Fashion Design vs Costume Design: Eligibility, Jobs, Salary

Fashion Design vs Costume Design: Eligibility, Jobs, Salary

Updated on Oct 08, 2024 11:38 AM IST | #B.Des

The design industry is wide and fashion design and costume design are two streams falling into this vast ocean. The skillset, job scope, salary and education for fashion design vs costume design is different. The students interested in knowing the similarities and differences of costume design vs fashion design will find the article useful. Read more to understand the differences between fashion design and costume design.

This Story also Contains
  1. Fashion Design vs Costume Design: Overview
  2. Costume Design vs Fashion Design: Eligibility
  3. Fashion Design Vs Costume Design Subjects
  4. Costume Designer vs Fashion Designer: Jobs
  5. Fashion Design vs Costume Design: Salary
  6. Costume design vs Fashion design Which is Better?

Fashion Design vs Costume Design: Overview

The courses of costume design vs fashion design can have similar subjects and teaching methods as both deal with design studies. However, fashion design analyses fashion trends through the history of fashion, while the costume design is more focused on understanding the theatrical costumes and its history. Here are some key differences between fashion design vs costume design.

Differences of Fashion Design vs Costume Design

Particulars

Fashion Design

Costume Design

Eligibility

10+ 2 or equivalent

10+ 2 or equivalent

Subjects

Design Principles, Pattern Making, Draping, History of Fashion, Fashion Illustration etc.

Character Analysis, Costume History, Design, and Illustration etc.

Career Scope

Fashion Designer, Fashion Illustrator, Celebrity Stylists, Fashion Consultants

Costume Designer, Theater Costume Designer, Dance Costume Designer

Average Salary

Rs. 4.1 Lakhs

Rs. 4.1 Lakhs

You may also check:

Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences B.Des Admissions 2025

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Anant National University B.Des Admissions 2025

India's First DesignX University | Experienced Faculty

Costume Design vs Fashion Design: Eligibility

The courses in fashion design and costume design require the candidates to have some basic minimum educational qualification which they should fulfil before applying for the exam. The students must have completed their 10 + 2 level of education before they apply for the courses. The students can have any stream in the 10 + 2 as they have no strict streams required for fashion design or costume design courses.

Fashion Design Vs Costume Design Subjects

Fashion design and costume design have similar subjects as they are related fields. The main difference between them is the audience that they cater to.
In fashion design courses the students learn about the design principles and techniques in which they understand the basics of Designing such as colour theory, garment construction, fundamentals of design etc. The students also learn fashion illustration which includes drawing techniques and sketching the croquis. Students learn about pattern making and draping of various fabrics and understand what the property of a fabric is. Besides that, they also learn about the history of fashion to help them analyse the upcoming trends.

The costume design courses have similar subjects like history of costume designing which involves the historical contexts of various types of clothing in different periods of history. Costume design students also understand character analysis which will help them design costumes for stock characters. They learn about illustration and design principles to represent their ideas through sketches. The knowledge about the different fabrics, sewing techniques, and garment construction is also required by the costume design students. Some elements of theatrical production which includes lighting and set design is also taught to costume designers to help them create a cohesive and feasible garment.

Costume Designer vs Fashion Designer: Jobs

Before taking the decision the students must be aware of the costume designer vs fashion designer job scopes. Understanding costume designer vs fashion designer job environment, salary,

After a degree in fashion designing many graduates find jobs in fashion houses, retail brands, e-commerce, or even magazines. Most of them become fashion designers and design clothes for various events of fashion shows or for retail shops. Many of the graduates become fashion illustrators whose sketch and create ideas for the fashion designers to work on. Fashion design graduates also becomes stylist who work with celebrities to create new looks according to the trends. Fashion Consulting is also a job for fashion design students which involves giving suggestions to the company to bring new trends to the market.

Costume design students on the other hand find jobs in film and television industry, theatre, dance companies etc. Costume designers become a part of the film production as they need to design outfits for each character based on their personality. A costume designer needs to understand the traits of a character and make costumes which suit them. The same goes for the television and theatre industry which requires feasible and comfortable costumes depending on the era in which the show or play is set up. Costume designers also go for various dance companies to create attractive costumes to suit the theme of dance.

