B.Des Admissions 2026-27 Now Open
Center For Design Studies | Indore

Your Design Career
Begins Here.

One decision. Four powerful design paths. A pedagogy that questions everything - including how design is taught. Secure your seat before it's gone.

46+ Years Academic Legacy
Limited Seats Apply Early
AICTE Approved RGPV Affiliated
4 Programs Design Specialisations

Apply Now

Seats are limited. Apply early to secure your place.

Step by Step

The Admissions Process

Four honest steps. No entrance exam theatre. We're looking for curious, motivated thinkers - not perfect scores.

01
Open Now

Submit Your Application

Fill the online application form with your academic details, preferred program, and a brief statement of why design interests you.

02
Open

Portfolio Submission

Share any creative work you're proud of - sketches, photography, writing, digital work, or even a well-observed journal. No formal training required.

03
Open

Design Aptitude Interview

A conversational interview with faculty - not a test. We explore how you observe, think, and approach creative problems. Curiosity matters more than answers.

04
Upcoming

Offer & Seat Confirmation

Selected candidates receive a formal offer letter. Confirm your seat with the fee payment to secure your place in the batch.

Ready to take the first step? Applications are open now.

Start Your Application
Eligibility & Dates

Who Can Apply & When to Apply

B.Des admissions at CDS are open to students from all streams. We value thinking and creativity over subject background.

Eligibility Criteria
  • Passed Class 12 (any stream - Science, Commerce, or Arts) from a recognised board
  • Minimum 50% aggregate marks in Class 12
  • Students appearing in Class 12 board exams are eligible to apply provisionally
  • No prior design training required - aptitude and curiosity are evaluated, not skill
  • NRI and international applicants welcome - contact admissions office for details
  • Age: Generally 17-22 years as on July 1, 2026
Apply Now
Admissions Helpline +91 88174 04447
Key Dates - B.Des 2026-27
Applications Open Open Right Now
Portfolio Submission Deadline May 15, 2026
Design Aptitude Interviews Begin May 20, 2026
Design Aptitude Interviews End May 31, 2026
Admission Results Announced June 10, 2026
Last Date to Confirm Seat June 25, 2026
Academic Session Begins August 2026
Undergraduate Programs

Choose Your Design Path

Four distinct design universes. Each grounded in human-centered fundamentals, driven by critical inquiry, shaped by real-world practice. Design education for the post-AI world.

Communication Design at CDS
B.Des Program | 4 Years

Communication Design

Build professional competence across branding, visual identity, publication, packaging and wayfinding. Special focus on culture-specific communication, Indian scripts, and design for real social contexts - areas where automation fails.

Live projects through CDS Creative Studio. Real clients. Real briefs.

  • Branding & Visual Identity
  • Design in Indian Scripts
  • Live Industry Projects
  • Publication & Packaging
Apply for this Program
Experiential Graphic Design at CDS
B.Des Program | 4 Years | First in India

Experiential Graphic Design

India's first EGD program. Design complete experiences - not isolated graphics. Integrate spatial design, environmental graphics, interactive media and storytelling to shape meaningful physical and digital environments.

EGD designers are among the most sought-after globally. You'll be one of the first.

  • Spatial & Environmental Design
  • Interactive Media
  • Experience-Led Branding
  • Wayfinding Systems
Apply for this Program
User Experience Design at CDS
B.Des Program | 4 Years

User Experience Design

Far beyond digital screens. Design meaningful experiences across products, services, systems, environments and human processes - from retail to education, from cultural systems to social infrastructure.

Deep human-centered research. Strategic design thinking. Real system impact.

  • UX Research & Strategy
  • Service & Systems Design
  • Human-Centered Thinking
  • Interaction Design
Apply for this Program
Motion Arts and Gaming at CDS
B.Des Program | 4 Years

Motion Arts & Gaming

Beyond animation. Conceptualise, design and execute compelling dynamic narratives for immersive environments, cinematic spaces and gaming platforms. Lead teams, build worlds, tell stories that move.

