If you are someone buzzing with ideas to turn the most commonplace item into a multipurpose product or a fantastic piece of artwork, you are probably cut out for a career in design. The field of design is thriving with opportunities, ever than before, as people today welcome out of the box thinking and more personalized experiences in whatever they use or wear.
There's a range of choices when it comes to what you would like to design. From designing automobiles to video games, textiles to furniture, you can decide based on your interest in a particular area. The good news is that as design is an integral part of any product that literally enhances its usability and aesthetics, there’s a huge demand for designers in the market.
Though you can become a designer at any point in your life, you can start right away after class 12 by pursuing an undergraduation degree in design. The four year B.Des degree will equip you with the relevant skills and knowledge and set you on the path of a successful designer.
Here's a list of entrance exams, courses and colleges to get you started on your design journey.
Test Details*
Mode: Test centre-based exam with Part A - CBT & Part B - Pen/pencil and paper
Test Duration: 3 hours
Question Types for Part A: Total marks: 240 marks; Maximum time: 2 hours 30 mins
Section 1 - NAT (Numerical Answer Type): 18 questions with 4 marks for each correct answer - the answer is a number that has to be entered on a virtual keyboard in the computer screen. No choices for answers. No negative marking.
Section 2 - MSQ (Multiple Select Question): 18 questions with 4 marks each only if all answers are correct; 0.19 negative marks for any incorrect answer. Each MSQ has one or more correct answer(s) out of the four options provided.
Section 3 - MCQ (Multiple Choice Question): 32 questions with 3 marks each for the correct answer; 0.71 negative marks for incorrect answers. Each MCQ has four choices out of which only one is the correct answer.
Question Types for Part B: Total marks: 60 marks; Maximum time: 30 mins
Only one question is given to test the creative aptitude of the candidate.
The answer has to be written/drawn in the answer booklet provided by the invigilator.
Part A & Part B are mandatory.
Test Details of Stage 1 - DAT Prelims
Mode: Pen/Pencil and Paper
Duration: 3 hours
Question type: Part 1 - MCQ (General Proficiency), Part 2 - Open-ended Questions which may include text and visuals (Creative Ability)
Total Marks: 100
Test Details of Stage 2 - DAT Prelims To be announced
(The mode of the test may change depending on the situation)
| NID Ahmedabad | NID Andhra Pradesh | NID Madhya Pradesh | Haryana | Assam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animation Film Design | Industrial Design Communication | Design | Textile & Apparel Design | |
| Exhibition Design Film & Video Communication | Industrial Design Communication | Design | Textile & Apparel Design | |
| Communication Graphic Design Ceramic & Glass Design | Industrial Design Communication | Design | Textile & Apparel Design | |
| Furniture & Interior Product Design Textile Design | Industrial Design Communication | Design | Textile & Apparel Design |
Test Details
B.Des.
Stage 1 Written examination comprising of Creative Ability Test (CAT) and General Ability Test (GAT)
Stage 2 Shortlisted candidates based on written exam scores called for Situational Test
CAT
Question type: Open-ended Questions including visuals and text
Total Questions: 3
Duration: 3 hours
GAT
Question type: MCQ - Verbal Ability (Reading Comprehension & Language), Quantitative Ability, Analytical & Logical Ability, General Knowledge & Current Affairs
Total Questions: 100
Duration: 2 hours
B.FTech.
Written examination comprising of a General Ability Test (GAT)
GAT
Question type: MCQ - Quantitative ability, Verbal Ability (Reading Comprehension & Language), Analytical and Logical Ability, General Knowledge and Current Affairs, Case Study
Total Questions: 150
Duration: 3 hours
| B. Des. | CAT - 50% |
| B. F. Tech | CAT - 100% |
NIFT campuses: Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Delhi, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Jodhpur, Kangra, Kannur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Panchkula, Patna, Raebarelli, Shillong, Srinagar
Courses offered: Fashion Design (FD), Accessory Design (AD), Textile Design (TD), Knitwear Design (KD)
Conducted by Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology (Bengaluru) for admission to its 4-year B.Des, B.F.A, 3-year B.Voc.
Administered in 3 rounds:
| Rounds | Registration Opens | Registration Closes | Online Test Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | 1 Jun 2021 | 15 Jun 2021 |
Option 1: 23 & 24 Jun 2021 Option 2: 26 & 27 Jun 2021 |
|
| Exhibition Design Film & Video Communication | Design | Design | Design | Design |
| R2 | 17 Jul 2021 | 28 Jul 2021 | 7 & 8 Aug 2021 | |
| R3 | 17 Aug 2021 | 25 Aug 2021 | 28 & 29 Aug 2021 |
Test Details
Consists of Test 1 (General Ability Test or GAT) & Test 2 (Context Based Test)
Mode: Remote Proctored Computer based Online Test
Test 1 Duration: 90 minutes
*Test 1 or GAT includes Test 1A, Test 1B, Test 1C: Each subtest is timed and need to be uploaded separately.
Test 2 Duration: 90 minutes
Test 2 or Context Based Test: The link to the syllabus or context would be provided to the candidate 48 hours before the test date.
*Those who rank within 1000 in UCEED are exempted from SMEAT Test 1. Test 2 is mandatory for everyone.
| Courses | Disciplines |
|---|---|
| BUSINESS SERVICES AND SYSTEMS DESIGN |
Design Management Information Technology (particularly Web and Systems of Information) Interaction Design Service Design Product Design Furniture Design Visual Communication Design Strategic Communication Business Design Entrepreneurship |
| CREATIVE AND APPLIED COMPUTATION |
Augmented and Virtual Reality (Digital Media Arts) Creative Education Entrepreneurship Experience Design Game Design Human-centered Design Industrial Arts and Design Practices Information Design Interaction Design Product Design Visual Communication Design Visual Effects |
Pearl Academy Entrance exam, SEED or Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design, the ISDI - School of Design and Innovation Challenge are some of the admission tests that you can consider to study in the respective institutes.
Besides the 4 - year Bachelor of Design course, you may choose to pursue a 3 - year Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in a specific design area like B. A in Fashion Design or B.Sc. in Interior Architecture.
Here are some institutes that offer a 3 - year B. A/B.Sc. program in Design.
If you think you have the right blend of creativity and purpose, you would not lack opportunities to have a successful career as a designer. After completing your undergraduate degree, you can either start working with a company from the design industry, set up your own boutique or choose to pursue further studies like an M.Des.
All the best!
