What to expect in NID 2026 Interview round: Tips and Interview Questions

National Institute of Design Entrance Exam 2026 ( NID Entrance Exam )

DeskCalelnderRegistration - 11 Sep '25 - 1 Dec '25

Sayeba
Sayeba Naushad
Assistant Manager
Updated on Jul 16, 2025 12:01 IST
The NID Personal Interview is a crucial step in the admission process, designed to evaluate a candidate's personality, design thinking, and passion for creativity beyond the written exams. Read on to get tips from NID Alumni, and Other important Questions asked in the Personal Interview of NID.
NID DAT Interview

NID DAT Interview

DAT Prelims is the first stage of the NID Entrance Exam, which candidates need to clear to get shortlisted for the next stage (DAT Mains). The DAT Mains comprises a Studio Test and an Interview. A program-wise schedule for the studio test and interview will be released by the National Institute of Design (NID) for candidates who have qualified DAT Prelims. The M.Des NID DAT Mains 2026 studio test and interview will be held in offline mode at NID campuses. The type of questions asked in DAT Mains typically remains the same.

In this article, a final-year MDes student at NID – Pranav Prasun has shared his experience of appearing for the interview round for NID admissions. Let's check the questions asked in his NID Interview and get a fair idea of the NID 2026 Personal Interview for NID Mains Examination.

1.  What all happened in your interview round for NID admissions?

There were four people in my interview panel. I was given time to show my portfolio, and then they began asking questions based on my portfolio, my background, why I want to join NID, etc.

Broadly, most of the questions were about my background and why I wanted to join NID. However, as there were four people asking questions, there were various questions related to the products that I had made, few questions to check how much I knew about what I had done were also asked.

2. How long was the interview?

The interview was approximately 45 minutes. It was like a rapid-fire round; as soon as I finished giving one answer, the next panelist started asking his question.

3. Which was the trickiest question asked in the interview round, as per you?

I don’t think any question was very tricky. But, yes, the frequency at which questions were asked was so high that at times there was not enough time to think and answer.

4. How many students were called for the interview round after the Studio Test?

All students who come for the studio test round are called for the interview.

5. How did you prepare for the interview round?

My background was Footwear Design, and I had applied for the Apparel Design course. I knew why I applied for that, but I felt I was not able to clearly explain the same to anyone. Before the interview, I got a chance to interact with a very senior graduate of NID, who suggested that I should be very honest while answering such a question.

He told me that – Not everyone knows every answer, but if we are eager to learn, we can definitely know about it.

Also, in the interview round, one has to present their portfolio to the panel. The portfolio can be prepared as a digital file or even as a hard copy. So, a lot of thought and hard work needs to be put into the portfolio.

6. Is there any dress code for the interview round?

No, there is no particular dress code for the NID interview. 

Table of content
  • Practice Questions for NID Interview with Possible Answers
  • Other Important Guidelines for NID DAT 2026 Interview
  • Questions Inspired by Global Design Events
  • NID DAT Dress Code 2026

Practice Questions for NID Interview with Possible Answers

Some of the questions that one must practice multiple times before appearing for NID DAT Interview 2026 are:

Question 1: Please introduce yourself.

Answer: This question aims to find out what is the most important thing to you and whether you are a suitable candidate or not. A good answer to this question could be an explanation about what you did at school or college, your academic performance, extracurricular activities, and any other achievements.

When answering this question, be careful to highlight your strengths without exaggeration. Your posture and attitude must look confident and positive. As for special skills, you can mention any new skills you have learned in the recent past. 

For instance, if you are learning the guitar, you can give a quick update on that with a few solid points that you are not faking it. Remember that the interviewer may be a learned man and may easily figure out if you are making things up.

Question 2: Where are you from, and why is your place known?

Answer: The interviewer is not interested in the nitty-gritty of the geographical details of your hometown; rather, he or she is interested in knowing how closely you have observed the surrounding place in your neighborhood, whether you were curious enough, etc. 

For instance, if there is a particular handicraft of that place, do you know about it, and what do you know about it? It is the “what” that could impress the interviewer. So, to answer this question you must be conversant with the special traits, including but not restricted to the food, culture, art and craft, handlooms, about your place. For Example, if you are from Varanasi, you can talk about Banarasi Saree.

