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

Weekly time table (strategy) for NID MDes preparation

Hello, 

There is no universal strategy applicable to everyone. Strategy and preparation level varies from person to person based on several factors. This timetable will be of some help to assist you in preparing your own schedule.

Downloadable PDF - A complete list of SYL links for NID-DAT exam (sitemap) 

NID MDes faculty wise syllabus list

NID MDes CDAT new pattern - what is it and how to deal with it?

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In the below weekly timetable, I will just refer as either verbal or non-verbal because of space limitations. You can assume any of the topics (based on the priority list given at the end of this page) and cover them. If you're not starting in August but from another month (say October), you may want to modify your schedule and include the topics accordingly. 

Month: August

1st week - object sketching (every day things like products kitchen and appliances etc.), Image aptitude (solids, views, surface counting, solid manipulations etc), drawing images in front/top/side views (helpful to improve your imagination although in NID exam this might not come)

2nd week - Previous papers, non verbal reasoning - image patterns, image manipulations, syllogism 

3rd week - Tangram puzzles, non verbal reasoning - paper cutting etc, odd man out series

4th week - solve previous papers, verbal reasoning, story writing, sketching practice (line sketching by copying). Attempt subjective questions too to evaluate your current status. 

5th week - Ability tests, basic math formula revision, sketching practice (line sketching giving emphasis to shape, size/proportion), Faculty wise topic (chose any two)

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Month : September

1st week - English comprehension, plain sketching (objects, everyday things),  Faculty wise topics,

2nd week - Ability tests - inductive/deductive reasoning, mensurations, plain sketching (objects, everday things) 

3rd week - verbal reasoning, folding and unfolding of solids, image manipulations, paragraph comprehension, sketching (with concern for detailing like shadings, shadows, details, texture etc)

4th week - non verbal reasoning revision, draw a scene (given in written form) by visualizing - minding details, proportion, and all other elements of sketching, imaginative drawing, revision of your understanding on learnt non verbal reasoning topics, facts on basic science, science quiz questions

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Month : October

1st week  - Faculty wise topics, subjective practice, story and creative writing, NID previous paper subjective attempts, sketch of creative ideas (ex - like creative uses of umbrella, water bottles etc), practice of - logo making, animation frames, posters etc, 

2nd week - paragraph comprehension, deductive reasoning from para's, Principals and Fundamentals of Prototyping (modeling), Observation on every day products - their functions/behaviour and the science/reason behind their use (like why gas pipe is cylindrical and not square ?, what is the shape of the fan blade ? etc), sketch practice of - logo making, animation frames, posters etc (continuation) 

3rd week -  Rebus puzzles, aptitude start, font, revision on math basics, Faculty wise topics (GK on Terms and techniques related to weaving, art, stitching, pottery, architecture, fashion, animation, printmaking, media etc), sketching of creative ideas.

4th week - direction sense tests, IQ questions, color schemes, Basic science and facts, odd man out series, Knowledge on convex, concave mirroring, sketch practice of humans/animals in different positions like sitting, standing, postures, in action, different genders, age groups, portraits etc

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Month : November

(keep your sketch practice in between)

1st week - Faculty wise topic - Basic idea about materials used for daily products, GK fact on sciene, earth, findings, completing sentences, deducing meaningful statements from paragraphs, working on design and creative ideas, Faculty wise subjective - practising sketching of creative ideas, 

2nd week - Knowledge on print/packaging standard, logos/symbols, series (aptitude and image kind), GK on natural disasters occurred in history, General facts (famous, science, logos, constitution and human rights), mechanical and spatial ability overview, situation test practice (paragraph/sceanrio type)

3rd week - Indian indexes, Background on civilization, revolutions, archaeology, paragraph comprehension revision,Color schemes, Epics, Renaissance, Terms and techniques related to sculpturing, webpage design, sketch practice on object forms, shapes, texture etc)

4th week - Terms and techniques related to construction, pottery, building, archi etc, Prototyping (modeling), related terms, techniques, media and tools used, basic knowledge on materials for prototype making steps followed (very quickly), Faculty wise topics - GK on movies, animators, Architectural importance in India (locations, places etc)

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Month : December

(keep your sketch practice in between)

1st week - Logos of Indian brands and government department, institutes, science and solar system, facts, inventors/discoveries, general facts about earth, design and even about humans, indian history, GK on World famous days (events, attacks, revolutions etc), Gk on India's famous political personalities, Animation movements, texture identifications (on animals, surfaces etc), start covering leftover Faculty wise topics 

