Apeejay Institute of Design, Delhi B.Design Admissions 2025
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For an individual aspiring to be a designer, a well-fabricated portfolio holds immense significance, serving to be a cornerstone for carving a successful design journey. A good student portfolio design gives the confidence to stand out by demonstrating versatility in ideas, catering to diverse challenges that may or may not be design-specific. The portfolio for design students is not only crucial for getting into top design schools, but it is a never-ending constant process of updating projects with every experience and adding new learnings, that promote the credibility in the professional life of a budding designer.
Through this article, aspirants can get an idea of how to make a portfolio for design schools. Moreover, aspirants are provided with answers to some of the common queries on how to make a good portfolio for design.
The student portfolio design is a document talking of one’s conscious awareness of surroundings, the skill set that is contemporary to the need of the hour. In the earlier stages of aspirants' career, the portfolio plays a significant role in landing the D-schools of your preference. Portfolio for design students is a constant practice for career advancement showcasing growth and accomplishments. There is no strict guideline for crafting up portfolio design. However, in this article, we will be focusing on a bunch of healthy practices compiled in the form of Learnings from the experience of diverse stakeholders in industry and academia for more than a decade.
“It is not quantity but quality that matters”
The idea is to showcase your best that communicates your skill set but does not include everything. It is not only the drawings or sketches but also “Your thought process” Most critically, how you approach a given challenge or situation whether you are appearing for NID or NIFT or any good D-school doesn’t matter much. You can communicate your thought process through sketches or illustrations creatively. Secondly, your urge to reflect on challenges around you. Amongst all the most crucial thing is to be genuine and humble in your efforts, believe me, it pays.
“A strong Portfolio is like a good Restaurant, that serves varieties, but all equally good”
I have seen students repeating one common mistake where they assume the portfolio is only to showcase their sketching skills. Sketching is a medium in design to communicate unlike any other language, better the quality better the impression. But always try to include a variety of works in your portfolio, unlike a restaurant that serves a variety of things rather very good idli only on the menu. Try to include your classroom projects, your craft work, and even any good piece of literature like a poem or Shayari provided where to use and how to use is crucial.
“ Overcome the fear of not being extraordinary”
Sharing with experience of more than 06 years being part of the design community, and multiple professional experiences earlier.
Design is not for extraordinary people, rather it is for ordinary people with extraordinary efforts. What makes a design, or portfolio effective, are extraordinary efforts to communicate your idea very simply.
For example, a simple depiction of Pythagoras' Theorem to make it understandable even to class two students is a good piece of design that could make a strong portfolio. Only the crucial factor is looking at how a student would learn, which can be through digital or physical mediums.
“Be Organised”
When I say "organise," I don't only mean neatly arranging papers; I also mean assigning tasks a priority. I'm going to give you a cheat code: your second-best project should always be the best, but your best project should always be the second. Why? This would provide the ideal atmosphere for arousing people's curiosity. People are naturally intrigued when they look through your portfolio, but the final project may be purposefully left unfinished with a clear perspective plan. If done effectively, this could spark intriguing discussion among the jurors. Once more, this is merely a suggestion and not a rigid guideline that must be adhered to.
“ If a good design portfolio is like a good restaurant that serves variety, what should be on the menu? ”
The most crucial question by the time you might be seeking for all along this article, is what to and not to include in the article. What should be the chronology of the projects etc?
a) Good Opening Page (First Impression of a good Menu)
A good opening page is graphically attractive enough but to convey the idea about your skillset and understanding Of design at this level.
b) Second Page talks about you (The chef)
The second page should talk about you and depict you being full of energy and life facilitated by a good photograph of you (The chef). When talking about photographs one should avoid sincere passport size, rather a good mid-shot photo graph depicting you in an activity is an ideal click.
c) The third Page Onwards (Projects- The Recipes)
Ideally, we should keep between 05-08 different projects in our portfolio, the chronology of the portfolio should be as per the best and most relevant work.Sketching/Portraits Should not be more than 02-03 sheets, rather a better practice is to showcase the sketching as part of projects as a medium to communicate the thought process.
d) Overall Theme (Be Specific)
It is advised to include works more as per the opted domain, e.g. if someone has opted For Fashion design Particularly in Lifestyle Accessories, your portfolio should include more works around the same theme rather than including photography or product sketches.
Through this article, we tried taking you on the journey along with tips that would be immensely useful in crafting an impactful portfolio being a design aspirant. We have shared experiences and lessons that have worked for many. Additionally, whatever is shared here is the summation of years of collaboration with professionals from diverse design backgrounds.
Wishing you All the very best!
Hello Saumya,
As of now, Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT) has not officially released the specific opening and closing UCEED ranks for B.Des admissions for candidates from outside the Delhi region. The available information primarily focuses on the selection process and seat allocation.
Selection Priorities for B.Des at NSUT:
First Priority:
Candidates who have cleared the
UCEED
exam conducted by IIT Bombay.
Second Priority:
Candidates with a rank in a national-level design entrance examination (or allied fields) for a four-year course at any centrally funded institute/university.
Third Priority: Candidates with a rank in a state-level design entrance examination (or allied fields) for a four-year course at any state government-funded institute/university.
For Outside Delhi Region Candidates , 15% of the seats are allocated.
Given the limited availability of seats and the prioritization criteria, securing admission as an outside Delhi candidate is competitive. It's advisable to aim for a high UCEED rank to enhance your chances.
