For any design aspirant aiming for a career in Graphic design, especially the Master of Design(M Des.) degree in Graphic Design at any prestigious design college, unlike NID or IDC, clearing the entrance exam is a crucial criterion. The real testing is the Studio Test and the Interview, where a candidate has to showcase their perspective towards design thinking, and his/her passion to be a graphic designer.
Students are frequently perplexed about what questions might be asked in a graphic design interview or how to approach the interview panel with greater clarity and confidence. Additionally, students must grasp how to organize their portfolios. Thus, the purpose of this essay is to assist students in addressing their concerns and queries.
For a candidate preparing for the Graphic Design interview, a good candidate should possess:
A good understanding of design principles.
Ability for Critical Thinking and Cultural Awareness
Ability to communicate ideas effectively, both visually and verbally
Fundamental understanding of Graphic Design elements like Typography, Visual narratives, Storyboarding and Communication Design Principles.
This points out that your preparation should be beyond aesthetics, including the ability to problem-solve, storytelling, and strategically apply the design thinking skill set.
In this article, we will be suggesting to you small incremental steps to strategically crack your interviews for Graphic Design with tips and activities as follows:
Your portfolio is your backbone and an essential tool and a reference in interviews, which allows you to express your interests and work for the following types of projects, which could be included:
Projects on Branding
Projects on Packaging Design
Projects on User Interface
Typography and Storytelling, etc.
Include conceptual exploration, research work, user personas(if applicable), and your thought process behind visual choices.
Include Professional Work or Self-Initiated Projects (Like Redesigning the Public Signage of your Local Railway Station).
During the interview round, you are expected to present your portfolio, but at the same time, it's an opportunity to respond and express your interest with the following objectives:
Clarity of Purpose: Why Graphic Design?
Design Awareness: What is your thought process and clarity regarding Indian and global design trends?
Your Process: How do you approach the Design Process
Visual Sensitivity: How do you effectively use the understanding of Design Principles
For your help, we are providing a Sample Mock Interview:
Hello
Good morning. How excited do you feel today about your interview?
Good Morning, I feel confident. Thanks for asking this great question.
Interviewer: Why do you wish to pursue Graphic Design?
Interviewee: This would help me explore design beyond aesthetics—toward strategy, storytelling, and social impact. My focus matches my goal to build meaningful communication design.
Interviewer: What role does a graphic designer play today?
Interviewee: Designers shape perception. We simplify information, influence behaviour, and make complex ideas more accessible.
Interviewer: Describe one project from your portfolio that shows your design process.
Interviewee: I redesigned safety labels for home products. Started with user research, restructured the visual hierarchy, and used contrast and icons to improve clarity.
Interviewer: Which tools do you use most, and why?
Interviewee: Illustrator for vectors, InDesign for layouts. But I start with sketches—they help me think freely before digitising.
Interviewer: How would you approach a campaign on environmental awareness?
Interviewee: Simplify the message using relatable visuals, mascots, or stories. Make it fun, not preachy. Kids retain better through emotion and engagement.
Interviewer: Is there a design movement or trend you admire?
Interviewee: Bauhaus—for its timeless form-function balance. Also, modern data storytelling—design meets empathy.
With good design knowledge, you are not evaluated for your ability to use Photoshop or Illustrator. However, why and how you chose a particular tool, such as a visual narrative, matters more. And how effectively your design addresses your needs or communicates the message.
*Tips
-Master basic tools like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Figma, etc.
-Avoid Overstylising: Use software to support your ideas, not mask weak thinking
-Learn effective use of Principles like Typography, Grids, Colour Theory, and Visual Semiotics.
Awareness of Emerging Design trends, AI-integrated possibilities for Generative Design, and technologies like AR/VR, is crucial for modern graphic design interviews.
Your familiarity and use of the modern AI-driven design trends and use of the same in your portfolio shows your adaptability, curiosity and readiness for the future of design.
Mock interviews are a great way to simulate the real-time experience. For this, you may practise in multiple ways:
Make a mentor or peer to review your portfolio
Practice exercises explaining a design piece in 02 minutes.
Be ready with 3-4 contextual questions to ask from the panel; this reflects your curiosity.
It’s okay if your style or work is not “dribble-perfect”. What matters more is the originality of the idea and intention. Originality can be a subject of multiple factors, like
Combining local narratives with the standard practices of modern graphic design systems.
Rethinking: Social-culturally, the everyday life tools like wayfinding, packaging and Public Awareness campaigns.
Preparing for the Graphic Design interview is a journey of self-awareness, visual exploration, and storytelling for your narrative towards design, or reflection on design problems empathetically.
“Don’t strive for Perfection- strive for clarity, originality and a thoughtful voice”
For your interview, your portfolio would be the most crucial resource to fill you with confidence, and your curiosity should fuel your hunger to make a successful career in Graphic Design.
CUET qualifies BDes Fashion Designing students.
The basis for admission is the CUET score.
Hello,
No, for B.Des Fashion Designing , CUET is not always needed.
Some colleges take admission through CUET, but many top fashion institutes like NIFT have their own entrance exam. So, it depends on the college you are applying to. Always check the admission process of that particular college.
Hope it helps !
yes, Indeed, CUET qualifies BDes Fashion Designing students.
Admission CUET score is very important.
1. MIT Institute of Design, Pune
2. Pearl Academy (Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Bengaluru)
3. Unitedworld Institute of Design, Gandhinagar
4. Srishti Manipal Institute, Bengaluru
5. ISDI School of Design, Mumbai
6. Lovely Professional University, Punjab
7. Chandigarh University
8. Arch College of Design and Business, Jaipur
9. Amity School of Fashion Technology, Noida
10. RV University, Bengaluru
Currently, NSUT does not offer a B.Des. program. However, other institutes like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IIITDM Jabalpur offer B.Des. through UCEED.
Expected UCEED Cutoffs (General Category):
IIT Bombay: Around Rank 14
IIT Delhi: Around Rank 35
IIITDM Jabalpur: Around Rank 165
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