What This Institute Cares About
Different institutes, different priorities.
Why no numeric weights? Panels change yearly. Faculty rotates. Priorities shift. These lenses are based on patterns observed across multiple admission cycles, not fixed formulas.
Priorities vary across 6 specializations (Industrial, Interaction, Visual Communication, Animation, Mobility, Communication Design)
Process rigor and evidence of iteration
Research depth (especially for Industrial/Interaction Design)
Surface-level ideation without evidence of iteration
Weak craft but strong thinking is tolerated (Industrial/Interaction). Less so for Visual Communication or Animation where craft IS the deliverable
Structured problem-solving
User-centered design thinking
Portfolios that look polished but lack structured reasoning
Rough execution with clear methodology survives
DAT (Design Aptitude Test) is a significant part of the admission process
Physical making ability and execution quality
Communication ability (verbal articulation during interview)
All concept, no making. No physical prototypes or builds
Weak aesthetics but real building survives
Interviews are known to include unusual, seemingly unrelated questions to test lateral thinking
Lateral and unconventional thinking
Ability to think on your feet
Rigid thinking. Inability to handle unexpected questions
Unconventional portfolio with original thinking survives weak craft
Also has self-sponsored seats where CEED is optional
Innovation and problem framing
Systems thinking and ability to see the bigger picture
No evidence of iteration or pivots in the design process
Rough execution with evidence of genuine iteration and learning
Architecture and design heritage. Values physical making
Craftsmanship and material understanding
Design heritage and attention to detail
No evidence of hands-on work or material exploration
Simple concepts with excellent physical execution survive
Heavily engineering-biased. Panels may hand you physical objects and drill on weight, material, and manufacturing. DAT has Engineering and Design sections
Technical thinking and engineering-design integration
Functional, sustainable product solutions
Inability to defend engineering fundamentals. Weak on material properties and manufacturing processes
Rough design sense with strong technical depth survives. They will teach you design, not engineering
More institutes coming soon
IISc Bangalore, IIT Jodhpur, and IIITDM institutes will be added when we have enough verified data points. NID uses its own entrance exam (NID DAT) and is not part of the CEED admission process.