NID Industrial Design - MDes Domain Specific Practice Questions

The following questions are meant to assist you with your NID preparation (MDes domain-specific subjective part), especially fro the domain-specific test 'Industrial Design' as per the new pattern from NID 2020. I've made the following question to make you realize how easy it is to come up with your own questions using the situations around you, including the use of the internet. 

I - Question Type 1 (Creative and alternative thinking ability)

Draw 5 different uses (other than their intended use) for the following objects listed below. Each idea carries 2 marks.

1. Writing pad (plastic )
2. Earrings
3. Cloth clip
4. Safety pin
5. Pen cap
6. Umbrella
7. Phone cover (rubber made)
8. Beverage (fruit juice) tetra pack
9. Toothbrush
10. Tounge cleaner
11. Shoe cardboard box
12. Geometry box
13. Mop
14. Mosquito bat
15. A computer mouse with cable
16. CDs
17. Fork
18. Hat
19. Pen refill
20. Pen stand
21. Bulb
22. Tennis ball 
23. Face mask
24. Used coke bottle
25. Plastic water pipe (any length) of dia up to 1 inch
26. Disposable spoon

II - Question Type 2 (Problem identification ability)

Marking - (Each problem carries 10 marks- each sketch and the associated writeup carries 2 marks. So, don't prefer giving details to the sketches. Convey the ideas in a simpler way.)

1. Imagine a person standing and ironing his/her cloth using an electric iron box. Depict through sketches - 5 (five) problems faced by the person doing the task. Also write in a sentence (not more than 4 lines) the problems identified and depicted in the sketches. 
2. Imagine a person peeling off the skin/surface-layer of carrots. Depict through sketches - 5 (five) problems faced by the person doing the task. Also write in a sentence (not more than 4 lines) the problems identified and depicted in the sketches. 
3. A physically disabled person has a problem with the spine that the person cannot raise his/her head up. The person can lower his/her head to a little from the horizontal position. Depict through sketches 5 (five) problems faced by the person while drinking water from a one liter bottle. Also write in a sentence (not more than 4 lines) the problems identified and depicted in the sketches. 
4. Imagine a person using a desktop mouse while working. Depict through sketches - 5 (five) problems faced by the person doing the task. Also write in a sentence (not more than 4 lines) the problems identified and depicted in the sketches.
5. Imagine a person using a desktop mouse while working. Depict through sketches - 5 (five) problems faced by the person doing the task. Also write in a sentence (not more than 4 lines) the problems identified and depicted in the sketches.
6. Imagine a person wearing mocassins/loafers (shoes - slip-on kind) with hands. Depict through sketches - 5 (five) problems faced by the person doing the task. Also write in a sentence (not more than 4 lines) the problems identified and depicted in the sketches.
7. Imagine a person chopping vegetables in the kitchen. Depict through sketches - 5 (five) problems faced by the person doing the task. Also write in a sentence (not more than 4 lines) the problems identified and depicted in the sketches. 
8. Imagine a person wearing mocassins/loafers (shoes - slip-on kind) with hands. Depict through sketches - 5 (five) problems faced by the person doing the task. Also write in a sentence (not more than 4 lines) the problems identified and depicted in the sketches.
9. Imagine a person emptying their household domestic dustbin into a large public dustbin, both with closed lids. Depict through sketches - 5 (five) problems faced by the person doing the task. Also write in a sentence (not more than 4 lines) the problems identified and depicted in the sketches.
10. Imagine a person wearing a face mask for prolonged hours, as part of Virus prevention, while working at office. Depict through sketches - 5 (five) problems faced by the person in wearing the mask. Also write in a sentence (not more than 4 lines) the problems identified and depicted in the sketches.
11. Imagine a person using an electric trimmer to shave their beard. Depict through sketches - 5 (five) problems faced by the person doing the task. Also write in a sentence (not more than 4 lines) the problems identified and depicted in the sketches.
12. Imagine a person using a gas stove lighter in kitchen. Depict through sketches - 5 (five) problems faced by the person doing the task. Also write in a sentence (not more than 4 lines) the problems identified and depicted in the sketches.

