Miss KanishkaTo begin a career in design you need to have the right skills. There are many options to choose from to improve your skills, such as well-known Universities or specialist design colleges. Below are some points to consider when selecting a design college and 24 institutions to look into using AIDAT.
If you enjoy drawing you might want to pursue a career in product design. If you are fascinated by fashion and styling, then perhaps a career in fashion designing. Others may be interested in graphic design, animation and digital design. These can lead to very different careers but all will require you to find a design course to help turn your creative talent into a practical skill.
When looking at design courses in India, there are many private Universities and specialist design institutes. This means there will be a wide variety of courses available for you to choose from. However, just because the institution is private, popular or has a great looking campus does not mean it will be the best choice. You should consider what course they offer, how they teach, the facilities they have, the fees and how they can help you create a portfolio.
The All India Design Aptitude Test allows aspiring designers to get an entrance exam to explore the Universities and design institutes they have. This can help students find the right institution, compare courses and take the next steps to find the right course for them.
Are Private Universities Good for Design?
As long as the University has the right course, practical elements and learning environment then they can be a great choice. Design cannot be learnt purely theoretically and students will need to try things out, create things, test ideas, receive feedback and improve.
A good private University or design institute will offer a studio based learning environment, workshops, design projects and the necessary tools. However, the quality of these will vary so you should look past the name of the University and look into the course on offer.
Here are some things to consider:
1. Specialisation
Design can be very broad. Depending on the institution, there could be a range of specialisations to choose from such as: Fashion Design, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Communication Design, Product & Industrial Design, UI/UX Design, Animation & Game Design, Textile Design, Digital & Visual Design.
This is an important factor to consider as you will want to go for a course that will reflect your desired industry. For example if you are interested in designing digital products then you may not need the same course as someone who is interested in working with fabrics, clothing and interiors.
2. Practical training
Design is a hands-on industry so students should be given plenty of opportunities to bring ideas to life. This could be through creating prototypes, visual concepts, working with materials, using design software, or creating projects with real world briefs.
Try to find out how much of the course is hands-on. Look into the studios, workshops, laboratories and tools available. Try to see examples of the work students complete.
3. Knowledgeable Staff
A good design course will not only provide knowledge but will also guide students to develop ideas and solve design problems.
Check if staff have strong academic and professional backgrounds. Also check if students get personal feedback, mentoring and support.
4. Portfolio development
Creating a design portfolio will show how creative a student is. It can include sketches, research, concepts, prototyping, digital design and completed projects.
A portfolio will be useful when applying for internships, jobs or further study. Try to go for a course that will give you lots of opportunities to create and record your work throughout your studies.
5. Industry experience
Designers can work in a variety of industries such as fashion, technology, advertising, retail and media. Completing internships, professional encounters, live projects and industry projects can help students understand what employers and clients expect.
Look for colleges that have clear information on how they support internships, work with industry and what placements students have had. What roles have students gone into after graduation? Does the university have real data on their placements?
What Should You Check Before Choosing a Private Design College?
A university may offer an attractive course title, but students should understand what they will actually study and learn. Compare the following before applying:
| What to compare | Questions to ask |
| Course curriculum | Does it cover the design specialisation you want to pursue? |
| Practical facilities | Are suitable studios, workshops, labs and software available? |
| Faculty | Do the teachers have relevant academic or industry experience? |
| Student projects | Can you see examples of work produced by current students? |
| Portfolio development | Will you have opportunities to build a portfolio during the course? |
| Industry exposure | Are internships, live projects or professional interactions available? |
| Fees | What is the total cost, including additional charges and accommodation? |
| Recognition | Is the institution recognised, and are the relevant programme approvals in place? |
| Career support | What placement assistance and career guidance does the institution provide? |
It is also sensible to speak to current students or alumni where possible. Their experiences can give you a clearer picture of teaching, workload, facilities and campus life.
