Want to gain proficiency in graphic design skills and scale professionally? An industry-relevant course with a comprehensive curriculum is one of the best ways to get started. Read on for an extensive list of the leading graphic design courses in Chennai with insights into pros, cons, duration, price, and expert tips.
In a digital age where visual communication plays a pivotal role, graphic design has emerged as a highly in-demand skill across various industries. More and more organisations today are seeking to incorporate aesthetic visuals in their marketing and advertising efforts to attract new customers and create a unique brand identity.
Given the vast application of the field, acquiring essential graphic design skills could be one of the most lucrative ways to grow professionally. Whether you're a budding designer looking to kickstart your creative journey or a seasoned professional aiming to refine your skills, the world of graphic design courses offers a vast array of opportunities.
If you are having trouble choosing the course that’s best for you, our expertly curated list of the leading graphic design courses in Chennai could be exactly what you need.
Here’s a brief overview for your reference:
- AND Academy: Certificate, Diploma, & PG Diploma in Graphic Design
- FITA: Graphic Design Certification Training in Chennai
- Besant Technologies: Graphic Design Certification Training
- Web D School: Advanced Graphic Design Course
- Image Creative Education: Certificate Course in Graphic Design
- Maya Academy of Advanced Creativity: DGWA Multimedia Program
- Anipix Animation Academy: Certificate in Digital Enhancement
- Arena Animation Anna Nagar: Graphic Design Course
Let’s dive right in!
1. AND Academy: Certificate, Diploma, & PG Diploma in Graphic Design
AND Academy is a rapidly advancing upskilling platform that traces its origin back to the esteemed educational legacy of IIAD and, by extension, to the Kingston School of Art in London. The institute’s strong ties with renowned design schools have played a pivotal role in shaping AND Academy's commitment to delivering high-quality design education with a well-versed faculty and a meticulously structured curriculum. In the Graphic Design space, the institute at the moment offers four distinct part-time and full-time courses:
With the 5-month Certificate Course, beginners with no design background or experience can benefit from a fast-track foundational course that covers the entire landscape of graphic design. Ideal for working professionals, this a part-time course that comes with placement support.
The 9-month Diploma Course is yet another offering suitable for both experienced and budding designers. The course builds on the foundations covered in the Certificate course and proceeds with modules dedicated to visual identity and branding in graphic design. This is also a part-time programme and comes with placement support upon successful completion.
Learners interested in upskilling in the entire landscape of graphic design right from scratch are the best suited for the part-time 14-month PG Diploma course. The programme’s flexible timings make this an excellent choice for working professionals and is also ideal from a standpoint of professional growth since it provides Job Guarantee on successful completion. Learners who have the bandwidth to dedicate a considerable amount of time can also enrol for the full-time 1 year PG Diploma course.
Pros:
- The curriculum adopts an experiential approach and includes extensive project work for relevant industry exposure. You can take a look at AND learner Sreya Sara Binoy’s digital campaign project for reference.
- Students are mentored by seasoned designers and professionals from the industry who offer comprehensive guidance and feedback throughout the program.
- The courses are designed to be stackable, allowing learners to begin with the 16-week Certificate course and, upon successful completion, progress to the more advanced 16-week Diploma in Graphic Design.
- Throughout the program, all learners receive support in the form of regular professional development sessions on LinkedIn profile building, CV writing, and networking with recruiters to help them secure desired jobs.
- The PG Diploma course includes a Job Guarantee, ensuring that if you do not secure a relevant role within 6 months after completing the course, you will receive a full refund of the course fee.
- The curriculum is very well structured and makes sure that learners benefit from a design-oriented learning process.
Cons:
- All sessions are conducted live and at fixed times which may cause scheduling issues for certain learners.
- The courses are quite comprehensive and intense
- Job Guarantee is only available for PG Diploma Courses. The institute offers Placement Support for Certificate and Diploma programmes.
Duration
- Certificate in Graphic Design - 5 months (part-time)
- Diploma in Graphic Design - 9 months (part-time)
- PG Diploma in Graphic Design - 14 months (part-time)
- PG Diploma in Graphic Design- 1 year (full-time)
Price
- Certificate in Graphic Design - INR 60,000 + GST (EMI starting at INR 6,600 per month)
- Diploma in Graphic Design - INR 1,20,000 + GST (EMI starting at INR 7,170 per month)
- PG Diploma in Graphic Design part-time - INR 1,80,000 + GST (EMI starting at INR 8,463 per month)
- PG Diploma in Graphic Design full-time - INR 2,20,000 + GST (EMI starting at INR 10,715 per month)
Learn more: AND Academy Certificate, Diploma, & PG Diploma in Graphic Design
2. FITA: Graphic Design Certification Training in Chennai
FITA Academy has emerged today as one of the country's most popular Training and Placement companies. Established and managed by IT veterans, the institute has several branches spanning across cities with each campus providing industry-relevant training in various disciplines.
The Graphic Design course offered at their Chennai branch is a specialised programme that has been expertly curated by industry pioneers to meet global requirements. A key distinguishing characteristic of this programme is the practical approach taken to cover all the fundamentals of Graphic Design.
