DOT School of Design, Chennai: Admission process, Eligibility, Exam Pattern, and Selection process

Published by Shikha Kumari on Feb 04, 2025

DOT School of Design, established in 2020, is Chennai’s first exclusive multidisciplinary design institution. Located in the Ambattur Industrial Estate, the school offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including Bachelor of Design (B.Des) and Master of Design (M.Des) degrees, as well as Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and various diploma courses. These programs encompass diverse fields such as Fashion Design, Industrial Design, Communication Design, Interior Design, User Experience Design, Animation, and Film Making. In this blog, we are going to discuss its admission process, eligibility, exam pattern, fees structure, placements and selection process.

DOT School of Design History & Faculty

The history of the school dates back to 2014 when a group of working professionals identified two major challenges in the design industry— the skill gap among design graduates and the lack of awareness about the role of design in product development. To address these issues, they established “dSchool”, an institution dedicated to providing foundational design courses for aspiring designers. dSchool served as a platform for students to explore and discover their career paths through hands-on, practical learning. This initiative eventually evolved into “DOT School of Design”, Chennai’s first exclusive multidisciplinary design institution, committed to bridging the gap between academics and industry. 

DOT School of Design in Chennai boasts a distinguished faculty comprising experienced professionals across various design disciplines. The team is led by Design Chair Mr. Balaram S, who oversees the Discipline of Industrial Design. Supporting him is Mrs. Elizabeth Joseph, serving as Dean of Academics in the Discipline of Textile Design. The faculty includes experts such as Mr. Aparajithan and Mr. Ajay Bharathi in Fine Arts, Ms. Dhwani Shah in Communication Design, and Mrs. Abinaya Ganga in Fashion Design, among others. This diverse group of educators brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience, ensuring a comprehensive learning environment for students.

DOT School of Design Admission Process 2025

The admission process at DOT School of Design involves the following steps:

1. Fill the application form through the official website of the institute.
2. Pay the application fee for a successful registration.
3. Give DOT – DAT (Design Aptitude Test) which includes creative quotient and on-table test.
4. Lastly, a personal interview will be conducted along with portfolio review. 

DOT School of Design Eligibility Criteria 2025

The official website of the institute lists the eligibility criteria for two of its courses:

DOT School of Design Exam Pattern 2025

DOT School of Design conducts DOT – DAT (Design Aptitude Test) as a part of its admission process. Through this test, the institute examines the designing and creative ability of candidates. It includes questions related to sketching, drawing and reasoning. 

The two components of the test are:

• Creative Quotient: This initial test evaluates candidates’ design and creative abilities.
• On-Table Test: Candidates undertake practical tasks to assess their hands-on design skills.

The total duration of the DOT-DAT is approximately 2 hours, with each section allocated specific time limits to ensure a thorough evaluation of the candidate’s skills.

DOT School of Design Fee Structure

DOT School of Design Selection Process 2025

Selection in DOT School of Design is based on the DOT – DAT Exam and Personal Interview:

1. Design Aptitude Test (DOT-DAT): This initial test evaluates candidates’ design and creative abilities.
2. On-Table Test: Candidates undertake practical tasks to assess their hands-on design skills.
3. Personal Interview and Portfolio Submission: Applicants present their portfolios and participate in an interview to discuss their work and aspirations.