Is coaching required for CEED exam ?

You are here CEED >> Is coaching required for CEED exam ?

"Do I need coaching for CEED exam ?"

and this is the question, that I always get from most of you. In this post, I will try to give my justification as to which one is better for you: coaching or self-study, Let us see!

CEED is different from other design exams and the pattern of CEED includes design part as well as Part-A (Objective type). It's clear that for Part-A, you mostly don't need coaching or training. Just make sure that you are aware of the syllabus and also you got hold of suitable materials related to that. Most of which is available online (unfortunately, no specific books (offline) that caters all the needs of Part-A are yet available to us. Let's hope we will get one in future). Anyway, I have covered most of the topics in this blogs resource page. Also, since you've already crossed your bachelor's level and you are capable of dealing with exams (that covers Part-A type of questions) by your own. 

So, if Part-A is your only concern (if you are good in Part B and not in Part A), then better if you check your self study level and go accordingly. Take as many patterns and puzzles from internet and other sources and try to solve them. GA type questions are remembrance type, and so no specific training required for that, except that you know the syllabus. Like I always mention, 1 month of serious preparation is more than enough for Part A. Of course, most of the aspirants prepare in last moment (say in couple of weeks) and get good results in part A! 

Now, we will discuss about the big issue ! Part - B. I agree that Part B and solving similar design questions require experience as well as guidance. Although it seems bit handy and easy for those who have design and art background (art), yet it's still a concern even for them! All you to solve a design problem is some  bunch of relevant ideas, and the way you represent them in stipulated time. May be in this regard, one needs proper guidance.

Okay, do you need coaching then ?

Well, It depends ....... honestly speaking most of them who crack CEED and secure AIR below 500; mostly prepare by themselves. Anyway, let me put some points - the situations under which you need to think for taking coaching seriously

• When you are a total beginner in sketching, and you never tried any sketch works in your past ...... as a hobby, as an assignment or never took part in any art competitions
• When your confidence level is way low and when you have no resources/materials from any where else
• When you need some one to always instruct you, and are less efficient with self preparation
• When you feel like your improvements week by week is not that much

Okay, these are just some theoretical points. But, let me assure you by saying that everybody has got some art talent with them, the only thing is some of you might not have tried them and so feel like not capable, which is not true in reality.

Here are some tips on how you can realize your level by yourself

• Practice....practice.....practice for at least a week. Get your hands dirty by trying different design ideas and by sketching them roughly as well as with utmost care (try both and make two sketches of the same idea)
• Analyse and get accustomed to the pattern of exam
• No one is an expert by birth. Everybody (even experts) needs practice and of course improvements take time. So, be patient and don't jump to take a decision within the first couple of days! Wait for at least one or two weeks to realise your capability and by practising (below; I gave a self-assessment method for your benefit, Try if you feel it's worth !)
• Develop creative thinking ideas by way of regular exposure and practice
• Careful scheduling and planning to cover up all the topics of the exam will help you easily cover and improve in time

In other words, your level of practice is what helps u know whether coaching is absolutely required or not.

Self-assessment method

Here, I suggest the following simple exercise for you to self access your level :

• Initially, consider a design stream that you are actually interested in, if you are not sure yet (it's absolutely fine, don't worry) then consider choosing a design stream that interests you, that looks easy for you or that you have tried earlier
• Now, take related stream question from any CEED previous paper (Part -B) and try to solve them by ideating the idea as well as implementing them by way of sketching. Assume yourself that you are giving the actual exam.
• Take time, don't worry if it consumes much time at the beginning, but try to do that properly and yaa ....... before attempting a question, make sure that you read the question properly and that you understood what the actual requirement is. Without which, any attempt is waste. Also, you may (I must say you should !) know your way of representing ideas. Anyway, you may refer to my way of presenting designs and writings in this post as a reference - Solution to CEED 2009 design question (Q.10) -walking stick design problem
• After you are done with your attempt, now try comparing your work with that of other students, as well as from solutions from online (you can find some in this blog too). Cross check yours with the reference and that should help you analyse ups and downs in your works. 
• Remember, the so called reference (that you are comparing with others idea including this blogs) is not always complete, and it can also be partial or not in full fledge, but comparison might give you some idea and in most case confidence ! 
• Single/first time attempt is not enough to realize the actual fact. So, make one or two more attempts with different questions. find the faults in your design works. Do ,this for the first week.
• Now, compare your first work with that of your latest work, and check whether there is an improvements in yours or not ! I bet there will definitely be if you are serious !

