5 books for CEED and NID DAT

What to carry for CEED and NID DAT?

This is what I carry for CEED and will help you choose the best material!

What is the difference between arts and design?

This video gives direction to what is design, and what is NOT design.
It will help you focus on design aspects while using your arts skills.

In this video I've described the basic difference between what is arts and what is design.

Surabhi Mohadikar (NID - Design For Retail Experience)

Background

Teacup blog is a great platform for design aspirants to find guidance and motivation. I thought of sharing my story because Teacup blog has helped me to know how to study and what to study. It has given me direction while I was reading more and more experiences. I completed the course of  Architecture from Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai.

NID 2018: First attempt:

I decided to attempt NID for retail experience in August 2017 while I was working. I came across Addylabs channel on Youtube. And started following tips given by Akshay Khandalkar Sir. Soon I joined the Facebook page- GNID Future designers,  where people upload their works and give and take feedback. I practiced sketching daily. I solved previous year question papers. For GK I read Manorama year book. I started reading the newspaper every day. I collected all the packaging’s (did not throw any plastic bottles, papers or boxes) and made DIYs from them. I followed websites like Pinterest, Behance, Stuffyoulook.blogspot.com. but I missed the aptitude part. I did not solve R.S. Agarwal – Verbal & Nonverbal Reasoning. 

The paper pattern (Jan 2018) was 70% aptitude and GK.  30% Creative part: sketching and designing.  NID changes the paper pattern every year more or less. The results were out and I did not clear. I decided to reappear.

Mistakes made:

1.    Less focus on aptitude – R.S. Agarwal.

2.    Read the Exam Brochure carefully there are hints about the paper pattern and all the details about the exam are mentioned in detail. You can call the admission cell about your queries.

NID and CEED 2019: Second attempt:

I restarted by reading books like Design for everyday things, The Big book of brain games, R.S. Agarwal, searched for to the point GK material and articles. I practiced sketching regularly. Took a 4 months break from work. I solved the past year question papers for CEED and NID this time by setting up a time limit after which I cross-checked the answer keys if they were available. I would solve the wrong answers in 2-3 different ways or 2-3 examples for similar type. Discussed my design questions with friends and fb groups. In addition to the past year routine, I followed these things. Also, I went for jogging daily that kept me energetic, motivated and fresh. As my focus was the retail experience I repeatedly visited malls and sketched various displays, kept a record of various packaging ideas, logos and brands.

Time after CEED and NID prelims:

I took rest for a week and tried connecting to different people for seeking direction about how to proceed further. I started thinking about my portfolio. I came to know about Teacup blog at this time, here I got an idea of how the mains will be. I started sketching a series on Indian culture after discussion with my senior teacher ( we call her Sumitra Aunty)

The results were out in February and I was shortlisted for next round in NID design for retail experience (open rank 17)

I qualified CEED - open rank 101. I applied for Industrial design and communication design in IDC IIT Bombay. Filling the form for IDC took time as they have design questions to answer.

I was clueless about what was expected in Mains for NID retail. Through LinkedIn, I approached the passed out professionals from this stream and they helped me by answering my questions. They explained how story building and brand identity is important in retail. They also suggested me to read about Indian and worldwide successful brand stories and also to observe the retail merchandising and stores in detail. Study of various fonts and logos.

Material use: corrugated sheet, paper, straw, match sticks, plastic scrubbers, sponge, wire, rubber bands, ice cream sticks, mount board, sun board, led lights, used plastic bottles, clay, cloth, thread, wool, etc. I tried to make 3d models using these materials eg. Various packaging or display units or small products.

NID MAINS:

Studio test: 3 hours

Question paper

1.    Sketch a window display for a sports brand promoting yoga accessories.

2.    Complete the given sketch showing a family, father mother and two kids at a modern grocery store.

3.    A boy wants to buy 1-liter oil from a big departmental store. Draw the user experience interface and flow chart of how he will buy it, 20 years from now. Write a paragraph explaining the same.

4.    Draw exterior facade for the same big departmental store how it will look after 20 years

Studio test: Banana leaf, thread, 4 match sticks, A3 size corrugated cardboard sheet, 2 candles, glue could be used. We had to design a corporate gift packaging for the given candles.

Interview: They asked me why I wanted to join this course? What exactly I aim to learn in Design for retail experience? They asked questions about the portfolio. How I evolved the sketches? They asked me to sketch the interview scenario and asked me to submit till the evening. The interview lasted for around 20 mins. They also appreciated my few of my works. 

