ISDI School of Design and Innovation (ISDI) is a private design school established in 2016 in Mumbai, operating as a constituent school of ATLAS SkillTech University. ATLAS SkillTech University was established in 2021 under the Maharashtra Private Universities Act and is recognised by UGC under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act. ISDI holds a NAAC A Grade accreditation, making ATLAS SkillTech one of the youngest universities in India to receive NAAC recognition. The school’s B.Des curriculum is co-developed with Parsons School of Design, New York, which is among the most recognised design schools globally.
ISDI does not appear in the NIRF rankings or other major national ranking bodies as it is a young private design institution. It participates in the NIRF Innovation framework as part of ATLAS SkillTech University.
The campus is located in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai’s primary business district. ISDI is positioned within walking distance of over 500 companies in the BKC financial and creative services cluster, which supports live project and internship access for design students.
- B.Des in Animation and VFX, Communication Design, Fashion Communication and Styling, Fashion Design, Interior Design, Product Design, and Strategic Design Management (4 years, Portfolio-based admission)
- M.Des (Design Futures), a 2-year postgraduate design programme
- MBA (Design Management and Strategic Thinking), a 2-year programme
The total fees for B.Des is INR 28,67,500 for the full 4-year duration. MBA and M.Des fees are INR 12,05,000 each for 2 years. ISDI targets design-aspirant students across all streams of Class 12 and does not require prior design experience for admission.
ISDI does not publish CTC-based placement statistics in the conventional engineering-college format. The school reports 1,200+ on-campus interview opportunities annually and a network of 100+ recruiting organisations across design, technology, fashion, and media sectors. ISDI has produced over 200 startup founders from its 6,700+ alumni base.
ISDI Mumbai Admission Dates 2027
ISDI admissions for the 2026-27 academic session are concluded. The 2027-28 B.Des batch admission is expected to open in late 2026 with applications closing by April 2027. ISDI does not use a centralised entrance examination. Instead, its selection process involves portfolio submission, an online aptitude test, and a personal interview conducted directly by the institution.
| Event | 2026-27 Cycle (Concluded) |
|---|---|
| Application Window (B.Des) | November 2025 to March 2026 |
| Portfolio Submission Deadline | March 2026 |
| Aptitude Test and Interview | February to April 2026 |
| Admission Offers Issued | April to May 2026 |
| Batch Commencement | July 2026 |
Tentative dates for the 2027-28 admission cycle are based on ISDI’s historical annual admission pattern. Exact dates should be confirmed on the official ATLAS SkillTech University website.
| Event | 2027-28 Cycle (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Application Window Opens (B.Des) | November to December 2026 |
| Application Closes | March to April 2027 |
| Portfolio Submission | Rolling, November 2026 to April 2027 |
| Aptitude Test and Interview | December 2026 to April 2027 |
| Batch Commencement | July 2027 |
The table below lists the qualifying examination or requirement for each ISDI programme.
| Programme | Admission Basis | Process |
|---|---|---|
| B.Des (all specialisations) | Portfolio, Aptitude Test, Interview | Online application at ATLAS SkillTech University website |
| M.Des (Design Futures) | Portfolio, Interview, Statement of Purpose | Direct application to ISDI |
| MBA (Design Management) | Valid GMAT or CAT score plus Interview | Direct application to ISDI |
ISDI Mumbai Courses and Fees
ISDI offers 7 B.Des specialisations under one umbrella B.Des degree framework, plus a 2-year M.Des and a 2-year MBA in Design Management. All B.Des specialisations carry the same total fee of INR 28,67,500 for the 4-year programme. Fees are high relative to government design schools and are consistent with internationally-partnered private design schools in urban India.
| Programme | Duration | Eligibility | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.Des (Animation and VFX) | 4 years | 10+2 any stream, Portfolio | INR 28,67,500 |
| B.Des (Communication Design) | 4 years | 10+2 any stream, Portfolio | INR 28,67,500 |
| B.Des (Fashion Communication and Styling) | 4 years | 10+2 any stream, Portfolio | INR 28,67,500 |
| B.Des (Fashion Design) | 4 years | 10+2 any stream, Portfolio | INR 28,67,500 |
| B.Des (Interior Design) | 4 years | 10+2 any stream, Portfolio | INR 28,67,500 |
| B.Des (Product Design) | 4 years | 10+2 any stream, Portfolio | INR 28,67,500 |
| B.Des (Strategic Design Management) | 4 years | 10+2 any stream, Portfolio | INR 28,67,500 |
| M.Des (Design Futures) | 2 years | Bachelor’s in Design or relevant field, Portfolio | INR 12,05,000 |
| MBA (Design Management and Strategic Thinking) | 2 years | Any Bachelor’s degree, GMAT or CAT score | INR 12,05,000 |
The B.Des programme follows a curriculum built with Parsons School of Design’s pedagogical framework and includes live industry projects, studio-based learning, design labs, and cross-disciplinary electives. Students may opt for a semester exchange through ISDI’s 65+ global university partnerships.