Hope this idea works for you pretty well.

If you have decided to prepare by yourself, then probably you need to read this post - step-by-step guide for starting CEED process

When to start ?

It's never late to start for preparation. Most of the aspirants start their preparation before two months and some (students and working people) start even before a month ! So, never worry regarding the start. You could have spent your time practising rather than just thinking 'shall I start or not? is this time enough or not ?' You might end up wasting time just on thinking rather than proceeding! Don't wait, just go ahead and act.

Which coaching institute to join ?

If you have made your mind to join any coaching institute, then good luck with that, but the question "Which institute to join ?" is really a big issue ! You need to be careful in choosing the right institute by considering reviews from those who did from those institutes. Unfortunately, I don't have any review about any institute and not sure which one is good. Some of our blog readers told me that some institutes (forgot the name), are just using this blogs mock tests and content as course guiding.

So, be careful before investing both your time as well as money on something. Speak with seniors and get to know which one is better and which one has got higher track records and scores. Again, don't compromise with online (coaching center released) videos where students were made to speak!

Check my recent video on how to choose the best coaching institute and save your money by asking the 5 questions mentioned

How many hours every day for practice ?

Well, most of the aspirants are prospect students and employees, so they obviously get little time for other preparations, any way, considering the time limit, 4-5 hours a week is recommended till the last month; if you belong to this category. In the last month, spare as much time as you can, and work on Part A simultaneously. Again, if your sketch level is below average and if you are self preparing, then you must consider spending many more hours per week, making yourself comfortable with drawing/sketching as well as ideas.

If you are at home or if you are having enough time for preparation, then don't hesitate to spend time. Just go ahead and enjoy practising.

Finally, here's how I put  step-by-step guide for starting CEED process

step-by-step guide for learning sketching for beginners


Hope this helped you ....... 
All the best with your start. Happy ceeding

Answer key with explanations to CEED 2015 previous paper

you are here ....... Answers >> Answer key to CEED 2015 previous paper

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This post serves as an answer key to CEED 2015 official test. I tried my best to give detailed explanations for most of the questions your benefit.


You can get the downloadable question paper here

Solutions :

1) 

The situation is given in the below picture. H stands for home, M for market, s for school, PO for post office.

It's given in the question that when Alakananda travels exactly north from Market, she reaches Home, and it's also given that walking from school exactly in east 37km, will end up at Market. and from market, if she move towards east, she will reach to Post office. So, School, Market and Post office should lie on the same straight line. 

According to the triangle formed by SHM, applying Pythagoras theorem

x = sqrt(37^2 - 35^2)

You don't even need calculator to solve this, just apply (a^2 - b^2) formula, which is equal to (a+b)(a-b)

so,

x = sqrt((37+35)(37-35))

  = sqrt(72*2) = sqrt(144) = 12

Now, according to the triangle formed by H-M-PO, applying Pythagoras theorem

y = sqrt(13^2 - x^2)

y = sqrt(13^2 - 12^2) = 5

So, distance from school to Post office = 35+y = 40

2)

The below shown picture illustrates the situation for 6X6X6 cube. Cubes which are in edges (other than the corners) will have red color on their two faces.

Consider the front face, if we were to cut the cube into small cubes of 1X1X1 shapes, then we need to make cuts as indicated by the straight lines (other than the edges) shown in the above explanatory image. For the given cube of size 6*6*6, we need to make 5*5*5. If we do so, then the individual cubes that are marked with symbols (as shown in the above examples for front side and side1) will have two surfaces with red.

