Summary
An Application Designer solves problems visually — combining research, craft and software to produce work that communicates clearly and looks right. In India this work sits inside the Computer Applications and Sciences stream: students usually take Science or Commerce with Mathematics in Class 11–12, qualify through BCA / B.Sc. (CS or IT) / B.Tech CSE, and specialise later through work experience or a master's. The sections below set out the study route, the entrance exams, the leading institutes in India and abroad, and the day-to-day reality of the job.
Core skills
- Visual sense, colour and composition
- Industry-standard design software
- Concept development and storytelling
- Time management across parallel briefs
Where you can work
- Design studios and creative agencies
- Product, apparel and manufacturing companies
- Media, gaming and entertainment houses
- Freelance and own-label practice
Professional Opportunities
Design studios and creative agencies
Product, apparel and manufacturing companies
Media, gaming and entertainment houses
Freelance and own-label practice
Career Path
| Stage | What you study | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| After Class 10 | Science or Commerce with Mathematics | 2 years (Class 11–12) |
| Graduation | BCA / B.Sc. (CS or IT) / B.Tech CSE | 3–4 years |
| After Graduation | MCA / M.Sc. (CS) / M.Tech | 2 years |
| After Post-Graduation | Ph.D., professional certifications, or senior practice in the field | 3–5 years (optional) |
Important Facts
- Entry qualification: BCA / B.Sc. (CS or IT) / B.Tech CSE.
- Most institutes ask for 50–60% in the qualifying examination; reserved categories usually get a 5% relaxation.
- Admission is through the entrance exams listed below — national tests plus the state CET where applicable.
- Government and private institutes both offer this route; fee levels differ sharply between them.
- Scholarships listed on the HBK scholarships page apply to most of these programmes.
Leading Institutes in India
| # | Institute | Entrance / Category | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Madras, Chennai (Tamil Nadu) | Based on 12th Marks | www.unom.ac.in/ |
| 2 | Madras Christian College (Tamil Nadu) | Based on 12th Marks | mcc.edu.in/ |
| 3 | University of Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) | Based on 12th Marks | www.lkouniv.ac.in/ |
| 4 | Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi | CUET-UG | jamiahamdard.edu/ |
| 5 | Government Science College, Bangalore (Karnataka) | Based on 12th Marks | gfgc.kar.nic.in/gsc/ |
| 6 | Loyola College, Chennai (Tamil Nadu) | Based on 12th Marks | www.loyolacollege.edu/ |
| 7 | St. Joseph's College, Bengaluru (Karnataka) | Based on 12th Marks | www.sjc.ac.in/ |
| 8 | MSU, Baroda (Gujarat) | MSU-ET | www.msubaroda.ac.in/ |
| 9 | Stella Maris College, Chennai (Tamil Nadu) | Own Test | stellamariscollege.edu.in/ |
| 10 | Punjabi University, Patiala (Punjab) | Based on 12th Marks | www.punjabiuniversity.ac.in/ |
| 11 | Banasthali University, Vanasthali (Rajasthan) | Based on 12th Marks | www.banasthali.org/ |
| 12 | Shaheed Sukhdev College Business Studies, Delhi | CUET-UG | sscbs.du.ac.in/ |
| 13 | Symbiosis University, Pune (Maharashtra) | SET | siu.edu.in/ |
| 14 | Christ University, Bengaluru (Karnataka) | CUET | christuniversity.in/ |
| 15 | Hansraj College, Delhi | CUET-UG | www.hansrajcollege.ac.in/ |
| 16 | Presidency College, Bangalore (Karnataka) | Own Test | presidencycollege.ac.in/ |
| 17 | Indraprastha University, Delhi | BCA-CET/ CUET-UG | www.ipu.ac.in/ |
| 18 | Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune (Maharashtra) | B-UMAT/CET-Engineering | bvuniversity.edu.in/ |
| 19 | Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai (Maharashtra) | CUET-UG | www.somaiya.edu/ |
| 20 | Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) | CUET-UG | www.bhu.ac.in/ |
| 21 | Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai (Tamil Nadu) | 12th Merit (with Maths) | hindustanuniv.ac.in/ |
| 22 | Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (Punjab) | GNDU-ET | online.gndu.ac.in/ |
| 23 | Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar (Odisha) | 12th Merit (with Maths) | kiit.ac.in/ |
| 24 | Ram Lal Anand College, Delhi | CUET-UG | rlacollege.edu.in/ |
