In a world driven by visuals, experiences, and innovation, design is no longer just about creativity—it is about impact. From the apps we use to the brands we trust and the spaces we live in, design shapes how we see and interact with the world. For students who think differently, observe deeply, and imagine boldly, the All India Design Aptitude Test (AIDAT) offers the perfect starting point.

So why should a design student appear for  AIDAT?

Because it transforms creativity into a professional career. AIDAT is not just an entrance exam—it is a gateway into the rapidly expanding world of design, where ideas become products, visuals become identities, and imagination turns into real-world solutions. It is designed for students who want to move beyond hobbies and build a future in creative industries.

Design the Future, Don’t Just Imagine It

Design today goes far beyond traditional art. It influences digital experiences, branding, products, and physical environments. AIDAT introduces students to this modern design landscape, where creativity meets technology and functionality.

The test opens pathways into diverse specialisations, including:

• Graphic Design – Creating visual identities and communication systems
• Fashion Design – Shaping trends and personal expression
• Interior Design – Designing functional and aesthetic spaces
• Product & UI/UX Design – Building user-friendly products and digital experiences

From Creativity to Career

AIDAT connects students to structured design education that focuses on both imagination and application. It is ideal for those who are curious, detail-oriented, and capable of seeing possibilities where others see the ordinary.

The career opportunities that follow are wide-ranging and dynamic:
Graphic Designer | Fashion Designer | Interior Designer | Product Designer | UI/UX Designer | Brand Designer | Visual Communicator | Packaging Designer

These roles are at the heart of industries such as media, technology, retail, architecture, and advertising—making design one of the most versatile career choices today.

A Career Built on Observation and Innovation

What sets design apart is the way it blends creativity with problem-solving. AIDAT looks for students who not only imagine ideas but also bring them to life in ways that are functional, meaningful, and memorable. It encourages a mindset where every product, space, or interface is an opportunity to improve human experience.

The visual language associated with design—sketches, digital gradients, and creative tools—reflects this fusion of traditional artistry and modern innovation. AIDAT captures this spirit, inspiring students to step into a field that is constantly evolving.

If someone asked you what product design is, you'd probably say something like "designing products, right?" And that, frankly, is not wrong. However, it is not the whole picture either.

It is product design that makes your phone feel good in your hand. That is why some water bottles are difficult to open and others are not. It is the reason why you use one application and drop another after three days. Somebody reflected on all that, that is a product designer. And that is a job that is literally exploding in India today.

What is Product Design? 

Technically speaking, Product design is the strategic process of conceptualizing, creating, and iterating products to solve specific user problems while meeting business goals. It bridges user experience (UX) research, functionality, and aesthetics to develop both physical goods and digital applications. Product designers focus on usability, desirability, and feasibility to make products that are valuable and user-friendly. In simple words, product design means to design products in such a way that they are useful, aesthetically pleasing as well as functional.  

Is Product Design a Good Career, or is it Hype?

The product design worldwide market stood at $9.4 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $24.1 billion by 2030. Forecasts suggest a robust CAGR ranging from 9.6% to 12.5% over the period. That sort of expansion does not occur without commotion, firms are recruiting, and they are paying good money too.

The salaries of fresh product designers in India begin at 4 to 7.8 lakh per annum. This figure increases a few years later to ₹10-15 lakh. Good, relocate to Bengaluru or Mumbai and top positions are far beyond 20 lakh. This is no longer an emergency plan. It is a decent profession.

Who Can Even Do Product Design After 12th?

Anyone. Seriously. Science student, commerce student, arts student, it does not matter what stream you belong to. Product design absorbs everything in you. It is not about how and why things should be as they are, but whether you are curious.

Your major choices are simple. B.Des in Product Design, a four year course can be pursued from NID, IIAD, The Design Village, MIT ADT, VGU, and more. In case you would like something shorter to begin with, a diploma is also an option. And even in case you have a degree in any other thing, an M.Des gets you into design easily. All you need is skills to build a career in product design.