Incorporating a total of 12 projects, learners are provided instructor-led training in three primary software: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and InDesign. Photoshop is broadly used to cover the fundamentals of image editing, while Illustrator and InDesign are focused on the basics of illustration and publishing respectively.
Pros:
- The course comes with 100% Placement Support post-completion.
- The curriculum is designed to meet global standards and covers all the basics of Graphic Design
- The course is available in both Classroom and Instructor-led Live online sessions.
- The course has a strong practical component with over 12 hands-on projects for learners to practice and gain proficiency.
Cons:
- The curriculum takes a software-first approach and does not cover the fundamentals of design thinking.
- The course duration may be insufficient to gain proficiency in all three software programs
Duration:
The course duration is 3 months
Price:
The course is priced at INR 23,600
Learn More: FITA Graphic Design Certification Training
3. Besant Technologies: Graphic Design Certification Training
Besant Technologies is an online course provider that has marked its place in the industry with a range of placement-oriented courses. The organisation is best known for its experienced faculty primarily comprising MNC professionals and a curriculum that is designed to bridge the skill gap and market requirements.
Taking advantage of these unique characteristics, the Graphic Design Certification Training offered by the organisation is a one-of-a-kind programme that covers hands-on training in four distinct software platforms. Starting with the basics of graphic design, learners are first familiarised with key concepts like colour theory and rules and principles before proceeding with industry-oriented software training.
Image editing, Vector graphics, Design and Printing rules and Media Publishing are the four broader concepts that are covered through practical training in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw, and InDesign.
Pros:
- The curriculum includes 2-3 live projects in collaboration with leading companies
- Classes are conducted online and all sessions are live.
- Training is provided by professionals with 7+ years of industry experience
- Placement Support is available for all learners
Cons:
- The course curriculum is software-heavy and does not include training in design thinking and related fields.
- The course duration may be insufficient to gain proficiency
Duration:
The course duration is 3 months
Price:
The course is priced at INR 41,300
Learn More: Besant Technologies Graphic Design Certification Training
4. Web D School: Advanced Graphic Design Course
Operational since 2014, Web D School has been a prominent online course provider in UX UI Design, Web Design and Development, Graphic Design, Digital Marketing, Data Science and Film Editing. While the course curriculum has always been industry-relevant, the institute has recently revamped its offerings to make its programmes suitable for learners of diverse backgrounds.
The Advanced Graphic Design Course not only comes with power-packed training in Graphic Design fundamentals but also introduces learners to Motion Graphics in order to meet the changing industry demands. Comprising over 60 sessions, the curriculum includes 9 modules that cover various topics like raster graphics, vector graphics, non-destructive editing, media publishing, and design and printing. Learners interested in gaining motion graphics skills can continue their learning and benefit from hands-on training in Premier Pro and After Effects.
Pros:
- Capstone Projects in the form of design and video projects and personal branding projects are included in the curriculum.
- Learners are trained in all aspects of graphic design including poster design, illustration, image manipulation, branding, video editing, and motion graphics.
- The course is available in both online and offline formats with online sessions being conducted live.
- The institute offers Placement Support to all learners
Cons:
- The course curriculum lacks essential design training in concepts like design thinking and strategy.
- There is no information available about the trainers and their experience in the field
Duration:
The course duration is 5 months
Price:
The course is priced at INR 52,000
Learn More: Web D School Advanced Graphic Design Course
5. Image Creative Education: Certificate Course in Graphic Design
With over 27 years of experience in the industry, IMAGE Creative Education is a Digital Media training institute with around 32 fully operational branches across the country. The institute primarily offers specialisation courses in design-related disciplines with a special focus on graphic design.
Offered in partnership with NSDC, their Certificate Course in Graphic Design strives to familiarise learners with no design background in the field through practice-oriented classes. For in-depth learning, the course has been structured into 4 individual levels, with each focusing on a particular area of specialisation.
This programme, in particular, makes the first level of learning and includes concepts such as user research, visual exploration, digital photography, image editing techniques, design styles and vector graphics, designing for print and digital collaterals, page layouts, and print production techniques.
Pros:
- The course incorporates 1 live project post-completion of the course
- Hands-on training is offered in key software programs
- The institute offers placement assurance after course completion
- The course is available in both online and offline formats.
Cons:
- This is a foundational course that only covers the basics of design for print and digital media.
- The curriculum does not offer essential training in developing a design-oriented mindset.
- Classes are mostly conducted on weekdays which may not be suitable for working professionals
Duration:
The course duration is 6 months
Price:
The course is priced at INR 43,000
Learn More: Image Creative Education Certificate Course in Graphic Design
6. Maya Academy of Advanced Creativity: DGWA Multimedia Program
Maya Academy of Advanced Creativity or MAAC is a premier education institute that provides upskilling programmes in Media, Gaming, and Entertainment disciplines. The DGWA course offered at MAAC is focused primarily on Graphics, Web, and 2D Animation, and covers the entire gamut of designing for communication mediums such as publications, websites, user interfaces, billboards, etc.