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Fashion Design vs Costume Design: Salary

Students who are confused between costume design vs fashion design can go through the salary offered in the industry to make a decision. The costume designer vs fashion designer salaries depend on experience and skills of the individual. Here are some trends of fashion design vs costume design salary for the aspirants to help decide.

According to the reports of Ambition Box the fashion design graduates have an average annual salary of Rs. 4.1 lakh. The salary of a fashion designer ranges in between Rs. 0.3 lakhs to Rs. 7.4 lakhs in India. Monthly the fashion designers can earn in between Rs. 21,498 to Rs. 23,139.

The average annual salary of a costume designer is also about Rs. 4.1 Lakhs. The salary range of costume designers is in between Rs. 3 LPA to Rs. 4.8 LPA. On average the monthly in hand salary of a costume designer is Rs. 29,933 to Rs. 31,248. The salary of a costume designer in media production and entertainment is about Rs. 4.5- Rs. 5.8 LPA.

Also Check:

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Costume design vs Fashion design Which is Better?

The students who are in a dilemma between these two courses must be curious about the question of costume design vs fashion design which is better? The fashion designer jobs have a better scope in the industry due to its versatility and also gives opportunity to start a label. While the costume design jobs need to be worked under supervision of directors and designers. The costume designers have usually project based payments and on the other hand fashion designers can get attached to a label. Both the jobs have similar outcomes and it depends on the student’s preference to choose what is best according to their interest.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is costume design the same as fashion design?

No, both are similar courses, but fashion design is about construction of garment for retail and market, but costume design is to prepare garments for theater and films.

2. What are the similarities between fashion design and costume design?

Both have similar subjects which deal with clothing and garment production.

3. What is a costume maker called?

A costume designer is the one who designs costumes for television and film.

4. What is the difference between fashion design and clothing design?

The purpose of design for costume and fashion designer is different. Fashion design is done for selling in the market and costume design is done according to the demands of the director of a movie or play.

5. Is costume design a job?

Costume design is a job in the entertainment industry which has an average salary of Rs. 4.1 LPA.

6. Can a fashion designer be a costume designer?

Yes a fashion designer can easily become a costume designer as both the courses have similar  practical lessons which makes switching careers easy. 

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Questions related to B.Des

Have a question related to B.Des ?

1. MIT Institute of Design, Pune

2. Pearl Academy (Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Bengaluru)

3. Unitedworld Institute of Design, Gandhinagar

4. Srishti Manipal Institute, Bengaluru

5. ISDI School of Design, Mumbai

6. Lovely Professional University, Punjab

7. Chandigarh University

8. Arch College of Design and Business, Jaipur

9. Amity School of Fashion Technology, Noida

10. RV University, Bengaluru

Currently, NSUT does not offer a B.Des. program. However, other institutes like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IIITDM Jabalpur offer B.Des. through UCEED.

Expected UCEED Cutoffs (General Category):

IIT Bombay: Around Rank 14

IIT Delhi: Around Rank 35

IIITDM Jabalpur: Around Rank 165

To pursue B.Tech or B.Des through JEECUP 2025, you need to prepare according to the specific group’s syllabus relevant to your chosen course.

Syllabus for B.Tech via JEECUP (Group A & K)

  • Group A (Diploma in Engineering & Technology)

    • Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics

    • Level: Based on Class 10 syllabus (UP Board or equivalent)

    • Key Topics:

      • Mathematics: Real numbers, polynomials, linear equations, quadratic equations, arithmetic progressions, triangles, circles, statistics, etc.

      • Physics: Motion, heat, electricity, magnetism, solar system, etc.

