The belief that career choices are made after class 10 is changing. In reality, the seeds of a design career are sown much earlier that the preparation for Design entrance exams. The child who doodles in the margins of notebooks, who rearranges furniture for fun, or who asks “why does this work like that?” is already showing signs of design thinking.

By the time you reach Class 12, the choice is not about discovering design for the first time—it’s about recognizing and nurturing a skill that has been quietly growing for years. The earlier you start cultivating creativity, the stronger your foundation will be when you face design entrance exams like UCEED, NIFT, or NID DAT.

The Power of Three Months

Now, here’s the encouraging part: even if you haven’t been practicing for years, starting three months before the exam can still make a difference. Developing a skill is easy when you’re consistent. A focused three‑month routine of sketching, problem‑solving, and creative exploration can sharpen your skills enough to stand out. This also helps in preparation of the design portfolio specifically NID portfolio.

Think of it as a sprint before the marathon. The key is not to waste time worrying about what you didn’t do earlier, but to commit fully to the time you have now.

Design Is More Than Fashion

One of the biggest misconceptions about design careers in India is that they are limited to fashion designing. While fashion is a vibrant and respected field, design is much broader. At its core, design is about creative problem‑solving.

Whether you’re designing a chair, a mobile app, a hospital workflow, or a city park, the essence of design lies in asking: How can this be better? How can this serve people more effectively? That’s why design entrance exams don’t just test your ability to draw—they test your ability to think. They want to see if you can look at a problem and imagine multiple solutions, each with its own strengths.

Creative Problem Solving: The Skill That Matters Most

When you sit for a Design aptitude test or any common entrance examination for design, you’ll notice that many questions are not about producing a perfect sketch. Instead, they ask you to visualize, analyze, and innovate. You may be asked to redesign a common object, create a story from a prompt, or solve a puzzle that requires logical reasoning.

What they’re really testing is your ability to approach problems creatively. Can you see beyond the obvious? Can you connect ideas from different domains? Can you express your solution clearly, whether through words, sketches, or models? These are the skills that are assessed in the NID interview and define a designer—and they are skills you can cultivate through practice.

How to Start Cultivating Creativity

So, how do you begin? Here are some practical ways:

• Observe your surroundings: Look at everyday objects and ask how they could be improved. Could a chair be more comfortable? Could a water bottle be easier to carry?
• Sketch daily: Don’t worry about perfection. The goal is to train your hand and eye to work together.
• Solve puzzles: Logical reasoning games, brain teasers, and even Sudoku can sharpen your analytical skills.
• Experiment with materials: Try building small models with paper, clay, or cardboard. This prepares you for situation tests.
• Stay curious: Read about design trends, architecture, art, and culture. Creativity thrives on exposure to diverse ideas.

Remember, consistency is more important than intensity. Ten minutes of daily practice is better than two hours once a week.

Final Thoughts: Creativity as a Journey

Cultivating creativity is a lifelong journey. Neuroplasticity ensures that your brain will keep adapting as long as you keep practicing. Whether you start in childhood or three months before your exam, the principle remains the same: consistency builds creativity.

Choosing a design career is not about a single decision in Class 12—it’s about recognizing a way of thinking that has been with you all along. And preparing for design exams is not just about passing a test—it’s about training yourself to see the world differently.

So, start today. Sketch, observe, question, and experiment. Look at problems around you and imagine solutions. Because in design, the real test is not whether you can draw—it’s whether you can think creatively enough to change the world.