Check similar questions released for CEED practice here

III - Question Type 3 (Problem-solving ability)

Give 2/3 original solutions that would help you carry your locker keys with you while going to college/office without the possibility of you forgetting to secure the keys with you. Depict the solutions you have proposed communicating how they achieve their goal. 

(Marks - 16 marks, each solution carry 8 marks) 

1. Give 2/3 original solutions that would help you switch off the electrical appliances, including light and fans, before you step out of your room, without the possibility of you forgetting to switch off. Depict the solutions you have proposed communicating how they achieve their goal. 
2. Give 2/3 original solutions that would help you get far from book reading or working in front of desktop/laptop (a break from the continuous task) once in every hour without the possibility of you ignoring and continuing the task. Depict the solutions you have proposed communicating how they achieve their goal.
3. Give 2/3 original solutions that would help you maintain a healthy sitting posture (for the back) whenever you sit for reading, working, or even driving, without the possibility of you leaning back in wrong posture as if relaxing. Depict the solutions you have proposed communicating how they achieve their goal.
4. Give 2/3 original solutions that would help your children optimize/limit their presence in social networking sites like Instagram, Facebook etc. without the possibility of you being indulged into that constantly. Depict the solutions you have proposed communicating how they achieve their goal.
5. Give 2/3 original solutions that would help your grandmother take prescribed medicines every day, without the possibility of she ignoring or forgetting to take. Depict the solutions you have proposed communicating how they achieve their goal.

(similar questions for practice)

1. Give 2/3 original solutions that would help you drink at least one glass of water every hour without the possibility of you ignoring and continuing your long hours' work/study. Depict the solutions you have proposed communicating how they achieve their goal.
2. Give 2/3 original solutions that would help your father take deep breaths (mindfulness) for at least one minute at regular intervals, every day, to relieve stress and maintain healthy heart function without he getting ignoring the mindfulness. Depict the solutions you have proposed communicating how they achieve their goal.

IV - Question Type 4 (Design thinking ability)

For the questions listed below

• Make a realistic drawing of the product designed, showing the relevant details.
• Indicate the product's main features with labels in the sketch you made.

Problem statements:

1. It's rainy season and you need to carry the following items to your college/office: laptop, files, mobile phone, chargers, swimsuit, Tiffin box, juice and water bottles. Design a product to enable you to accommodate and carry all these items in it together exclusively to be used during rainy days.
2. Design a multipurpose pocket survival knife to be used by Indian Army soldiers when on an expedition. Identify the different needs and purposes of tools that can be included in a single product.
3. Design a mosquito hunter robot (a tiny drone) the purpose of which was to hunt down any flying mosquitos that can bite humans in the room. Ignore the technical aspects and assume appropriate sensors, including mosquito detection and tracker. Showcase the features and the form of the robot to deal with the mosquito catching. The robot should also store the captured and killed mosquitos and should be able to dispose of them out after a few hours of operation. 
4. You are a nurse and you need a product to carry the following items: antibiotics, stethoscope, scissors, medical tape, cotton, some liquids like tincture, lotion, sanitizers, sterilized mask, gloves, cotton ball, thermometer, tongue depressor etc. Design a product to enable you to accommodate and carry all these items in it together. The product should be easy to carry, portable, lightweight, and should preferably protect the components inside from fall or environment.
5. Design a product to carry the following products safely: wired headphones, charger and charging cables, bluetooth headphones and/or over-the-ear headsets etc. The product was meant to carry the cables and items, tangle-free, and also to keep all the usable items in one place. 
6. Design a cleaning and carrying product meant to be used in a multiplex that can help the housekeeping staff with mobilizing and doing the following tasks: has separate collection units for trays, dry and wet wastes and to collect bottles (both plastic and glass), a portable vacuum cleaner without cables, a mopping unit, facility for towels/clothes etc. The mobile product should facilitate the housekeeping person to take it around comfortably. 
7. You want to stock all your gadgets as well as small jewelry at one common place so that you can access them at ease the next morning. Design a product that can safely accommodate the following: mobile phone (a stand type), smartwatch, truly wireless earphones, jewels like finger rings, chain, bracelets/bangles etc. The product should be such that when you try to access them in the morning right after you wake up from bed - in a half-sleep state - none of the items should go damage.  

