Candidates can also opt for certificate and diploma courses that cover the fundamentals of the graphic designer profession and teach them the essential skills for launching a lucrative career. TCS, Deloitte, Google, Amazon, Accenture, etc. are some of the top employers offering Graphic Designer Jobs in India. The average annual Salary of a Graphic Designer at IndiGo is INR 14.72 LPA.

How to Become a Graphic Designer after 12th: Quick Facts

Eligibility Class 12
Qualifications A degree in Graphic Design or Animation and Multimedia
Starting Salary (INR) INR 2.40 LPA
Average Salary (INR) INR 3 LPA
Highest Salary (INR) INR 10.3 - 14.72 LPA
Top Recruiters TCS, Deloitte, Google, Amazon, Accenture

Eligibility to Become a Graphic Designer after 12th

In order to become a graphic designer, specific eligibility criteria are required to be met. Additionally, different companies have varying eligibility standards. The following are typical requirements for becoming a graphic designer:

  • Candidates must have cleared class 12 with a minimum of 45% to 50% of marks from a recognized board. Some institutions also allow a candidate who has passed class 10, for a diploma in graphic design.
  • Candidates must have cleared a 10+2 or 10+3 diploma with a minimum of 45% to 50% marks for a BDes in graphic design. Additionally, candidates may also be required to take entrance exams like SEED (for SID) and MH CET, CUCET, or any other examination conducted by the relevant universities.
  • Candidates must have cleared 10+2 with a minimum of 45% to 50% marks from any stream in order to be eligible for a bachelor of arts (BA Hons) in graphic design and visual communication.
  • Candidates must have cleared 10+2 with a minimum of 45% to 50% marks from the science stream in order to be eligible for a bachelor of science (BSc) in graphics, advertising, and digital design.
  • Candidates must have cleared graduation or equivalent degree in design to be eligible for an MDes in graphic design. Additionally, candidates may also be required to take entrance exams like AIEED, SEED, or any other test of design ability followed by a studio test and/or an individual interview.
  • Candidates must have cleared class 12 or class 10 for a short-term certificate course in graphic design.
Course Eligibility Duration
Diploma in Graphic Design 10+2 1 Year to 3 Years
BDes in Graphic Design 10+2 or 10+3 diploma, SEED (for SID) and MH CET, CUCET 4 Years
BA Hons in Graphic Communication Design 10+2 in any stream 3 Years
BSc in Graphic, Advertising and Digital Design 10+2 in the science stream 3 Years
MDes in Graphic Design Graduation, AIEED, SEED 2 Years
Certificate Course in Graphic Design 10 or 10+2 6 Months to 1 Year

Steps to Become a Graphic Designer after 12th

To become a graphic designer, candidates can directly apply to graphic design colleges or private training institutes in India. Candidates have the option of enrolling in full-time degrees, short-term certification, or diploma programs. The basic steps that can be taken to become a graphic designer in India are as follows.

  • Pursue a relevant course - To become a graphic designer, a candidate can pursue a degree or certificate course in Graphic design. This can generally be pursued after qualifying for higher secondary (10+2).
  • Apply for Graphic Design colleges/institutes - Candidates must be admitted to degree colleges or training institutes in order to learn and develop the skills necessary to become an established graphic designer.
  • Improve understanding of Graphic Design Tools - Graphic designers commonly use a variety of design software namely Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe PhotoShop, Adobe Illustrator, and InDesign. One must learn and improve the understanding of these basic tools to get started.
  • Create a Portfolio - After having a strong grasp of graphic designing skills, one must develop a portfolio to include their personal and professional projects. The portfolio will serve as a potential aid to showcase their skills to future employers and clients.
  • Apply to Graphic Design jobs and postings - Candidates should routinely monitor the websites of companies for job openings and submit their applications accordingly. Their resume needs to be modified to match the criteria of the recruiters they are applying to. Some of the top recruiters of graphic designers in India are TCS, Deloitte, Google, Amazon, Accenture, etc.

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Graphic Design Courses after 12th

Graphic Design courses after class 12 generally consist of degree courses or certificate and diploma courses through which students build up knowledge in fundamental aspects of the graphic designing field. Candidates can go for full-time courses like BSc, BA, BDes, or MDes in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Communication Design, Advertising, etc., or a short-term certificate or diploma course.

