Symbiosis Institute of Design | B.Des/M.Des 2025
Pre-placement as well as placements offered
Aspiring designers with the ability to develop and generate creative solutions are encouraged to apply at the ISDI Challenge 2025. ISDI's undergrad programs are specifically tailored to equip students with the skills they need to lead in the industry in the future. Simply put, its world-renowned study methodologies and top-notch facilities help students achieve their goals.
The only path to admission in this esteemed design school is the ISDI challenge faceoff. The objective of this challenge for undergraduate design programs is to identify the next wave of innovative designers who will manually create a thriving creative community. Therefore, those who appreciate taking chances and using their creativity are the target audience for the ISDI challenge.
This article will guide you and take you through the exam pattern, study tips, and breakdown of the ISDI Challenge preparation 2025.
The ISDI Challenge, a special evaluation tool that aids the admissions committee in choosing potential students, is how candidates are chosen for the ISDI. The ISDI Challenge 2025, takes place online.
As per the ISDI Challenge Exam Pattern 2025 There are three sections in the ISDI Challenge:
Portfolio Assessment: 40% of the total weightage
Design Aptitude Test (DAT): 30% of the total weightage
In-person interview: 30% of the total weightage
As per the ISDI exam pattern as shown above we have shared a breakdown of each stage below. Go thoroughly through each section to ace your ISDI Challenge preparation.
A portfolio is typically required by the majority of prestigious universities, so prepare yourself if you're applying to design programs. It is merely an assortment of the applicant's greatest and usually most current designs, artwork, and projects.
Below are some important tips that should be implemented to create a good portfolio and leave a lasting impression:
1) Showcase your finest work: The first step is to realize that the aim of creating a portfolio is to put out your best work and reflect your designs in the best light. Just remember to include the artwork that reflects your skill set
2) Quality over Quantity: You should understand that the purpose of presenting your portfolio is to show your creative abilities to the panel and that the work volume should not be the priority. The work quality should be.
3) Focus on presenting: Label your portfolio and explain each piece in at least one line. Thus, make an effort to introduce the work that you have added to your portfolio. But keep your opening statement to just one sentence.
4) Hard copy or Soft copy: Technology has helped us and is the future but one must remember their roots as a designer. We advise you to exhibit your work in a hard copy to leave a lasting impression.
5) Prototypes and models are advantageous: A model makes it easy for the panel to comprehend your design reasoning. Fear not—the model only needs to be a mockup or prototype—and it doesn't need to be extremely sophisticated or flawless.
As per the ISDI syllabus 2025, The Design Aptitude Test (DAT) exam is divided into 4 parts as tabulated below:
Section | Number of Questions | Total Marks | Major Areas |
Section A – General Awareness | 15 | 30 | Read the newspaper and be aware of all the current trends related to design, fashion and general awareness. |
Section B – Logical Reasoning | 15 | 30 | Practice Patterns, sequence, odd one out and other logical reasoning related questions. |
Section C – Analytical Thinking | 10 | 20 | Develop critical thinking skills and also practice multiple ways of solving a problem to enhance your analytical thinking. Interpreting data, visual analysis are tested. |
Section D – Storytelling | 1 | 20 | Enhance your imaginative abilities and creative storytelling. |
For many candidates, the idea of participating in a personal interview is unsettling. Furthermore, the jury's potential questions are not predetermined. Thus, it can be challenging to prepare for the personal interview.
Conduct the Study
A thorough research of the institution is required. The panel may inquire as to the candidate's motivations for agreeing to be admitted to a specific university.
Be Specific in Your Goal Setting
Ranked 2nd in the IIRF 2023 Design School Ranking | Approved by AICTE | Highest CTC 13 LPA
To show up for the interview, one needs to be clear about their goals. Your future ambitions and objectives are examined by the interview panel using the "Why ABC course?" or "Why ABC institute?" questions.
Develop Skills Keeping Your Objective in Focus
Developing abilities that help you understand the ground reality of fields that you are interested in one technique to make an impression on the interview panel.
Improve your nonverbal communication and self-confidence.