V - Question Type 5 (Imagination and drawing ability)

Do the following for each of the listed scenarios 

• Visualize and draw the 3D views of the scenarios mentioned below. (each scenario carry 5 marks. Details may not be needed).
• Also try to draw shadows for all the situations, assuming a light source to the right of your view. Objects in actual size. 
• Imagine that the first object shrinks to half its size and the second object enlarges to twice its size. (each scenario carry 5 marks. Details may not be needed). 

 Problem statements:

1. A bucket (first object) and a Jug (second object), both resting on flat ground next to each other 
2. A Laptop and a coffee mug (with coffee) both on top of a flat table
3. A two-liter coke bottle and mobile phone both on the same flat surface
4. A basket full of vegetables and a bowl of soup

You may find similar questions for practice, which are already listed in - NID subjective practice questions

NID Communication Design - MDes Domain Specific Practice Questions

The following questions are meant to assist you with your NID preparation (MDes domain-specific subjective part), especially fro the domain-specific test 'Communication Design' as per the new pattern from NID 2020. I've made the following question to make you realize how easy it is to come up with your own questions using the situations around you, including the use of the internet. 

I. Question Type 1

Prepare a campaign for the below-given design problems. Tasks to be done

• Write about 5 situations in the locations mentioned in the problem statements, where the given problems can be improved, each situation not more than 2 sentences. 
• Design posters to communicate the situations you have identified for each of the problems.

Problems:

1. Prepare a campaign to spread awareness of handwashing, sanitizing and social distancing in your community or society where you reside 
2. Prepare a campaign to demonstrate the need of avoiding plastic waste as an environmental concern towards the diversity of birds. This campaign is for online sharing.
3. Prepare a campaign, to be displayed at villages, about the importance of open defecation.
4. Prepare a government-initiated ad campaign to highlight the importance of saving water at homes. 
5. Prepare a campaign - in an attempt to prevent the issues of ragging in your college.   
6. Prepare a government ad campaign to bring awareness of having a maximum of only two children - as part of the population and economy control.
7. Prepare a campaign to demonstrate the ill effects of drug addictions happenings in your college and write 5 situations in your college where the issue can be prevented. 
8. Prepare a campaign in an attempt to reduce the open splitting of pan everywhere. Write 5 situations in your city where this issue can be mitigated with some proposals. 
9. (optional) Prepare a campaign to bring awareness of the effects of forest encroachment on the ecosystem of wildlife. 
10. Prepare a campaign to bring awareness and stop the thought of abortion and killing of newly born girl babies in a nearby village. Write 5 situations where the parents thought process can be modified. 
11. Prepare a campaign to highlight the importance of education to children in a nearby local community staying inside a city. Write 5 situations showing how an educated children's life would bring a change and positively impact their next generation and hence the country.

II Question Type -2

Write a story that includes the sensory attributes or the images shown in below set of problems using all the given objects for the problem. 

• Your story should be within 12 lines.
• The objects may appear in any order in the story

Problems:

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q5

Q6

Q7

Q8

Q9

Q10

Q11

Q12

III. Question Type 3

For the following set of scenarios stated below, visualize the situation and communicate that in 4 frames. 

