WEEK 1:
Observation & Problem Identification
Build awareness to see design problems in daily life and translate them into visual, test-ready solutions through reflection and refinement.
🗓️ Monday · Oct 26
Core Targets
Orientation → Understanding the Design Exams
‣ Watch the intro video or attend the kickoff session on “How NID, UCEED, and CEED test creativity.”
‣ Note 3 major differences between these exams in your notebook.
‣ Read 1 sample question paper from each exam (NID 2020, UCEED 2022, CEED 2022) to see the structure of Part A and Part B.
Setup → Organize Your Workspace
‣ Create four folders on your device or Drive:
- Part A Practice
- Part B Sketches
- Reflection Sheet & Error Bank
- Weekly Tests & Uploads
‣ Keep 10 A4 sheets, pencils, markers ready for this week.
NID Focus (Simulated)
- Review the latest NID DAT Prelims structure (observation, problem-solving, story, color). Write one insight on what makes it different from typical drawing exams.
U/CEED + CEED Focus (PYQs)
- Download all UCEED & CEED papers from 2016 to 2025 from official sources.
- Skim through the first 5 questions of each to understand the mix of observation, logic, and creativity.
Outcomes
- Create: One-page summary titled “What Design Exams Actually Test.”
- Update: In your Reflection Sheet, add a section named Setup Log noting folder names and resources prepared.
🗓️ Tuesday · Oct 27
Core Targets
- Self-Assessment → Where I Stand Now
- Learn → Reflection Sheet & Error Bank
- Question / Mistake / Reason / Rule / Fix
‣ Attempt 10 mixed Part A questions (any UCEED 2018 or CEED 2019 paper).
‣ Do it within 30 minutes—no help, no notes.
‣ Mark which ones you got right/wrong and why.
‣ Open the Reflection Sheet template.
‣ Fill your first 2 rows manually from today’s practice:
‣ Add 1 rule for yourself—for example: “Read all options before choosing.”
NID Focus (Simulated)
- Identify one question in your set that reminds you of a NID-style test (creative or subjective). Write how you’d answer it visually.
U/CEED + CEED Focus (PYQs)
- Use questions 1–10 from UCEED 2018 and CEED 2019 as your diagnostic paper.
🗓️ Tuesday · Oct 28
Core Targets
Part A → Observation & Visual Sensitivity
‣ Observe 5 daily objects and note their form and use.
‣ Sketch 3 objects × 3 angles (5 min each).
Part B → Design Observation
‣ Identify 1 problem for each object (write a one-line problem statement).
‣ These 5 problems = 5 design opportunities.
NID Focus:
Basic Shape Study: Redraw 3 variations of a cup or bottle, improving usability while keeping visual balance.
U/CEED + CEED Focus (PYQs)
Paper Practice Set #1: Solve the first 10 visual/non-text Part-A questions from UCEED 2016 and CEED 2017 (Observation + Visual Sensitivity).
⏱ Time Limit: 30 min each set.
🎯 Focus: Accuracy in observation and speed of visual reasoning.
Outcomes
Create:
- 1 Observation Sheet with 5 object sketches + 5 one-line problems.
- 1 solved answer sheet for today’s Paper Practice Set (mark reasoning briefly).
Update:
- Open your Reflection Sheet → Table #1.
- Add 2 new rows:
- Where did I lose marks?
- Why did it happen? (time / misunderstanding / messy layout)
🗓️ Wednesday · Oct 29
Core Targets
- Part A → Analytical Observation
- Part B → Problem Identification & Redesign
‣ Identify functional flaws in 5 everyday objects (e.g., tap, bag, chair, bottle, stapler).
‣ Note what causes the problem is it form, material, or usability.
‣ Choose 2 of the above problems.
‣ Create 4-frame Before/After storyboards (25 min each) showing how your redesign improves usability.
‣ Add short captions to explain each frame.
