Visual Communication Designer
Uses visual elements to deliver information to an audience and oversees promotional campaigns.
Overview
A Visual Communication Designer is a professional who uses visual elements to deliver information to an audience. Visual Communication Designers often oversee promotional campaigns, and try to attract new consumers or spread awareness about a topic through their work.
Where they work
- Advertising Agencies
- Web Design Firms
- Publishing Houses
- Marketing Departments, etc.
Work environment
The work timings are typically 5 to 6 days a week for 8 to 9 hours per day. Shift system is applicable. Entrepreneurship: you can set up your own consulting firm.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You are interested in artistic occupations
- You are good with computers
- You are comfortable working with teams
- You like to pay attention to details while working
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10 + 2 in any stream.
- 2Complete Bachelor's degree in Design (B.Des.) in Visual Communication Design, followed by Master's degree (M.Des.) in the same discipline
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete Bachelor's degree (B.Des.) in any discipline followed by PG Diploma in Visual Communication.
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
This course is offered by the Department of Design. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- Alakh Prakash Goyal Shimla University, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
- Central Institute of Technology, Kokrajhar, Assam
- Industrial Design Centre, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- National Institute of Design, Guwahati, Assam
- National Institute of Design, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
- National Institute of Design, Kurukshetra, Haryana
- National Institute of Design, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
- Kerala State Institute of Design, Kollam, Kerala
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Chitkara University, Patiala, Punjab
- Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Design, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
- D J Academy of Design, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
- Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Indian Institute of Art and Design, New Delhi
- Indian Institute of Crafts and Design, Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune, Maharashtra
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Trainee/Assistant Visual Communication Designer
- 2Visual Communication Designer
- 3Senior Visual Communication Designer
Related careers to explore
Multimedia Designer
Builds presentations of images and information for the web, television, movies and video games.
Art Director
Oversees creative projects from start to finish and sets the visual style for the work.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Any Stream, Arts, Computer Science.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to creating.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Akshar Pathak — An artist and a graphic designer, as well as a visual communication designer who makes Bollywood film posters. His posters have been extensively recognized in the digital world and featured in more than 90 magazines and newspapers. Akshar is an alumnus of NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) and has completed his B.Des. in the field of Fashion and Lifestyle Accessory. He is known for his work in logo making and his creation of minimal Bollywood pictures.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 185 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.payscale.com/research/IN/Job=Visual_Designer/Salary
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
Alakh Prakash Goyal Shimla University is a private university but is printed under government institutes on this card; the card's own listing is reproduced as printed.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.