NID DAT Part B Syllabus

NID DAT Part B: topic-wise syllabus

1. 1

   Drawing & Sketching Skills

   ~20 marks

   • Observational Drawing — Still Life, Figures, Objects, Perspective, Proportions, Shading, Texture
   • Freehand Sketching, Line Quality, Gestural, Contour Drawing
   • One-point, Two-point, Three-point Perspective Drawing, Vanishing Points, Cast Shadows
   • Imaginative Drawing, Concept Visualization, Storyboarding, Comics, Sequential Art
   • Figure Drawing & Anatomy, Sticks & Gestures, Proportions, Movement
   • Rendering Techniques — Pencil, Pen & Ink, Markers, Watercolour, Mixed Media
   • Ideation Sketching — Thumbnails, Iteration, Concept Boards, Mind Maps
2. 2

   Model Making & Prototyping

   ~15 marks

   • Material Knowledge — Paper, Cardboard, Foam, Clay, Wire, Fabric, Wood, Plastic, Recycled Materials
   • Tools & Techniques — Cutting, Folding, Scoring, Joining (Glue, Tape, Staple, Slot), Sculpting
   • 3D Construction, Scale Models, Form Study, Spatial Relationships
   • Prototyping Methods — Paper Prototype, Foam Model, Wireframe, Cardboard Mock-up, Role-play
   • Surface Finish, Texture, Color Application, Detailing, Presentation Quality
   • Rapid Prototyping — 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, CNC, Digital Fabrication Concepts
3. 3

   Creative Problem Solving & Critical Thinking

   ~15 marks

   • Design Process — Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test, Iterate
   • Innovation, Originality, Novelty, Incremental vs Radical
   • Working within Constraints, Optimisation, Trade-offs, Resource Management
   • User Research, Observation, Interviews, Ethnography, Insights, Synthesis
   • Ideation Methods — Brainstorm, SCAMPER, Worst Possible Idea, Bodystorm, Provocation
   • Synthesis, Concept Refinement, Communication, Pitching, Documentation
   • Evaluation, Feedback Incorporation, Iteration
   • Sustainable & Ethical Design Considerations in Solutions
4. 4

   Color Application & Material Expression

   ~10 marks

   • Color Techniques — Mixing, Blending, Layering, Schemes (Monochromatic, Analogous, Complementary, Triadic)
   • Color Psychology, Cultural Connotations, Mood, Symbolism
   • Material & Texture Expression — Translucency, Reflectivity, Matte/Glossy, Tactile
   • Color Harmony, Contrast, Vibrations, Optical Illusions in Color
   • Media Handling — Watercolour, Acrylic, Poster, Pastel, Mixed Media, Brush Techniques
5. 5

   3D Visualization & Spatial Skills

   ~10 marks

   • 3D Thinking — Mental Rotation, Object Manipulation, Volumetric Forms
   • Assembly & Disassembly — Understanding Mechanisms, Joints, Connections
   • Scale & Proportion — Model Scaling, Human-Scale Reference, Proportional Drawing
   • Environmental Design — Landscape, Architecture, Urban Context, Site Planning
   • Product Rendering — Exploded Views, Cross-Sections, Isometric, Technical Drawing
6. 6

   Writing & Communication

   ~10 marks

   • Concept Writing — Headlines, Taglines, Captions, Project Description
   • Storytelling, Narrative Building, Brand Stories, User Stories
   • Visual Presentation, Boards, Layout, Hierarchy, Design Documentation
   • Personal Interview — Self-introduction, Portfolio Walk-through, Design Philosophy, Motivation, Awareness of Discipline
   • Group Discussion — Listening, Articulation, Idea Exchange, Constructive Inputs
7. 7

   Discipline-Specific Awareness (Specialization for M.Des)

   ~20 marks

   • Product Design — Industrial Design, Consumer Products, Furniture, Automotive, Materials & Manufacturing, Sustainability, Ergonomics
   • Communication Design — Graphic Design, Branding, Advertising, Editorial, Illustration, Animation, Film, Photography, Typography
   • Textile & Apparel Design — Surface Ornamentation, Weaving, Printing, Dyeing, Garment Construction, Fashion Trends, Sustainability
   • Furniture & Interior Design, Ceramic & Glass Design — Materials, Craftsmanship, Function, Form, Space, Manufacturing
   • Transportation & Mobility Design — Automotive, Public Transport, Two-wheelers, EV, Future Mobility, User Experience
   • Interaction Design, UI/UX, Digital Product Design, Service Design, Game Design, AR/VR, AI in Design
   • Film & Video Design, Animation, Motion Graphics, Sound Design, Documentary
   • New Domains — Design Strategy, Design Management, Design Research, Social Innovation, Speculative Design, Climate Design, Health Design