The following table lists the specifics of the most popular courses:

Degree BDes Graphic Design BSc Animation and Graphic Design MDes Graphic Design Post Graduate Diploma in Graphic Design
Eligibility Class 12 Class 12 Graduate with 50% marks Graduate or 4 Year- Diploma
Entrance Exams SEED (for SID) and MAH BDesign-CET, CUCET NATA, CEED, NID, GATE UPES DAT, AIEED, ALCI Aptitude Test CAT, MAT, CEED, GMAT
Top Colleges Pearl Academy West Campus, Symbiosis Institute of Design, MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Chitkara University, Apeejay Stya University Silver Oak University, Vogue Institute of Art and Design, Lovely Professional University, Dr SNS Rajalakshmi College of Arts and Science, Chandigarh Group of Colleges MIT Art, Design and Technology University, IIT Jodhpur, RIMT University, Auro University, Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth Jai Narayan Vyas University, DOT School of Design, HSA Degree College, JECRC University, PA Inamdar College of Visual Effects Design and Arts
Course Fees INR 1,80,000 - INR 7,24,000 INR 2,30,000 - INR 6,00,000 INR 92,300 - INR 3,98,000 INR 2,44,000 - INR 11,79,000
Average Salary (INR) INR 4 LPA- INR 7 LPA INR 3 LPA- INR 5 LPA INR 4 L - INR 21 L INR 3.77 LPA
Top Recruiters TCS, Deloitte, Google, Amazon, Accenture Vistaprint, Capgemini, Multia, WebandCrafts Indegene, Cognizant, Vervelogic MyGov, Teleperformance, Krish India Design, Xee Design

Entrance Exams

The majority of applicants are admitted to graphic design programs based on merit. Students must take entrance tests like the SEED, MAH BDesign-CET, CEED, AIEED, etc. to be admitted to full-time programs. The table below includes information on some of the top entrance tests.

Entrance Exams Application Deadlines Exam Dates Declaration of Results
SEED (SID) 2024 November 30, 2023 January 7, 2024 Last week of April 2024 (Tentative)
MAH BDesign-CET 2023 July 11, 2023 April 30, 2023 July 20, 2023
CUCET 2024 March 30, 2024 May 21-May 31, 2024 July 2024
NATA 2024 1st week of April, 2024 April 2024 May 2024
CEED 2024 November 2023 January 2024 March 2024
NID DAT 2024 October 2023 January 2024 March 2024
GATE 2024 October 13, 2024 February 3, 4, 10, 11 March 2024
UPES DAT 2024 - April 2024-July 2024 September 2024
AIEED 2024 June 2024 April 2024-May 2024 May 2024
CAT 2024 September 2024 November 2024 January 2025
MAT 2024 June 2024 May 2024 June 2024
GMAT 2024 Any time of the year June 2024-August 2024 After completion of the exam

Top Graphic Designer Colleges

Graphic design courses are offered by many top colleges in India. The table below includes information about some of the top colleges for graphic design courses in India.

Name of the College Location Average Fees
Pearl Academy West Campus New Delhi INR 26,00,000
Symbiosis Institute of Design Pune INR 17,00,000
MIT Arts Design and Technology University Pune INR 15,80,000
Xavier Institute of Communication Mumbai INR 16,000
Lovely Professional University Punjab INR 9,60,000
St. Teresa’s College Kerala INR 4500
Mody University Rajasthan INR 9,40,000

Skills Required to Become a Graphic Designer after 12th

Candidates are required to have a combination of skills to become a graphic designer in India. The most important skills required to become a graphic designer are listed below for reference:

Creativity Illustration Photoshop Coding
Visual Communication Interactive Media Adobe Software
Typography Brand Management Portfolio Management Color Theory
Problem-Solving Drawing Designing Innovation
Video Editing Web Designing Logo Design Indesign

Benefits of Becoming a Graphic Designer after 12th

The profession of graphic design offers the following benefits:

  • The freedom to fully express creative abilities and imagination is the main perk of working as a graphic designer.
  • The core of the job requires designers to regularly exhibit their creativity. This career enables one to try out creative ideas and concepts.
  • Typography, web design, illustration, user experience design, and 3D packaging, are some of the areas where graphic designers can focus their expertise.
  • One can work in a number of settings, but many graphic designers also discover that they prefer the independence of running their own freelance firm. This not only allows one to work from home but also choose the preferable rates and working hours.
  • Numerous reputable organizations are looking for somebody with strong graphic design skills who can provide eye-catching graphics that match their company's identity and mission.

