Design career

How to become a Graphic Designer

Also called Visual Designer, Communication Designer, Visualiser

Courses that lead here Explore other careers

What does a Graphic Designer do?

Graphic designers create visual material such as logos, posters, websites, packaging and social media posts. Many train through a B.Des, often in communication or graphic design.

A graphic designer takes a message and turns it into images, layouts and type. A typical day includes discussing a brief, sketching ideas, working in design software and revising work after feedback.

In India graphic designers work in advertising agencies, design studios, publishing and media houses, e-commerce and technology companies, or as freelancers.

How to get there

  1. Class 10Draw, sketch and build a small portfolio
  2. Class 11–12Any stream is fine
  3. keep building a portfolio
  4. EntranceApply to design schools
  5. NID's B.Des accepts Class 12 from any stream
  6. UGComplete a B.Des, for example in Communication or Graphic Design
  7. First roleJoin a studio or agency as a junior designer or work as a freelancer
Subjects in Classes 11–12
Arts and Humanities, English, Computer Science
Minimum education
UG

Courses that lead here

UG

Bachelor of Design

B.Des · 4 years · Design

B.Des is a four-year design degree in areas such as communication, industrial, textile and apparel design. Students from any Class 12 stream…

Offered by 89 colleges
PG

Master of Design

M.Des · 2.5 years · Design

M.Des is a postgraduate design degree in areas such as product, graphic, interaction, textile and animation design. At NID it runs for…

Offered by 55 colleges
UG

Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication

BJMC · 3 years · Mass Communication

BJMC is an undergraduate degree in journalism, media and communication. It covers reporting, editing, photography, radio, TV, advertising, PR and digital media.

Offered by 104 colleges

Further study

Colleges for these courses

Skills you need

  • Client communication
  • Design software
  • Layout and composition
  • Typography
  • Visual storytelling

It suits people who are

  • Creative
  • Open to feedback
  • Detail-oriented
  • Curious

Where you work and how you grow

Where people work

  • Advertising agencies
  • Design studios
  • Media and publishing houses
  • Freelance

Growth path

  1. Junior designer → Graphic designer → Senior designer → Art director → Creative director

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a particular stream for design?

No. NID's 2026-27 B.Des handbook accepts Class 12 from any stream, including Science, Arts, Commerce and Humanities.

Where is graphic design taught?

NID Ahmedabad offers Graphic Design under its Communication Design discipline in the four-year B.Des.

Sources

Information verified on 10 Oct 2026

  1. NID B.Des Admissions Handbook 2026-27 · Prospectus PDF, accessed 10 Oct 2026
  2. Scheme of examination - BA (Journalism & Mass Communication), GGSIPU · Official notice, accessed 10 Oct 2026

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