2nd week - Gk on sports, politics, film, animation, recent implements or constitution changes, Indian culture, dance, wear etc, GA on Art/Media, painters, music, dance, designers, Font, linguistic, English - completing sentence, NID/UCEED Mock test (or previous paper) practice, Crafting media, tools, related terms etc, Paint/art/works of renowned designers, cover Faculty wise topics

3rd week - Knowledge about books, great personalities including sports, politicians, designers, revolution activist etc, Symmetry in biology, NID/UCEED Mock test (or previous paper) practice, quick revision on solid views, syllogisms, basic mensuration concepts, Knowledge on people (and their works) related to innovators, changes, revolutions, art movements etc, sketching, knowledge on aesthetics, symmetry etc, revise Faculty wise topics

4th week - Revision on ability tests samples, NID/UCEED/CEED Mock test (or previous paper) practice, quick non verbal revision, Color scheme revision, GK on generally (day-to-day) used products/objects/things, gadgets, appliances, vegetables, GK on break through revolutions, GK on famous personalities (designers, activist, painters, logo makers, sports, political, science in indian context, ), cover as well as revise Faculty wise topics

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Month : January

1st week - current affairs (recent break throughs) related to india, introductions like monetization, CST, personals involved in that etc, Terms and techniques related to design, art, print, printmaking, crafting, media, theory on black box, GK on famous personalities (continuation), revision of any other GA topics

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As a reference, I'm listing down the topics with their rankings in brackets. A very high rank (high being 5) means you are suggested to prioritize that topics and a very low rating (low being 1) mean you are advised not to spend much time on that. If you find some topics important that has been skipped, you may go according to that as well as let me know. Please note that I'm keeping in mind that you're also giving UCEED/NATA/JEE/NIFT or any design based exams. So, preparing for these topics would help you give other exams too with ease!

Verbal Reasoning

Syllogism (5)

Logical Sequence of Words (1)

Blood Relation Test (2)

Series Completion (2)

Cause and Effect (3)

Dice, Venn Diagrams (1)

Cube and Cuboid (3)

Analogy (2)

Seating Arrangement (3)

Character Puzzles (4)

Direction Sense Test (5) 

Arithmetic Reasoning (2)

calendar (2)

Non Verbal Reasoning

Series (4)

Analogy (4)

Classification (5)

Analytical Reasoning (5)

Mirror Images & Water Images (4)

Embedded Images (2)

Pattern Completion  (5)

Figure Matrix (3)

Paper Folding (5)

Paper Cutting (5)

Rule Detection (4)

Grouping of Images (3)

Shape Construction (2)

Image Analysis (4)

Cubes and Dice (4)

Aptitude topics  - Average, Area, mensruations, odd man out series, height, and distance, speed, trains, 

All the best with your start :)

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 

Weekly time table (strategy) for NID preparation

Hello, 

Please note that there is no universal strategy applicable to everyone. Strategy and preparation level varies from person to person based on their existing abilities (proficiency in a field), how much time to spend every day, their status (completely dedicated or partially preparing and also aiming for other exams), their ease of understanding/grasping topics, their ability skills and so on. So, it all depends on personal capabilities, but this timetable will be helping those who need guidance or a systematic approach to preparation.

Downloadable PDF - A complete list of SYL links for NID-DAT exam (sitemap) 

How to start and what to practice for NID (quick tips)

NID MDes CDAT new pattern - what is it and how to deal with it?

Thanks to a friend, interaction with whom I learned that the regular Verbal and Non-Verbal competitive exam books could be used, very much, for NID (as well as for UCEED/CEED) preparation as well. Since most of you can have access to aptitude and reasoning books, cost of which is comparatively less than any NID/UCEED/CEED books, I, therefore, list out the topics from those books.  Here, before giving the schedule, I will list out the topics with their ranking in brackets. A very high rank (high being 5) means you are advised to prepare to the full for that topics, and a very low rating (low being 1), means you are advised not to spend much time on that and any rating in between means you are advised to give importance accordingly (time). You can safely skip the rest of the topics which are not listed below and if you find some topics important that has been skipped, you may let me know. Please note that I'm keeping in mind that you're also giving UCEED/NATA/JEE/NIFT or any design based exams. So, preparing for these topics might help you give other exams too with ease!