Salary of a Graphic Designer

The average annual salary of a graphic designer in India is INR 5 LPA. With time and experience, it has been observed that most recruiters raise the salary of graphic designers as well. The salary of a graphic designer is also likely to depend on whether one works as a freelancer or is employed in an industry. As a freelancer, a graphic designer is allowed to demand a favourable amount from a client.

A graphic designer's beginning pay in India ranges from INR 2.5 LPA to INR 10.3 LPA, depending on experience. In the table below, salaries for places that are comparable to a graphic designer are listed.

Designations Average Annual Salary (INR)
Motion Graphic Designer INR 4 L
Creative Graphic Designer INR 4 L
Senior Visual Designer INR 8 L
UI, UX, and Graphic Designer INR 4 L

How to Become a Graphic Designer after 12th: FAQs

Ques. What are the education requirements to become a graphic designer in India?

Ans. Graphic design as a career can be pursued after class 12 by enrolling in specific degree, certificate, or diploma programs. Aspirants can also opt for a master of arts (MA) in graphic design or MDes in graphic design for better career prospects and exposure.

Ques. What is the age limit to become a graphic designer in India?

Ans. There is no specific age limit per se to become a graphic designer in India. However, candidates may be required to be at least 18 years of age to be eligible for a graphic design course.

Ques. What skills are necessary to become a graphic designer in India?

Ans. The top skills that are required to become a graphic designer in India are Photoshop skills, editing, creativity, visual communication, and software skills, to name a few.

Ques. How can I apply for a job as a graphic designer?

Ans. Candidates can apply for job postings of graphic designers offered by various companies. They should keep looking for job postings on the official websites of the top recruiters of the post.

Ques. Can I work as a freelance graphic designer?

Ans. Yes. One of the most important benefits is that one can work in a number of settings, but many graphic designers also discover that they prefer the independence of running their own freelance firm. This not only allows one to work from home but also choose the preferable rates and working hours.

Ques. What are the career prospects of a graphic designer in India?

Ans. Graphic designers can search for a fulfilling career with room for advancement. They can advance to positions like senior graphic designer or senior visual designer with experience.

Ques. What is the average salary of a graphic designer in India?

Ans. The average annual salary of a graphic designer in India is INR 3 LPA with the highest salary being INR 6.5 LPA. The monthly income of a graphic designer in India ranges between INR 21,498 to INR 23,139.

Ques. Can I do a graphic design course without a science background?

Ans. Yes. There are several graphic design courses available where a science background isn't necessary. Some of these courses are Diploma in Graphic Design, BA Hons in Graphic Design, and Certificate in Graphic Design.

Ques. How to get started as a graphic designer in India?

Ans. Candidates should routinely monitor the websites of companies for job openings and submit their applications accordingly. The first step to becoming a graphic designer is to create a resume and a portfolio. Their resume must be modified to meet the requirements of the recruiters they are applying to. The portfolio will serve as a potential aid to showcase their skills to future employers and clients.

Ques. What are the top recruiters of graphic designers in India?

Ans. Some of the top recruiters of graphic design in India are TCS, Deloitte, Google, Amazon, Accenture, etc.

Master of Arts [MA] (Graphic Design) : 8 answered questions

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Ques. How do I get my IGNOU ID card after taking admission in the MA programme?

● Top Answer By Aasif Dar on 20 Oct 22

Ans. To get your IGNOU ID card you need to visit your IGNOU regional centre. You can collect it from there. The ID card should have a stamp of IGNOU on it which makes it valid. If you will download your IGNOU ID card online, it does not have the stamp making it invalid. This will be a major problem in your exams. It is highly possible that IGNOU does not mail your card. Most of the time you will have to visit the regional centre personally to get your IGNOU ID card.Read more
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Ques. How much can an average student score in an MA programme at IGNOU?