Question 3: What is the occupation of your parents?

Answer: Again, the purpose of this question is not to learn about how much salary your parents draw, but rather the associated details that need the eyes of a creative person.

In this case, you can explain the job role of your parents, what tasks they are required to do, the kind of people they have to interact with, the kind of challenges they face, and how to respond to those challenges.

Question 4: Why do you want to be a designer or pursue a course in design?

Answer: This is one question that can stump a number of candidates. So, you need to be very precise in how you answer this question. A typical answer can be that Design allows you to enjoy the unique combination of science and art. To add to that design has aesthetics written all over it, with designers jostling to find creative solutions to everyday and sometimes not-so-common problems.

Question 5: What is your favorite gadget or product, and why do you like it so much?

Answer: Of course, the interviewer is again trying to judge your curiosity, your ability to closely monitor minute details, and your creative instincts. You must be able to explain its design and why it is your favorite. Remember, it is not always the ergonomics that the interviewer is trying to figure out; rather, it is what design aspects in the car are special or worth mentioning. 

Also, note that your answers must have depth and not look superficial. That means the answer must be nuanced and help the interviewer make a mental image of the car with all its special characteristics. 

Question 6: Who is your favorite designer and what is special about him or her?

Answer: If you want to pursue an academic program in design, it is more or less expected that you will know the top designers in the country. It is also expected that among all these designers, there is one in particular that you hold dear to your heart. This question will need you to explain to the designer the kind of work he or she has done, the kind of impact or influence the designs had, and other things. 

Question 7: Why do you want to join this institute?

Answer: This question is trying to find out the kind of research you have done, and the logic behind your making a selection. So, it is recommended that you do the necessary research and due diligence before finalizing the list of colleges. Some of the reasons why you may select a college may include its ranking, exposure to the industry, etc.

Question 8: Questions related to General Knowledge and Current Affairs?

Answer: Being in the design industry, the student is expected to be conversant with the latest current affairs of national and international importance. So, make it a habit to read the popular newspapers of the land, for instance, Hindustan Times, Indian Express, The Hindu, TOI, etc. Pay attention also to the editorials and opinion pieces, especially the ones you deem to be relevant for your domain.

Question 9: How did you select the portfolio? 

Answer: If you have submitted a portfolio, it most likely includes your best works. You must be able to explain every item in the portfolio, like what they represent, the context, etc. Also, you must have an overall theme and explain your work. 

Other Important Guidelines for NID DAT 2026 Interview

Here are a few pointers for the candidate appearing in the personal interview.

  • Maintain a cheerful gait during the interview. It is not good to have a stern face.
  • It is advisable to maintain eye contact as it will show you are confident and know the answers to the questions that are being asked.
  • You must not have hesitant body language, as it shows you are unsure and not confident in your answers.
  • Before entering the interview, ask for permission.
  • Wear formal attire for the interview. Avoid wearing fancy items, especially clothing with lots of pockets. Also, face coverings, unless for religious reasons, should be avoided.

Commonly Asked Questions in NID DAT Personal Interview 2026

Some of the most common questions asked are:

  1. Tell us about yourself.

  2. Where are you from? What is the place famous for?
  3. What do your parents do?
  4. Why do you want to be a designer?
  5. Who is your favorite designer and why?
  6. Any particular reason why you want to join the NID? What are you bringing to the table?
  7. Why NID and why this discipline?

  8. Have you done internships or freelance work?
  9. Which designer or design style inspires you?

  10. Walk us through your portfolio.

  11. What would you redesign in your surroundings and why?

  12. What did you learn from your Studio Test?

  13. What inspired you to choose this particular discipline (e.g., Product Design, Communication Design, etc.)?
  14. What are your hobbies? How do they relate to design?
  15. What recent design innovation caught your attention?
  16. Can you identify a bad design around you and suggest how to improve it?

  17. Can you name any recent government initiatives involving design (e.g., Make in India, Smart Cities)?
  18. If you had to redesign a commonly used object (chair, bag, bottle), what would you change?
  19. What would you design for visually impaired people?
  20. Tell us about traditional Indian textiles and your favorite craft form.