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Verbal Reasoning

• Syllogism (5)
• Logical Sequence of Words (1)
• Blood Relation Test (2)
• Series Completion (2)
• Cause and Effect (3)
• Dice, Venn Diagrams (1)
• Cube and Cuboid (3)
• Analogy (2)
• Seating Arrangement (3)
• Character Puzzles (4)
• Direction Sense Test (5) 
• Arithmetic Reasoning (2)
• calendar (2)

Non Verbal Reasoning

• Series (4)
• Analogy (4)
• Classification (5)
• Analytical Reasoning (5)
• Mirror Images & Water Images (4)
• Embedded Images (2)
• Pattern Completion  (5)
• Figure Matrix (3)
• Paper Folding (5)
• Paper Cutting (5)
• Rule Detection (4)
• Grouping of Images (3)
• Shape Construction (2)
• Image Analysis (4)
• Cubes and Dice (4)

Aptitude topics  - Average, Area, mensruations, odd man out series, height, and distance, speed, trains, 

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In the below weekly timetable, I will just refer as either verbal and non verbal because of space limit, but, you can assume any of the above topics (based on the priority) and cover them.

Month : August

• 1st week - object sketching, Image aptitude (solids, views, surface counting, solid manipulations etc), drawing images in front/top/side views (helpful to improve your imagination although in exam this might not come)
• 2nd week - Previous paper, non verbal reasoning - image patterns, image manipulations, syllogism 
• 3rd week - Tangram puzzles, non verbal reasoning - paper cutting etc, odd man out series
• 4th week - previous paper, verbal reasoning, story writing, sketching practice (line sketching by copying)
• 5th week - Ability tests, basic math formulae revision, sketching practice (line sketching giving emphasis to shape, size/proportion)

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Month : September

• 1st week - non verbal reasoning, english comprehension, plain sketching (objects, everday things)
• 2nd week - Ability tests - inductive/deductive reasoning, mensurations, plain sketching (objects, everday things) 
• 3rd week - verbal reasoning, folding and unfolding of solids, image manipulations, paragraph comprehension, sketching (with concern for detailing like shadings, shadows, details, texture etc)
• 4th week - draw a scene (given in written form) by visualizing minding details, proportion and all other elements of sketching, imaginative drawing, revision of your understanding on learnt non verbal reasoning topics, facts on basic science, science quiz questions,

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Month : October

• 1st week - UCEED Previous paper, story and creative writing, Number puzzles, NID previous paper subjective attempts, sketch of creative ideas (ex - like creative uses of umbrellas, water bottles etc), sketch practice of - logo making, animation frames, posters etc
• 2nd week - CEED previous paper, paragraph comprehension, deductive reasoning from para's, Principals and Fundamentals of Prototyping (modeling), Observation on every day products - their functions/behaviour and the science/reason behind their use (like why gas pipe is cylindrical and not square ?, what is the shape of the fan blade ? etc), sketch practice of - logo making, animation frames, posters etc (continuation) 
• 3rd week - rebus puzzles, aptitude start, font, revision on math basics, GK on Terms and techniques related to weaving, art, stitching, pottery, architecture, fashion, animation, printmaking, media etc, sketching of creative ideas.
• 4th week - direction sense tests, IQ questions, color schemes, Basic science and facts, odd man out series, Knowledge on convex, concave mirroring, sketch practice of humans/animals in different positions like sitting, standing, postures, in action, different genders, age groups, portraits etc

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Month : November

(keep your sketch practice in between)

• 1st week - Basic idea about materials used for daily products, non verbal revision, GK fact on sciene, earth, findings, completing sentences, deducing meaningful statements from paragraphs, working on design and creative ideas, practising sketching of creative ideas, 
• 2nd week - Knowledge on print/packaging standard, logos/symbols, series (aptitude and image kind), GK on natural disasters occurred in history, General facts (famous, science, logos, constitution and human rights), mechanical and spatial ability study, 
• 3rd week - Indian indexes, Background on civilization, revolutions, archaeology, paragraph comprehension revision, Non-verbal revision, Color schemes, Epics, Renaissance, Terms and techniques related to sculpturing, webpage design, sketch practice on object forms, shapes, texture etc)
• 4th week - Terms and techniques related to construction, pottery, building, archi etc, Prototyping (modeling), related terms, techniques, media and tools used, basic knowledge on materials for prototype making steps followed (very quickly), GK on movies, animators, Architectural importance in India (locations, places etc)

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Month : December

(keep your sketch practice in between)