IDC MAINS – INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Studio test: 1 Single wire was given and we had to mold the wire into Ice holder/ice tong. A tool was given to bend the wire. We were supposed to explain the design through sketches and a few pointers. The metal wire had to be used carefully as the second wire would not be provided in case of damage to the given wire.

Interview: They asked me to explain my studio test product. They commented on my portfolio, asked about materials and their manufacturing processes. Why do I want to do this course? Questions on recycling waste materials and making products with them ( it was related to my final year thesis). It was a rapid fire round.

IDC MAINS – COMMUNICATION DESIGN

Studio test: poster for an NGO who wants to work on making our Earth green through individual awareness and action.

Interview: they asked questions on the portfolio and role of colors in different products, how can we derive natural colors eg. haldi, beetroot, coffee, etc.

RESULTS:

Got shortlisted for:

1.    Industrial design in IDC

2.    Design for retail experience in NID.

As I was more interested in Retail I went for retail experience. The college will start from 1st, July 2019.

I want to thank everyone who supported me through this amazing journey. I would just say enjoy every bit of it as you will evolve through this process. Do what you love and chase your dreams.

All the best.

Sarwin Kumar (IIIT Jabalpur)

I did my B.E Aeronautical in Chennai (2014-2018). Once the college got over I took myself a year break to find the right path for my future and didn't accept my job offer.
I was introduced to Design by a friend of mine (grateful for that), then I attended a design connect event which happened near my area and learnt about M.Des and CEED exam.
I'm a person who loves art and design a lot from a very young age and I realized M.Des could be the correct path for my future and career.

CEED 2019
It was my first attempt, the exam was on 19th January. I was really calm about the exam before night and even the min before the exam.
In Part A, I wasted quite an amount of time in NAT, but I did well in MSQ and MCQ. My approach towards Part A was not to waste time if I can't solve it under a minute and get back to it later, which worked well for me for the MCQ and MSQ.
In Part B, I first read all the questions so that my subconscious mind could find more solutions/ideas for it. I answered the Mobility and Vehicle design question in the discipline-specific question.
Results were out on 4th March, I got 45.2 in Part A and 36.66 in Part B. My CEED score is 38.79

IIT Bombay
IDC has a whole different selection method. We have to submit the application form along with the given tasks in the online portal. On April 5th, results of shortlisted candidates were announced and I got shortlisted for studio test and interview.
Studio test: 13th April
The studio test had 2 questions. Q1 Draw a  side view sketch of Royal Enfield and render it to show different materials. Q2 Make a model of a pyramid with the dimensions given. 90 min was the time period and materials were given for making the model.
Interview: 14th April
My interview was in the afternoon, there were 3-panel members in the room. Of the three panellists, one was looking my portfolio and asked questions from it, another was observing me the entire time and never asked me a single question, another panellist was conversing with me the entire 20 mins and questioned me about transportation design. Questions were mostly related to the Indian transportation and design. I was happy with how I did my interview and was hoping for good results.
But I didn't get through the interview and studio test.

IIIT Jabalpur
The online application process was simple and no tasks were given in that. I got through the selection process and was shortlisted for studio test and interview.
Studio test: 13th May
The time period was 90 mins and questions were mostly similar to the CEED question. Part B questions were storyboard sketching, observe the given image and critique about it and finally, we were asked to write about the advantages of visual media.
Interview: 14th May
The time duration of my interview was 15 mins and not a single question was asked about my portfolio. Panel members questioned everyone in a similar manner. Questions were Why design? Why M.des not M.E? what makes you a designer? I answered all the questions truthfully and I didn't say any scripted answers.
Since my portfolio sketches and designs were mostly related to transportation and IIIT J didn't have staffs for that, I was asked are you okay with Industrial design if selected for M.Des and I replied them saying Yes, I'm aware of the curriculum, staffs and the electives and I'm happy with it.
The results were announced on May 30 and I got selected for the Masters in Design in IIIT Jabalpur.

