UPES Dehradun: School of Design

UPES (University of Petroleum and Energy Studies) was established in 2003 in Dehradun under a state government act and was granted deemed university status. While UPES's founding focus was on petroleum engineering and energy studies, the university has diversified significantly and now offers programmes in engineering, management, computer science, law, journalism, architecture, and design. NAAC A accreditation reflects the institution's academic standards. The main campus is located in the Bidholi area of Dehradun, set in green foothills surroundings.

The design programme at UPES is offered within the School of Design and covers communication design, product design, interior design, and digital media specialisations. The curriculum is structured across eight semesters, with a foundation year building core visual and design skills before students enter their specialisation tracks in year two. The university's technology and engineering background influences the design curriculum, particularly in digital media and product design where there is integration with engineering and computing disciplines.

Digital media and UX design are increasingly prominent in the UPES design curriculum. Students in the digital media track learn interface design, web design, motion graphics, and interactive media. The product design track emphasises CAD, prototyping, and manufacturing-oriented design, with access to UPES's engineering workshop facilities. Interior design at UPES is connected to the growing hospitality and real estate sectors of Uttarakhand and the wider northern India market.

Delhi-NCR's proximity is one of UPES's significant practical advantages for design students. The region, approximately 300 kilometres from Dehradun, is home to numerous advertising agencies, digital product studios, interior design firms, and product companies. UPES design students regularly complete internships in Delhi, Gurgaon, and Noida, accessing one of India's most active design job markets. The university's placement infrastructure, developed primarily for engineering and management graduates, extends to the design programme and includes career fairs and industry connections in the NCR region.

Faculty at UPES's design school include practitioners and academics with backgrounds in communication design, architecture, and digital media. The relatively small cohort (approximately 60 seats) means students receive focused studio attention. Guest lectures and industry workshops are regular features of the academic calendar, with practitioners from Delhi and other cities visiting the campus. UPES also runs study tours and industry visit programmes to expose students to professional design practice in major cities.

Dehradun as a city offers a distinctly different student experience from metropolitan design schools: a slower pace, cleaner air, lower living costs, and a pleasant climate across most of the year. For students who prefer a quieter environment for focused creative work, Dehradun can be an attractive alternative to the intensity of Mumbai or Bengaluru. The Uttarakhand hills provide rich visual and natural contexts for design students interested in landscape, heritage, and craft-related design work. Graduates from UPES design have pursued careers in communication, digital media, and interior design, with many working in Delhi-NCR after graduation.