1. Assume that you are an examiner and have found a student cheating by using slips. You will catch the student and ask them to leave the hall. 
2. Suppose you are walking along the roadside footpath and you saw a blind girl crossing the road and looking on the other side while a bike was about to dash her. How will you save her? Visualize it in 3 frames. 
3. Illustrate the situation in 3 frames where you were standing on the terrace of your home enjoying fresh air when you saw a sparrow escape from an attacking eagle. The frames should depict you as well. 
4. Suppose you are inside a bank, waiting at the counter when a robber tried to threaten the cashier to give the money from his cash box by showing a pistol, you act immediately by punching him and locking him on your hold, making his pistol fall down and helpless in escaping. Visualize the situation in four frames
5. Suppose you are traveling in a plane and a terrorist aims his gun towards an air hoster to control the plane when you and a girl sitting on the opposite of your seat act and take control over him - you stopping the terrorist and freeing his gun while the fellow traveler girl frees and save the air hosters as she tries to make the terrorist fall down. Visualize the situation and illustrate in four frames on how you and the fellow traveler girl act and help with the situation. 
6. Suppose you are having a conversation with your mom in the kitchen. Your mom is cooking food when you noticed a plastic container/box with wheat in it, improperly stacked at the top cupboards, which was about to fall on top of your mother. Visualize in 3 frames how you prevened that to happen. You could've alarmed and pulled her or could have prevented the fall or even both.  Also, include the frame that illustrates you observing the box improperly placed and was ready to fall down. 
7. Visualize in three frames a dance sequence that you remember, no need to draw the backgrounds but the frames should make the viewer understand the step.
8. Visualize in three frames a self defense sequence. No need to draw the backgrounds but the frames should make the viewer understand the action step. 
9. Visualize the scene of your pet dog chasing away a cunning cat, that is trying to drink the milk in your kitchen.
10. Visualize the several scenes of a hospital where social distancing, precautious etc. were taken care in every frame as part fo COVID preventive measure. 
11. Suppose you saw an adult suddenly falling down in the road due to COVID affection, how will you try to give him the vaccine that you had been carrying for your safety to him ensuring your own safety? Visualize the situation in 3 frames.
12. Suppose you are enjoying the freshness of nature near a river and you saw a small kid of around 7 years old, who somehow got into the water and is now struggling to swim to the shore. How will you help the kid? given that you don't know swimming. Use some situations like availability of say a rope, a net, a tire, or even a small boat or a combination of a couple of them. Visualize and draw the situation.

(I hope the above sample exercise will make you confident enough to come up with your own practice questions) 

IV. Question Type 4

Given pictographs (graphic icons), draw one scenario using the given pictographs. Include the pictographs in your designs, at the appropriate locations/color/scale. Use color if needed. 

Evaluation criteria:

• Creative utilization of the given icons
• Scenario generation and communication

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q5

Q6

V. Question Type 5

Use each of the following incomplete objects and create at least five identifiable objects using any no. of lines or shapes. Provide a title for each object. 

(Taken from CEED 2020 updated practice exercises found here) 

(solution for similar questions available here for CEED 2020) 

Using each of the visual elements given below box, create at least three recognizable objects/elements (for all the seven images below) and give a title to each. Use only BLACK pencil/pen. Draw only within the boundaries of the boxes.

I hope the above questions helped you.....

Further - NID Subjective Practice questionsGet complete Stuff You Look blog's NID links in this pdf

Study materials for UCEED main topics

You are here UCEED >> Resource and books for UCEED
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Download PDF - complete UCEED links in SYL blog  (2019 update)

Mathematical Geometry

Image-based reasoning is very important for UCEED. This requires good imagination and visualization skills. To get this skill, as a first step, you are advised to learn on how to visualize a given solid from all directions. This will help you build your aptitude skill. 

Here are set of my video tutorials that will help with non-verbal, design aptitude and geometry kind of questions

What to start? and How to solve design aptitude, non-verbal, and Ability questions with examples

PART 16

Maths Basics for non-math background design aspirants

How to count no. of surfaces in given solids

Here is my latest post - Improve imagination, work with 3D solids and unfolding of solid shapes

Tips to solve Reasoning and Logical questions

My tips and training around Visualization and Observation 

Some good video tutorials from youtube that help you with Solid transformations

source : Maths Online

source : Study pug

Other downloadable materials

• Slide 1 - Orthographic drawing
• Projection of solids - Front, top and side view guide
• Briefly, go through this slides
• Practice with some exercise questions
• Practice only from 14th page - Basic transformation of solids

Basic Geometry study (for reference) -

• Basic solid shapes - pdf file here
• More math shape basics - pdf file here
• Geometry - cross-sections
• Area and Perimeter of math shapes - pdf file here 
• Area, Perimeter and volume of standard shapes - pdf file here

More - Sectioning of solids from NPTEL

A very Good guide about - Using Perspective and Vanishing Points

Observation and Visualisation skills

1. Puzzles to improve observation

Tangram Puzzles - Downloadable PDF's

• Tangram examples 1
• Tangram examples 2
• Tangram examples 3 
• Tangram examples 4   
• Tangram examples 5
• Tangram examples 6 

PDF book on Non-verbal and Pictorial puzzles to improve observation

Practice questions for Non-verbal (abstract test) questions

2. Animation movement

This topic covers the notion of frame making as used in animation. This basically involves the consecutive steps/positions of the image.

