The Bachelor of Design or B Des is an undergraduate programme designed to impart basic knowledge and ideas in designing of any product. Even though there are hundreds of youngsters who aspire to learn designing, there aren’t too many institutes, even at the national level, that offer courses in designing. 

The four-year graduate programmes in designing offered at various institutes in Kerala have been grabbing attention for its quality training and focus on providing employment opportunities. 

How to apply

Online applications for admission to 2023–24 academic year could be submitted until 30 May. Website – www.lbscentre.kerala.gov.in. The application fee is Rs 1,200; it is Rs 600 for Scheduled Caste/Tribe categories. 

Institutes 

• Kerala Institute of Design, Chandanathoppu, Kollam – 691014; Phone – 0474 2719193; info@ksid.ac.in, website – www.ksid.ac.in. This is a government-controlled management institute; there are up to 30 vacant seats. 

• College of Architecture (private management), Mulayara, Thiruvananthapuram – 695543. There are 60 seats up for grabs. 

• Saintgits College of Engineering, Pathamuttam, Kottayam – 686532. This is private management institute. The candidates can apply to 30 seats. 

More institutes and seats may be newly introduced. In the private management colleges, half of the seats are reserved for management quota. 

Eligibility

Those who have passed Class 12 in any subject with at least 45% marks can apply. Meanwhile, 40% marks is enough for candidates who belong to reservation categories. 

Selection 

The selection to the government seats would be based on KS–DAT (Kerala State Design and Aptitude Test) conducted by the LBS Centre. Reservation benefits based on government guidelines are available for these seats. 

In the 100-minute test, there would be 100 multiple choice questions for a total of 100 marks. There will be questions from Social and Basic Sciences (10 questions, class 10 level), General Knowledge (20), English (20), Numerical Ability and Analytical Aptitude (20) and Design Awareness (30). 

The LBS Centre would receive options and allot seats to the government quota. Reservation benefits based on Kerala government’s guidelines are available for these seats. 

The tuition fee for a semester would be Rs 75,000. The candidates need to pay Rs 10,000 as caution deposit in the beginning. 

Refer the notification and prospectus on the website for more details. Helpline: 0471-234396.

Management seats

Meanwhile, each management can conduct admissions on their own to the management seats. However, the candidates need to qualify KS–DAT/NATA/UCEED/NID–DAT/NIFT or equivalent national level tests. Visit www.nata.in, www.uceed.iitb.ac.in, www.nid.edu and www.nift.ac.in for more information.