Planning to enrol for a graphic design course in Kerala? Let this guide be your compass. Explore a detailed list of industry-relevant courses with insights on the programme intensity, duration, and price, as well as tips on making an informed decision.
In an ever-expanding digital landscape, strong visual communication has today become the driving force behind effective marketing and advertising initiatives. More and more businesses are placing a heightened emphasis on integrating aesthetic visuals into their branding strategies. This surge in demand for visually appealing graphics has consequently opened new professional avenues for designers to grow in the industry.
Given such a favourable employment climate, enrolling for a recognised and industry-relevant course today could go a long way in scaling professionally. So if you are a graphic design enthusiast seeking to expand your skillset, this guide to the best Graphic Design Courses in Kerala is exactly what you need. Curated for both beginners and experienced designers, each course is accompanied by a concise overview of its advantages, disadvantages, duration, and fee structure, offering all the information needed to make a well-informed decision.
Here’s a brief overview of our list:
- AND Academy: Certificate, Diploma, & PG Diploma in Graphic Design
- FITA: Graphic Design Course in Kochi
- Pepper Animation: Certificate in Graphic Designing in Kochi
- Keltron Knowledge Services: Advanced Graphics Design
- Dreamzone: Diploma in Graphic Design in Palarivattom
- Pixeltoonz Academy: Diploma in Graphic Design in Kochi
- OxDu: Pro Graphic Designing
Intrigued? Let’s dive right in!
AND Academy: Certificate, Diploma, & PG Diploma in Graphic Design
AND Academy, an emerging upskilling platform, is transforming the landscape of virtual design education. Rooted in the pedagogy of the Indian Institute of Art and Design and the esteemed Kingston School of Art in London, the institute provides a learning environment that aligns with global standards. Within the domain of Graphic Design, AND Academy offers four distinctive courses:
Certificate Course in Graphic Design (5 months): Tailored for beginners without prior design experience, this fast-track program provides an introduction to graphic design, covering key aspects.
Diploma Course in Graphic Design (9 months): Building on the basics covered in the certificate program, this advanced course delves deeper into areas such as visual identity and branding.
PG Diploma Course in Graphic Design (14 months): A fast-track program designed for learners seeking a comprehensive education in graphic design from scratch. This course includes a Job Guarantee, portfolio guidance, and a dedicated module on Motion Graphics.
PG Diploma Course in Graphic Design (1 year): An efficient alternative to the full-time course, this programme includes 300+ hours of live sessions and comes with a Job Guarantee upon successful completion.
The courses at AND, facilitated by a distinguished team of mentors, emphasise a practice-based approach through hands-on assignments and extensive project work. The Campaign Design Project by Sant Kaur, for reference, showcases the high-quality engagement that AND learners regularly experience.
Pros:
- All courses are stackable in nature, allowing learners to begin with the beginner courses. Upon successful completion, they can continue learning for 16 more weeks and respectively progress to the more advanced Diploma or PG Diploma courses
- Rather than merely focusing on software operation, students are encouraged to grasp design as a discipline through hands-on activities and extensive project work
- Learners benefit from personalised mentorship, receiving comprehensive support and feedback throughout the programme.
- The institute has a dedicated Career Services Team that provides regular professional development sessions on LinkedIn profile building, CV writing, mock interviews, and networking opportunities.
- The curriculum is industry-relevant and is imparted live in an online format to address geographical limitations.
Cons:
- Sessions are conducted at fixed times. This may cause scheduling issues for certain learners.
- The PG Diploma courses in particular are quite intense and are best suited for serious learners
- Only PG Diploma courses come with a Job Guarantee. The institute provides Placement Support for Certificate and Diploma Courses.
Duration:
- Certificate in Graphic Design - 16 weeks (part-time)
- Diploma in Graphic Design - 32 weeks (part-time)
- PG Diploma in Graphic Design - 1 year (part-time)
- PG Diploma in Graphic Design- 36 weeks (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
FITA: Graphic Design Course
A prominent name in the online education space, FITA has today established itself as one of the leading institutes for acquiring employable skills. While the institute was initially founded by IT veterans to expand upskilling in technical skills, since conception it has launched programmes in an array of disciplines with branches spanning across the country.