So, counting the total number of cubes on corners/edges (which is 8+8+6+6 = 28 for a single side - for the present case of 8*8*8 cube) and subtracting 8 (removing 8 corners which has red color on three surfaces) will give the answer 

i.e 

(28+28+12+12)-8 = 72 cubes

3)

The given solid is symmetry but it has slant shapes, so should be careful while counting.

Try this way -

Avoid counting the slant surfaces (rectangles in the given picture) and count the rest shapes as I have given (front-right-back-R-Top-bottom).

After this, count the slant surfaces separately.

From front (excluding slanting rectangles) -

1 small square + four triangles = 5 surfaces

The picture is symmetry, so from all sides, the same count will come, i.e

1 small square + four triangles = 5 surfaces

So, since we have to count fro six sides, so total surfaces (excluding slant rectangles) = 5*6 = 30

Now, separately count the slant rectangles - which will be 12 (be careful while counting this). So, total = 30+12 = 42

You may check the above image to get a clear understanding of the explanation.

4)

Answer : 75

Below explanation will help you solve this questions

5) 

This question is also based on observation. Since the geometry is symmetry, we can take a quarter of the symmetrical shape, and count the number of cubes, and multiply that by 4. Be careful while counting the central cubes. Better if you count them separately!

Counting this way, Answer = 11*4 + 15 = 59

6)

M (all) ---> F (all) ---> D

M (all) ----------------> D

So, all Mammals are dolphins

Also, since all mammals are fish, obviously part of the fish are mammals, so Option A is also correct, B is wrong, straight forward. C is also logically correct.

7) 

Answer : a,c

Check the shades of Red color - wiki page
Learn about shades of other colors - wiki page

8)

Answer : a

That's why it has no/least bonnet at the front!

9) 

Answers : a,c,d
I guess it's M, e, s

But in answer key it's mentioned as a,c

10)

All the films are Steven Spielberg hit movies

11)

Answers : a,b,d
check the complete collection of Pablo Picasso works

A very good facts blog about famous persons around the world
Also for reference - 100 greatest paintings of all time 

12)

This question is also based on your observation, anyway here's a simple procedure or way of observing the image.

In the given picture, assume two arrows diagonally (indicated in red). Now; note the shapes at the corners - for example one is semi rectangle. and the shape in opposite side is say triangle. Now only consider the yellow arrows, which are exactly opposite. Note the shapes - semi circle and gun shape, now observe all the options which have this pattern. 

Also, don't forget the shape of the center black rectangle as per the rotated orientation of the options.

Answers : d

13) 

Answers : a,b
Get the complete list with more details about Font - wiki page

14)

Answers : a,b,d
Check here - Photography guide for Part-A

15)

Answers : a,b,c

Source with explanation

16)

Answer : b
As shown in the figure, consider the first image with black face on the top and red face on the front. Now, we want the color of the surface on the opposite side of the black surface. So, tilt/turn the cube in such a way that black surface is moved to the back position as shown in the next image of the below picture. I mean turn the cube clockwise. Now, red face is on the top, while green surface is still on the right side of the cube view. Now check the options with this configuration, only last picture in the question matches. So, it's yellow color !

If you were asked to find different color - other than yellow, do the above procedure and orient the cube such that it matches color arrangements as in any one of the option given to you.


17)

Answer : a
Split the combinatorial words into two parts as shown below
wigges + slorm -----------> flat + pen
widdle + brap -------------> round + nib
slorm + wiggel ------------> pen + ink

from this we can conclude that
wigges ---> flat
slorm -----> pen
brap ------> nib
wiggel -----> ink

now we want to find 'nibstore' = nib + store = brap + ........(something)
option a) brap+dansa
option d) brap + wiggel ( which is brap+ink ....... incorrect)
so option a should be the answer.

18)

Answer : c
This problem can be solved using your imagination/observation. Anyway as usual let me give one possible method

Method

Figure shows one possible shape of the nib which can draw as shown in the question. Remember Indians have the habit of drawing from left to right. And the given straight line is projected towards left. So, the nib should also project towards left as I showed in the picture.

