Bachelor of Design (B. Des)

The Bachelor of Design (B. Des) program at Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID), Pune, is a comprehensive four-year undergraduate course totaling 160 credits. Upon successful completion, students are awarded the degree by Symbiosis International University (SIU), Pune, established under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. SID's B. Des program is meticulously crafted to cultivate professionals capable of thriving in the dynamic and competitive world of design. The curriculum strikes a harmonious balance between traditional design principles, proficiency in new media tools, and essential soft skills, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for contemporary challenges.

The first year of this programme serves as a foundation, focusing on essential academic areas in design to support future specialization. Students engage in courses that enhance visual perception, effective use of sketching and drawing skills, an orientation towards the evolution of art and design, the role design plays in society along with an overview of the contemporary technological advancements. This phase also fosters the development of professional attitudes toward project execution and instills a critical, contextual, and historical awareness of design disciplines.

Post the foundation year, students can specialize in one of our seven specializations, each integrated with research, skill development, and visualization to align academic learning with professional requirements:

Graphic Design :

Graphic Design focuses on transforming ideas into impactful visual communication through typography, imagery, illustration, photography, branding and digital media. The specialization develops creative and strategic design capabilities, preparing students for diverse careers across branding, advertising, art direction, packaging, publishing, digital media and emerging areas of visual communication.

Animation and Film Design :

Animation and Film Design at SID brings together animation, filmmaking and visual storytelling to develop compelling narratives across cinema, television, gaming and digital platforms. Students explore 2D and 3D animation, motion graphics, visual effects, film language, storytelling, set and production design, cinematography and post-production, while gaining hands-on experience with contemporary tools and technologies to create films, animations and other moving-image experiences.

User Experience Design :

User Experience Design focuses on creating meaningful, intuitive and engaging experiences by understanding users, their behaviors, needs and emotions. Students explore usability, interaction design, information architecture, visual design and human–technology interaction to craft seamless digital experiences across products, services and interfaces, preparing them for diverse opportunities in the rapidly evolving digital design industry.

Product Design :

Product Design at SID combines creativity, technology and user-centered thinking to develop innovative products that respond to evolving needs and markets. Students explore design through sketching, 3D modelling, prototyping, materials, ergonomics and engineering drawing, while developing the ability to transform ideas into functional, usable and compelling products through a structured design process.

Interior Space Design :

Interior Space Design focuses on creating thoughtful, functional and harmonious spaces by integrating architecture, technology, materials and human needs. Students explore concept development, space planning, materials, lighting, furniture, ergonomics and construction, using design software and hands-on processes to develop residential, commercial, retail and exhibition spaces from concept to execution.

Fashion Design :

 Fashion Design at SID offers a comprehensive and hands-on exploration of fashion, integrating design, craftsmanship, technology and an understanding of the Indian and global fashion industry. Students develop their individual creative expression while gaining expertise in areas such as fashion design, pattern making, garment construction, textiles, merchandising and retail, supported by industry internships, workshops, guest lectures and industry visits that prepare them for diverse careers in the evolving fashion ecosystem.

Fashion Communication :

 Fashion Communication explores the intersection of fashion, lifestyle and visual communication, enabling students to build distinctive brand identities and compelling experiences. Students develop expertise across graphic design, visual merchandising, styling, branding, art direction, exhibition and event design, publication design and fashion forecasting, preparing them for diverse careers as fashion stylists, visual merchandisers, art directors, fashion forecasters, graphic designers and retail or event designers.

Recognizing the evolving landscape of design education in India, SID's B. Des program boasts of close integration of technology in its curriculum which includes training in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR), reflecting the industry's shift towards digitalization. There is a strong industry connection with the design community where design experts are invited to interact with our students about specific and generic aspects of design education and practice. Several reputed designers serve on our Board of Studies, conduct classes as visiting faculty, conduct master classes, appear as jury persons for term end jury examinations, and also as recruiters for internships and fulltime positions. The institute is also closely connected with its over 3000+ alumni who return back to their alma mater for meetups and "Design Gupshup" sessions apart from being members of our Quality Improvement Cell, Programme Review Committee, BoS Sub Committees, visiting faculty and recruiters. There is also a strong emphasis on Internationalization where connections with reputed international design schools are fostered to enable collaborative learning, research and projects.

By integrating these elements, SID's B. Des program not only equips students with the necessary skills and knowledge but also ensures they are attuned to current and future trends in the design industry.

Download B. Des Information Brochure
B. Des Information Brochure
The Seven major disciplines at SID have been categorized in the following areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

SID offers undergraduate design programs (B.des) in Product Design, Interior Space Design, Graphic Design, User Experience Design, Animation and Film Design, Fashion Design and Fashion Communication. It also offers postgraduate design programme (M.Des) in User Experience Design. All courses are UGC approved.

The Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) programme at SID is a four-year undergraduate degree divided into eight semesters. The curriculum is structured to gradually build students' design knowledge, technical expertise, research abilities, communication skills, and professional practice. Students begin with foundation learning before progressing into discipline-specific studio courses, electives, internships, collaborative projects, and graduation projects that prepare them for the design industry. The curriculum also offers majors and minors for selective students.

SID offers multiple specialisations within the Bachelor of Design programme, allowing students to pursue careers aligned with their interests and aspirations. Depending on the academic year and programme offerings, students can choose disciplines such as Graphic Design, Animation and Film Design, User Experience Design, Product Design, Interior Space Design, Fashion Design and Fashion Communication. Each programme focuses on developing specialised knowledge while encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.

