14 November 2024

Different Types of Design Courses: Exploring Specializations for a Career in Creativity

different types of design courses degree

As an aspiring designer, you must have realized that design isn’t just about aesthetics and livery; nor is it about abstract ideas that will be brought to life by someone else. Today, “design” is everything that defines experiences, solves problems, and enhances interactions in nearly every nook and cranny of life. From digital interfaces to physical spaces, design touches on a vast array of disciplines, each with unique methods, tools, and outcomes. If you’ve got designs on a career that will basically shape how the world works, there are some great graduate options available today. Understanding the types of design courses available can be the first step in choosing the right path for creative, driven students aiming to make a mark in the design industry.

For those passionate about creating and making an impact, the B Design course at Rishihood University’s School of Design offers an outstanding pathway. This innovative program is dedicated to equipping students with skills in communication design, user experience and interaction design, and numerous other electives and interdisciplinary fields. Let’s take a closer look at the different types of design courses available today and how a specialized design education at the best B Design colleges in India can prepare students for owning the future.

1. Communication Design: Crafting Impactful Messages for Every Medium

Hands down, the most versatile area of design today is Communication Design. This specialization focuses on using visual elements to convey messages in the most effective manner, across multiple platforms. Communication design is essential in fields such as advertising, marketing, and digital media, where visual storytelling and brand communication are crucial. Websites, social media, emailers, videos, GIFs, e-commerce, memes, and it goes as far as the digital line goes. Many colleges and design institutions have begun steering towards digital communication design over the last decade. Similarly, Communication Design at Rishihood University provides learners with a diverse array of skills that prepare them to work with both traditional and digital media.

  • Core Areas of Study: Typography, Digital Interface, Graphic Design, Visual Storytelling
  • Career Paths: Graphic Designers, Art Directors, Brand Managers, Marketing Specialists

2. User Experience and Interaction Design: Designing Digital Experiences for Tomorrow

b design for product design career

As technology advances, the need for intuitive, human-centered design has increased dramatically. User Experience and Interaction Design (UX/UI) is a major specialization at the School of Design, Rishihood University. The overall focus is expressed on creating digital products and interfaces that are easy to use, functional, and visually appealing. Design is not an isolated stream, students are encouraged and equipped to design websites, apps, games, and other interactive platforms with a focus on usability and emotional impact. This makes for far greater empathy and thoughtfulness in the design process.

  • Core Areas of Study: Cognitive Ergonomics, Interface Design, Digital Prototyping, Haptics
  • Career Paths: UX/UI Designers, Interaction Designers, App Developers, Digital Product Designers

3. Interior Design: Shaping Physical Spaces for Function and Aesthetics

Interior Design is a popular course among students interested in creating functional and aesthetically pleasing indoor spaces. It involves designing layouts, choosing color schemes, furniture, and materials that enhance a room’s functionality and beauty. Interior design courses teach the fundamentals of space planning, color theory, lighting, and furniture design, along with the technical skills necessary to bring these ideas to life.

  • Core Areas of Study: Spatial Design, Material Studies, 3D Modeling, Lighting and Color Theory
  • Career Paths: Interior Designers, Spatial Planners, Retail Space Designers, Set Designers

4. Fashion Design: The Art of Trendsetting and Garment Creations in BBA

Fashion Design is another exciting branch of design focused on clothing and accessory creation. Fashion designers learn how to sketch their ideas, select fabrics, and understand the production process, from concept to finished garment. This field requires a blend of creativity, technical skills, and an understanding of market trends and consumer behavior.

  • Core Areas of Study: Fashion Illustration, Textile Studies, Pattern Making, Digital Fashion Tools
  • Career Paths: Fashion Designers, Textile Designers, Merchandisers, Product Managers

5. Graphic Design: Visual Storytelling for Brands and Media

Graphic Design is a foundational course for students interested in creating logos, advertisements, and other visual content that communicates a brand’s message. Graphic designers work across print and digital media to create eye-catching visuals that convey stories, brand identities, and impactful messages. At Rishihood University, learners taking up graphic design are encouraged to develop expertise in visual storytelling, which prepares them for a range of industries.

  • Core Areas of Study: Branding, Layout Design, Illustration, Digital Interface
  • Career Paths: Graphic Designers, Brand Strategists, Art Directors, Digital Content Creators
product design course type

6. Spatial Design: Bringing Physical and Digital Worlds Together

Spatial Design is an innovative course that combines aspects of architecture, landscape design, and digital media to create spaces that are both functional and immersive. This field is especially relevant for students interested in retail design, exhibition design, and urban spaces. Rishihood’s Spatial Design elective integrates hands-on projects with digital tools, preparing students to create environments that bridge the gap between the physical and virtual worlds.

