Inside School of Design

I applied to most other design schools but the reason to choose NMIMS School of Design was: 1. It offers a formal Degree 2. The course is unique and doesn't bucket itself into the traditional design courses. It is more current. Since I was part of the first batch, I was required to give the general NPAT followed by a Design Aptitude Test. The admission process also involved a group discussion, pen and paper test, and an interview round- with portfolio review.

The course is one of the most relevant ones for current times. The focus is on learning by doing and students are allowed to freely choose their medium of design. The college provides all kinds of resources to enable one to produce the best results. The faculty is extremely supportive and is a mix of permanent faculty and visiting professors. The visiting professors are usually industry experts which makes the learning more fruitful. Examinations and assignments are conducted regularly and do have criteria for marking with is clearly described to the students. These are challenging but prepare you for the real world.

Various companies approach the campus and many of them belong to the larger, known organisations. These are not limited to just Indian companies. The higest stipend for internship could be anywhere betwen Rs 15000-20000 per month. These usually translate into pre placement offers. The post-graduation jobs could offer upto Rs. 7.5 lakhs per year. This is solely based on the company and the merit of the student. The internship provides for a great learning experiece and allows the students to practice what they have learnt. It also gives them a chance to figure the path they want to take in their professional lives.

A student gets an insight into the real world at 3 stages during the course: 1. The 1 month NGO internship in the third year of college. 2. The 6 month industry internship during the fourth year of college 3. Placements post graduation At each stage, the college assists the students and brings in a list of places they could apply to. Students also have the choice to decide for themselves and apply directly in case they wish to do so.

Considering the course and the resources offered, the fees structure seems to be fairly decent. Post the education, the placement opportunities do allow for a good return on investment. Apart from the tuition fees, there are other expenses one must consider. Mainly the electronic devices- laptop, tab, camera; and the regular stationary expenses.

School of Design does try and regularly host exhibitions and other smaller events which are usually organised by the students. Additionally, being a part of NMIMS as a larger university gives one the exposure to participate in various university events and also the foundation day celebration. Festivals are celebrated on campus and students and faculty come together to plan and decorate. The college has an alumni page on Instagram run by the students.