Generative AI as a creative tool. Original thinking as the foundation.

  • Motion & Animation Design
  • Game Design & Narratives
  • Generative AI Workflows
  • World-Building
Apply for this Program
Why CDS

The Design School That
Thinks Differently

Not just another design college. A learning environment built on Sri Aurobindo's first principles - where every student's potential is taken seriously and developed deliberately.

46+
Years of Legacy

Rooted in one of India's oldest academic traditions with Sri Aurobindo's philosophy at its core.

1:8
Mentor-to-Student Ratio

Intentionally small cohorts. Every student gets sustained, individual faculty attention.

4
Design Specialisations

Distinct programs built for distinct futures - not a single generic design degree.

100%
Live Project Exposure

Every student works on real client briefs through CDS Creative Studio before graduation.

AI+
Post-AI Curriculum

Programs designed for a world where AI automates the ordinary. We develop what it can't replicate.

AICTE
Nationally Recognised

AICTE approved, RGPV affiliated. A degree with standing and recognition across India.

CDS Campus and Learning Environment
2026-27 Admissions Open Now
Student Voices

Heard From Those Who Chose CDS

The real measure of a design school is what its students say - not what the brochure claims.

Communication Design

"I came from a Science background with zero design training. The faculty never once made me feel behind. By second year, I was leading live client projects. CDS genuinely changed how I think - not just how I design."

UX Design

"The UX program taught me that design isn't about making things look good - it's about making systems work for people. The research methods I learned at CDS are what actually got me hired. No other college was teaching this."

Motion Arts & Gaming

"I was choosing between CDS and three other colleges. The difference? CDS asked me how I think. Everyone else asked for a portfolio. That question told me everything about what I'd learn here."

Admissions FAQ

Questions We Hear Often

Everything you need to know before you apply. Can't find your answer here? Our admissions team is a call away.

Admissions Helpline +91 88174 04447
Do I need a portfolio to apply?
No formal portfolio is required to apply. We accept any creative work you're proud of - sketches, photographs, craft, writing, or even a well-observed journal. The goal is to understand how you observe and think, not to evaluate polished technical skill.
Which stream should I be from?
Any stream is eligible - Science, Commerce, or Arts/Humanities. Design is interdisciplinary by nature. Students from Science bring systems thinking; Commerce students bring strategic sense; Arts students bring visual fluency. We value all three.
Is CDS affiliated and nationally recognised?
Yes. CDS is approved by AICTE and affiliated to RGPV (Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya), Bhopal. The B.Des degree is a UGC-recognised undergraduate qualification with full national academic standing.
How many seats are available?
CDS maintains a deliberately limited intake model. Small cohorts ensure mentor-led, genuinely personalised learning. Each program has a restricted number of seats per batch - early applications are strongly recommended to avoid disappointment.
What is the Design Aptitude Interview?
It is a conversation - not a test. Faculty members explore how you see the world, what genuinely interests you, and how you approach problems you've never encountered before. There are no right answers. Curiosity, honesty, and clarity of thought matter most.
What career paths do CDS graduates take?
CDS graduates work across branding studios, UX product teams, spatial design firms, game studios, advertising agencies, publishing houses, cultural organisations and social enterprises. Many also pursue postgraduate studies at leading design schools in India and internationally.
Is hostel accommodation available?
Yes. Sri Aurobindo Group of Institutes provides separate hostel facilities for male and female students on campus. Contact the admissions office for current availability, room types, and fee details.
Can I visit the campus before applying?
Absolutely. We welcome campus visits and open studio days. Call our admissions helpline at +91 88174 04447 to schedule a visit. Seeing the studios, meeting faculty and current students is the best way to know if CDS is the right fit for you.
B.Des Admissions 2026-27

Begin Your Application Today

Seats are limited. The batch fills faster than you'd expect. One form is all it takes to put your name in consideration for one of India's most thoughtful design educations.

Limited seats available - applications reviewed on a rolling basis