How to Prepare Design GK Without Memorising Hundreds of Facts

Importance of GK section for Design Entrance Exams

Design entrance exams do not want students to simply memorise hundreds of facts. Instead, they examine a candidate's awareness of the visual world, understanding of design, observation skills, and ability to connect concepts. Design entrance exams like UCEED, NID and NIFT focus on the GK section with high weightage.

GK Topics For UCEED Exam

General Knowledge questions are generally based on:

• Famous brands and their logos

• Indian and international designers

• Art movements

• Paintings and sculptures

• Architecture and product design

• Design-related current affairs

  
  

GK Topics for NID DAT Exam

Although NID exam pattern is unpredictable but GK section for NID includes:

• Design history

• Brands and Logos

• Art, paintings and Crafts

• Sustainability Design

• Visual culture

GK Topics for NIFT Exam

NIFT places significant emphasis on General Knowledge and Current Affairs in its entrance exam with questions often include:

• Fashion designers

• Textiles

• Brands

• Design events

• Art, architecture and culture

• Developments in the fashion and design industries.

Related Articles:

• NID GK questions

• Indian Traditional Painting Styles

• Art Movements: History, Types, List of Art Movements

Strategies to prepare for GK section in design exams without memorising hundreds of facts

Students can go through the following tips and strategies curated by experts to help them prepare for the GK section for design entrance exams without the struggle of memorisation of hundreds of facts:

1. Categorization

Students can categorize different themes and types of information into categories as information when grouped together becomes much easier to understand and remember for students. This will also help students to generate new and creative ideas for design thinking questions as they play a role of reference for different topics. Categories for different design exams can include:

• Indian Art and history

• Paintings and sculptures

• Photography

• Brands and Logos

• Packaging

• Product Design

• Furniture Design

• Fashion Design

• Architecture

• Graphic Design

• Sustainable Design

• Transportation Design

  
  

2. Visual Notes

Visually understanding knowledge helps better with remembering more information together. The brain remembers pictures much more effectively than written facts. Make flashcards for designers, awards, brands, logos and movements to keep things interesting in your preparation. Create and maintain a visual diary for different topics as it would help you remember better.

3. Podcasts, Magazines and Journals

• One good way is to listen to good podcasts that provide design understanding and history regularly. Students can use their free time or club with regular activities with podcast to increase productivity.

• Current Affairs Magazines can be used to keep yourself updated with news and current affairs articles.

• Specialized Journals: Journals focusing on economics, politics, science, or international affairs can be read for a more focused knowledge base.

  
  

4. Observation Skills

One of the best practice for students to prepare for any design entrance exam is to start observing your surroundings and everyday things like:

• Water bottles

• School bags

• Furniture

• Traffic signs

• Mobile apps

• Public transportation

• Products and packagings

  
  

Start asking questions like

• Why was it designed this way?

• Who uses it?

• What problem does it solve?

• How can it be improved?

These questions improve both Design GK and Design Thinking ability to provide innovation and help to score better in exams.

5. Brands around us

Students are advised to start noticing all the brands they use in daily life. Observe their logos, packaging, typography and color schemes. Try to remember different logos from memory. Students can create their own quizzes and take them on a regular basis to remember different brands.

Related Articles:

• Color Theory, Color Wheel for Designers

• Design Principles / Gestalt Theory

• Visualisation Analogy

6. Previous years and sample questions

One of the best practices for students is to solve previous years questions, mock questions and sample questions on a regular basis to understand types of questions, themes and language for different design exams. This exercise not only prepares students but also provides them with confidence for the actual exam day.

Related Articles:

• NID DAT Resources and Sample Papers

• NID DAT Previous Year question papers

• NID mock test

• UCEED mock tests

• UCEED sample Papers

• UCEED previous year questions

• NIFT previous years' papers

• NIFT mock tests

• NIFT sample Papers

Resources and Books for GK Section

Given below are some recommended study resources and books for the preparation of the GK section of the design entrance exams for students curated by experts:

• The Art of Noticing: 131 Ways to Spark Creativity, Find Inspiration, and Discover Joy in the Everyday By Rob walker

This book comprises 131 different activities to provide practical exercises and techniques to help individuals sharpen their observation skills, enhance creativity and have a deeper understanding of our everyday world.

• Problem Solving 101: A Simple Book for Smart People by Ken Watanabe

This book is a great resource for aspiring students to strengthen their creative abilities.

• Creative Thinking: Finding Solutions Out of the Box by Paul Bailey

This book is a great resource for students to sharpen their creative thinking skills and problem-solving ability.

• Indian Art And Culture by Arihant

This book comprises clear presentation, visual aids, and practice questions for aspiring students to prepare.

• Art, Craft, Culture, Design and Environment

A comprehensive resource covering Indian and world art, crafts, culture, design concepts, and environmental awareness. It will provide the students with the visual and cultural knowledge required for design entrance exams like UCEED, NID and NIFT.

• Arihant General Knowledge with Manorama year book

A reliable General Knowledge book for current affairs, history, geography, science, culture and important national and international events. It is useful for strengthening the GK and current affairs sections for design exams.