Design Entrance Exams for Product Design Course

• UCEED
• NID DAT
• CEED
• NIFT Entrance
• AIDAT (All India Design Aptitude Test)

To gain admission into top design institutes, taking on most leading product design colleges, you have to pass either UCEED,NID DAT, or AIDAT. They are not like JEE, they are tests of design thinking, observation and visual ability. 

What Do You Actually Learn?

Product Design teaches the end-to-end process of creating, developing, and launching functional, aesthetic, and user-centric products. You also learn how to do research, sketching, 3D modeling (CAD), prototyping, and material studies. Apart from this, the subject teaches you the basic design skills like creative thinking, design thinking, and analysis. 

To sum up, Product design is applicable in all industries, including healthcare, technology, cars, consumer goods, and furniture. It is a career in which you literally see your work all around you, on a day to day basis. So, if you are someone who is always questioning, “why did they make this juice bottle like this, and not like that,”  Product designing is your calling. Take the design entrance exam and study from the top design institute in India.

Graphic design as a profession is something that many Indian students are thrilled about since it is a combination of creativity and technology. But there are always two big questions which are raised: “What is the graphic designer salary in India?” and "How am I to become one?” This guide is a straight answer to students, parents and career-changers.

Who is a Graphic Designer?

A graphic designer is the one who makes visual content like graphics, logos, social media posts, advertisements, websites, packaging, and posters. They rely on such tools as Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma, and now Canva, to transform ideas into flashy designs that allow brands to reach customers.

Indian Salary of Graphic Designer: Real Numbers.

The salary of graphic design is highly dependent on skills and experience in a city. Here's the breakdown:

• Freshers (0-2 years): 2.5-5 LPA (20k-40k/month) in small cities; 4-7 LPA in big cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi.
• Mid-level (3-5 years): ₹6-12 LPA (₹50k-1 lakh/month) - the most widespread range.
• Experienced designers (5+ years): ₹12-25 LPA; the best freelancers/creative directors make 30+ LPA.
• The most remunerated cities: Hyderabad (average salary is 46k/month), Delhi (36k), Bangalore (33k), Mumbai (32k).
• Total remuneration: There is a tendency to pay entry-level designers 25k-45k post-PF/tax. Motion graphics or UI/UX are some of the skills that enable you to achieve ₹8-10 LPA even as a fresher.

Why is Graphic Design a good Paying Job in 2026 India?

The digital economy of India requires 2.5 lakh designers annually. Nonstop hiring is done in E-commerce (Flipkart, Myntra), startups, social media agencies, and OTT platforms (Netflix, Prime). The average salary of a graphic designer increases 15-20% annually in the case of experienced designers who train in such programmes as After Effects or Canva Pro.

Certificate/Diploma Step-by-step Guide to Becoming a Graphic Designer.

These are some of the practical steps that you can start today:

• Introduction (1-2 months): Free online tutorials on Photoshop/Illustrator.
• Join course (3-12 months): Certificate by local institute or by internet.
• Build portfolio (in progress): 10-15 good designs on Behance/Dribbble.
• Small (₹5k-15k/project): Upwork, Fiverr, local companies.
• Get job/internship: 15k-30k entry; agencies are fond of new portfolios.

Pro tip: Learn UI/UX design and graphics, increase your salary potential to 10LPA + early career.

Skills That Can Increase the Salary of a graphic designer

In addition to software, companies pay extra for:

• Motion graphics (After Effects): +30% pay.
• Branding/UI design (Figma): +25%
• Video editing: +20%
• Communication with clients: Bargain 10-15% salary increase.

Challenges & Success Rate

The majority of graphic design course graduates receive a salary less than 70% of the national average, 4 lpa first, because they have no portfolio or are based in a Tier-2/3 city but if they have an excellent Behance profile and 6 months internship/freelancing, they can earn over 6 LPA at a good agency.

There are several careers that can be pursued in B.Des/BFA Graphic Design (3-4 years) Degree. Those who are in 12th and willing to make a creative career with good pay, they can take B.Des through AIDAT (All India Design Aptitude Test) and make their career either in graphic design or other creative specializations. 

Other than this there are numerous online courses that are cheaper and of lesser duration. It is possible to study the courses of Arena Animation, Udemy, or Coursera. 

