This guide lists out the best Hyderabad has to offer when it comes to Graphic Design courses. Keep your list of requirements handy as it is time for you to see which among these is able to address them all for you
When it comes to Graphic Design, you could go the self-study route but it might not be the best way forward. If you are considering pursuing a career in this field, it is safe to say, you will require formal training. This is because a career in Graphic design requires you to have a strong understanding of the design fundamentals along with the skills required to apply that knowledge in real-world situations, a portfolio of work that acts as proof of experience, and a good network of designers. These are only some of the many things you will require to bag a well-paying job in graphic design or run a profitable studio.
Fortunately, numerous educational institutions and graphic design courses are available in Hyderabad that will help you achieve all of the above and more. These courses are not entirely identical. They differ in terms of their durations, curriculums, medium of teaching, etc. While not exhaustive, this list provides you with a quick overview of some of the best options available in the city and will hopefully help you pick the one that is right for you.
So, without further ado, let us begin!
- 1) AND Academy: Certificate, Diploma and PG Diploma in Graphic Design
- 2) Hamstech College of Creative Education: Certificate in Graphic Design
- 3) MAAC: Program in Graphics, Web Designing & 2D Animation
- 4) OfG - Online-Schule für Gestaltung: Online Course Graphic Design
- 5) Creative Multimedia Academy: Graphic Design Course
- 6) FITA Academy: Advanced Graphic Design
- 7) Pixxel Arts - The School of Animation & Visual Effect: Graphic Designing Course
- 8) Fly High Animation: Graphic Design Course
- 9) Prism Multimedia: Graduate Diploma in Multimedia(GDIM)
- 10) Lakhotia College of Design: Diploma in Graphic Design
1. AND Academy: Certificate, Diploma, and PG Diploma in Graphic Design
AND Academy is a design upskilling platform that provides specialised courses (certification, Diploma, and PG diploma) in a variety of design disciplines. It is safe to say that it is the product of a strong design pedigree since it is backed by the Indian Institute of Art and Design, a renowned design institute in Delhi that collaborates with the Kingston School of Art in London.
AND has several course offerings in the Graphic Design discipline and all of them can be undertaken by complete beginners owing to the industry-relevant curricula designed by experts with decades of experience (academia and otherwise).
The 5-month Certificate course in Graphic Design is a fast-track course ideal for working professionals looking to upskill. Despite being a part-time course, it covers all the necessary fundamentals and provides a project after each of the three modules for you to test out your learning as the course progresses.
Similarly, the 9-month Diploma course in Graphic Design is also a part-time course but is designed to help learners develop an advanced understanding of graphic design. Therefore, it is relatively more comprehensive and offers four additional modules, including one which is entirely dedicated to portfolio development. Both of these courses come with placement assistance in the form of sessions on CV building, making resumes and Linkedin profiles, and life-long career services support.
On the other hand, The PG Diploma in Graphic Design is a full-time course that spans 1 year. It is ideal for design aspirants who have no prior experience with graphic design and wish to launch their careers in the field since it offers a comprehensive curriculum (with multiple projects that simulate real-world situations). The institute also offers a part-time PG Diploma in Graphic Design that spans 14 months .
Take a look at some of our student projects:
- Print and Publication Project by Bibin S
- Brand Identity Design Project by Roohani Goyal
- Poster Design Project by Dushyant Singh
The course is guaranteed to help you build a strong foundation of knowledge, develop your soft and technical skills as a designer and expand your visual library to a great extent. Since we're on the topic of guarantees, this course also comes with a Job Guarantee.
Alternatively, if you would like to get an in-depth understanding of Graphic Design read our blog: What Is Graphic Design? Everything You Need To Know
Pros
- Students get an industry-recognised certification from an institute that comes from a strong design pedigree (owing to its affiliation with IIAD and Kingston School of Arts)
- Sessions are live and expert-led with no use of recorded sessions
- Students who successfully complete the 16-week Certificate course can choose to study for another 16 weeks to obtain the more advanced Diploma in Graphic Design. This course stackability is useful if you are hesitant to commit to a longer course.
- Throughout the course, all students receive placement assistance in the form of regular sessions on LinkedIn profile building, CV writing, and networking with recruiters, as well as assistance in landing their dream job.
- Availability of affordable EMI options for all courses (exact figures are mentioned below)
- PG Diploma course comes with a Job Guarantee
Cons
- All live sessions are scheduled at predetermined (fixed) times which might be unideal for some
- The courses account for substantial assignments and project work that requires students to work in between the sessions
- PG Diploma is an intensive course that requires full-time study; hence no part-time options are available for the course
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 Graphic Design Courses
2. Hamstech College of Creative Education: Certificate in Graphic Design
Hamstech Institute of Creative Education, founded in 1992, is a design college in Hyderabad that has been providing education in creative fields for over three decades. The Certificate in Graphic Design course requires students to commit to a year and gives them the opportunity to receive instruction from Kailash Nayak, a well-known graphic design expert. The students can choose between an online or offline format, as the curriculum for both remains the same.
