Decision Engine for Education

A study of parameters required to finalize a college

for further education

Project By Project Guides

Zalak Upadhyay Manoj Neelkanthan
Information & Interface Design Coordinator, IID, NID R&D Campus

Gaurang Prajapati
UX Designer, Microsoft IDC
Decisions Involved

Field / Major Subject / Honors / Degree

Arts, Biotechnology, Defence, Design,
Engineering, Law, Medical Science, Social
Science, Zoology etc...

College to pursue the chosen field in

AIIMS, IITs, IIMs, NIFT, NID, etc...
Design Process

1
User Research
A constructive study of users in Indian context. The factors
that go into consideration while making education related
decisions and how they affect the final decisons.

2 Design Opportunity Identification

In depth analysis of the user research involving tapping of
design opportunities and problem areas.
Design Process

3
Conceptualization
Developing concepts for the design opportunities captured
from the user research.

4 Prototyping
Designing prototypes of the finalized concept(s).
Phase 1

User Research
What People Said (PERSONAL)
“I wanted to be away from home...” “Only college that offered this course...”
“I don’t care if faculty teaches or interacts, I just want a degree”
“What a science
student does is
engineering or “I didn’t score well in my CEE...”
medical..”
“Only college that took engineers for this course...”

“I wanted to finish “College didn’t matter in UG but in PG it does..”

before 23, they
were the only “All colleges are same”
ones who took
freshers....” “I did not have sufficient funds.. They offered me freeship...”

“This college is known for this course...”

“I don’t care if its
“I flunked, they were the only ones chemical the college
to take me in with donation..” has reputation to get
“Had to switch from my personal choice as me into a good
seats were not available at my score.” corporate.”
What People Said (PARENTAL)
“My dad didn’t want me to go to
Bihar/ Punjab/Rajasthan...”

“UG i did what my parents asked for,

PG had to be my choice...”

“It was my dad’s dream

that I make it to IIM...”
“My parents and I visited 12
campuses before deciding...”
What People Said (What I look for?)

Social status/ college stamp “If I can compare the course content
with other college’s and decide.”

Facilities for my course Rank of college

Accomodation Food
Awards won by college
“Does my prof know his stuff?”

Job prespects / placements

Course structure/content
Faculty student ratio
Infrastructure
“I like to compare colleges of same reputation...”
What People Said (Miscellaneous)
Safety for girls
“Doesn’t make sense to stay away
from home if ain’t a big college...”
Ease of access / commutation
Modes of travel connectivity

“Can I go home on weekends?”

My house is 15 mins walk from here
Specific Requirements

Most Common Common Uncommon

Campus / Branches Accomodation Safety
Ranking Food State restrictions
Status Fees Time and distance to
commute (for girls)
Distance (in UG) Prerequisites
Affiliation Seniors Info / Reviews
Web Presence
General Observations
People are quite casual while picking the UG college, but very specific when selecting
a PG college.

Parameters like faculty related information, course contents do not matter until
unless it is a unique course.

Parents are a major influence while selecting the UG course, but students prefer to go
for their choice for PG.

Status or the brand image of the college is a major criterion. People do not like to
travel a long distance from home until unless it is a very famous college.

People prefer government colleges due to less fees.

Complaints
Less info made public.

Sites have ambiguous content.

College contact us emails are never replied to.

I had no idea who was going to teach us.

I did not know they had this course!

Current options
Accuracy Struggle
Site Medium Medium

Booklet / Brochure Low Low

Counselling Low High

Seniors / Faculty High Medium

Forums / Discussion Boards Medium Medium

People’s review Medium Low

Phase 2

Design
Opportunity
 Important Dates

Prerequisites

Application forms
Connectivity
Fees
Time

Course Admission Career

Food Accomodation Distance Safety Weather
Content Procedure Options

Course(s) Facilities City

Site Faculty-Student Ratio

Forums / Discussion Boards

Campus / Branches Brief Detail

Social Network Page

Official Faculty Web Presence
From the experience of talking to
Contact Info
students, a common thing that came
out was that for most of the
Web students going for a national or
People
Presence state level exam the admission
College / University procedure was more of a gamble, a
Site Students per class puzzle or a maze they get caught
Unofficial Student up in and end up picking what they
Forums / Discussion Boards Contact Info

Social Network Page Web Presence

get in counselling out of confusion.
Credits
The graphic illustrates the
parameters that would help them
make better decisions. The
Achievements / Highlights Ranking / Reviews metaphor used for graphic is that of
a maze to depict the complexity and
Awards India Today Top 100
struggle encountered while looking
Affiliation / Accrediation
for information.
State / Country wise ranks
(Please zoom to see the contents properly.)
Special Courses Other’s reviews
Phase 3

Conceptualization
Types of Query Strings
College Name
National Institute of Design, NID, M. S. Ramaiah

Course Name
Information Design, Chemical Engineering, M.S in Biotechnology

College Name + City

M.S Ramaiah, Bangalore; IIT Gandhinagar

Course + College Name + City

FD in NIFT Bangalore
Types of Query Strings
Course + City
Mechanical Engineering, Bangalore

Course Name + College Name

Information Design at NID
Categorization of query Strings
Specific Non Specific
College Name Course Name
(mostly seen in cases of rare courses)
College name + City

Course name + city

Course + College

Course + College + City (Effort is to bring the user to this level)

Phase 4

Prototyping
 EDUCATION
NID
Web Web Images Videos CLUELESS!
RELATED SEARCHES COURSES
NID Ahmedabad
The National Institute of Design (NID)
NID Ahmedabad
NID Bangalore The National Institute of Design (NID) is internationally acclaimed as one of the foremost NID Bangalore
NID Gandhinagar multi-disciplinary institutions in the field of design education and research.
NID Gandhinagar
www.nid.edu · Cached page
SIMILAR COLLEGES
IDC, IIT Powai HIGHLIGHTS RATING AFFILIATION ONLINE PRESENCE
Shrishti, Bangalore India - Top 10 Blogs
more... World - Top 50 Discussion Boards
Forums

REVIEWS DISTANCE

NID is one of the best x New Delhi

design schools.... You are here!
New Delhi, India To
more...
Yes No
Product Design,
Transport and
A
Automobile Design....
C
more...

