The 3 Interview Questions That Trap Most Design Candidates (And How to Answer Them).
- Snigdh Bhatnagar, Sr. Director (Design & AVGC)
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Snigdh Bhatnagar Sr. Director (Design & AVGC) | 16+ Years Experience
I don’t just teach design, animation and gaming; I build the systems that evaluate it. As a Program Director and Curriculum Architect, I have reviewed thousands of portfolios and know exactly why 90% of them get rejected. I bridge the gap between "student work" and "industry standards" to help you get in.
I have sat on the other side of the admission table for over 15 years. I have seen brilliant students with perfect portfolios walk into the room and destroy their chances in less than 5 minutes.
Why? Because they prepared for an "exam," but they walked into a "personality test."
The admission jury isn't just looking at your sketches; they are scanning your mindset. They want to know if you are teachable, resilient, and observant.
Here are the 3 most common "trap" questions I see candidates fail—and how you should actually answer them.
Trap 1: "Tell us about yourself."
The Mistake: 90% of students start reciting their resume: "My name is Rahul, I got 95% in Class 10, and I like drawing." The Reality: We already have your application form. We can read your marks. We are bored.
The Director’s Tip: Tell us a story we don't know. Talk about why you draw, not that you draw.
Bad Answer: "I have always loved art since childhood." (Generic).
Good Answer: "I realized I wanted to be a designer when I tried to fix my grandmother’s walking stick and realized most products aren't built for the elderly." (Shows empathy and observation).
Trap 2: "Critique this water bottle on the table."
The Mistake: The candidate picks up the bottle and says, "It looks nice," or "I don't like the color." The Reality: You are answering like a consumer, not a designer. If you judge things only by "looks," you aren't ready for design school.
The Director’s Tip: Analyze the object like a scientist. Talk about:
Ergonomics: "The grip seems too wide for small hands."
Material: "Why is it plastic instead of steel? Maybe for weight?"
Function: "The cap looks hard to open with one hand." Show us you understand how things work, not just how they look.
Trap 3: "What is your backup plan if you don't get selected?"
The Mistake: The Arrogant Answer: "I don't have a backup plan. I was born for NID." The Weak Answer: "I'll probably do Engineering."
The Reality: If you say you have no backup, you look rigid. If you say Engineering, you look unfocused. We want to see resilience.
The Director’s Tip: Be honest but determined.
Winning Answer: "I am applying to other creative programs because my goal is a career in Design. If I don't make it this year, I will upskill, build a better portfolio, and apply again. This is the only path for me."
Don't Let the Interview Kill Your Dream
You can have a 10/10 portfolio and still fail the interview because of nerves or bad answers. I have seen it happen too many times.
The interview is the final gate. Do not guess your way through it.
I offer a 1-on-1 Mock Interview & Strategy Session where I grill you exactly like the real panel will. We will fix your body language, refine your answers, and make sure you don't freeze when the pressure is on.
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