| 25 | Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, Delhi | CUET-UG | www.arsdcollege.ac.in/ |
| 26 | Charusat University of Science & Technology, Anand (Gujarat) | Based on 12th Marks | www.charusat.ac.in/ |
| 27 | College of Vocational Studies, Delhi | CUET-UG | www.cvs.edu.in/ |
| 28 | MCN University, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) | Based on 12th Marks (with Maths) | www.mcu.ac.in/ |
| 29 | St Xavier's College, Ahmedabad (Gujarat) | Based on 12th Marks | www.sxca.edu.in |
| 30 | SRM University, Amravati (Andhra Pradesh) | CUET-UG | srmap.edu.in/ |
Institutions Abroad
| Institute | Country | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University | United States | www.cmu.edu/ |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | United States | www.mit.edu/ |
| University of California, Berkeley | United States | www.berkeley.edu/ |
| ETH Zurich | Switzerland | ethz.ch/en.html |
| University of Waterloo | Canada | uwaterloo.ca/ |
| National University of Singapore | Singapore | www.nus.edu.sg/ |
Entrance Exams
| Exam | Full name | What it admits you to | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUET (UG) | Common University Entrance Test | BCA / B.Sc. (CS/IT) / B.Voc. (CA) courses at Central, Public and Private Universities who have opted to take UG admissions through CUET across India | cuet.samarth.ac.in/ |
| SET-GENERAL | Symbiosis Entrance Test | Computer Applications Program at Symbiosis Institute of Computer Studies and Research, Pune | www.set-test.org/ |
| CUET | Christ University Entrance Test | Computer Sciences and Applications Programs at Christ University, Bangalore Central Campus and Delhi NCR Off Campus | christuniversity.in/ |
| UGAT | Under Graduate Aptitude Test | Computer Applications Program across various Colleges in India | apps.aima.in/ |
| Computer-CET | Common Entrance Test | Computer Applications Program at GGS Indraprastha University, Delhi & its Affiliated Colleges | www.ipu.ac.in/ |
| BU-MAT | Undergraduate Mgmt. Aptitude Test | BCA Program at Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune | bvuniversity.edu.in/ |
| SSSIHL-UGT | Under Graduate Test | B.Sc. in Computer Science Program at SSSIHL University, Andhra Pradesh | www.sssihl.edu.in/ |
| KALSEE | Kalinga Scholastic Entrance Examination | BCA & B.Sc. CS Program at Kalinga University, Chhattisgarh | kalingauniversity.ac.in/ |
| UG-JET | Jain Entrance Test | BCA & B.Sc. Allied Programs at Jain University, Bangalore | www.jainuniversity.ac.in/ |
| KIIT-EE | KIIT- Entrance Test | BCA Program at - Bhubaneshwar | kiit.ac.in/ |
| KIIT-EE | KIIT- Entrance Test | Computer Science at KIIT University Bhubaneshwar | kiit.ac.in/ |
| AMU-ET | Aligarh Muslim Univ. Entrance Test | B.Sc. (Hons.) Computer Applications at Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh | www.amu.ac.in/ |
| AU-ET | Assam University Entrance Test | B.Sc. Computer Science Program at Assam University, Silchar | www.aus.ac.in/ |
| MITWPU-UGPET | MITWPU ‒ UG Pre Entrance Test | B.Sc. in Computers and BCA Programs at MITWPU, Pune | mitwpu.edu.in/ |
| KUAT | Karnavati University Admission Test | B.Sc. Computer Science related programs at Karnavati University, Ahmedabad | karnavatiuniversity.edu.in/ |
Work Description
- 01Understand the brief, the audience and the constraints of the medium.
- 02Research references, sketch options and develop the strongest concept.
- 03Produce finished work in the required software and file standards.
- 04Take feedback from clients or art directors and iterate.
- 05Prepare final files for production, print, screen or manufacture.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Creative, portfolio-driven career where skill beats pedigree
- Freelance and remote work are genuinely possible
- Fast-growing demand from digital brands
Cons
- Income is uneven at the start
- Subjective feedback and rework are constant
- Portfolio must be kept current to stay employable
Are you fit for this career?
Take the free HBK psychometric test and see how Application Designer matches your interests and aptitude.
Sources
© HBK Careers. Compiled in-house from official regulators, exam bodies and institute websites. Exam and institute records on this page are the same records used across the HBK handbook and exams pages.