For successful admission for design school and other academic institutions, acing group discussions and personal interviews are essential. These rounds are intended to evaluate a candidate’s design thinking skills, personality, creative thinking, attitude and other personal qualities. Read on to understand the importance of group discussions and personal interviews and how to prepare for them to get admission into a good design school.

What are Group Discussions and Personal Interviews?

Numerous well-known design schools, such as NIFT, hold Group Discussion round to narrow down the list of applicants for admission to their programs. Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) admission rounds are frequently combined to form the GD-PI round.
The primary purpose of a GD is to detect and assess the candidates’ personality qualities before getting admitted to the design courses. A group of 8–10 candidates is typically formed for the GD round. This group is given a case study, topic or situation that they must discuss and, ultimately, offer a solution.

Key factors tested in a GD-PI round are as follows:

● How well do you work with others
● How you adapt to a challenging situation
● How understanding you are
● The approach you use to express your ideas
● Decision-making skills
● Design thinking soft skills
● Leadership skills
● Your ability to analyse a situation
● Subject knowledge
● Problem-solving skills

In a GD, the examiners often present a topic to the group of candidates before remaining silent and letting them lead the conversation. However, students should know to be calm, have an open mind, not talk over others and be aggressive.
Importance of Group Discussions and Personal Interviews

Being accepted into a reputable design school can be extremely difficult due to the high demand for available seats. Here are some reasons why group discussions and personal interviews are important.
Assessment of Communications Skills

Designers need to effectively communicate their ideas and game plan, visually and verbally, for the team to bring the vision to life. Group discussions and personal interviews allow candidates to showcase their communication skills to be evaluated, such as articulation, active listening, persuasiveness and clear communication and articulation.

Evaluation of Critical Thinking

Designers must recognise problems, examine data, and develop creative solutions to demonstrate their analytical and critical thinking. In addition, personal interviews and group conversations offer the chance to assess a candidate’s critical, analytical, and creative design thinking capacity.

Evaluation of Team Player Skills

Collaboration is a big part of being a designer, as they often work alongside other designers, stakeholders and various departmental teams. Group conversations offer a chance to evaluate a candidate’s capacity for collaborative work, active listening, constructive contribution, and conflict resolution.

Understanding of Passion and Motivation

Design is a challenging job that requires great drive, commitment, perseverance and skills in design thinking. Personal interviews offer a chance to learn more about a candidate’s reasons for choosing design, their sources of inspiration, and their goals for the future.

Personality and Values Evaluation

Designers must have a strong sense of ethics, values, and personal identity to produce significant and lasting designs. It is possible to evaluate a candidate’s personality attributes, such as leadership, flexibility, empathy, and honesty, through one-on-one interviews and group conversations.

Tips to Prepare for Group Discussion and Personal Interviews

You must be well-prepared and show off your abilities, personality, and passion for design to succeed in the admissions process’s group discussion and personal interview phases in design schools in Bangalore.
The following tips will help you prepare for the group discussion and individual interview phases of admission to a top design course in Bangalore.
● Research the design school of your choice: Check their website, course structure, faculty, institution-related news or events, and awards received. Understand their vision, teaching methods and educational resources they carry.
● Prepare your portfolio: Your portfolio must highlight your skills, creative strengths and individual style. Include your sketches, illustrations, prototypes and completed projects.
● Prepare for GD: Pick a subject and practice stating your opinions politely and clearly. Keep a positive mindset, thoughtfully respond, and pay attention to others.
● Practice for PI: Be confident, present yourself professionally, and arrive on time. Prepare for typical interview inquiries, such as “Why do you want to pursue design?” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
● Keep Yourself Updated: The subject of design is constantly evolving, so it’s important to keep up with the newest breakthroughs, technologies, and trends.

Do’s and Don’t to Follow

When participating in a group discussion, it’s important to communicate politely and clearly, using simple language everyone can understand.
If you disagree with someone else’s point of view, express your opinion calmly and politely, paying attention to your tone of voice. Don’t be rigid, rude, or short-tempered. The following are helpful tips to remember.

Do’s

● Dress professionally
● Initiate discussions
● Maintain eye contact
● Don’t be afraid to clear some doubts you may have
● Maintain proper body language

Don’t’s

● Point fingers
● Play with your pen or book
● Fidget, scratch, and play with your hair
● Touch your face
● Excessively shake your legs
● Bite your nails
● Hunch
● Weird facial expressions
● Cross your arms or legs

Following these tips, perfect how you present yourself in front of your peers and examiners. They will observe your every move, so it’s best to stay prepared. Be confident in yourself and your skills; use this opportunity to show them what you’ve got and how you’ll be a valuable asset!

Conclusion

JD School of Design offers courses that centre around how to develop design thinking skills. Our courses range from fashion to jewellery to interior to product to graphic design courses. You can take up any design course after 12th grade that aligns with your interests and build a solid design foundation with us. We have the latest technology and teaching methods to offer fresh and holistic learning.
Now that you know how to prepare for group discussion and personal interview rounds of admission into a good design school, you’re ready to do your best for admission for design school!