At its Kochi branch, the institute offers a specialised Graphic Design Course to equip learners with advanced tools and techniques. The curriculum is divided into distinct modules that systematically address each category in detail through a mix of theoretical and practical training.
Starting with image editing and layout, the first module exclusively provides training in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw, and Adobe Bridge. The second module is dedicated to understanding visual grammar with Adobe Lightroom and QuarkXpress. The last training module covers topics of web design before students are given live projects to apply their knowledge for hands-on learning.
Pros:
- FITA provides 100% Placement Support upon course completion
- Learners receive free interview preparation and resume workshops
- The curriculum is industry-relevant and incorporates live projects
- Classes are conducted both in-campus and through live online sessions.
Cons:
- This is an advanced course targeted towards experienced learners interested in upgrading their skills.
- The curriculum is software-heavy and does not incorporate training in core design concepts.
Duration:
The course duration is 3 months
Price:
The course is priced at INR 23,600
Learn More: FITA Graphic Design Course in Kochi
Pepper Animation: Certificate in Graphic Designing
Pepper Animation is a prominent education provider that specialises in animation and coding. The Certificate in Graphic Designing, Kochi, course boasts a curriculum meticulously designed by industry leaders to meet rigorous international standards. Spanning three distinct modules, the course provides a comprehensive learning experience.
The modules are dedicated to instilling a foundational design mindset, covering key aspects such as vector and raster graphics, colour theory, image formats, and basic sketching. The curriculum also introduces learners to the essentials of animation, storytelling, motion graphics, visual effects (VFX), and After Effects.
Furthermore, learners receive hands-on training in industry-standard software, including CorelDraw Graphic Suite, Adobe Photoshop CC, Adobe Illustrator CC, Adobe InDesign CC, Adobe Lightroom CC, Krita, and Inkspace.
Pros:
- The course is quite extensive and covers all key aspects of graphic design
- The institute offers practical training through hands-on live projects and workshops
- Learners are offered opportunities for paid internships and job assistance upon course completion.
- The course is available in both online and offline formats.
Cons:
- The course is not suited for beginners and requires some basic knowledge of design.
- The course duration might be insufficient to gain proficiency in the field.
Duration:
The course duration is 6 months
Price:
The course is priced at INR 35,000
Learn More: Pepper Animation: Certificate in Graphic Designing
Keltron Knowledge Services: Advanced Graphics Design
Keltron is a fully government-owned electronics company that has been a pioneer in innovation and development for nearly five decades now. Following its massive success in 1999, the company launched its Knowledge Service branch to make computer and IT education more accessible to the general public. The organisation has since then expanded its offerings to design education and other disciplines.
The Advanced Graphics Design course is a fast-track programme that is offered in multiple locations across Kerala. Given the organisation’s vision, the curriculum primarily focuses on developing software skills for technical proficiency. This includes training sessions on Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Pagemaker. Students are also familiarised with Advertisement concepts as a part of the course.
Pros:
- An excellent option for designers seeking to master software and tools
- The course is available in multiple centres across Kerala
Cons:
- Interested candidates must be degree holders or high school graduates
- The course is only offered in offline mode
Duration:
The course duration is 3 months
Price:
The course is priced at INR 17,700
Learn More: Keltron Knowledge Services Advanced Graphics Design
Dreamzone: Diploma in Graphic Design
Dreamzone, a skill development initiative by CADD Centre Training Services, has evolved into a prominent upskilling platform with a widespread presence of over 80 centres throughout the country. What sets it apart from other players in the market is its emphasis on "experiential learning" - an innovative approach to delivering design education.
The Diploma in Graphic Design course offered by the institute’s Palarivattom branch is a foundational programme designed to familiarise students with the basic concepts of the discipline. The curriculum encompasses modules dedicated to exploring the relationship between the formal elements of two-dimensional design, the principles of visual language, and the nuances of interaction design. That said, the course goes beyond theoretical concepts by incorporating practical training in essential tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, and InDesign.
Pros:
- Dreamzone provides Placement Support upon course completion
- Hands-on learning is encouraged through project work
- The curriculum is well-balanced with modules on both design principles and software like Photoshop, Illustrator, Light Room and InDesign.