What Is AIDAT And How Will It Help You In Design Colleges?
The All India Design Aptitude Test (AIDAT) is a national level online exam. This enables candidates aiming to study design and related creative fields to gain entry into institutions offering various design qualifications.
This exam aims to help candidates get an insight into studying design and the entrance process. There are currently two stages to the process:
Level 1: Design Aptitude Test
Candidates will take a 60-minute test consisting of 100 multiple choice questions. The test is based on Psychometric testing. (Source: AIDAT Website)
Level 2: Portfolio And Interview
Candidates will then submit their portfolio and interview. They can choose their preferred college. Upload a portfolio relating to their area of interest and book a time for their interview. You will then receive support for counselling and practice interviews.
Following receiving your results you can look into the institutions and courses available. Please note that getting an AIDAT score does not guarantee you a place at an institution. Each institution may have different requirements regarding eligibility, portfolio, interview, fees and number of spaces available. We recommend confirming this information with the candidate.
Design Institutes Students Can Explore Through AIDAT
Students looking for colleges accepting AIDAT scores can explore participating institutions across India. The list includes multidisciplinary universities as well as specialist design and fashion institutes.
Here are 24 top partner institutions of AIDAT and their locations:
| No. | University or Design Institute | Location |
| 1 | Lovely Professional University | Phagwara, Punjab |
| 2 | MIT ID Avantika University | Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh |
| 3 | Parul University | Vadodara, Gujarat |
| 4 | Chandigarh University | Mohali, Punjab |
| 5 | The Design Village (TDV) | Noida, Uttar Pradesh |
| 6 | Ecole Intuit Lab | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| 7 | Ecole Intuit Lab | Delhi |
| 8 | JD Institute of Fashion Technology – Vile Parle Campus | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| 9 | Poddar International College | Jaipur, Rajasthan |
| 10 | LISAA School of Design | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| 11 | JD Institute of Fashion Technology | Hyderabad, Telangana |
| 12 | JD Institute of Fashion Technology | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| 13 | Presidency University | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| 14 | DIT University | Dehradun, Uttarakhand |
| 15 | Dayananda Sagar University | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| 16 | Cindrebay School of Design | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| 17 | Indus University | Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| 18 | Jaipur National University | Jaipur, Rajasthan |
| 19 | Alliance University | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| 20 | Ajeenkya DY Patil University | Pune, Maharashtra |
| 21 | Mod’Art International | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| 22 | Sandip University | Nashik, Maharashtra |
| 23 | Sushant University | Gurugram, Haryana |
| 24 | Vedatya Institute | Gurugram, Haryana |
This list includes institutions in Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Haryana. Students can use the locations as a starting point when comparing colleges, especially if they have a preferred city or region.
How to Apply to Design Colleges Through AIDAT
Students interested in using AIDAT to explore admission opportunities can follow these broad steps:
- Register for AIDAT: Visit the official AIDAT website and complete the application process.
- Appear for the assessment: Follow the examination instructions and complete the design aptitude test.
- Check your result: Access your result and score through the candidate portal.
- Explore participating institutions: Compare colleges, locations and available design programmes.
- Complete the next selection stages: Follow the applicable portfolio, interview and counselling process.
- Confirm admission with the institution: Check eligibility, fees and seat availability, then complete the university’s admission formalities.
Choose a Design College to Help Yourself Grow
A great design education will not only give you the skills to work with design tools and stay up to date with design trends, it will help you build your observation skills and improve your questioning, experimenting and confidence to solve problems creatively.
There are many private universities and design specific institutes to choose from. It is important to find out which one offers the most options for you. Consider which course, learning environment and opportunities each offer.
AIDAT offers an opportunity for new students to look into the design colleges involved. Find out which college suits you best by looking through the options available, understanding entry requirements and selecting a course that will help you become the designer you want to be.
For more information, visit the official AIDAT portal or call for free career consultation.
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