The curriculum accounts for approximately 288 hours of live training and comprises three distinct terms. The first term exclusively focuses on graphic and print design and covers topics like fundamentals of design and drawing, concepts of illustration, image editing, and page layout. This is followed by a dedicated term on Web design where learners are introduced to concepts of web design, interactive design, video editing, sound editing, and fundamentals of JavaScript. The last module is entirely dedicated to 2D animation and digital storyboarding.
Pros:
- The course curriculum includes project work that eventually culminates into a portfolio submission.
- Learners can benefit from hands-on training in 12 software including Adobe Illustrator, HTML5, Adobe Premier, and Toon Boom Harmony to name a few.
- The course comes with a Placement Support.
- The course is available in both online and offline formats.
Cons:
- The course is not exclusively focused on graphic design and may not be suitable for beginners.
- Classes are conducted 3 times on weekdays and may not suit everyone’s schedules
Duration:
The course duration is 1 year.
Price:
The course is priced at INR 1,36,880
Learn More: Maya Academy of Advanced Creativity DGWA Multimedia Program
7. Anipix Animation Academy: Certificate in Digital Enhancement
Anipix Animation Academy is an educational institute that primarily offers skill development programmes in 2D and 3D animation and Visual Effects. The institute has partnered with Vels University to offer Degree and Diploma courses for interested learners. However, learners who may not have the bandwidth to enrol for a full-time degree course can also benefit from the short-term certificate courses provided by the institute.
The Digital Enhancement Certificate course is one of the many short-term upskilling programmes offered at the institute. Although the course is not exclusively focused on graphic design, the curriculum is ideal for beginners who may be struggling to gain proficiency in key graphic design software. Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and InDesign are the software programs commonly covered through the course, however, learners also have the option to select a software program of their choice.
Pros:
- Ideal for beginners seeking to gain proficiency in desired graphic design software
- On completion of the concept base, learners are required to pick a project of their choice for a hands-on learning experience.
- The institute offers placement support on completion of the course.
Cons:
- The course only provides software training and does not include any training on graphic design fundamentals
- Online sessions are conducted on alternate days for only 1 hour which may not be sufficient to comprehend software operation.
Duration:
The course duration is 3 months
Price:
The course is priced at INR 25,000
Learn More: Anipix Animation Academy Certificate in Digital Enhancement
8. Arena Animation Annanagar: Graphic Design Course
Arena Animation is a popular upskilling platform that is best known for its short-term and practical programmes. On the design front, the institute offers an array of courses including specialisation in animation, VFX filmmaking, game design and development, UI UX design, and gaming AR-VR. The graphic design course is one of their short-term specialisation courses
Offered in both online and offline modes, the focus of the course is primarily to upskill learners in key graphic design software programs. Therefore the curriculum has been developed to train learners in four major software, namely, Adobe Photoshop, CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator, and InDesign. Learners are also encouraged to take an experiential approach to learning, through assignments during the course of the programme.
Pros:
- The course is available in both online and offline modes of learning
- The course takes a practical approach to upskilling in key software applications
- The institute offers placement assistance on completion of the course
Cons:
- The course only provides software training and does not include any modules on design thinking.
- The course does not include any project work for industry exposure and only includes regular assignments.
Duration:
The course duration is 3-4 months
Price:
The course is priced at INR 40,000.
Learn More: Arena Animation Annanagar Graphic Design Course
How To Choose The Right Course?
Your decision to go ahead with a particular course can significantly impact your career trajectory and future. To make an optimal decision, it is important to take into account different factors that may contribute to the quality of a graphic design course. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind:
Professional Goals: You must have clarity on your professional goals before enrolling for a course. Do you wish to learn graphic design as a discipline or only want software proficiency? Likewise, are you pursuing a course to scale professionally, or are only interested in the field as a hobby? Having clear answers to such questions can streamline your search and help you zero in on the right program.
Curriculum and Faculty: The faculty and course content play an important role in the overall quality of a course. While a comprehensive course can ensure your learning is in alignment with industry standards, an experienced faculty can go a long way in offering the right exposure. Take these into consideration when making a decision.
Placement Support: A dedicated career services team can be an excellent resource to help budding designers land the right opportunities. This is especially important if you wish to grow professionally in the field. When enrolling for a course, it is advisable to research the available placement support and record of the institute.
Next steps
We hope this article gives you a good idea of the best Graphic Design Courses in Chennai and can come in handy to make an informed decision. In case you need further assistance, here are some of our resources to help you in your decision:
- Watch this session by design veteran and AND’s Academic Head, Prachi Mittal, and our Course Lead, Soumya Tiwari.
- Talk to a course advisor to discuss how you can transform your career with one of our courses.
- Pursue our Graphic Design courses - all courses are taught through live, interactive classes by industry experts, and some even offer a Job Guarantee.
- Take advantage of the scholarship and funding options that come with our courses to overcome any financial hurdle on the path of your career transformation.
Note: All information and/or data from external sources is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication.
