The MBA in Design Management is a two year postgraduate program that combines business strategy with creative leadership. The course is designed to develop skills in innovation, brand strategy, design thinking and project management. It prepares students to lead creative teams, manage and design-operated projects and integrate user-centric solutions in business development. The program is ideal for students looking to bridge the gap between design and management in industries such as fashion, media, technology and product development.
Eligibility usually requires designs, engineering, architecture, management, or bachelor's degree in the field related to at least 50% marks. Some institutes may require scores from the entrance examination such as CAT, CMAT, CEED or institute-level tests. The selection process may also include group discussions and personal interviews.
The curriculum includes subjects such as Business Research, Systems Thinking, Xperiential Design, Branding, and many more. Students are exposed to real world design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, or prototyping software. The average fee based on the institution is between INR 7,56,000 - INR 12,10,000.
Graduates can play roles such as Brand Manager, Graphic Designer, Brand Executive, Associate Product Manager, Creative and Design Manager. The major recruiting organization includes design consultations, tech firms, fashion houses, branding agencies and companies such as Tech Mahindra, Godrej Industries Group, Accenture, Hindustan Unilever, Amazon, Deloitte. Salary packages usually range from INR 2,00,000 to INR 41,00,000 per year, according to experience and knowledge. Students can also choose for entrepreneurial undertakings or pursue further expertise in design innovation or global business strategy
Table of Contents
- MBA Design Management Highlights
- What is MBA Design Management?
- Why Study MBA Design Management?
- MBA Design Management Eligibility Criteria
- MBA Design Management Entrance Exams
- MBA Design Management Colleges in India
- Here is the list of some of the colleges in India that are offering the MBA in Design Management
- MBA Design Management Admission Process
- MBA Design Management Syllabus
- Business Thinking
- Business Research
- Design Project 1 - Social Innovation
- Branding
- Skill - Al Design
- Skill - Info Visualization
- Internship
- Critical Thinking
- Xperiential Design
- Design Project 3 - Business
- Creative Entrepreneurship
- Skill - Interface Design
- MBA Design Management Jobs & Salary in India
- MBA Design Management Vs MBA
- MBA Design Management FAQs
MBA Design Management Highlights
Given below are some of the basic highlights for the MBA in Design Managementcourse:
What is MBA Design Management?
MBA in design management specialize in a combination of creative innovation with strategic business leadership. The course focuses on design, thinking, brand strategy, user experience and managing creative processes within a business structure. It combines elements of marketing, management and entrepreneurship to prepare students for leadership roles in creative industries. After graduation, they can work in design counseling, branding agencies, tech firms, fashion houses, or launching their own unique franchise.
Why Study MBA Design Management?
Related points, why study a Master of Business Administration in Design Management are:
- Technology and innovation: The course often includes exposure to digital tools such as Adobe Suits, Figma and Innovation Platforms. Students also explore trends like AI, sustainability, and smart design. This technology-related training prepares the students for tomorrow's creative economy.
- Creates a strong professional network: Students collaborate with creative strategists and industry leaders during projects and internships. Networking events, industry mentors, and live projects increase the exposure. These connections can lead to a job proposal or business partnership.
- Design enhances thinking skills: The program strengthens design thinking, an approach focused on user-centered innovation. Through the problem framing, prototyping and testing, students learn to deal with the complex challenges with creativity. This mindset is in high demand in industries.
- Diverse career opportunities: Graduates can explore roles in brand management, UX design leadership, product innovation, fashion marketing, or design counseling. Skills are adaptable to industries. This design ensures a flexible and rewarding career path to the design-love business brain.
MBA Design Management Eligibility Criteria
A few requirements must be met to be eligible for MBA in Design Management courses, as admission is usually difficult without them. The minimum eligibility that is required for enrolling in a Master of Business Administration in Design Management are as follows:
- The student should have a bachelor's degree in any stream in a minimum of 50% from a recognized college or university.
- Some colleges can conduct their own entrance exams or they can accept the score of state and national level entrance exam scores, followed by group discussions and personal interviews.
- There are no criteria regarding age limit, the study is beyond age.
- Some colleges may require work experience before admission. It may be different and completely depends on the college.