But the harsh reality is that not everyone can be a graphic designer simply because he/she has a certificate or a degree. To become a graphic designer one must possess skills, design thinking and creative thinking. 

Graphic Designer Course Fees

In India, becoming a graphic designer costs more than becoming an engineer. This is a brutal truth but the scope remains the same. Whether you want to stay  in India building a career or wish to move out and earn better,  you need to start with the right design institute. This is where the benefits of the design entrance exam come into play. With your design entrance test score, you can avail scholarship, get concessions. Here is the list of graphic design course fees:

How to Pursue Graphic Design Course After 12th?

The best way could be by choosing B.des via AIDAT, as mentioned earlier. The All India Design Aptitude Test (AIDAT) is an exam conducted by Edinbox that gives Indian students a simple entry into graphic design programmes by way of a single national examination accepted in 100+ design institutes. Instead of worrying about various competitive entry exams, the online MCQ format of AIDAT leads straight to B.Des programmes, diplomas, and certificates in graphic design across the country from top design institutes.

The difference between AIDAT and other design entrance tests is that it places emphasis on the portfolio, meaning,  60% final selection weighs on your creative work and not just on exam performance. Students who have good Behance profiles that display logos, posters, or social media graphics usually get admissions despite their average test scores.

AIDAT eases the process of graphic design entrance test to Class 12 graduates in any stream. The first step would be to use the free tutorials on the fundamentals of design that could be found on YouTube, 2-3 weeks of MCQs, and create a 10 project portfolio. This is a practical way of making sure that students join graphic design courses with the ability to earn a starting graphic designer salary of 4-7 LPA in India after graduation.

Registering early gives the best opportunity to maximise college possibilities and time to build up portfolios, which is the actual formula of securing the best design school spots with this easy entry-level. 

Key Takeaway

Graphic design salary in India starts low but grows fast with more skills and trending tools expertise. Thus, it is advised to not chase expensive degrees blindly, instead work on building yourself as a holistic designer and let your salary increase. Lastly, in 2026, India's creative economy needs designers who deliver results, so this is the right time to start. Take AIDAT, choose the right design college and enjoy a high graphic design salary.

Still confused? Connect with us for free career consultation at 8035018542. 

The AIDAT, also known as the All India Design Aptitude Test which is a national-level entrance test hosted by Edinbox to help design aspirants secure admission to the best UG and PG design courses in India.

Purpose and Scope

AIDAT is the stepping stone for all creative students who want to pursue B.Des, M.Des and/or diploma programmes in such disciplines as fashion design, interior design, product design, graphics, etc. AIDAT is accepted by the top universities and provides access to the best design institutions in India as well as career guidance and industry updates.

The exams challenge design thinking, creativity, and problem-solving which are key abilities of the contemporary designer working on the challenges of the real world.

Exam Pattern and Syllabus

AIDAT has a two-step procedure:

Stage 1: MCQ Test Online Proctored (60 minutes, 100 questions):

• Aptitude in design, visualisation, observation.
• Drawings/sketches, 2D/3D comprehension.
• Colour theory, reasoning theory, GK on design.
• There are 3 attempts, and the maximum score is counted (there are no negative marks).

Stage 2: Portfolio + Interview:

• Submit 10-page PDF portfolio
• AI chatbot interview and expert review of creativity and aesthetics.

Key Dates 2026:

• Registration closes: March 27
• Exam: March 28
• Results: March 30

Who Should Apply?

The students of Class 12 (any stream) who are interested in design careers. Application fee: ₹1500-2000 online. No age limit; drawing skills and observation are required.

Why is AIDAT Better than other design tests?

AIDAT is an online entrance test enabling students to take the test from anywhere in the world. Cracking this exam helps you become eligible for 100+ partner universities. The Indian design industry is also on the boom with 1 lakh crore and AIDAT provides the students with job-ready skills that the employer requires.

Begin to practise memory sketches and visualisation everyday. This test equally rewards both natural ability and preparation and is therefore a perfect test for the creative minds who are willing to influence the future of designs.