In the first semester, students cover design essentials such as colour theory and typography, develop technical skills in software tools and still-life sketching, and receive an overview of the fundamental techniques in user experience & user interface. Over the second semester, they build on their preexisting knowledge (from semester 1) while also exploring design systems, layout design, and advanced digital media design.
Pros:
- The course curriculum is well-structured and comprehensive
- The students receive expert guidance throughout the course
- After completion of the course, students have a portfolio
- Students are awarded a National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) certification after completing the course
Cons:
- No job guarantee
- Classes are held at times that might not be for working professionals
Duration:
The course spans 12 months.
Price:
The online course costs INR 1,20,000 (excluding GST) and the offline course costs 1,60,940 (excluding GST).
Learn more - Hamstech College of Creative Education: Certificate in Graphic Design
3. MAAC: Program in Graphics, Web Designing & 2D Animation
MAAC, or the Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics, specialises in providing training in a wide range of design disciplines. The Graphics, Web Designing, and 2D Animation (DGWA) programme is a graphic design and multimedia course that offers live instructor-led sessions along with the option of attending sessions online or in classrooms.
The curriculum for the 12-month programme, divided over three semesters, covers 2D animation, web design, and graphic and print design respectively. Students can expect to be proficient in the art of communicating visually across mediums like billboards, websites, mobile apps, and mobile interfaces by the end of the course.
Pros
- They specialise in training students in design
- Courses are available in both online and offline formats
- Students work on their portfolio during the course
Cons
- No job guarantee
- Scope of the curriculum is too broad and doesn’t guarantee expertise in any discipline
- Unideal for students who are looking for a specialisation course in graphic design
Duration
The course spans 12 months.
Price
The course costs INR 1,59,300 (including GST).
Learn more - MAAC: Program in Graphics, Web Designing & 2D Animation
4. OfG - Online-Schule für Gestaltung: Online Course Graphic Design
The Online School for Graphic Design & Art (Online-Schule für Gestaltung, OfG) was founded in Germany in 2010 as an independent educational institute and media design training centre. The Graphic Design course that they offer is a year-long course that is only available in an online format. The course comes with a syllabus of 12 modules, each equipped with assignments and projects designed to emulate realistic conditions. The curriculum, taught by design professionals who provide guidance at every step of the way, introduces students to the fundamentals of design and gradually progresses to teaching them advanced concepts of graphic design, including topics like logo design, marketing and advertising, and design management, to name a few, as the course progresses.
Pros
- The course is online; hence, offering greater accessibility
- The school offers affordable EMI options
- Approved by the German national agency for distance learning
- Students have lifelong access to learning content after course completion
Cons
- No job guarantee
- The course is not entirely instructor-led; mentors merely provide feedback for assignments and projects submitted during the course.
- The course lacks the interactive element and offers no opportunity for peer learning
Duration
The online course spans 12 months. However, it can be extended or shortened as per your learning needs. Though it is recommended to dedicate at least a month to each module.
Price
The course costs INR 1,56,986. There are ‘per month’ and ‘per module’ options available which are INR 14,141 or INR 13,252 respectively.
Learn more - OfG - Online-Schule für Gestaltung: Online Course Graphic Design
5. Creative Multimedia Academy: Graphic Design Course
Established in 1998, Creative Multimedia Academy provides education in Animation, VFX, & Web design. Students enrolled in their Graphic Design Course are required to attend the live classes on campus scheduled throughout the work week.
You can expect to learn how to design websites, digital advertisements, and other forms of marketing collateral over this 4-month course. The curriculum consists of thirteen modules covering everything from the fundamentals to the different mediums in which one might design. The course also helps in portfolio development.
Pros
- The academy specialises in training students in design-related areas
- Students work on their portfolio during the course
- A dedicated placement cell to help students start a career in graphic design
Cons
- No job guarantee
- Course duration is too short, and hence might not be ideal for students who wish to build a comprehensive understanding of graphic design
Duration
The course spans 4 months.
Price
The course costs INR 50,000 (including GST).
Learn more - Creative Multimedia Academy: Graphic Design Course
6. FITA Academy: Advanced Graphic Design
FITA Academy, a training and placement organisation, provides courses in a wide range of functional areas. Since they do not have any training centres in Hyderabad, the 2-month course can only be pursued online. The course is relatively flexible in that students can choose to take it at a regular or fast pace and have the choice to attend sessions in the morning or evening. The course's curriculum merely serves as a short tutorial on how to operate four software programmes.
Pros:
- The course is relatively affordable
- The course is flexible
- Students receive placement assistance
Cons:
- No job guarantee
- The course is too short to cover graphic design thoroughly
- The curriculum emphasises software development over graphic design fundamentals
- The institution does not hold expertise in providing design education
Duration:
The course spans 2 months.
Price:
The course costs INR 29,500 (including GST).
