All You Need To Know About Design Entrances Preparation. Just as any other entrance examination demands, you need to undergo meticulous NID preparation. It has a rigorous entry process involving design aptitude test followed by studio test and interview. Clearing the first hurdle is what makes aspirants explore various alternatives in coaching.
Unlike most other design entrance tests, the problem gets compounded as there is no specified syllabus or concepts for this exam. Therefore, OPUS has identified specific skill sets considered key for NID preparation. The OPUS courses are dedicated to building these skill sets in design aspirants. Availing one brings you closer to the target.
Contents
DAT Exam
It is 3-hour marathon written exam that tests your observation and utilization of shapes and colour, lateral thinking, the idea of size and proportion, innovative ways to view daily occurrences, imaginative power and its expression on paper. Perhaps it sounds easy but OPUS believes this is not all. So it offers aspirants a personalised mentor series for NID preparation as it moulds you into a worthy candidate at the right stage. NID preparation should have focus on how the design is carried out. By adopting a holistic approach, OPUS trains candidates in every aspect of the test.
Balancing Skills
You have no reason to worry if your sketching is poor. NID looks for a balance of skills. Those who secured good DAT scores did not necessarily have excellent sketching acumen. But they generated out-of-the-box ideas. For NID preparation you do not need to invest all your energy in the mastery of sketches. If your sketches express what you have in mind, it is enough.
Show Your Creativity
Be prepared to face unpredictable questions that show amazing creativity. There are questions to test your sketching skills. Be sure you have sufficient practice of sketching weird stuff. The given situation should carry a creative application. Throughout your NID preparation, make sure you remain highly creative in your ideation and execution.
Know Design Symbolism And Conventions
Questions you face in NID are often left open-ended. This is to test whether a candidate can present the design properly. Make sure you know the design conventions such as gestalt principles, the meaning of colors, applications of different materials. Design symbolism like speech bubbles, zoom in gestures, graphical symbolism should be your forte. This helps you understand the question and express your ideas in depth.
Choose Your Media Carefully
For NID preparation, you should not use ‘wet’ media such as sketch pens or water colors. Stick to dry media like colour pencils, pastels. Use ball pens and fine liners only if you are confident of what you are going to make. During practice sessions, use A4 papers. Sketching on large papers develops the habit of drawing with wide strokes.
Develop Own Sketching Style
Most of the candidates who qualified in NID in the last year had their own unique sketching style. Developing your style is simple. Get rid of the habit of copying great designers and try different types of shading using pencils in place of the markers, use wide strokes of a pencil to make your design look dynamic. Discover many techniques during your practice session. Make sure you develop one style and practice it till you achieve perfection.
Improve Your Observation
NID also tests your ability to analyse things from the user’s perspective. It asks questions directly related to current affairs. Stay updated with the events in the design universe. Know the products considered as brilliant design examples. Reading common design blogs will teach you how to critique the design. During NID preparation, learn to analyse your own design as it will improve your skills.
Plan And Sketch Fast
NID aspirants find the paper lengthy. Think thoroughly before sketching during NID preparation. A simple solution to the question is the best. First, estimate the amount of space you need. Save time in drawing and erasing and then drawing again. If you have great ideas, decent but fast sketching skills, and an individualistic style, you are likely to score well.
Speed Is Key
During NID preparation, you should learn to develop speed. There is no merit if you cannot manage to complete the paper or express your ideas within the stipulated time. Even if you are excellent in terms of talent but cannot manage it well within the given hours, you stand to lose the chance of making the cut. OPUS grooms you to pay attention to this crucial aspect.
Practice Previous Year Papers
Go through all previous papers of NID. Solve at least 10 past papers within the time limit. Find out a comfortable sequence of answering the paper. If you face a mental block, breathe deeply, relax and then answer the question during the NID preparation.
OPUS is the right destination in case you have a keen interest in NID. Opt for OPUS guidance during the NID preparation phase and realise your big dream.
All the best!
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