NID Focus
- Daily Life Design Fix: Focus on how small form or proportion changes can solve functional problems.
U/CEED + CEED Focus (PYQs)
- Review Paper Practice Set #1 from Tuesday (UCEED 2016 & CEED 2017).
‣ Compare your logic and approach to the official or mentor solutions.
‣ Identify 2 questions where your visual reasoning or observation went wrong and note the reason in your Reflection Sheet under Lost Marks Because…
Outcomes
- Create:
- 2-four-frame storyboards (Before/After).
- Each frame should include captions, arrows, and annotations showing how your redesign works.
- Update:
- Open your Reflection Sheet → Error Bank tab.
- Add at least 2 new rules based on today’s analysis (e.g., “Always check real-world usage before sketching redesign.”).
🗓️ Thursday · Oct 30
Core Targets
- Part A → Visual Puzzle Drill (8 PM Live)
- Part B → Rapid Analysis
‣ 25-minute timed test on observation + logic.
‣ After test, write 3 mistakes under “Lost Marks Because…” in Reflection Sheet.
‣ Re-attempt the most confusing 3 questions and explain your reasoning in one line each.
NID Focus
- Visual quiz with odd-one-out and silhouette questions.
U/CEED + CEED Focus (PYQs)
- Paper Practice Set #2 (8 PM Live Drill): Solve the first 10 visual-logic Part-A questions from UCEED 2018 and CEED 2018.
🎯 Focus on pattern recognition and logic flow under time pressure.
🗓️ Friday · Oct 31
Core Targets
- Concept Recall Quiz (10 Q on material, texture, context).
- Part B → Speed Sketch Drill – draw a common object from memory in 30 sec × 3 attempts to improve recall and proportion.
NID Focus (Simulated)
- 20-Q quiz on materials and basic visual logic.
U/CEED + CEED Focus (PYQs)
- Attempt 5 visual-reasoning questions each from UCEED 2019 and CEED 2019 (20 min limit).
🎯 Focus on speed and elimination logic.
Outcomes
Don’t forget to Update: Mark weak topics in Reflection Sheet (e.g., form confusion / composition error).
🗓️ Saturday · Nov 1
Core Targets
- Part B → Sketch Improvement & Template Library Build
‣ Re-draw 2 best ideas with clean proportion + labels.
‣ Save your best poster grid and product angle for future reuse.
NID Focus (Simulated)
- Clean-up sketches; add arrows + titles; peer review layout clarity.
U/CEED + CEED Focus (PYQs)
- Review errors from Paper Practice Sets #1 and #2 (UCEED 2016–2018, CEED 2017–2018).
Identify recurring traps (misjudged scale, proportion, perspective) and formulate a new rule in Error Bank.
Outcomes
- Create: Before/After redraws of 2 sketches + new Template Library v1 folder.
- Update: Add Clarity Checklist to Reflection Sheet (check margins, labels, idea clarity).
🗓️ Sunday · Nov 2
Core Targets
- Morning → India-Level Part B Test (90 min) Theme: Observation → Problem → Solution.
- Evening → Result Live (8 PM) and Reflection Meet.
NID Focus (Simulated)
- Full creative mock test (annotated solution sheet + caption).
U/CEED + CEED Focus (PYQs)
- Paper Practice Set #3 (Part B Simulation): Choose one creative question each from UCEED 2020 Part B and CEED 2021 Part B on “Observation → Problem → Solution.”
Apply clarity check and timing discipline.
Outcomes
- Create: 1 full mock Part B answer sheet + caption page.
- Update: Fill Reflection Sheet → Test #1 Rule/Fix columns (What went wrong / Fix for next time).
🧠 Weekly Reflection Loop
- Update Reflection Sheet → Error Bank → Template Library.
- Ask yourself: Did I see a pattern in my mistakes? What will I do differently next time?
- Loop: Reflect → Refine → Repeat. We are going to do this throughout this study plan.
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