• 1st week - Logos of Indian brands and government department, institutes, science and solar system, facts, inventors/discoveries, general facts about earth, design and even humans, india, history, GK on World famous days (events, attacks, revolutions etc), Gk on India's famous political personalities, Animation movements, texture identifications (on animals, surfaces etc) 
• 2nd week - Gk on sports, politics, film, animation, recent implements or constitution changes, Indian culture, dance, wear etc, GA on Art/Media, painters, music, dance, designers, Font, linguistic, English - completing sentence, NID/UCEED Mock test (or previous paper) practice, Crafting media, tools, related terms etc, Paint/art/works of renowned designers, 
• 3rd week - Knowledge about books, great personalities including sports, politicians, designers, revolution activist etc, Symmetry in biology, NID/UCEED Mock test (or previous paper) practice, quick revision on solid views, syllogisms, basic mensuration concepts, Knowledge on people (and their works) related to innovators, changes, revolutions, art movements etc, sketching, knowledge on aesthetics, symmetry etc
• 4th week - Revise of ability tests samples, NID/UCEED/CEED Mock test (or previous paper) practice, quick non verbal revision, Color scheme revision, GK on generally (day-to-day) used products/objects/things, gadgets, appliances, vegetables, GK on break through revolutions, GK on famous personalities (designers, activist, painters, logo makers, sports, political, science in indian context, )

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Month : January

• 1st week - current affairs (recent break thoughs) related to india, introductions like monetization, CST, personall involved in that etc, Terms and techniques related to design, art, print, printmaking, crafting, media, theory on black box, GK on famous personalities (continuation), revision of any other GA topics

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Practicing previous papers or sample tests will help you in monitoring the phase as well as help you with fast practice.

If you feel like some topics are uncovered in the above weekly plan, please do comment here so that others would also know. 

And here is the link where you can get the syllabus for NID

Resources for NID-DAT (for both UG and PG)

NID-DAT Resource update (according to new syllabus)

NID-DAT Resource (previous update)

Resource from UCEED page

Useful webpages for NID/UCEED

Famous designers list and other GA

All the best for your start :)

UCEED exam general discussion - FAQ's Page 2

My reply to the most asked questions

Q1)

"What is the cutoff for UCEED/CEED/NID? (or any other design exam) 

UCEED or any other design exam for that matter does not maintain a fixed or standard cut off every year. Exam cut off varies every year based on the following factors

• Number of students appearing
• Exam difficulty level
• Maximum marks scored by the first ranker (and subsequent top 100/any other numbered people)
• Density or number of people having same marks or score
• Average marks obtained 
• Number of students having marks within a given range etc

So, it's not that easy to tell - for a given marks, whether that is accepted or within a range. Just based on marks, we cannot predict AIR or cutoff. Sometimes, for lower marks also, there is a chance of getting good AIR (if the exam was difficult and the average of all the people's attempt were low) and vice versa. So, just don't get confused but wait until the results or score list!

Q2) 

"I got xyz marks based on UCEED/CEED/NID results or from the key, will I get seat in abc institute ? (or any other design exam) 

Again, institute cutoff's varies every year based on the above discussions. If there is a post UCEED process just like CEED, NID-DAT and other design exams, then it's not necessary that institutes take only the toppers! they will also give weight-age to any/some or all of the following - merit, performance in interview, studio tests, portfolio etc and more. So again, discussion for Q1 is applicable and must be justifying here.

Previous students discussions and FAQ page


Please don't repeat asking this question again and again. Thanks.

NID-DAT 2015 previous paper subjective ideas

Hi there,

I wished to attempt NID-DAT sample test subjective paper to share it with you all, but given my time limit, I'm not able to do that. So, in this post, rather than a complete solution form, I will just give my basic idea for the two questions without any sketches/frames (excluding Poster which I guess cannot be put into words). I think this is the dumbest post that I ever made, with less content. Sorry for that. Anyway, I think this post could be made interactive with your views. I would like to see you share your own creative ideas in the comment section so that everyone can discuss on that.

Q89) 

The Water tap of the washbasin in a bathroom is leaking. It is midnight and no professional help is available at that hour. Give five ideas to prevent water wastage and represent them through drawings with two-three lines of explanation each.

Idea 1: 

Connect the tap to a washing machine.

Even if the tap is fully opened, but connected to washing machine inlet hose pipe, not even a single drop of water leaks out from the washing machine unless it is turned on. So, just plug it the inlet to the tap

Idea 2: 

Use chewing gum. Chew the gum until it turns to the usual adhesive material, then use it to block the pores/holes of the tap by pressing it to the faucet opening.

Idea 3:

Use medium sized ropes (or strong threads) to tie the loose tap handle tightly such making a knot until water won't leak out.

Idea 4:

Most washbasin taps come with a control valve beneath the basin. Use that main valve (which is just like the tap) to shut the supply to the tap. In case when that washbasin didn't come with a valve at the bottom and water is leaking heavily, use the main valve that will be available next to the water tank on the roof to shut the whole supply.

Idea 5:

Use a plastic cover to wrap the tap bottom opening and using rubber bands, tighten the cover. 