A significant difference can be achieved by paying close attention to the questions and providing confident answers. You have to look the interviewer in the eye at all times.
Also Check:
Understand the ISDI Challenge Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Having a thorough understanding of the ISDI Challenge 2025 syllabus and ISDI Challenge 2025 exam pattern is crucial. Always start your preparation after gaining a deep understanding of the syllabus and the kind of questions asked in the exam.
Developing the Habit of Observation: Get into the habit of looking at the environment, daily items, nature, people, or the extramural space as a designer. Try to find out how the shape follows the function, how the materials are user-friendly, and spot design issues and their remedies.
Practice of Sketching and Rapid Sketching: Practice and perfect strokes, lines, shapes, patches, and other patterns. Draw still life, people, and scenery from life. For speed improvement, practice rapid sketching at least half an hour daily.
Mastering Drawing in Perspective and Proportion: Learn to draw the same object or scene or human figure from different perspectives and proportions. Practice top view, side view, and angular view. You might get some guidance from ISDI preparation books or from YouTube. For reference, students can check out “Rendering with Pen and Ink by Robert W. Gill.”
Enhance Your Coloring Skills: Familiarize yourself with aspects of color schemes and color theories. Start practicing the coloring of pre-made sketches and paintings using pencil colors.
Cultivation of Creativity: Ask the following questions: “Why not?”, “How else?”, “What if?” and see how the whole concept develops into something new. This enhancement will help students develop interesting design ideas and help them prepare for the ISDI Studio Test more efficiently.
Effective Time Management: Try answering practice questions while they are timed to replicate the exam day environment.
Keep Track of Important News and Know Your Basics: Read the newspaper daily and keep track of important global and national events. Focus on basics of core subjects, especially in history and the arts.
Punctuality: Candidates should arrive at the ISDI Challenge exam center on time, carrying a color printout of their admit card. This is crucial for the registration of biometric data (thumb impression and photograph) prior to the test.
Solve Sample Papers: Practice solving previous years' ISDI Challenge sample papers, as this will help you gain the right kind of confidence.
This 5 step plan will help you ace the preparation of the ISDI Challenge Exam 2025:
Commence Early: Start studying for the test no less than six months in advance.
Establish a Timetable: Give every area enough time, paying particular attention to your spots of weakness.
Practice Often: Set aside time each day for exercises including sketching and problem-solving abilities
Take Mock Exams: Completely timed mock exams can help you mimic assessment situations.
Analyze and Edit: Go over concepts and attempt problems on a regular schedule.
The design degree at ISDI provides budding designers with an outstanding chance to hone their talents in a vibrant and encouraging setting. In order to increase their chances of getting into one of India's best design schools, students should thoroughly prepare for the ISDI Challenge and any following rounds.
The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman
Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug
Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
Your portfolio for the ISDI Challenge Exam preparation should be well presented and should contain only your best work. Stuffing your portfolio doesn’t leave a good impression and can confuse the panel. It’s advised to keep the portfolio 10-15 pages only.
Practice sketching, storytelling and solving design problems regularly. Make sure to pay equal attention to quantitative ability, logical reasoning and general knowledge questions.
Preparing for the personal interview round is the last round for the ISDI Challenge preparation 2025. You have to first clear the portfolio assessment and the DAT. Make sure to be confident and prepared for the ISDI Challenge Exam Interview. Be clear about your goals and why you are choosing ISDI.
Portfolio Assessment: 40% of the total weightage
Design Aptitude Test (DAT): 30% of the total weightage
In-person interview: 30% of the total weightage
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.
No. 1 Design & Fashion Institute by ASSOCHAM, India Today, Outlook and The Week rankings
Associated with FDCI, CII & IIFTI | Merit-cum-means scholarships to deserving students
No. 1 Design & Fashion Institute by ASSOCHAM, India Today, Outlook and The Week rankings
Ranked #1 Among all Private Indian Universities In QS Asia Rankings 2025 | Scholarships worth 210 CR
Ranked #46 amongst Universities in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in Academic Reputation in India by QS World University Rankings
Last Date to Apply - 25th January 2025 | 100% Placement Assistance | Global approach | Industry visits | International visits | Live projects