ISDI Mumbai Admission Process
B.Des Admission
ISDI B.Des admissions are not based on any central entrance examination (UCEED, NID DAT, or NATA are not required). Selection is through a three-stage ISDI-specific process, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the batch closes.
- Eligibility: 10+2 or equivalent from any recognised board, any stream. Prior design experience is not required.
- Stage 1: Portfolio submission (8 to 10 pieces of creative work or an ISDI Design Project) carrying 40% weightage
- Stage 2: Online Aptitude Test covering communication and analytical skills, carrying 40% weightage
- Stage 3: Personal Interview covering ambitions, reasoning, and design interest, carrying 20% weightage
ISDI accepts students who may not have a traditional art background, making it accessible to candidates from Science, Commerce, and Humanities streams who have a strong creative interest. Portfolios can include digital art, photography, fashion sketches, or any creative work across media.
M.Des and MBA Admission
M.Des admissions require a portfolio demonstrating design work and a personal interview. Applicants should hold a Bachelor’s degree in Design, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field. MBA Design Management requires a valid GMAT or CAT score along with a personal interview. Both programmes look for applicants with a clear design or business-in-design orientation. ISDI does not publish annual intake caps for PG programmes publicly.
ISDI Mumbai Placements and Career Outcomes
ISDI does not publish CTC-based placement statistics in the format used by engineering and management colleges. Career outcomes at a design school are measured differently: through placement into design studios, brand and product companies, fashion houses, animation studios, and consulting firms. ISDI facilitates over 1,200 on-campus interview opportunities per year from more than 100 organisations across 20+ industries.
| Specialisation | Common Career Sectors |
|---|---|
| Communication Design | Brand studios, advertising agencies, UX/UI design firms, digital media companies |
| Fashion Design / Fashion Communication | Fashion brands, styling agencies, textile companies, retail design teams |
| Interior Design | Architecture and interior design firms, hospitality chains, real estate developers |
| Product Design | Consumer electronics companies, FMCG design teams, design consultancies, automotive design |
| Animation and VFX | Animation studios, gaming companies, OTT content production houses, ad film studios |
| Strategic Design Management | Design strategy roles in corporates, consulting firms, startup ventures, innovation labs |
Over 200 ISDI alumni have founded their own design ventures. The proximity of the BKC campus to Mumbai’s financial and media industry cluster enables live project engagement and internship access during the programme. ISDI’s 65+ global university partnerships facilitate master’s degree progressions abroad for graduates who wish to continue studying internationally.
ISDI Mumbai Scholarships
ISDI offers merit-based scholarships for B.Des applicants based on portfolio quality and aptitude test performance at the time of admission. The institution has not published a publicly detailed scholarship schedule, but candidates demonstrating exceptional creative talent may be considered for partial fee support during the admission process.
Students from economically weaker sections may be eligible for education loans under the Vidya Lakshmi portal and scheduled bank schemes. Major banks including SBI, Bank of Baroda, and Axis Bank offer education loans for private design school programmes under AICTE-approved categories. Candidates are advised to explore education loan eligibility at the time of application, given the high total fee for the 4-year B.Des programme.
ISDI Mumbai Campus and Infrastructure
The ISDI campus in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai, occupies over 3 lakh square feet across dedicated design studios, digital labs, fashion technology zones, maker spaces, and product labs. The BKC location provides direct access to Mumbai’s corporate, media, and financial sector for live projects and industry interactions.
Infrastructure includes dedicated studios for each design discipline, a fashion design lab with industry-standard sewing and pattern-making equipment, animation and VFX labs, product design workshops, digital fabrication zones, and a UX/UI lab. The campus has a student housing facility accessible through the university’s residential support. A library with digital and print resources supports research across design disciplines.
ISDI hosts regular design critiques, industry speaker sessions, and design festivals throughout the year. The Parsons faculty exchange programme brings international faculty for workshops and critique sessions. Students in Strategic Design Management engage with live client projects through ISDI’s corporate interface in the BKC cluster.