Now, if you are to draw a circle, you will obviously start from the top and move in anti clockwise direction as shown in the image (b). Now, if you use the given nib, ans start drawing a circle, then you have to expect a sharp line (instead of broad width line) at the place where the nib moves parallely in the direction of the nib angle. To make it simple, if you assume tangent lines, drawn over the circle (b) as shown in (c)then the location on the circle at which the tangent angle is same as the nib angle is where the line will not be thick, got it ?

So, using this logic, option C is the answer.

19)

Answer : d
Here's - a good guide for art movements
Go through this wiki page in free time

20)

Answer : c
Here's online-color-selection-tool that will help you
learn different color combinations. There's also a detailed discussion regarding CMYK and RGB color modes in that link. You may find that useful.

21)

Answer : c
Here goes the explanations
Kharavela, was the third and greatest emperor of the Mahameghavahana dynasty of Kalinga (present-day Odisha). The main source of information about Kharavela is his famous seventeen line rock-cut Hatigumpha inscription in a cave in the Udayagiri hills near Bhubaneswar, Odisha (source : wikipedia)

Learn about - Indian epigraphy history
Learn about - Famous inscription in India

22) 

Answer : b

It's straight and I guess I don't have to explain this. If you still have doubts, then you may drop a comment, I will give proper explanations like I did for other questions.

23) 

Answer : b
check - materials and manufacturing process

24) 

Answer : a
Check here - List of Indian Folk dances (state-wise)
A complete list of - Indian Folk dance (wiki page)

25) 

Answer : c
Go through this link to learn about famous books and others

26)

Answer : b
Check - Logos collection of Indian organizations

27)

Answer : a

28)

Answer : b
I prepared the below picture by marking possible similar lines in the given options using distinguishable colors. As you can visualize, option b is the correct one, while in other options, pattern varies in one way or other.

29)

Answer : d

check - Working on reflections and geometrical solids

30)

Answer : a

The below picture helps in better understanding, although I used lines (with diff. colors) to extend and show where they meet. Clearly, red extended lines are out of perspective while others are able to meet at a vanishing point. Although I used coloured lines for your explanation, but you need to imagine and visualize this while in exam.

31)

Answer: a
I initially got confused a bit with this question. They mentioned that the arm has to be turned toward us. If we assume that that arm is of some one else in the screen and has to be turned toward us (which means outside of the screen and towards us), then option A is not the answer. But according to the answer key and Option A being the answer, we can say that the image shown has to be assumed as our own arm, and moving toward us means moving away from the screen. In this case option A is the answer.

The reason is when the arm moves away from us, then hands with fingers will look smaller in size compared to the arm/upper limb since they are near to the scene of capture. Things that are near to the camera should appear bigger in size compared to farther objects. Also notice the fold shown near elbow.

32)

Answer: d

No matter what distance the person moves, his height will be same, to find the mid point, use the concept of maths! That is the point of diagonal is always at the mid, like for the example of a diagonal shown below

So, if you draw two diagonal lines, then the contact point is obviously the mid path! as shown in the figure

33)

If you observe the middle shape (stick human figure), then he is not at the maximum height nor is falling down (In terms of physics - he is in the travel of ascent). In other words, he is moving away from earth (against the gravity) ans so the air will try to push hum down. It also tries to push his cape to the down. So, it's almost vertically downward - Option A matches. 

If he were to jump from top, or he is falling down, then the air will again try to oppose him in opposite direction to his travel, In other words towards up. So, the direction of the cape should also be vertical (In actual, the direction would most probably be in the curve (parabola) of the travel/path.

Answer : a

34)

Figure clearly explains the situation. Like in the above questions, use the principle of numbering system. Now, identify the projections and mark them as I did in the picture - Porjecion 1, proj 2, proj 3

Now, check the options that have depressions at the same location as projections are in the given question. Option C matches as shown in the picture.

35)

Answer : b
You can learn more about Geometry transformations in Part A Resources page

36) 

Answer : a
The below picture helps you with explanation.

