What Is Life at a Design College Really Like? A Day in the Life of a B.Des Student

If you're imagining design college as drawing all day — you're partly right! But it's also research, building, presenting, debating and a lot of learning by doing. Here's what a typical day and year look like.

A typical day

9:00 am — Studio class. Most learning happens in studios, not lecture halls. Today's brief: design a seating solution for a railway platform. Students sketch, discuss and sketch again.

11:00 am — Workshop time. In the wood, metal or ceramics workshop, students turn sketches into models. Faculty and technicians help with tools.

1:00 pm — Lunch. Conversations about projects, films, music and the next field trip.

2:00 pm — Theory or skills class. Design history, colour, typography, materials, research methods or software.

4:00 pm — Field research. A group visits the railway station to observe passengers, take photos and talk to people waiting.

7:00 pm onwards — Self-study. Many students return to studios to keep working. Before a jury, these sessions can run late!

What's different from school

• No single "right answer." You're judged on thinking, process and execution.
• Juries instead of exams. You present your work to faculty (and sometimes industry guests), who give feedback openly.
• Teamwork. Many projects are done in groups.
• Freedom and responsibility. You manage your own time and projects.
• Feedback is constant — learning to take criticism well is a big part of growing.

The first year: foundation

Most design colleges start with a foundation year covering drawing, colour, form, materials, photography, design thinking and craft. It builds the base for every specialisation.

Field trips and craft visits

Many design schools take students to craft clusters, factories, museums and villages to learn from artisans and real-world contexts. These trips are often students' favourite memories.

Internships and projects

In later years, students do internships at studios, brands and tech companies, and work on live projects with real clients. The final year usually ends with a major graduation project.

Tips to thrive at design college

1. Keep a sketchbook — always.
2. Ask questions and seek feedback.
3. Don't compare yourself to others; everyone grows differently.
4. Look after your health — late nights catch up with you.
5. Explore beyond your specialisation.

Want to get there?

Start by understanding the entrance exams: read UCEED vs NID vs NIFT, or see the 2027 exam calendar. The Design Habitat in Pune and Nashik gives students a taste of design-college-style studio learning from Class 11 onward. Book a free demo class.