Students are admitted to a specific design discipline through the admission process. Requests for changing specialisations are subject to seat availability, academic regulations, and approval by the institute. Applicants are encouraged to carefully explore all programme details before selecting their preferred discipline during the application process. Students and parents should attend Open Days and Orientation sessions for guidance and clarity.

Students learn digital design tools, branding, typography, illustration, motion graphics, publication design, UI/UX fundamentals, digital storytelling, advertising, packaging design, and visual communication strategies.

Graduates work across branding agencies, advertising firms, publishing houses, technology companies, media organisations, IT sector, startups, and creative consultancies.

Fashion Design focuses on designing garments, textiles, collections, material exploration, pattern making, merchandising, garment construction, and fashion innovation. Fashion Communication focuses on branding, fashion styling, visual merchandising, photography, graphic design, fashion journalism, retail experiences, digital marketing, advertising, UI/UX for fashion, and communication strategies. Students interested in creating fashion products may prefer Fashion Design, while those passionate about storytelling, branding, media, and consumer engagement may find Fashion Communication more suitable.

Product Design focuses on designing products that improve people's daily lives through functionality, usability, aesthetics, and innovation. Students learn product development, ergonomics, materials, manufacturing processes, user-centred design, prototyping, CAD modelling, and design research.

Career opportunities include consumer electronics, furniture, medical devices, transportation, home appliances, lifestyle products, and design consulting.

Students interested in storytelling, filmmaking, character design, motion graphics, visual effects, and digital content creation should consider Animation and Film Design.

Students learn direction, animation, video editing, cinematography, storytelling, scriptwriting, VFX, motion graphics, 2D and 3D animation, 3D modelling, character design, sound design, and post-production.

Graduates Students can pursue careers in films, advertising, OTT platforms, television, gaming, and digital media at animation studios, film production houses, advertising agencies, OTT platforms, VFX studios, gaming companies, and media production companies.

Students interested in designing digital experiences, websites, mobile applications, interfaces, and interactive products will find User Experience (UX) Design apt. The programme introduces students to user research, information architecture, interaction design, usability testing, wireframing, prototyping, interface design, accessibility, and digital product development.

UI/UX professionals are in demand across technology companies, startups, fintech, healthcare, e-commerce, and digital services.

Graduates of the Fashion Design programme can pursue diverse careers across the fashion, lifestyle, retail, and creative industries. They may work as Fashion Designers, Apparel Designers, Textile Designers, Fashion Stylists, Costume Designers, Fashion Merchandisers, Trend Forecasters, Product Developers, or Visual Merchandisers with leading fashion brands, export houses, design studios, luxury labels, and e-commerce companies.

Graduates can work in fashion branding, visual merchandising, graphic design, fashion styling, photography, advertising, digital marketing, social media, UI/UX design, fashion journalism, and content creation.

Fashion brands, luxury labels, e-commerce companies, creative agencies, magazines, design consultancies, or students establish their own creative ventures.

Graduates of Interior Space Design possess the expertise to design functional, aesthetically appealing, and user-centric interior environments for residential, commercial, hospitality, retail, and institutional spaces. They develop skills in space planning, material selection, furniture and lighting design, digital visualization, and sustainable design practices.

All design specialisations encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. Students interested in launching their own creative businesses can pursue programmes aligned with their interests, whether in fashion, communication, product design, or UI/UX. Through design thinking, business fundamentals, internships, collaborative projects, and industry mentorship, students develop the skills required to establish design studios, creative agencies, freelancing, fashion labels, start-ups, or consulting practices.

The SID design curriculum emphasizes responsible AI use, ethical decision-making, originality, critical thinking, and human-centred design. AI is viewed as a tool to enhance creativity rather than replace the designer's role.

Sustainability is an important aspect of contemporary design education. Students are encouraged to consider environmental, social, cultural, and economic impacts while developing design solutions. Projects often explore sustainable materials, circular economy principles, inclusive design, responsible manufacturing, ethical consumption, and socially relevant innovation to prepare students for future design challenges.

Depending on the programme, students may learn tools for graphic design, illustration, photography, video editing, animation, CAD modelling, UI/UX design, prototyping, 3D visualization, and digital publishing. Alongside software proficiency, equal emphasis is placed on design thinking, creativity, conceptual development, research, and problem-solving, ensuring that technology supports rather than defines the design process.

Designers are in demand across a wide range of industries, including technology, fashion, retail, e-commerce, media and entertainment, healthcare, automotive, consumer products, architecture, education, and hospitality. With the growing focus on innovation and user experience, organizations increasingly seek skilled designers for roles in branding, product development, digital experiences, communication, and strategic design. This makes design one of the most versatile and future-ready career choices.

AI transforms the creative industry, the demand for designers who can combine creativity, critical thinking, empathy, and strategic problem-solving continues to grow. Today's design professionals are expected to work collaboratively with AI, using it as a tool to enhance innovation rather than replace creativity.

SID's curriculum is designed to align with the evolving needs of the design industry by combining studio-based learning, live industry projects, internships, emerging technologies, and interdisciplinary collaboration. 

SID graduates are highly valued by leading design studios and organizations for their strong foundation in design thinking, creative problem-solving, technical expertise and industry-ready capabilities.

Design is one of the fastest-growing career fields, driven by innovation, technology, sustainability, and user-centric solutions. With the increasing demand for creative problem-solvers, design offers diverse career opportunities, global exposure, and entrepreneurial potential.

At SID, students are encouraged to develop drawing and visualization skills throughout the programme while learning research, technology, design thinking, and digital tools that are essential for contemporary design practice.
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