As can be seen, if the top portion is circular (just like a pipe), then the front view will be as shown in the left most image above. Both the cone circular section and the pipe circular section matches horizontally and so appears like a line in front view. But if instead the pipe is rectangular in shape, then as shown in the third (right most) image above, the extra projections (denoted by A,B,C,D) are over-fit at the intersection ad their radius is greater compared to the radius of a circle inscribed inside the square/rectangle. So, it projects and hence extends downwards in the top view with sharp edges as shown in option A. Hope you got it!

(Check the above links for similar geometry study)

37) 

Answer : c

(By observation)

38) 

      

It can be solved by visual observation without any hand work. If you are not able to do so, then follow the following method

Method :

Give numbering to the three rectangular projections of the given image. Three projections are there, so three numbers, follow either clockwise or anticlockwise numbering system.

Start from a reference side, say right side of the given question. Remember this reference. Now, take all the options (one by one) and try to follow the same numbering system in the same direction as done to the question. Identify where the reference side is and start from there. Visually check the distance between the number sequence in the assumed direction. If it's in correct order, then list those options.

Now check the size of the projections at each numbered mark. If it matches at all numbers, then that would be the answer. Only last option is matching 

Answer: d

39) 

Answer: b
In thermal engineering terms, that's a combination of conduction and convection heat transfer process. Heat from outside as well as from inside will be taken by the wet sand (between the two pots) and since sand has greater pores and is not compact, there will be minute spaces through which air can easily flow. This air will come in contact with the wet sand and will take away the heat by evaporating. Thus the water inside will not be affected by heat outside, which is one best way of natural cooling that is practiced in India too !

40) 

Answer: b

41) 

Answer: c 
'Design of everyday things' is a popular book in the world of design and is written by Donald Norman. You can get the downloadable form of this book in this blogs resource page.

42) 

Answer: d
(By observation)
You have to proceed in reverse direction, like they have mentioned fold 1 and fold 2 right, now considering the image 1 (folded sheet with cut), remove the fold as in fold 2 position, then unwrap the sheet as in fold 1 position.

43)  

Answer: c

Brahmagupta was an Indian mathematician and astronomer. Brahmagupta was the first to give rules to compute with zero.

44)  

Answer: a

45) 

Answer: a 

Check - Logos collection of Indian organizations

46) 

Answer: c

Learn more about - Pica in wiki page

47) 

Answer: c

Remaining font styles have narrower body. Cambria comes under serif category while the rest are sans-serif (source : wiki)

48)

Answer : b
As indicated by arrows in the below picture, consider the X tag, marked by the blue lines. On the x side, two arrows are punched and the direction of the arrows (two numbers) point towards x mark. Note this arrangement. Now as pointed by the red mark, on y side, only one arrow is punched such that it is pointing away from the Y mark. got it ? I have also sketched this separately as shown in the picture.

Check the option which exhibits this behaviour/pattern. Option b is the only one matching. We then don't have to bother about any other punches as given additionally in the options

49)

Answer : b (as in CEED official Key)
Frankly speaking I'm not actually good at Fonts. Please check yourself.

50)

Already there are 29 states (including UP - as a single state) and when UP gets divided into 4 states, we need to add three (since already one state is considered earlier). So, now total = 29+3 = 32 states

Also see

UCEED Sample Mock test practice - 2 

Sample questions for UCEED 2015, Model test - 1 

Answer key to CEED 2014 Part - A

Books and study Materials/resources for UCEED exam 

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CEED cum M.Des interview tips

Unfortunately; I have little knowledge about interview pattern (because I never faced design interviews anytime before), but the following topics/tips might help you face the interview; especially meant for M.Des. These are some tips that I gave as reply to comments by Nainika and Vaibhavi in Preferred Institutions for M.Des post as well as a request from my friend Gunjan Sobhani. Thanks to them - for initiating and making me write this post.  Hope this will help you all; at least to an extent.

Interview Tips

Passion for Design

First of all you should be in a position to clearly communicate/explain your passion towards design. Yes, it's true that interview panel firstly check your interest for that stream or overall design. So, its advisable to make a detailed/clear list of the following :

• Your interest rate 
• Why you are opting design as career ?
• Is that suited for you ? (by explaining your previous design works)
• As a designer, What you can contribute ?
• Any of your future plans
• Why did you choose that specific design stream/institute

Make a detailed list of the above topics and write in a paper. Revise the same many times, preferably in front of a mirror; in order to boost your confidence as well as for firm speech.