Idea 6:

Place a cover in between the tap opening and a thick flat cardboard sheet or a plastic flat plate or any flat surface and place a supporting stick to it from the basin till the tap, such that the cover is held tight and straight to the opening, preventing water leakage.

Q90)

Story:

Frame 1:

Once upon a time, monkeys had no longer tails and elephants had very short trunks. Until one day it so happened that an elephant was climbing through a narrow passage which was along the edge of a cliff beside a river. That narrow passage was the only route to top cliff, which happened to be the home for many banana trees. A monkey was sitting on top of a tree, which was alongside the narrow edge and was munching on bananas, throwing the Banana peels on the ground.

Frame 2:

The elephant, not noticing the banana peel, stepped on it and slid, not able to balance herself and was about to fall from the cliff onto the river. 

Frame 3:

The monkey realising its mistake ran towards the about-to-fall elephant, held his hands and hind legs tightly over the tree trunk and showed his tail towards the elephant

Frame 4:   

   

The elephant, understanding the monkeys' intention of helping him, held the small tail with her trunk, and used it as a support preventing herself from being falling.

Frame 5:

After the elephant climbed up using the monkey's tail, the elephant realised that it's trunk has enlarged till the ground. Monkey also observed that its tail has grown longer. Both felt happier with the new development. Very soon, all the elephants held monkeys tails and pulled over, helping each other in enlarging their parts.

Share your views or your ideas in the comments and let's discuss on that. 

Tips for Exploded views drawing

Hi,

I got a couple of comments on this blog asking to deal with Exploded views. So, today, I will be covering on some tips for exploded view drawing. Note that these topics are not at all required for UCEED students, so they are not advised to go through this or any of sketch/design related post as of now. CEED and NID students would find this helpful. 

Before explaining exploded view, let me introduce you with assembly drawing, the most common term for mechanical engineers. 

Many of the products in our surroundings are made of several small parts. Take the example of a Pen. A typical pen is a combination of rifle, outer top case, outer bottom plastic/metal case, cap and a holder to the cap. A combination of these we call as a pen, and representing the parts together intact in their working position is termed as 'Assembling' or 'Assembly drawing'. 

Exploded view is quite opposite of assembling. Although the view should show all parts in unassembled part, the parts are not intact, meaning they will be shown separately, which are ready to be assembled. Again, let us take the example of a simple bolt-nut combination with a washer in between, as shown in the below image.

Clearly, the above product is an assembly of three parts, viz. bolt, washer and nut. (If you're not able to identify the three parts, check the below image). As indicated by the blue lined arrow in the above image, the two parts (nut and then washer) has to be moved in the direction in order to disassemble it (along the axis indicated by red line in the image). The separated parts would look something like below.  

The above picture could be considered as exploded view, since it clearly specifies the individual parts in their assembling positions. If we undo the process, I mean slid the washer and nut along the axis of movement (red line), then it will get assembled, right? This is a proper way of representing.

However, people often do the mistake the showing parts in different directions/axis not in-line with the assembly. For example, in the above image, we know that the washer and nut should lie along the red axis line to be assembled, now consider the below image 

Both the parts are on the other side of the bolt face, and if we try sliding it in the axis direction (along red axis as shown by blue arrows), we cannot assemble it, so, this is not a good way of representing. 

Also, check the below image, 

The axis of the two parts (green line) are not in line with the axis of the base part (bolt - red line), and so any movement of the nut/washer will not end in assembly, except you take it from green axis and place it in red axis. So, this also cannot be considered as a good exploded view. Now, check the below image which again violates and cannot support assembling of parts to form a single product with a single slide.

With the above simple example and several set of images, I hope you now got an idea of how actually to represent exploded views. Individual parts (that forms the complete product) has to be shown apart from the base part, such that they are inline (along the same axis) while during assembly. 

Below design is my solution to CEED 2009 product design problem in which we have to design a multi-purpose walking stick for the elderly, complete design and detailed discussion are available in this link. 

For the above design, one possible exploded view could be drawn as below

Although, I could've showed exploded details of more features/parts like the compass, mp3 player, switch, LED light in the top front as well as at the bottom etc, still it is valid since, whatever separate parts that I've shown including the screw, they were placed at the proper place in the proper direction.   

Below, is one more design question from CEED 2013 solution to Part B question paper, in which we were supposed to design a mop that will allow cleaning in nuke and corners of the home. 

For which, one possible exploded view could be 

Another example design (exploded view) that I did as part of My portfolio with tips and guide

Hope, you can now deal with exploded views easily. For more examples, just go through google images and type for any specific products exploded view say pens.