IIT Jodhpur: Department of Design

IIT Jodhpur's Department of Design was set up in 2012 with a clear intention to integrate design research and cultural context into the core of the curriculum. Jodhpur, a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, provides an exceptional setting for a design programme that takes Indian material culture seriously.

The B.Des curriculum focuses on interaction design, visual design, and design research. Students engage with user research methodologies, visual communication, and digital interaction, alongside projects that draw on Rajasthan's craft traditions including textile, metalwork, block printing, and leather work. The programme has a deliberately research-oriented character, which suits students who are interested in the why of design as much as the how.

The Craft and Materials Lab is a distinctive facility that supports material exploration beyond standard fabrication. Students here regularly collaborate with local artisans and craftspersons as part of their studio projects, developing a grounded understanding of how design connects to production and livelihood.

Placements include design consultancies, digital agencies, and research organisations. Some graduates have gone on to postgraduate programmes in design research at Indian and international universities.

Admission is through UCEED with JoSAA counselling. The General category closing rank has been around 140, making it one of the more accessible IIT design entries. With approximately 20 seats, competition is lower than at higher-ranked campuses. Check josaa.nic.in for the current seat matrix during counselling.

IIT Jodhpur's design faculty have a strong orientation toward research and cultural documentation. Several faculty members work in design research areas including craft preservation, participatory design, and design for marginalised communities. The User Research Lab on campus supports structured research studies with local populations, and students regularly conduct fieldwork in Rajasthan's artisan communities. This research culture gives the programme an intellectual character that attracts students interested in the theoretical and social dimensions of design alongside practical studio work.

Jodhpur itself is a city of considerable character: the Mehrangarh Fort, the old city markets, and the artisan clusters of the Brahmpuri area provide a rich visual and cultural environment for design students. The city has a growing tourism and hospitality sector that creates opportunities for design interventions in experience, service, and communication contexts. Campus life at IIT Jodhpur is residential and close-knit, with cultural and technical festivals that design students contribute to actively.

After completing their degrees, students from IIT Jodhpur Design have joined design consultancies, research organisations, and social enterprises. Some have pursued M.Des at other IITs or internationally, where their background in craft research and cultural documentation gives them a distinctive application profile. Others have started studios focused on craft revival, sustainable product design, or design for development in rural contexts. The programme's profile is particularly well suited to students who want to combine creative practice with meaningful engagement with India's cultural and craft traditions.