My method of preparation for CEED
I joined a class for CEED because I was completely unaware of CEED and how to approach it. But one doesn't need to join classes and can clear CEED just by proper preparation and guide alone. I spent an hour a day for 3 months solving old CEED question papers and different DAT exams. I wish I found teacup blog before my CEED exams, it really helped me with my approach for the portfolio.
My portfolio complies of everything I love and desired for. I wanted my portfolio to show my field of interest and my love for art and design. I sketched everything in A4 and artboard and later scanned and printed them in texture board and wiro bound it.
I would recommend CEED preparing students to play 3D puzzles, read design magazines/blogs, sketch a day, explore different medium and aim for CEED score above 45 min. Clearing CEED alone won't help you get an interview, higher scores are necessary and it helps in the shortlisting too.
I applied for IIT G and IIT D dint get shortlisted for interview.

Thanks to everyone who supported me the way along.
Special thanks to Dhanasekaran Sir (M.Des IITD) and Raghul Sridhar (B.Des)

Porag Gogoi's Unique Career story!

Hello Teacup People,

I am literally sipping on a cup of tea while as I am writing this. Haha

I passed out from NIT Silchar in 2015 and worked as a Civil Engineer for a short while. Like all my fellow designers here, I too dreamt of learning design in one of the NID’s or IIT’s and eventually working as a designer. I applied for NID exam 2016  while I was still working but I could not make it through.

After working for about 10 months, I left my god forsaken civil engineering job I came back home, jobless and  feeling very existential. A huge storm of peer pressure started mounting over me over the career choices I was making. My parents and relatives weren’t happy about my decisions.

 It was probably about that time when I discovered Teacup blog and the growing community of fellow designers. I read every article, every success story in it and slowly the doubts about my career went away. I was more confident than I ever was that I wanted to pursue design as a career. I packed up my bags and came to Guwahati from my hometown. My target was very clear- find a part time job (hopefully as a coaching teacher) and prepare for all the design exams for the next year (2017). For practical experience and building a believable portfolio, I also started networking and marketing myself a little bit- The plan was to acquire any design assignment I could get and complete it free of cost, and after a few such free projects, start charging a little bit.  No sooner, I ended up with a branding project  for a small startup in Guwahati. Time passed soon, I appeared CEED and NID and was very confident this time.

Unfortunately I could not make it through this time too. I consulted with Mr Prassanna in detail about this. One thing I was sure about was that I wanted to be a designer, the only question was whether preparing for the next year would be a good decision. I was disheartened, but on the other hand I already had an average if not good portfolio. Mr Prassana had a look at it and suggested that I should start looking for jobs as it is technically not necessary to have a degree to be a designer. He helped me out with a directory of design companies and startups back from his IIT days. I sent emails with my portfolio attached to all of them. I did a quick google search and also mailed to another 50 or so companies in the Northeast looking out for freelance and full time opportunities. In just a matter of weeks I ended up with enough projects to keep me busy 15 hours a day. With every new project my portfolio increased and my chance of getting into a big firm increased manifold. I even ended up developing a product for a Beijing based entrepreneur.  I eventually ended up with a job offer I liked and decided to move to Delhi. I took some days to complete all the freelance projects I had in hand and personally made visits to all my clients to let them know I was moving to the Capital. It was on one of these visits , I ended up discussing the possibility of starting a creative firm in Northeast with a client. The client (now my partner) was a veteran entrepreneur in the region and seemed very interested in a venture like that. I took a week to decide.

While money and family opposition was definitely and had always been an issue, but the opportunity of learning everything about design, entrepreneurship and the challenges surrounding starting a creative firm myself overshadowed everything else. With a little haste, we started off with a team of 4 people (all of whom are my partners now) on 9^th of August 2017, and now a year later, we have expanded to a team of 15. My career has never been more fulfilling. I lead a team of 15 people and we work closely to solve problems through design thinking. It is sometimes a struggle but I love the challenges and the competition. I still work more than 12 hours a day, although, ironically lack of time for myself  was the reason I left my civil engineering job.

So that’s it guys. That’s my story so far.

On a serious note though, I am still learning and I am not sure I can be of any guidance to all my fellow designers here. But one thing is for sure. It is very important to market yourself. I am sure your designs and ideas are great but as long as no one knows about it, it is worthless. And also, you do not need a design degree to be designer. Don’t be disheartened and or abandon your dreams because you could not get into your favorite college. All the books and resources are available in the internet, buy them or search for them and start learning. Contact businesses, mail them, let them know that you are looking to learn and contribute. Learning your skill is only 50% of the job, the rest still comes down to marketing.

Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Prasanna. His advice was the single most  important career help I have received so far. I can’t thank him enough.