  21. Have you participated in any competitions or workshops?

  22. Are you aware of any current events in the design or creative industries?
  23. Where do you see yourself in 5 years as a designer?

Questions Inspired by Global Design Events

Practice some of the questions based on popular trends and events.

1. Birmingham Jewellery Biennial

“Birmingham has recently been named a World Craft City in jewelry, planning a Jewellery Biennial. How might emerging designers contribute to such a global craft showcase?”

2. Expo 2025 in Osaka

“Expo 2025 in Osaka is focusing on ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’, such as sustainable health and connected lives. If you could design for one of these sub-themes, what would you create?”

3. AI in Design – ACM DIS & JLL Outlook

“The ACM Designing Interactive Systems conference highlights AI in design, and JLL emphasizes ‘science‑led design’. How do you see AI and data entering your creative process?”

4. World Design Congress, London

“The World Design Congress is tackling ‘Design for Planet’. Can you give an example of how you’ve applied sustainable design in a project?

5. Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design

“At Copenhagen’s ‘3 Days of Design’, there’s a fusion of print and wood, recycled marble tables, and whimsical glassware being celebrated—what materials or forms are you exploring in your work?”

NID DAT Dress Code 2026

While there is usually no dress code for the NID DAT 2026 exam, it is recommended that the candidate dress sensibly for the exam. For instance, improper dressing may invite unnecessary attention, which is not at all recommended.

For example, if the candidate wears a dress with lots of pockets, there can be extended frisking and security checks.

It is recommended that the candidate dress comfortably, as it will help the candidate keep a calm head on such an important day.

Read More:

Subject-wise Books to prepare for NID DAT

Download NID DAT practice Sample Papers What is NID Studio Test: Format, Marking, Components and Previous Year Questions

 

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Sayeba is an editorial professional with over 5 years of experience in content creation, editing and proofreading. She holds a master's degree in commerce, which has helped her develop a strong attention to detail a Read Full Bio
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Answered a month ago

Candidates will be able to apply online by registering on the official portal, filling out the form, uploading documents, and paying the application fee. The registration process will start after the release of the NID DAT 2026 official notification. National Institute of Design is expected to relea

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Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The NID DAT 2026 notification will provide information about eligibility, application process, fees, exam dates, exam pattern, and selection process. The notification provides details of seat capacity at each NID campus for both B.Des and M.Des. 

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

NID DAT 2026 notifications will be available on the official website of NID at admissions.nid.edu. Official notification of the NID entrance exam is all set to be out by the first week of September 2025. The notifications will be out for UG and PG programmes.

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

National Institute of Design is expected to release the NID DAT 2026 Applications by the first week of September 2025 for B.Des and M.Des programmes. The registration for NID DAT 2026 will be on the official website of NID. Candidates can fill out the application form by registering, filling in info

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Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

NID notification for 2026 is expected to be out by the first week of September 2025. The official notification will be out on the official website of the NID and will contain details about the NID entrance examination. 

The NID notifications will include: 

  • General Information

  • Important Dates

  • Intake Capa

...Read more

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Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

One can follow these tips for NID 2026 preparations:

  1. Know your NID Syllabus.
  2. Understand the exam pattern of NID DAT.
  3. Make the NID DAT 2026 preparation plan.
  4. Books to refer.
  5. Practice till you are perfect using mock tests and previous year's papers.
  6. NID DAT Exam Day Strategy.

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Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

In general, the average salary after passing from NID is between 8-12 lakhs. It can also range between 17 and 50 lakhs, depending on the recruiter and the performance of the student.

S

Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Yes, there are placements in NID campuses. NID has separate Placement cells for the placement process. Placement in NID completely depends on the performance of the student during the selection interview. Some of the top recruiters of NID are: 

  • Malabar Gold & Diamonds
  • J.P.Morgan
  • Tcs
  • The Asian Heritage F

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Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

NID students can get job opportunities in graphic designing, UX designing, animation, fashion communication, furniture designer, fashion consultant, Textile designer, web designer, product designer, film and video communication and much more.

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Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

NID Ahmedabad has a good record of placements. NID Ahmedabad consistently leads in placement outcomes among NID campuses. In 2025, the average package was around ?21.3 LPA and the highest package was around ?30 LPA. The Total offers made were 620.

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Sayeba Naushad

Contributor-Level 10