Portfolio

Major part of the interview questions were expected from your own portfolio. So, it's better if you prepare well on "HOW TO EXPRESS YOUR PORTFOLIO" prepare a list of things to be covered in your explanation and revise the same many times. Anyway; your portfolio itself should explain everything about you and your talent ! Make the following check list -

• Design/Concept to be explained - what is your concept ?, how it works ? and what is the need for that ?
• Features of your concept - what all can your proposed design do ?
• Uniqueness of your concept - Any separate identity ?
• How it acts as an alternative to the present design (if any) - by comparing and bringing any difference with similar product
• Preferred Materials and process employed (if possible to make it better)

Prepare your portfolio 

• Self explainable
• visible and clear
• Design - eye catching layout and ease of accessibility 

Design Ability

1. Next; they may check your design ability, so like you prepared for CEED, please do the same preparation (an overview) of the topics. I also expect some General awareness questions. I even heard that they will ask some simple aptitude questions
2. They may give a design question (or) creative exercise (or) any story writing , so be prepared for it.
3. You are also advised to get prepared for some hands-on exercises.

Communication

Nothing much to discuss about it. Everyone knows how important communication is during an interview. Let me tell you one thing - frankly, while I was in final year B.Tech, I got rejected twice during campus placements (in-spite of being one among the toppers of our university !), the reason is obvious, I was good at technical knowledge but poor at explaining the same in front of someone. Seems like, many people face the same issue. Well, communication doesn't mean speaking fluently but it mean how we express our thoughts/ideas. 

Your views/ideas should be easily understandable by the other speaker (interviewer in this case). The above exercise 'stand in front of a mirror and practice answering/explaining to self'' is an important tool for improving communication skills very quickly (for people like me) as well as to boost your confidence level. Make the habit of 'being friendly while at interview', feel like they are your friends or colleagues to erase your inner fear.

General behavior

Other than the above, please prepare just like you prepare for any other interviews (software and core company interviews) like explanation about yourself, your passions/interests, aims, strengths and so on.

Finally I would like you to make an overview of

• Color patterns, know about famous designs and designers
• Sketching (esp. making of strips, stick figures)
• Short and quick story making as well as writing
• A list of things to be explained
• Practicing in front of a mirror (i'm repeating this again and again to make you aware of its importance)

These are just my views. Hope this helps at least a bit, that's why I shared here.

Also See

Portfolio guide for CEED, NID and design students

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Tips for CEED Exam Preparation

You are here CEED >> Tips for CEED exam preparation

CEED exam generally tests candidate's design and communication ability. Here, we will discuss some general tips that are required for a designer as well as CEED aspirants. The following preliminary guidelines might help you make a preparation plan for CEED and helps you think like a "real designer". At the end of this page; list of preparations for PART-A and PART-B were separately given. This article is especially useful for the design thinking and design aptitude part of the CEED exam.

Note : You may watch the video tutorial at the end of this section if you don't want to read this entire article 

Observation & Problem Identification

Before diving into the actual topic, let me clear you the importance of observation by the following exercise.

Below shows a picture of mine along with one of my colleague taken during my vacation. Please observe the picture carefully because i'm gonna ask you some questions from it.

Are you ready ?

Ok, without looking at the picture (cover the picture with your hands), answer the following questions 

1. What is the color of the hat that i'm wearing ?
2. Did you see a water bottle ? What is the color of it ?
3. Where am I standing ?
4. How many girls/women, did you see in the picture ?

If you answer such type of questions, then I may consider you as a good observer, else you need to develop the same with proper practice, within time. Such is the importance of observation and every designer must be keen in observing everything - that they come across.