      • Chemistry: Classification of matter, fuels, chemical reactions, acids, bases, salts, etc. (https://www.pw.live/state-prep/exams/jeecup-syllabus) (https://www.careerpower.in/jeecup-syllabus.html) (https://www.collegebatch.com/exams/jeecup-syllabus) (https://collegedunia.com/exams/jeecup) (https://www.pasteurinstituteindia.com/up-polytechnic-jeecup-syllabus/)

  • Group K (Lateral Entry to 2nd Year of Engineering Diploma)

    • Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Engineering subjects

    • Level: Based on Class 10 & 12 syllabus. (https://collegedunia.com/exams/jeecup)

Syllabus for B.Des via JEECUP (Likely Group C or Related Group)

  • Group C (Fashion Designing, Garment Technology, Home Science, Textile Design)

    • Subjects: English & Hindi Comprehension, Reasoning & Intelligence, General Awareness

    • Level: Based on Class 10 syllabus

    • Key Topics:

      • Comprehension (English and Hindi)

      • Logical reasoning and intelligence

      • General awareness (current events, basic knowledge) (https://www.collegebatch.com/exams/jeecup-syllabus) (https://collegedunia.com/exams/jeecup) (https://www.pasteurinstituteindia.com/up-polytechnic-jeecup-syllabus/)

Note: If B.Des is offered, it will likely fall under Group C or a similar group. Always confirm the exact group and syllabus from the official JEECUP brochure for your target year and course.

General Preparation Tips

  • The JEECUP syllabus is based on UP Board Class 10 and 12 curricula for most engineering and design-related courses (https://www.pw.live/state-prep/exams/jeecup-syllabus) (https://collegedunia.com/exams/jeecup) .

  • Download the official syllabus PDF from the JEECUP website for detailed topics.

  • Focus on the core subjects relevant to your chosen group.

  • Practice previous years’ question papers for better understanding of the pattern and difficulty level. (https://collegedunia.com/exams/jeecup)

Summary Table

Course Group Subjects to Study Syllabus Level
B.Tech A/K Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (+Engineering for K) Class 10/12
B.Des C English & Hindi Comprehension, Reasoning, Awareness Class 10

Check the official JEECUP 2025 brochure for the most accurate and updated syllabus for your specific course and group before starting your preparation.

You can visit above links for further details.

(https://www.pw.live/state-prep/exams/jeecup-syllabus) (https://www.collegebatch.com/exams/jeecup-syllabus) (https://collegedunia.com/exams/jeecup)

Hello Saumya,

As of now, Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT) has not officially released the specific opening and closing UCEED ranks for B.Des admissions for candidates from outside the Delhi region. The available information primarily focuses on the selection process and seat allocation.

Selection Priorities for B.Des at NSUT:

  1. First Priority: Candidates who have cleared the UCEED exam conducted by IIT Bombay.

  2. Second Priority: Candidates with a rank in a national-level design entrance examination (or allied fields) for a four-year course at any centrally funded institute/university.

  3. Third Priority: Candidates with a rank in a state-level design entrance examination (or allied fields) for a four-year course at any state government-funded institute/university.

For Outside Delhi Region Candidates , 15% of the seats are allocated.

Given the limited availability of seats and the prioritization criteria, securing admission as an outside Delhi candidate is competitive. It's advisable to aim for a high UCEED rank to enhance your chances.

Recommendations:

  • Regularly Check Official Sources: Keep an eye on NSUT's official website and the UCEED portal for any updates on cutoff ranks and admission criteria.

  • Prepare Thoroughly for UCEED: Achieving a high score will significantly improve your prospects, especially given the competitive nature of the program.

  • Consider Backup Options: Explore other reputable design institutes that accept UCEED scores to broaden your opportunities.


I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to ask. We will be happy to assist you.

Thank You and wishing you a bright future ahead.


No, IPU (Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University) does not accept NID DAT Prelims score for admission to the B.Des (Bachelor of Design) program.

Instead, IPU conducts its own entrance test or may consider CUET (UG) scores for B.Des admissions, depending on the latest admission guidelines. Always refer to the university's official prospectus for the year you're applying to for the final admission criteria.

NIT DAT (https://www.shiksha.com/design/articles/nid-admissions-2025-colleges-accepting-nid-entrance-exam-scores-for-bdes-mdes-courses-blogId-13097)

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