Recommendations:
Regularly Check Official Sources:
Keep an eye on NSUT's official website and the UCEED portal for any updates on cutoff ranks and admission criteria.
Prepare Thoroughly for UCEED:
Achieving a high score will significantly improve your prospects, especially given the competitive nature of the program.
Consider Backup Options: Explore other reputable design institutes that accept UCEED scores to broaden your opportunities.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to ask. We will be happy to assist you.
Thank You and wishing you a bright future ahead.
No, IPU (Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University) does not accept NID DAT Prelims score for admission to the B.Des (Bachelor of Design) program.
Instead, IPU conducts its own entrance test or may consider CUET (UG) scores for B.Des admissions, depending on the latest admission guidelines. Always refer to the university's official prospectus for the year you're applying to for the final admission criteria.
NIT DAT (https://www.shiksha.com/design/articles/nid-admissions-2025-colleges-accepting-nid-entrance-exam-scores-for-bdes-mdes-courses-blogId-13097)
Hello Daksh,
Your son narrowly missed the UCEED Part 1 cutoff but can still explore private design colleges that accept UCEED scores, such as MIT Pune, UPES Dehradun, Srishti Bangalore , and Anant National University .
Alternatively, he can apply for
B.Des programs
through
NID DAT, NIFT, or other private universities
offering strong design courses. If he’s passionate about design, he can also
prepare for UCEED 2026
and reattempt.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries, then feel free to share your questions with us, we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.
Hello Kritika,
This will not affect your NIFT B.Des examination result. Here’s why:
You're safe, but keep extra photos next time!
Wishing you the best !
Hello
the B.Des Common Entrance Test (CET) to aid in your exam preparation. While specific sample papers for B.Des CET may not be readily available , practicing with sample papers from similar design entrance exams can be highly beneficial. Here are some resources you can utilize:
1. NID Sample Papers : The National Institute of Design (NID) entrance exam assesses design aptitude and creativity, similar to B.Des CET. Practicing these papers can help you get a feel for the types of questions you might encounter.
2. UCEED Sample Papers : The Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) is another exam that evaluates design skills. Reviewing these sample papers can provide additional practice.
3. MAH-AAC-CET Sample Papers : The Maharashtra Applied Arts and Crafts Common Entrance Test (MAH-AAC-CET) includes sections on design aptitude and general knowledge, which can be relevant for your preparation.
hope this helps you .
ALL THE BEST
Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.
Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.
An animation career is one of the most interesting career options in the creative field. The primary job of careers in animation is to create multiple images, known as frames, that results in an illusion of movement called animation when displayed in a quick sequence. Students should pursue Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Visual Arts to opt for an animator career path. Individuals who opt for a career as an animator typically specialize in one of the media and may further concentrate on a specific area, such as characters, scenery, or background design. Animators typically use computer software to do such work.
Fashion designers are creative professionals who transform ideas into stylish and wearable clothing and accessories. Using a combination of artistic flair and technical skills, they sketch designs, choose fabrics, and oversee the production process. Fashion designers stay aligned with trends, adapting their creations to suit the evolving tastes of the audience.
Fashion designers make trendy designer clothes, stay updated with the trends, using various modern elements into their designs. They are always coming up with new ideas and turning their creative visions into clothes people can wear. Their creations allow people to express themselves through what they wear, showing their unique style and identity.
Interior designers create various spaces, from indoor to outdoor, they provide a pleasing home environment, as well as, make the environment beautiful. It is the job of interior designers who study the art of transforming a space into what the client wishes for. Interior designers work with a wide variety of clients, starting from small house owners to big corporations.
As part of the interior design career, individuals should also be aware of certain inspection regulations. Interior designing is to enhance the interior of a building to achieve an aesthetically pleasing environment. This is a part of both science and arts to make a certain place healthier and more peaceful for the people.
Individuals who opt for a career as product designers are responsible for designing the components and overall product concerning its shape, size, and material used in manufacturing. They are responsible for the aesthetic appearance of the product. A product designer uses his or her creative skills to give a product its final outlook and ensures the functionality of the design.
Students can opt for various product design degrees such as B.Des and M.Des to become product designers. Industrial product designer prepares 3D models of designs for approval and discusses them with clients and other colleagues. Individuals who opt for a career as a product designer estimate the total cost involved in designing.
A graphic designer career designs products, displays, posters, hoardings, logos, and marketing materials. Graphic designers can get employment in publications, advertising and marketing firms, and much more. A graphic is a form of vision that can be associated with art, imagination, or expression. A graphic designer creates eye-catching images by combining layout, colour theory, and graphics.
A graphic designer combines technical skills with artistic vision to provide visual content. He or she develops layouts for books, brochures, advertisements, and websites using design tools. A graphic designer closely collaborates with teams or clients to comprehend project specifications and brand standards.
The concepts for manufactured products such as cars, home appliances, electronics and toys are developed by industrial designers. They combine art, business and technology to produce daily goods that people need. Individuals who opt for a career as Industrial Designers operate in a number of industries. Ironically, manufacturers employ only 29 per cent of industrial designers directly. Students can pursue Visual Communication to become Industrial Designer.
A visual merchandiser is a professional who makes it look astonishing by utilising his or her designing skills. Visual merchandising contributes to awareness and brand loyalty among consumers. An individual, in visual merchandising career outlook, plays a crucial role in fetching the attention of customers and bringing them to the store.
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