- Students who meet the above criteria are eligible to take admission in the MBA design management course, the student may also have to check with the official website of the college so that they can learn more about the exact eligibility criteria.
Depending on the college of choice, the above mentioned eligibility requirements may be different.
MBA Design Management Entrance Exams
Admission to Master of Business Administration in Design Management is usually based on the marks obtained in the entrance exams. Some institutes also conduct their own entrance exam and personal interview as an admission process or some institutes consider the national level or state level entrance exams to pursue MBA in Design Management. Examination for getting admission in the Master of Business Administration in Design Management, has been given below:
MBA Design Management Colleges in India
Here is the list of some of the colleges in India that are offering the MBA in Design Management
MBA Design Management Admission Process
All universities provide a very similar admission process for almost MBA in Design Management. Following is the admission process in World University of Design for this program:
Step 1. Fill the admission form: Students will need to send full application forms available on the website along with the application fee.
Step 2. Appear for the Aptitude exam: Students are required to appear the Aptitude Test with the admit card provided online. Students will be shortlisted based on their performance and the list of students qualifying to the next phase will be declared online.
Step 3. Campus interview: The student will appear in an individual interview organized by a panel. The questions will be asked by the interview panel about the student's chosen field of study. Creative evidence (portfolio, drawings, photographs, crafts etc.) in hard copy may also be showcased.
Step 4. Admission offering: Qualified candidates will be offered admission to join WUD. The proposal will be sent via an email. Date, time and site will be included in the admission letter for the payment of fees, allocation of hostels and academic fees at the time of admission. The proposal for admission will be valid for the special program selected by the candidate in the given academic session only. Although the request for the change of the program can be considered after the first semester, subject to the availability of seats.
Each college may have a separate admission process for the course.
MBA Design Management Syllabus
Students pursuing MBA in design management learn to merge creative thinking with strategic business practices. The curriculum includes design thinking, brand strategy, innovation management and user-centered designs. It helps students with the skills of leading in innovation, leading project management and problem solving to run innovation in industries such as fashion, product design, digital media and branding. The topics covered in ATLAS Skilltech University for Master of Business Administration in Design Management, are shown in the table below.
MBA Design Management Jobs & Salary in India
With a Master of Business Administration in Design Management, individuals can build a career that mixes creativity with strategic business leadership to run the industries with innovative ideas. Graduates can work in leadership roles within brand strategists, design advisors, creative directors, innovation managers, or products, fashion, technology or media companies. Additionally, education opens doors worldwide in fields where design plays an important role in determining consumer appearance and competitive advantage. The different job profiles are after MBA in Design Management are as follows:
MBA Design Management Vs MBA
MBA Design Management is suitable for individuals who aspire to take on leadership positions, bridging business and creativity, majoring in innovation and design-driven strategy. General MBA provides general management skills, career flexibility, and shapes people to be leaders of many industries.
MBA Design Management FAQs
What is an MBA in design management?
An MBA in design management is a postgraduate program that integrates creative strategy with design thinking, innovation and core business and management principles. It trains students to lead design-operated initiatives in industries such as fashion, products, UX/UI, branding and media.
Is a design background required for this MBA?
A design background is not always required for this MBA. Many programs accept students from business, engineering, or liberal arts. What matters is showing creative thinking or interest in design-related fields. This allows diverse candidates to join. Each program may have its own criteria.
How is an MBA different from a regular MBA in design management?
A regular MBA focuses on core business areas like Finance, HR, and Operations. In contrast, an MBA in Design Management adds skills in creative leadership, design strategy, and innovation. It emphasizes a user-centered approach to business. This makes it unique and specialized. It combines design with traditional management.
How does design management affect the performance of the business?
Design management helps align creative strategies with business goals. It improves customer experience, innovation, and brand value. By bridging design and management, it ensures products fit the market better. This leads to stronger commercial success. Overall, it boosts business performance through creativity.
Which software tools or platforms are taught during the course?
Students can be trained in theAdobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Figma, Rhino, AutoCAD, Miro, and project management tools like Trello, Jira, or Asana, depending on the focus area and different colleges follow different course curriculum.
Which skills are the most important for success in this course?
It is important to understand creative thinking, communication, leadership, problem-solution, and deeper understanding of user behavior and market trends. A collaborative mentality and curiosity about business and design integration are equally important.