Check the detail in downloadable (Pdf) form Tips for analyzing the pattern and graphic movements >>

3. Working with Geometric Objects

Some solved geomtry related questions (Pdf) with explanation -  working with geometry objects >>

Learn a way of Solving number of faces on complex objects >>

4. Hidden words and images

Check the details in downloadable (Pdf) from here>>

5. Tessellations

Generally called as unfolded views, Tessellation is all about unwrapping a solid on a flat surface and drawing the unfolded view on a paper. I also gave easy way of solving tetrahedron tessellation problem in one of my pages. check below links

My solution for tetrahedron tessellation problem - Tetrahedron Tessellation problem solving here>>

Geometry representations by Malati - here>>

Leisure time works

• A detailed instructions on how to draw a tessellation by David B Sullivan -  here
• Best tessellations work by Escher from teacherweb - here

6. Illusions

Improve Observation skills with Illusions -  here >>
Second list of illusions - here >>

7. Evolution of objects (less important)

Evolution generally means product cycle from past to present. So, you are generally required to observe and identify the everyday use items (say TV) from old to new generation.
check the details in downloadable (Pdf) from Some examples of evolution here >>

General Design Awareness study topics

I have covered a lot of topics related to CEED Part - A exam in my earlier posts for CEED students.  The topics are basically related to several design field awareness, their past, present and future. Fortunately, most of those topics can be directly helpful for UCEED aspirants also. Thankfully; that reduced my burden :)

I therefore have included those selected topics and skipped some topics that might not be useful. Hope this will be helpful for your preparation. 

• Photography terms and guide
• Animation study
• Typography
• Video and color technology
• Illustrations
• Indian Automotive awareness
• Useful websites 

Free time reference study

• Artistic tools, drawing terms and sculpture material
• Logos of Indian Govt. undertakings - 1
• Logos of Indian Govt. Undertakings - 2

Extra 1 - Mirroring

• Uses of convex and concave mirror - here
• Uses of convex mirrors - here
• Uses of concave mirrors - here

Answer/solutions to Previous CEED papers

Solving previous years CEED Part - A questions would  help you with UCEED preparation as both the syllabus are mostly same. Spare some time to solve CEED questions too !

• CEED 2019 Part A Solutions 
•  CEED 2018 Part A Solutions 
•  CEED 2017 Part A Solutions 
•  CEED 2016 Part-A solutions
• Answers to CEED 2015 Part - A
• 2014 CEED Part - A
• 2013 CEED Part - A
• 2012 CEED Part - A

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Self-Evaluation test

Before going through further materials as part of UCEED preparation. Let's see this. Assuming that you have over-viewed the above resources (topics related to geometry and pictorial questions), I would like you to check your understanding of the concept by solving one simple question.

Sample Practice question for self evaluation 

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Here is my guide on - How to solve Reasoning and Logical questions with ans example

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Sample numerical and aptitude questions for UCEED

English comprehension

Comprehension material 1

Very good exercise with answer key


leisure time study - TOEFL material

Indian cultural GA

I strongly believe that - it's not that important to study topics like Indian Architecture, buildings, Indian past and present culture; but because I received requirement from a blog friend (through FB) to share these topics, I therefore include those topics here (that I have prepared for CEED).  I once again remind you that these topics are of least importance to your preparation !

Indian state paintings and painters

Indian musical instruments

Something about India and time

Cultural and complete Architectural collection of India  (Not Imp)

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Materials and manufacturing related

I had detailed and categorized materials as well as manufacturing process with examples of day-to-day products. Don't spend much time on this topic ! Just give a brief overview.