Cons:
- The course is only available in offline mode
- The course duration might be insufficient to gain proficiency in the tools covered
Duration:
The course duration is 4 months
Price:
The course price varies between INR 35,000 - 30,000
Learn More: Dreamzone Diploma in Graphic Design
Pixeltoonz Academy: Diploma in Graphic Design
One of the top educational institutes in Kerala, Pixeltoonz Academy provides upskilling opportunities in an array of fields including Animation, VFX, 3D Design, Film Editing, Graphic Design, and Web Technology. For a personalised learning experience, all courses come with a limited seat and guided mentorship.
The Diploma in Graphic Design Course available in Kochi takes a career-oriented approach and is designed to help learners expand professionally in the discipline. Beyond design fundamentals, students delve into key concepts of rebranding, advertising, photography, and digital marketing, ensuring market readiness. Practical software training in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign, enriches the learning experience, making graduates adept and industry-ready.
Pros:
- A comprehensive and expansive curriculum with training in allied disciplines like digital marketing, advertising, and photography
- Practical training in key software like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign
- The course comes with Placement Support
Cons:
- While the curriculum covers a wide range of topics, it lacks a design-oriented focus and may pose challenges for beginners learning design from the ground up.
- There is not much focus on project work for hands-on learning
Duration:
The course duration is 6 months
Price:
This will be disclosed upon campus visit.
Learn More: Pixeltoonz Academy Diploma in Graphic Design
OxDu: Pro Graphic Designing
A fast-emerging training platform, Oxdu takes a technical approach to imparting skill development in various disciplines. The Pro Graphic Designing course is a versatile course that covers concepts suitable for both beginners and design enthusiasts interested in advancing their skills.
For a structured learning experience, the curriculum has been divided into multiple modules like graphic design fundamentals, software training, typography, logo design, digital and print design, and iconography to name a few. These sessions are combined with project work to ensure learners are equipped with a market-ready portfolio upon course completion.
Pros:
- The curriculum is expansive and covers all the basics of graphic design
- The course also includes project work and portfolio-building
- The institute has multiple centres in Kerala including Kondotty, Ramanattukara, Kochi, and Thrissur to name a few.
Cons:
- No placement support is offered
- The course is only available in an offline format
Duration:
The course duration is 6 months
Price:
The course is priced at INR 45,000
Learn More: OxDu Pro Graphic Designing
How to Proceed Further:
The choice of the program you pursue can significantly influence your professional success. To make an informed decision, we recommend a thorough analysis of the following factors:
1. Professional Goals: It is recommended to clearly define your goals and objectives before enrolling in a graphic design course. Do you wish to pursue a course for personal interest, career advancement, software proficiency, or mastering design principles? Clarity on these questions will allow you to streamline your search and zero in on a course best suited for your objectives.
2. Course Curriculum: Ensure the course content aligns with your goals, focusing on holistic skill development rather than just tool proficiency. An industry-relevant curriculum that emphasises design fundamentals and contributes to a well-rounded skill set can also go a long way when looking to gain proficiency in the field.
3. Faculty: The quality of faculty can play a significant role in enriching the overall learning experience. An experienced faculty with industry knowledge can provide valuable insights, guidance, and mentorship for building a diverse graphic design portfolio. Their expertise can also introduce learners to industry leaders and enhance their career prospects.
4. Facilities: Access to dedicated design studios, libraries, computer labs, and workshops can significantly enhance the overall learning experience. This can also contribute to the quality of skill development and ensure learners are familiar with the best practices followed by the industry. Consider these facilities when choosing a course.
5. Career Support: A dedicated career services team or placement assistance can be pivotal for interview readiness and a seamless transition into the professional sphere. Opt for courses that provide comprehensive and robust career support resources for an enhanced post-education trajectory.
6. Cost: A course is often a long-term financial investment. When choosing a course, ensure that the course fees fit within your budget for a better return on investment. You can also consider exploring scholarship or financial aid programs to aid in your decision-making process.
In essence, an ideal graphic design course should align with your professional objectives, offer a comprehensive and holistic learning experience, provide expert guidance and career support, and meet your budget constraints.
Next steps
We hope our article on the best Graphic Design Courses in Kerala could help you in your quest for the perfect programme and in turn, assist in kickstarting your design journey.
In case you need further assistance, here are some of our resources you can consider:
- 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.