  • Core Areas of Study: Architectural Visualization, 3D Modeling, Space Planning, Environmental Graphics
  • Career Paths: Exhibition Designers, Landscape Designers, Urban Planners, Environmental Graphic Designers

7. Digital Product Design: Crafting Future-Ready Products

In a world dominated by digital products, Digital Product Design is a rapidly growing field that involves designing functional, user-centric digital tools. Students learn to create products that meet user needs and align with business goals. This program combines creativity with technical skills, enabling students to design everything from mobile apps to wearables.

  • Core Areas of Study: User Research, Product Strategy, Prototyping, Emerging Technologies
  • Career Paths: Product Designers, Interaction Designers, Digital Product Managers, UX Researchers

8. Interdisciplinary Minors: Expanding Horizons with Additional Skills

One of the unique features of Rishihood University’s School of Design is its focus on interdisciplinary education. Students can choose minors that allow them to broaden their design skills or deepen their understanding of fields such as Computer Science and AI, Entrepreneurship, Psychology, Finance, Business Analytics, and Yoga and Wellness. This flexibility enables students to pursue areas of personal interest while building a foundation in complementary fields.

  • Popular Minor Choices: Computer Science & AI, Entrepreneurship, Physical Product Design, Psychology
  • Benefits: Students gain a holistic understanding of design, which prepares them for diverse roles and helps them create designs that are relevant to multiple disciplines.

Hands-On Learning: Bringing Design to Life

As India’s first and only IMPACT University, Rishihood University’s School of Design emphasizes experiential learning. From real-world projects and industry interactions to studio and industry visits, learners have multiple opportunities to take their classroom learnings and apply them in practical settings alongside. Key elements of this approach include:

  • Makers’ Fund: A $5 million fund to support student-led startups and design ventures, encouraging students to turn their ideas into real-world projects.
  • Global Exposure: International study treks to destinations like Silicon Valley, Singapore, and London, where students engage with design and tech leaders.
  • Internship Opportunities: A mandatory internship during Semester 7, providing valuable industry experience and career advancement through Rishihood’s Career Advancement Cell.

Embracing a Future-Ready Design Education at Rishihood University

A design education at Rishihood University is unique because it not only imparts technical skills but also builds a philosophy of creating meaningful change through design. The School of Design at Rishihood University was recently renamed from the ‘School of Creativity’ to better reflect its focus on equipping students to lead change, rather than merely adapt to it. This approach resonates with a larger TED (Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Design) vision, a framework that prepares students for the demands of the future workplace.

Students at Rishihood are not limited to the role of “designer” alone; they are trained to become design strategists, leaders, and innovators capable of addressing complex challenges. The TED philosophy—a blend of Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Design—is a hallmark of Rishihood’s curriculum, which emphasizes a balance between technical design skills and entrepreneurial thinking.

Career Paths: Opportunities Across Industries

With the skills acquired at Rishihood University’s School of Design, graduates are prepared for a wide range of career paths, each offering opportunities for innovation and impact. Possible careers include:

  • Product Managers: Managing the entire lifecycle of a product from conception to launch.
  • Experience Designers: Crafting cohesive and impactful user experiences across platforms.
  • Service Designers: Creating effective systems and services for businesses and organizations.
  • Creative Technologists: Merging creativity with technology to build cutting-edge solutions.
  • Game Designers and Interaction Designers: Designing interactive elements in games, applications, and other digital environments.

Graduates are equipped to become design entrepreneurs, turning their ideas into startups with the help of Rishihood’s Makers’ Fund. The comprehensive program prepares students for careers in not just traditional roles but also in emerging fields driven by generative AI, creative coding, interaction design, and design management.

Design Your Future at Rishihood University

Rishihood University’s School of Design offers one of the best B Design courses in India, distinguished by its focus on interdisciplinary learning, hands-on experience, and a vision that combines Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Design. With courses designed to foster critical thinking and innovation, Rishihood University’s School of Design goes beyond the traditional design curriculum to prepare students for the evolving landscape of the design industry.

Choosing the right designing course after 12th can set the stage for a fulfilling and impactful career. For students interested in becoming leaders in the world of design, a B Design program at Rishihood University offers the tools, experiences, and network needed to succeed in a variety of design fields. From communication and UX/UI design to minors in Computer Science & AI and Entrepreneurship, Rishihood provides a comprehensive educational experience designed for tomorrow’s creative visionaries. 

Frequently Asked Questions

The options for design course specialisations are:

  1. Product Design
  2. Communication Design
  3. Interior Design
  4. Fashion Design
  5. Media Design

Communication design will equip you with the skillset required to be a UI UX expert for 2D and 3D designs. You will learn brand identity design, web app & website design, publication and print design

The tuition fee for the Bachelor of design program at Rishihood is Rs. 3.2 LPA.