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Best Books to Study for Design Entrance Exams: Preparation & Study Material

Best Books to Study for Design Entrance Exams: Preparation & Study Material

Edited By Abhimanyu Ravi C R | Updated on Sep 20, 2023 08:38 PM IST | #NIFT Entrance Exam

Best Books to Study for Design Entrance Exams - Students preparing for the design entrance test must get their hands on effective study material. Books are the best source to acquire knowledge. You may find a bundle of reference best books to study for design entrance exams in the market proclaiming 100 percent success. Careers360 compiles here the best books for design entrance exams and some tips on how to prepare for them.

Top College in India Offering Design

Best Books to Study for Design Entrance Exams

Choosing the best books to study for design entrance exams is imperative and it's not an easy task. While choosing the best books to study for the design entrance exam, students must be aware of their necessity.

Designing is meant for aspirants who are creative, passionate about new ideas, want to explore new things, and many more. There are various entrance tests conducted at the national and university levels to offer admission to the different design programmes in the best design institute in India.

Many students joined coaching classes in reputed coaching institutions to crack the highly competitive design entrance exam. However, cracking the design entrance exam is not as difficult as you think. A clear-cut preparation strategy and the best study materials can help you to tackle the exam easily.

Students can start preparing for any design entrance exam at least 6 months before the test to avoid last-minute cramming. If you start preparing earlier, then you will get the time to revise the topics which you have studied. Selecting the right books for the design entrance test preparation will help you to get in-depth knowledge of the important topics for the entrance exam.

One of the most important topics for any design entrance exam is design aptitude. Design aptitude tests your ability to think creatively, logically, and visually. It also assesses your knowledge of basic design principles, elements, and concepts. To prepare for this topic, you need to have good design aptitude test study material that covers various aspects of design such as colour theory, typography, visual hierarchy, composition, etc.

Features of Best Books for Design Entrance Exam Preparation

The best books for preparing for design entrance exams should have the following characteristics:

  1. They should cover the entire syllabus and all topics for the specific design entrance exam you are preparing for.
  2. They should provide clear explanations, examples, illustrations, and diagrams to help you understand design concepts and techniques.
  3. They should include plenty of practice questions, exercises, mock tests, and previous years’ papers to help you test your knowledge and skills.
  4. They should provide solutions, answers, hints, and tips to help you solve problems and improve your performance.
  5. They should be up-to-date, revised, and free of errors to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Best Study Materials For The Design Entrance Exam

Considering the need of the students, we compile some of the best books to study for a design entrance exam.

Best Books for Design Entrance Exams

Author name

NID DAT Books (Aptitude Section)

R.S. Aggarwal

Design drawing

Francis D.K.Ching

Basic Rendering

Robert W.Gill

UCEED (B.Des) Entrance Books and Test Series

AFA India

Analytical Reasoning, Mental Aptitude, Verbal Aptitude (UCEED Guide)

Institute Of Creative Sciences

Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning

RS Aggarwal

Quantitative Aptitude

RS Aggarwal

Comprehensive English for NID, NIFT, UCEED, CEED, NATA, B.Arch & Other Design Entrance Exams

Designologue

Perspective Drawing Handbook

Joseph D'Amelio

Cracking CEED & UCEED (with Previous Years' Papers and Mock Tests)

Ashok Goel and Arjun Kamal

UCEED (B.Des) Entrance Books and Test Series

AFAINDIA

Cracking CEED & UCEED (with Previous Years' Papers and Mock Tests)

Ashok Goel and Arjun Kamal

Art perception

David Cycleback

CEED + NID

AFAINDIA

NIFT, NID, and IIFT Entrance Exam Guidelines 01

Dharmendra Mittal

NIFT/NID and IIFT Entrance Exam

Mittal D

Design Drawing

Francis Ching

Rendering in Pen and Ink

Robert Gill


Recommended books for Studio Test 2024

Name of the book

Author/ Publisher

100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People (Voices That Matter)

Weinschenk Susan

Creative Confidence

Tom Kelley and David Kelley

Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things

Don Norman

Universal Principles of Design

William Lidwell

Don’t make me think

Steve Krug

The Design of Everyday Things

Don Norman

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How to Prepare for the Design Entrance Exam

Having effective entrance exam preparation tips and a clear-cut exam strategy will help the candidates to crack the design entrance exam with a good score. The tips for preparing for the design entrance exam are listed below.