You may check - Material and manufacturing process >>

1. Every day materials - here >>
2. Plastic materials and manufacturing process - A very good guide for household plastic materials and their manufacturing process. You may not go through manufacturing process, just note for what material, what particular manufacturing process is employed - here >>
3. Tips for selecting plastic materials - here >>
4. Top Indian stone and rock carvings - here >>

A very good website for practising unfolded views of solids - Practice unfolded views of solids >>

UCEED forum/discussion page with FAQ's

Like Stuff You Look blog on Facebook page to get connected with latest posts.

Is coaching required for NID preparation ?

Let me brief here

Should you join? The answer depends on your current level and your pickup. As you must be aware; NID has both objective and subjective part, while objective might not be a big issue (assuming that you are able to self-prepare), but subjective is where one needs to be more concern. So, let’s discuss that before coming to objective preparation.

1. If your sketching level is below average and you have no sketching hobby as such, has not tried your hands on design drawing and/or you are slow at learning and need some one’s assistance for quick learning, then that is when you must be looking for a coaching. Note that you might just be needing an art teacher or a full-fledged NID coacher depending on your status. The thing is materials for NID objective part is already available online/offline esp. in blogs (you can even gather that online) and so you can go for self-prep with a proper plan. If you see yourself good at picking up and solving previous papers or sample tests, then you may not be needing a coaching.
2. If you have been relying on someone for education until now (teachers/guides/brothers etc.) and have never tried self-study, then maybe you need a full-fledged coaching regardless of your sketching level.
3. On the other side, if you’re good at sketching (at least above average in object sketching minding size, shape, proportion, texture, details etc.) and if you can figure out the objective part too by yourself, then you may not be needing any coaching at all. All you need to do is strategize your time cleverly and prepare by yourself.

Note that self-preparation is what is expected for exams like design coz we can derive the pattern of ques paper and if not know, when will we learn to self-develop? Just a thought.

Given that fact that the coaching centers are charging people quite a huge sum (I’ve to say some are looting without giving proper coaching while some centers are good), even for solutions to previous papers, you should give a think whether it’s really worth spending on coaching center’s unless you find an awesome coaching center in your locality.

Anyway, below is one assessment method that I often suggest students try (spend one/two weeks before you actually decide to join):

1. First, understand the level and syllabus of NID, especially the GA (general awareness) and the subjective (sketching).
2. Now, since you had seen the type of subjective ques being asked, start taking some exercises by on your own and work on it. I mean do sketching for similar sample question, take your time and don’t worry if that consumes more time initially. Before even you attempt, take time - give some thinking no matter how much time it will take, because creativity is what is needed for design exams. Think a minimal, of 2/3 options and choose the best that struck ur head. Implement (draw) that. Planning for only one idea might not be the best option. I advice to have alternative ideas. You will see for urself how wonderfully it will work.
3. In parallel, start learning the tips and tricks of sketching (MINDING size, shape, proportion, texture, details etc.) Remember, these factors are very very imp for NID unlike CEED which might not be needing these to some extent.
4. Do this for 1 or 1.5 week, In the rest of the second week, take some similar sample ques and see to what extent you have improved. Do self accessing regarding ur improvement level. Check yourself whether you are able to pickup or not. If your learning level is healthy, then hola, prepare urself with a proper strategy, else check if ur locality has a really good institute (sketching or for NID) and you may consider joining if you find one.

In the fourth step, the ques that you should ask - 

Am I able to answer the ques ? 

Am I able to pickup the factors mentioned? and 

Am I confident enough to get some creative thoughts? 

What is my level compared to my previous attempts?

Answer this urself and you will realize whether u need coaching or not!

Video: If coaching needed - what questions to ask to decide whether a coaching institute is good or not

I had given a detailed review on whether to take a coaching or not for CEED (applicable for NID too) with some self assessment methods. You may want to give a quick look into this - Is coaching required for CEED exam? 

Here is a free PDF with complete links to a blog that would help you with free online materials - NID-DAT Complete resources links in Stuff You Look blog