As said earlier, CEED tests your knowledge in creativity and innovation. Now what does it mean by creativity/innovation?  It’s your ability to develop an all new idea or modifying the existing idea based on the requirements/demands of the user or of your own identification. Unless you know about the existing idea, you cannot develop an alternative solution for that. This is where your observation skills help you. You are required to be keen about the surrounding things, products, mechanisms as well as people’s interest. Start analyzing and you will find some interesting facts as well. Trust me - this exercise will prove to be fun and help you improve your creative thinking skills. 

I will clear this with an example. In your student life, you might have used hundreds of pens, but did you ever thought (at least once) about the material of the pen, its shape, diameter and so on. Did you ever compare any two pens ? Small things appear silly, but actually they may help you. Keep an eye on your environment and develop a hobby of more exposure.

Did you notice; I combined observation and problem Identification under a single heading. There are reasons for clubbing. When you start observing things, you will come to know some problems as well as alternatives. In fact you need to identify the problems. Problem identification is one most important tool for a designer besides sketching. As discussed in my other posts, every product will undergo frequent changes in design, usability and functionality. Now do you think this happens because the companies get negative feedback from the customers ? 

It’s not like that. The companies look for problems and developments by analyzing the users mind, trend and innovation. Even the CEED examiners expect the same from you. So, be a problem generator as well as solver.  For example you take day-to-day things; say a water bottle, identify or generate problems associated with it (keep in mind the age category also), make a list and develop a new concept for this. You can do this for simple objects.

"Be a problem generator"

Being Creative

Think like a child. Children’s seems to be more creative than adults. Do you know why? Because most of the time they raise the question why? That we don’t do. Even during your child age, you might have done some interesting creations (say art, drawings, prototypes and more). So, for every small thing - raise the questions: 

Why like this? 

Why can’t be like that? 

In that way you can bring back your creative skills. 

Creativity may not be educated; one cannot force you to create. It can be improved by your inner thoughts, personal passions and exposure to creative ideas of others. Design - definitely should be a passion for you, just for doing some degree or to choose some career path you cannot choose design, that won’t seem to be successful because a good number of awesome designers are out there competing with you.

You may improve your creativity and lateral thinking by growing the following links.

How to improve creativity and Lateral thinking - behavioral practices

How to improve creativity and Lateral thinking - Habitual practices

Sketching and rendering

By now you should be in a position to understand why I put the sketching topic as a third discussion instead of first. The very first focus of a designer is to develop the concept or Idea, next comes the way to express/communicate that. Without a proper concept, you cannot start sketching. For this reason only, the idea part of this session was discussed first (all the above topics). Note that not all artists are designers, but almost all the designers are good artists.   

It’s not like you can neglect sketching. Your design process is complete only when you show case the same through proper channel (and its hand or digital sketching for designers). Sketching is the process of showing your overall expression, concept or idea. It even shows your talent. Drawing is a form of visual communication (VC) and you may be aware that VC is the most powerful form of delivering ideas.

So, a CEED examiner usually expects you to be a good communicator and this is confirmed by your sketching assignments in the exam. Drawing does carry more marks. A simple narrow sketch with only pencil shades is recommended. You need not use expert drawing techniques like oil painting and other coloring techniques. This of course takes hell lot of time and you will be struck with a single question without attempting others. 

Time is a major factor during CEED exam and you are required to draw all your sketching works in that constrained time.  The examiner simply expects your ideas to be rightly communicated, and mostly not impressed by your coloring. Even some persons who are excellent in pencil sketching are poor in coloring. Take my case; I used to draw pencil drawings of Gods at the age of 14, the drawings looks awesome, but whenever I apply colors to them, the drawings look dull.  

There are different views of drawing; of the all, perspective drawing is the most natural one. You should be good at perspective drawing (with pencils and pens) and even you should give importance to shading techniques. You must learn pencil shading of objects on different surfaces (materials). Now please note that in your question paper, lots of space will be given for rough work. Utilize this space and show case your sketching process in a rough way. Remember that the examiner is interested in your stages of design process and he might be going through it.

At this point, I will give you a strategy of what I follow usually. Take a look at the below picture; you will see roads and houses in a typical Indian street.