  • Work on your sketching skills - Candidates must have the basic skills of drawing. If you are poor at sketching then, practice drawing on a regular basis and joined a sketching class to improve your sketching skills. Always carry a notebook with you because you never know when your mind will be crossed by any striking thought.

  • Time management - You should be a master in time management. It is one of the important aspects of success in life. If you have proper time management, then you will not be overlooked for every question when there is little time to answer them. Regular practice will help you to finish the answer on time with an accurate answer.

  • Stay tension free - Students generally have stress before the entrance exam, however, anxiety can end up you underperforming in the entrance exam. Tension may not be entirely avoidable but you can try your best to stay positive. Sometimes take a break from the preparation and engage in the things that make you vibrant.

  • Make a small note for revision - Before the last minutes of the entrance exam, it is impossible to go through all the topics. So, make a small note while studying each topic. A brief note will help you during the revision of the entrance exam.

  • Participate in mock tests - Several mock tests for the design entrance exam are held in online mode. Participating in the mock test will help you to get rid of the exam stress and acquaint you with a clear picture of the actual exam.

  • Solve previous years’ questions - Collect the set of previous years’ questions for each design entrance exam and solve them. Practicing the previous years’ questions will help you to understand the format of the questions asked in the entrance exam.

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Top Design Institutes

Enrolling in the top design institutes is the dream of every design aspirant. There are hundreds of design institutes in India. Graduating from the top design colleges will assist you in your career path.

Design aspirants must get off the beaten path to become famous designers. Designing is not all about making elegant things but it's how you come up with cutting-edge sustainable ideas to solve the problem. The top design institutes are given below.

Top Design Institutes In India

National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad

MIT Institute of Design, Pune

National Institute of Fashion Technology

Indian Institute of Technology- Bombay, Kanpur, Guwahati, Hyderabad

Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore

Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing, Jabalpur

Footwear Design and Development Institute

Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune

Indian Institute of Crafts and Design

School of Planning and Architecture Delhi

CEPT University Ahmedabad

School of Design, University of Petroleum and Energies Studies, Dehradun

Pearl Academy

Manipal University, Jaipur


To show your design skills and passion, you need to ace the design entrance exams. The best books for design entrance exams will help you learn the topics, syllabus, and practice material. We hope this article has helped you find the best books for design entrance exams and how to use them well.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

1. What are the best books for the design entrance exam preparation?

The best books for the design entrance exam are listed below.

  • Design drawing by Francis D.K.Ching

  • Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by RS Aggarwal

  • Cracking CEED & UCEED (with Previous Years' Papers and Mock Tests) by Ashok Goel and Arjun Kamal

  • Comprehensive English for NID, NIFT, UCEED, CEED, NATA, B.Arch & Other Design Entrance Exams by Designologue

2. What is the preparation tips to crack the design entrance exam?

The preparation tips to crack the design entrance exam are listed below.

  • Work on your speed

  • Improve your drawing knowledge

  • Boost your general knowledge

  • Time management

  • Stay positive

3. What are the top design institutes of India?

The top design institutes of India are listed below.

4. What is the scope of designing?

With the flourishing of the design industry, the demand for the designer has increased. There are ample opportunities for the creative aspirants. The opportunities of the designing does not confine in India only but if you have experience and creative then you can become an international designer.

5. How to prepare for interior design entrance exam?

To prepare for interior design entrance exam, you need to study the basics of design theory, color terminology, graphics and pictograms, and spatial awareness. You also need to practice your drawing and sketching skills, as well as your creativity and problem-solving abilities.

6. Which book is best for NID exam?

Some of the best books for NID Exam are as follows:

  • NID DAT book by R.S. Aggarwal (aptitude section)
  • NID Workbook by DQ Labs
  • Basic Rendering by Robert W.Gill
7. how to prepare for design entrance exam?

