NIFT CAT Syllabus

NIFT CAT: topic-wise syllabus

1. 1

   Visualization & Spatial Ability

   ~15 marks

   • Spatial Rotation & Manipulation — Mental Folding, 2D/3D Rotation, Mirror Images
   • Perspective Drawing, Isometric, Orthographic Projection, Plan/Elevation/Section
   • Object Relationships, Assembly, Spatial Reasoning, Counting, Hidden Figures
   • Scale, Proportion, Estimation, Measurement, Ratios in Visuals
   • Visual Completion, Pattern Recognition, Symmetry, Tessellation, Visual Memory
   • 3D Thinking, Volumetric Forms, Dis-assembly, Mechanisms
2. 2

   Design & Aesthetic Sense

   ~20 marks

   • Color Theory — Color Wheel, Primary/Secondary/Tertiary, Schemes, Harmony, Psychology, Cultural Connotations
   • Composition, Rule of Thirds, Golden Ratio, Focal Point, Framing, Negative Space
   • Principles & Elements of Design, Visual Balance, Hierarchy, Contrast
   • Typography — Typefaces, Anatomy, Hierarchy, Readability, Layout, Branding
   • Mood Boards, Theme Development, Visual Storytelling, Concept Communication
   • Aesthetic Judgment, Innovation, Originality, Critical Appreciation of Design, Cultural References
   • Logo Design, Brand Identity, Packaging, Visual Communication, Iconography
3. 3

   Creative Problem Solving & Innovation

   ~20 marks

   • Lateral Thinking, Brain Teasers, Open-ended Problems, Out-of-the-box Solutions
   • Ideation Techniques — Brainstorming, SCAMPER, Mind Mapping, Random Stimuli, Synectics
   • User-centric Design, Empathy, Personas, User Journey, Design Research
   • Problem Framing, Identifying Pain Points, Reframing, Constraints
   • Sustainable & Ethical Design, Circular Fashion, Climate-conscious Decisions
   • Speculative & Future Design, Plausible Futures, Trend Analysis
   • Prototyping, Iteration, Feedback, Lo-fi vs Hi-fi, MVP
4. 4

   Drawing, Sketching & Illustration

   ~20 marks

   • Observational Drawing — Still Life, Figures, Objects, Proportions, Shading, Texture
   • Freehand Sketching, Line Quality, Gestural Drawing, Contour
   • Perspective Drawing, Vanishing Points, Cast Shadows, Foreshortening
   • Imaginative Drawing, Concept Visualization, Storyboarding, Sequential Art, Comics
   • Figure Drawing, Anatomy, Proportions, Movement, Gesture, Drapery
   • Rendering — Pencil, Pen & Ink, Markers, Watercolour, Mixed Media, Digital
5. 5

   Fashion-Specific Knowledge & Skills

   ~15 marks

   • Fashion Illustration — Croquis, Garment Rendering, Fabric Draping, Stylized Figures
   • Garment Construction — Seams, Pleats, Tucks, Darts, Silhouettes, Pattern Making Basics
   • Textile Awareness — Fibre, Yarn, Weave (Plain, Twill, Satin, Knit), Surface Ornamentation, Print
   • Trends & Forecasting — Seasonal Trends, Street Style, Vintage, Subcultures, Mood Boards
   • History of Costume — Ancient, Medieval, Modern, Indian (Mughal, British, Post-Independence), Global
   • Fashion Business — Branding, Retail, Visual Merchandising, E-commerce, Marketing, Sustainability
   • Accessories & Jewellery Design — Footwear, Bags, Belts, Hats, Jewellery (Indian & Western), Material Knowledge
6. 6

   Cultural Context & Observation

   ~10 marks

   • Attention to Detail — Subtle Differences, Anomalies, Quality Assessment
   • Context & Visual Cues, Reading Visual Stories, Interpretation, Inference
   • Indian Crafts & Traditions — Madhubani, Warli, Pattachitra, Kalamkari, Block Printing, Handloom, Ikat, Banarasi, Chikankari, Terracotta, Bidri, Dokra, Channapatna Toys
   • Social Issues, Cultural Diversity, Sustainability, Ethical Fashion, Body Positivity, Inclusivity