But to my eyes, I visualize the scene as shown in the next picture. I started looking in a perspective style. Wherever I go; whenever I travel by bike or car; whenever I sit idle in a room or office; I look things, scenes and even individual objects similarly as mentioned. This is definitely improving my visualization skills and I hope this will even reduce time to learn and practice sketching. Give a try and you will understand the difference within two or three days. You can also make a habit of drawing whatever you see.

Customer oriented

Ultimately it’s the end-users who are going to enjoy your designed product. Be like a psychologist; understand user’s necessity, expectations, demands and trends. Necessity for different age groups will be different. So whenever you are doing some exercises as practice, be user-oriented. Think yourself as a user and list what you expect from that product and what you don’t want to be included in the product.

Video Gaming

Trust me, keeping your mind engaged with some mind and video games will help you develop alternative thought approach. Video gaming frees your boredom, and keeps your mind active. Gaming also helps you improve your problem solving skills. Alternative thinking is one most important quality of a good designer. Some preferred games are minesweeper, dots, sudoku and pewpew (in ios device).

"A person in bore mood cannot create ideas"

General Ability tests

There are some good tests that I recommend you to go through (as there is more time for preparation). Most of the times, this type of questions may not appear in CEED exams. But it does improve your creative thinking power and also helps you with patterns. These tests are fun and you can spend a little time for this part.

1. Abstract test
2. Creative writing
3. Mechanical Reasoning

Note :  You can get this tests samples from Resources for CEED exam  post.

Social networking

Social media became a hub for knowledge sharing. There are many designers, who regularly shares their creative works in creative social platforms. Social networking acts as a platform for this type of groups. Following and knowing them will help you expose to various design aspects, alternatives, concepts and also lets you identify your position and role as a design graduate.  

The best social networking sites that I recommend to get in touch with creative people are listed below

1. Pinterest        : connect here
2. Behance         : connect here
3. Google +        : connect here
4. Flickr               : connecthere
5. Stumble upon : connect here
6. Path                : connect here
7. Twitter            : connect here
8. Facebook       : connect here
9. Tumblr            : connecthere

You may also follow some designer blogs if you find more time.

  

Comic strips

It seems funny, but if you go through comic strips (like manga), you will come to know about how the author communicated the plot pictorially. Comic strips are really an amazing way of expressing your ideas in a funnier way. Japanese are famous for making manga. During leisure, you may go through some of the comic strips. You may even practice some stories in comic strip format.

Note : I suggest you to keep all your exercises (even though it is silly) with you. It may be helpful for your portfolio preparation.   

Patterns

There is a separate subject for drawing in engineering first year called “Engineering Graphics”. I recommend CEED aspirants to go through them. The subject minds you to draw geometric objects in front, top, side as well as isometric views. By doing this drawing exercise, it’s likely that you will improve your thinking and visual perception skills. Also if you go through the previous CEED question papers, you will see pictorial questions similar to this and sometimes you are asked to draw three quarter views. For doing this quickly these exercises helps you.  

I will now summarize the basic preparations for PART-A and PART-B sessions of CEED exam. Although there is no prescribed pattern for CEED examination, some of the below list may help you

PART-A preparation check-list

• Isometric drawings
• General Knowledge
• Tessellations
• Companies and Brand logos
• List of famous Artists/designers and their works
• List of famous personalities in India
• Knowledge on color patterns
• Focus on regular “Fonts”
• Abstract Tests 

PART-B preparation check-list

• Regular observation
• Problem generation
• Creativity and Lateral thinking
• Perspective and Isometric drawings
• Day-to-day simple mechanisms
• Sketching and shading techniques
• Developing habit of raising the question "why?"      

CEED Preparation Time

It depends on personal capabilities. If you are a born-designer, then I may say one month preparation is enough, for others a minimum of two months is required to go through every process.

Here is a quick video tutorial on "Tips and steps for CEED exam Design-part preparation" :

You may also want to watch "How to start and what to practice for CEED exam ?"

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ALSO SEE

Resources and books for CEED preparation 

Preferred institutions for M.Des

All about M.Des design streams

Is M.Des best for you?