Check out our website at  https://www.righthemisphere.in/

You can mail me at poragjyoti1991@gmail.com

I am also on instagram @lifeofgogoi

Experience of Muhammad Sufyan Shaikh for IITB

Hello to all the budding designers out there. I would first like to thank Prasanna Sir, for creating this blog and allowing me to share my interview experience in Industrial Design at IDC, IIT Bombay via CEED 2016. I was not selected in IDC- so just thought to share mistakes which I made so that you all would avoid the same and crack the process.

CEED 2016:

I applied for CEED 2016 and just studied in class and no practice/study at home. I prepared for Part- A the night before the exam. I cleared CEED with AIR- 142 and 42/100 in Part B. I was excited and started preparing my portfolio after the results. I collected a few of my artworks and photographs and that’s it. I just applied for IDC IIT B only and I had submitted the application form on last date with the tasks given in it. I was called for the DAT and interview for Industrial Design. Excited again!

DAT:

We were asked to design a family phone charger with multiple ports in it. That had gone pretty well.

Studio Test:

We were asked to design a stationery organizer for 10-12 year olds. I had found the test challenging and was unable to generate any ideas. I started sketching whatever came in my mind without keeping in mind that I have to make a 3d model too. It became difficult for me to make the model and in the end I had nothing but cutout pieces of the model which I was not even able to assemble. They were taking our photographs during submission of answer sheets and models. I was standing with my broken model and the photographer said me to smile! I was like dead from inside with a fake smile on my face. AWKWARD!!!!

Interview:

I went inside and wished them morning. There were 4 panelists. One of them was just sitting on my extreme right and didn’t even spoke a word. He just observed me and I thought maybe he is the psychiatrist but later I realized he was a faculty too. The first question-“Why design?” I answered them in a nervous tone that I wanted to make lives of people much simpler and comfortable (I was not satisfied with my own answer). They asked me about the application task of good and bad design example from India- Why I thought it was bad. I had chosen ATVM machine for bad. They asked me for my portfolio and I gave them my file in which I had all the artworks and photographs. One of them asked you have only graphic works? They were finding works from product design. One of them saw a Bajaj Avenger paintjob modification from my portfolio (image is attached below) and asked me what was the paint I had used- I had forgotten the name of paint and after giving a minute of thought I told them ‘Aspa’. They asked what I had made in Studio test- I had made the same model a night before interview at my home and showed to them. One of them asked if I had applied in other streams or other institutes. One Sir had even asked if I had joined any coaching- I honestly said yes. It lasted for 15 minutes and they asked me to leave. Before leaving I asked them if I can put the assembled model on the table- they started laughing and said no- thanks and I left the room with embarrassment.

IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED:

·        Coaching: I had applied for coaching and was too much dependent on them. You don’t need it. Blogs like Teacup Blog are more than enough. Just observe stuffs around you and keep questioning yourself from design perspective, out of curiosity like when, where, what, why and how? Everything will fall in place.

·        Time: I had done poor time management and last minute execution of tasks and studying. Take application forms and tasks mentioned in it seriously. Think and read properly what is being asked- jot down the points and act accordingly.

·        Practice: I didn’t practice sketching and previous year’s papers. I became overconfident about my sketching. Design is not just sketching; it’s much more than that. You must practice, practice and practice a lot.

·        Sketches: I had wasted my time in perfecting the sketches in paper. You must be able to create sketches and represent them in a self explanatory way quickly, since time is the constraint. It must be neat, proportionate and able to communicate your ideas. That’s it.

·        Applying for one institute: This was the biggest blunder I had made. Apply in multiple institutes and streams as per your stream interests. If you want it strongly then you will make it by at least increasing the chances of cracking the process. If you are passionate, you will clear every hurdle which comes in your way. And you will enjoy it.

·        Interview: Be honest to panelists. Listen to what they say carefully, take a minute to think, it’s OK! And then communicate. Never react to questions, just respond by being yourself. I was only reacting. That’s bad.

·        Portfolio: I had just included my artworks and nothing else. Don’t just fill sketches and artworks. Identify problems around you and find solutions. Show your flexibility and variety by working with different streams, tools and materials. Take at least 2 copies of your portfolio in hard format so that you don’t miss to show work to the panelists. You don’t know who is interested in what. Narrate a story behind your idea and process.

This year InshaAllah, I am aiming for CEED/NID 2019 again. Wishing new aspirants luck and wish me luck too! You can find my few artworks and contact details below. Feel free to contact me. And not to forget- Thank you so much Prasanna Sir for this blog

Instagram: @sufyan_art