Learn more - FITA Academy: Advanced Graphic Design
7. Pixxel Arts - The School of Animation and Visual Effects: Graphic Designing Course
Pixxel Arts offers a diverse range of courses in a variety of verticals (design and otherwise). The three-month graphic design course is available in both online and offline formats. Classes are held in the morning and afternoon from Monday to Friday. The course curriculum devotes nearly an entire month to teaching each software and provides regular, easy-to-do assignments for students to put their software knowledge to the test.
Pros:
- The course is relatively economical
- Ideal for students who wish to get acquainted with the design software programs
- Available online making it more accessible
Cons:
- No job guarantee
- The curriculum is limited to teaching software programs pertaining to graphic design
- The course lacks a practical component - Students do not get an opportunity to build a portfolio
Duration:
The course spans 3 months.
Price:
The course costs INR 15,000 (including GST).
Learn more - Pixxel Arts - The School of Animation and Visual Effects: Graphic Designing Course
8. Fly High Animation: Graphic Design Course
Fly High Animation is a training institute where one can study multiple creative disciplines - graphic designing, web designing, film editing, visual effects, digital marketing, interior designing, and 3D animation. The 6-month Graphic Design course can be attended virtually (online classes) or in person. Students can expect to cover the basics (fundamentals) - composition, covering, balance, contrast, hierarchy, line, form, shape, and texture. The course aims to teach beginners the skills they’ll need to graphically portray any information using various image-making approaches.
Pros
- Specialises in training students in design
- A dedicated placement cell to help students start a career in graphic design
- The course promises a serious practical component with regular projects
Cons
- No job guarantee
- Course duration might be too short to build a thorough understanding of the field
- The curriculum employs a software-first approach
Duration
The course spans 6 months.
Price
The course costs INR 18,000 (including GST).
Learn more - Fly High Animation: Graphic Design Course
9. Prism Multimedia: Graduate Diploma in Multimedia(GDIM)
Prism Multimedia offers corporate training courses in many fields of design, and digital marketing. The Graduate Diploma in Multimedia (GDIM) is a 10-month course that offers students a brief introduction to three different disciplines of design (graphic design, UI development, and motion graphics design) along with training in video and audio editing. The course covers the fundamentals of each briefly before teaching the students how to operate the software programs relevant to each of the aforementioned fields.
They also offer a three-month introductory course in Graphic Design for those of you who have a passing interest in graphic design. By the end of this course, you would ideally have learned the fundamental principles and elements of graphic design and will be trained in creating designs for digital and print publications.
Pros
- Aspirants have choices; they can enrol in a short introductory course in graphic design or a Diploma in multimedia, which also includes graphic design training
- Students undertake projects that help with portfolio development during the course
Cons
- No job guarantee
- The curricula for both courses employs a software-first approach
- Neither of the courses are suitable for someone seeking a thorough understanding of graphic design
- The session timings are not ideal for working professionals since they are conducted in the morning throughout the work week
Duration
The Diploma course lasts ten months, while the shorter course in graphic design spans three months.
Price
The Diploma course costs INR 1,00,000 (including GST). The shorter introductory course costs INR 20,000.
Learn more - Prism Multimedia: Graduate Diploma in Multimedia(GDIM)
10. Lakhotia College of Design: Diploma in Graphic Design
Lakhotia College of Design has been providing formal training in design for over three decades. Their Diploma in Graphic Design programme spans 12 months and requires students to attend the live-classes on campus wherein they learn fundamentals of art and design such as colour theory and typography along with operating software tools and a glimpse into advanced techniques.
Pros
- Students enrolled in this course are awarded an international certification from College De Paris and International Business School of Washington (IBSW)
- The college is affiliated with the Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, which might add to the certification’s industry recognition
Cons
- No job guarantee
- The course is only available in offline format; inaccessible for people with geographic constraints
- The curriculum is not very comprehensive; would be unideal for students who wish to build an in-depth understanding of the course
- The course curriculum lays greater emphasis on teaching operation of software than fundamentals
- There is very little mention of project work on the official website; the course may lack a practical component
Duration
This is a year-long course.
Price
The information is only available on request.
Learn more - Lakhotia College of Design: Diploma in Graphic Design
What should you do next?
Well, now that you are familiar with what Hyderabad has to offer to help your learning endeavours, we believe you have a decision to make. Before making the said decision, it would be in your best interest to consider your interest and ambitions carefully for many of the courses in this list require you to commit a significant amount of time, effort and resources.
In addition to your personal preference, also consider the industry expectations as they stand today. Keep the following in mind to ensure you choose the right graphic design course that does justice to your learning requirements:
- The course should offer a practical component - regular projects and assignments help you have a portfolio ready by the end of the course.
- Be mindful of the course’s curriculum - Ensure you’re enrolling for a course that lays strong emphasis on teaching the fundamentals of design rather than merely training you in operating software
- Dedicated placement assistance or job guarantee is a major plus, especially if you are a novice wishing to launch a career in the field
Our recommendations
- 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.