To prepare for a design entrance exam, you should follow these steps:

  1. Understand the exam pattern, syllabus, marking scheme, and eligibility criteria.
  2. Create a study plan and timetable that works for you.
  3. Choose the best books and resources for preparation.
  4. Practice sketching, drawing, creativity, visualization, and problem-solving.
  5. Take mock tests and solve previous years’ papers to familiarize yourself with the exam format.
  6. Revise all topics and concepts.
  7. Stay healthy, positive, confident, and motivated.

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Questions related to NIFT Entrance Exam

Have a question related to NIFT Entrance Exam ?

Hello aspirant,

The nationwide Institute of Fashion Technology offers a nationwide entrance exam called NIFT for admission to its fashion design programmes.

Every course has specific requirements that must be met in order to apply. For NIFT, there is no minimum age requirement, however it is evident that passing the 10+2 exam is a requirement in order to be admitted to any undergraduate programme in fashion design.


You cannot be admitted because you are in class eleven. However, you can apply to NIFT for experience and practice, and if your application is accepted, you can take the entrance exam. If you pass, however, be aware that you will not be able to retain your results for admission.

Thank you

Hope this information helps you.

Dear Aspirant,


Yes! If you want to pursue your under graduation from nift after 12th or even if you are appearing for12th exam then you are eligible to apply for the exam. There are several courses offered by nift which includes undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.


Age (Undergraduate degree programmes) -

  • General - the maximum age should be less than 24 years as on 1st august in the year of examination
  • Reserved category - 5 years relaxation


Hope this information helps :)

Dear aspirant

NIFT 2023 ELIGIBILITY - B.DES admission

1. Aspiring students must have completed a 10+2 board exam from any recognized Central/State Board of Secondary Examination, such as Central Board of Secondary Education/State Board New Delhi, and Council for Indian School of Certificate Examination, New Delhi or,

2. Any Board/Public School/University Examination conducted in India or abroad which is equivalent to the 10+2 system and is accorded by the Association of Indian Universities or,

3. If candidates complete the General Certificate Education (GCE) Examination (London/Sri Lanka/ Cambridge/) at the Advanced (A) level/International Baccalaureate (IB) then, they are eligible to apply or,

4. Students will also be eligible if they have passed the 10+2 examination conducted by the National Open School with at least five subjects or,

5. Diploma of 3 or 4 years which is recognized by AICTE or State Board of Technical Education.

Age limit - Candidates must be of 23 years of age as of August 1, 2022. However, candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST)/Person With Disability (PHP) get a relaxation of 5 years

Eligibility for B.F.Tech admission

1. Students must pass the Class 12 exam in the 10+2 pattern of examination with Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects from any recognized Central/ State Board of Secondary Examination, such as Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi, and Council for Indian School of Certificate Examination, New Delhi or,

2. Any Public School/Board/University Exam in India or in foreign countries which is equivalent to a 10+2 system with Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics as a mandatory subjects. It must be recognized by the Association of Indian Universities or,

3. General Certificate Education (GCE) Examination(London/ Cambridge/ Sri Lanka) at the advanced (A) level with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics/International Baccalaureate (IB) or,

4. Diploma of 3 or 4 years in any programme of engineering which is recognized by AICTE or a State Board of Technical Education or,

5. A passing grade in the Higher Secondary Education Examination held by the National Open School with at least five subjects - Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics

Age limit is same as B.des

You can check other details about eligibility criteria for NIFT from link below

https://www.google.com/amp/s/design.careers360.com/articles/nift-eligibility-criteria/amp

Hope this was informative for you

Best regards!!

Hello,

For BVoc courses in interior design, separate entrance exams are conducted by the concerned colleges. By giving NIFT you can only get admission in BDes and MDes courses in NIFTs and some other participating institutes.

Hello,

In 2022 NIFT Entrance Examination was conducted in 32 cities. The candidates have to select the preference of the examination cities while filling the application form. Based on the availability, preferences of the examination cities you will be allotted an examination center. You have to appear for NIFT Entrance Examination in the allotted examination center as per the given schedule. You can select any city where examination is conducted while filling your preferences, make sure that you select the cities such that you can commute on the day of examination easily. Next year the list of examination cities may increase or decrease, the cities may vary.

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