● Top Answer By Ram Achal on 03 Nov 22

Ans. The word average student is vague. The examiner checking your answer sheets has no idea whether you are an average student or a topper. So it all depends on your preparation for the exam. You can get above-average marks if you study well and attempt the exam well. Similarly, not studying well might result in below-average marks. The rough estimate of average IGNOU marks is around 55-60 marks (out of 100). So it can be said that an average student can score first division easily. It mostly depends on how you write your answers.Read more
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Ques. Is it worth joining the IGNOU M.A. course for the UPSC optional subject during preparation?

● Top Answer By Sarvesh Mittal on 28 Oct 22

Ans. Every coin has two sides and so does this. There are both pros and cons to joining the IGNOU M.A. course for the UPSC optional subject during preparation. Pros: Less time required to earn the degree The study material provided by IGNOU is of good quality. This will help you prepare for your optional on your own. Preparing for IGNOU exams requires very less time. This will give you enough time to prepare for your option alongside. Cons: The value of the degree is relatively less. Exam dates may clash with UPSC. So it’s recommended you take the December exams. Fees: INR 14000 for two years You will have to submit yearly assignments. And one assignment will take at least 4 days to complete Weighing the pros and cons you can make the decision based on your calibre and situation.Read more
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Ques. What are the benefits of an MA from IGNOU?

● Top Answer By Saheli Ray on 03 Nov 22

Ans. IGNOU is a central top-rated university in distance mode. It’s the best option for the ones who are willing to get a degree without actually attending regular classes. The degree, diploma, and certificates of IGNOU are recognised by AICTE, UGC and DEC approved. It has the same value as Delhi University. MA degree from IGNOU will open opportunities for you in the field of teaching. Also if you are preparing for civil services, you can opt for the same subject for mains. Read more
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Ques. Is it valuable doing MA after Bsc from IGNOU?

● Top Answer By Renuka Mahesh on 03 Nov 22

Ans. No, it’s not valuable for someone to go for an MA after graduating from science. Unless you have a specific target or reason behind pursuing PG in arts it’s not recommended at all. The course you are opting for should have a direct connection with the industry you are planning to enter. Focus on your goal and pursue the program related to that specific field. People with no specific goals regarding the industry or profession are much more likely to come across such questions. Redefine and recognise your goals and then if it still suits you best, go for PG in arts.Read more
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Ques. Why should one prefer MA as a career option?

● Top Answer By Mihir Jain on 28 Aug 20

Ans. It is a 2-year Master’s (M.A) degree program (UGC approved) in Political Leadership designed and devised for a select few who are interested in taking up leadership roles in the area of Politics. Those who wish to pursue a career either in Active Politics or Functional Politics, this is the program for them to fulfill their goals.Read more
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Ques. How is MA in development studies in IIT guwahati and Whats the procedure to apply ?

● Top Answer By Manpreet Singh on 24 Jan 24

Ans. Some of my friends are currently pursuing their MA in Development Studies from IIT Guwahati. According to them, the curriculum and faculty are both very good. The placements are not regular, but the faculty has good connections to recommend the students for higher studies and jobs at well known establishments. To get admission into this course, you’ll have to undergo an entrance exam followed by a PI round.  Here are the steps to apply for the course- Visit the official website of IIT Guwahati. Select the MA course (course that you want to enroll for). Register and then login to fill out the form. Fill the form, pay the application fee and submit the form. The Application portal will open towards the end of March. But make sure to check the official website for regular schedule updates.Read more
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Ques. What is the process for selection in MIT-WPU for MA?

● Top Answer By Lakshita Kapur on 28 Aug 20

Ans. The selection process for MA in Political Leadership & Governance comprises a written test followed by personal interview. Written Test: Combination of Descriptive & Objective type of Questions based on Current & Political Affairs, General Knowledge & Social Awareness. Personal Interview: Conducted by the Selection Panel designated by the Governing Council of MIT-WPU. They are aimed at evaluating the candidate's academic knowledge and general awareness. The Interview also aims to assess the aptitude of the candidate and their aspiration. Admission Confirmation The selected Applicants need to pay Rs. 1,50,000/- as the first installment of the total course fee of Rs.3lac/-. (Rs. 5000 + GST is non-refundable in case of withdrawal of admission on or before July 13, 2020 thereafter no refunds).Read more
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