ISDI Mumbai vs MIT Institute of Design vs SID Pune
Design aspirants in western India frequently compare ISDI Mumbai with MIT Institute of Design (MIT-ID) in Pune and Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID) in Pune. All three are private design schools offering B.Des programmes without requiring UCEED or NID DAT scores for admission.
| Parameter | ISDI Mumbai | MIT Institute of Design, Pune | Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent Institution | ATLAS SkillTech University (2021) | MIT-ADT University, Pune | Symbiosis International University, Pune |
| Location | BKC, Mumbai | Loni Kalbhor, Pune | Viman Nagar, Pune |
| B.Des Total Fee | INR 28,67,500 | Approx. INR 10 to 14 Lakhs | Approx. INR 12 to 16 Lakhs |
| Admission Route | Portfolio plus Aptitude Test plus Interview | Portfolio plus Aptitude Test | SET Design plus Portfolio plus Interview |
| International Partnership | Parsons School of Design, New York | Various global tie-ups | International exchange programmes |
| Notable Specialisations | Fashion, Animation, Communication, Strategic Design | Industrial, Communication, Fashion | Fashion, Communication, Interior, Film |
ISDI leads in BKC’s Mumbai location advantage and the Parsons curriculum collaboration, but its fees (INR 28.67 lakhs) are significantly higher than MIT-ID and SID. MIT-ID and SID are located in Pune with lower fees and established placement records. Candidates prioritising Mumbai’s industry access and international curriculum partnership may prefer ISDI. Those targeting a more cost-effective private design school with mature placement networks may find MIT-ID or SID better suited.
ISDI Mumbai FAQs
Ques. Is ISDI Mumbai a good design college?
Ans. ISDI Mumbai is a UGC-recognised private design school operating under ATLAS SkillTech University with NAAC A Grade accreditation. Its B.Des curriculum is co-developed with Parsons School of Design, New York, and the campus is located in BKC, Mumbai, within reach of major design and media firms. It is one of the newer private design institutions in India, established in 2016, and is still building its long-term alumni and placement track record compared to older design schools.
Ques. What is the total fee for B.Des at ISDI Mumbai?
Ans. The total fee for the 4-year B.Des programme at ISDI Mumbai is INR 28,67,500. This covers all seven specialisations: Animation and VFX, Communication Design, Fashion Design, Fashion Communication and Styling, Interior Design, Product Design, and Strategic Design Management. Education loan support is available through scheduled banks under the Vidya Lakshmi portal for eligible applicants.
Ques. Do I need UCEED or NID DAT to get into ISDI?
Ans. No. ISDI does not require UCEED, NID DAT, NATA, or any other centralised design entrance examination. Admission is through ISDI’s own selection process: a portfolio submission, an online aptitude test, and a personal interview. Students from any stream in Class 12 (Science, Commerce, or Humanities) are eligible. Prior design experience is not required.
Ques. What career opportunities does ISDI prepare students for?
Ans. ISDI graduates pursue careers in design studios, advertising agencies, fashion brands, animation and VFX companies, product design firms, architecture and interior practices, and consulting roles. The Strategic Design Management specialisation targets corporate innovation and design strategy roles. Over 200 ISDI alumni have founded their own design ventures. The BKC campus location facilitates live project access during the programme itself.
Ques. Is ISDI Mumbai affiliated to a university?
Ans. Yes. ISDI is a constituent school of ATLAS SkillTech University, a private university established in 2021 under the Maharashtra Private Universities Act. ATLAS SkillTech University is recognised by UGC under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act and holds NAAC A Grade accreditation. Degrees are issued by ATLAS SkillTech University and are valid for higher education and employment purposes.
Ques. Does ISDI Mumbai have hostel facilities?
Ans. ISDI Mumbai’s campus is in Bandra Kurla Complex, which is a commercial district without residential infrastructure typical of residential university campuses. Student housing support is facilitated through ATLAS SkillTech University’s housing assistance programme. Students are advised to confirm accommodation arrangements directly with ISDI at the time of admission, as BKC-area accommodation options are private and at market rates in one of Mumbai’s premium locations.
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ISDI Offers Diploma course at PG level. The total fee of PG Diploma in Design and Innovation is 5.9 lacs. This includes Tuition fee- INR 2,33, 750 per semester and registration fee- INR 45 thousand.
The selection criteria of ISDI Mumbai B.Des. is based upon the marks secured in the ISDI Challenge followed by an interview round. The eligibility of the course is to complete 10+2 from a recognised board.
ISDI provides various UG, PG and Diploma courses to the students and the detailed fee structure is available at ISDI Mumbai Courses & fees.
It is not affiliated with any university. It provides degree of its own as it is a AICTE approved college.