B
 EDUCATION
NID
Web Web Images Videos
RELATED SEARCHES COURSES
NID Ahmedabad
The National Institute of Design (NID)
NID Ahmedabad
NID Bangalore The National Institute of Design (NID) is internationally acclaimed as one of the foremost NID Bangalore
NID Gandhinagar multi-disciplinary institutions in the field of design education and research.
Design for Digital
www.nid.edu · Cached page
Experience
SIMILAR COLLEGES
IDC, IIT Powai HIGHLIGHTS RATING AFFILIATION ONLINE PRESENCE Design for Retail
India - Top 10 Blogs experience
Shrishti, Bangalore
more... World - Top 50 Discussion Boards
Information and
Forums Interface Design

NID Gandhinagar
REVIEWS

NID is one of the best x

design schools.... You are here! DISTANCE
New Delhi, India
more...
Yes No New Delhi
Product Design,
Transport and To
Automobile Design.... A
C
more...

B
 EDUCATION
NID
Web Web Images Videos
RELATED SEARCHES COURSES
NID Ahmedabad
The National Institute of Design (NID)
NID Ahmedabad
NID Bangalore The National Institute of Design (NID) is internationally acclaimed as one of the foremost NID Bangalore
NID Gandhinagar multi-disciplinary institutions in the field of design education and research.
Design for Digital
www.nid.edu · Cached page
Experience
SIMILAR COLLEGES
IDC, IIT Powai HIGHLIGHTS RATING AFFILIATION ONLINE PRESENCE Design for Retail
experience
Shrishti, Bangalore India - Top 10 Blogs
more... HOME
World - Top 50 LOCATION x Boards
Discussion Information and
Forums Interface Design

Select your home location: NID Gandhinagar

x
Agra
REVIEWS
SUBMIT CANCEL Ajmer
You are here!
Delhi DISTANCE
NID is one of the best
New Delhi, India
Gandhinagar
design schools.... New Delhi
Hampi Yes No
more... Itanagar
To
Product Design, Jaipur
A
Transport and C Kolkata
Automobile Design....
more...

B
 EDUCATION
NID Bangalore
Web Web Images Videos
RELATED SEARCHES COURSES
NID NID R&D Campus, Bangalore (NID) Design for Digital
NID Ahmedabad The National Institute of Design (NID) is internationally acclaimed as one of the foremost Experience
NID Gandhinagar multi-disciplinary institutions in the field of design education and research.
Design for Retail
www.nid.edu/nidb · Cached page experience
SIMILAR COLLEGES
IDC, IIT Powai HIGHLIGHTS RATING AFFILIATION ONLINE PRESENCE Information and
Blogs Interface Design
Shrishti, Bangalore India - Top 10
more... World - Top 50 Discussion Boards
Forums

REVIEWS DISTANCE

NID is one of the best Kolkata

design schools....
To
more... Bangalore
Product Design,
A x
Transport and 2500 Kms
Automobile Design....
C
You are here!
Kolkata, India
more...
Yes No Connecting trains
availbale. Approx.
time taken 2 days.
x
NID, Bangalore Connecting flights
HMT Link Road, Yeswantpur available.Approx.
B 080 2335689 / 90
time taken 2 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Student Faculty College

Abhijeet Minhaas Ritu Deora

Naveen Thomas Sravani Das

more...
 EDUCATION
ormation & Interface design, NID Bangalore
Web Web Images Videos
RELATED SEARCHES SEARCH HISTORY
NID Information & Interface Design(IID)
NID Bangalore

NID Ahmedabad The National Institute of Design (NID) is internationally acclaimed as one of the foremost
EDUCATION

Web Web Images Videos

RELATED SEARCHES COURSES
NID NID R&D Campus, Bangalore (NID) Design for Digital
NID Ahmedabad The National Institute of Design (NID) is internationally acclaimed as one of the foremost Experience

multi-disciplinary institutions in the field of design education and research.

NID Gandhinagar multi-disciplinary institutions in the field of design education and research.

NID Gandhinagar
Design for Retail
www.nid.edu/nidb · Cached page experience
SIMILAR COLLEGES
IDC, IIT Powai HIGHLIGHTS RATING AFFILIATION ONLINE PRESENCE Information and

COMPARE
Blogs Interface Design
Shrishti, Bangalore India - Top 10
more... World - Top 50 Discussion Boards
Forums

REVIEWS DISTANCE

www.nid.edu/nidb/courses/IID · Cached page

NID is one of the best Kolkata
design schools....
To
more... Bangalore
Product Design,
A x
Transport and 2500 Kms
Automobile Design....
C
You are here!
Kolkata, India

SIMILAR COLLEGES
more...
Yes No Connecting trains
availbale. Approx.
time taken 2 days.
x
NID, Bangalore Connecting flights

ADMISSION DETAILS
HMT Link Road, Yeswantpur available.Approx.
B 080 2335689 / 90
time taken 2 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

IDC, IIT Powai Student Faculty

Abhijeet Minhaas
College

Ritu Deora

Shrishti, Bangalore
Naveen Thomas Sravani Das

TYPE SEATS
more...

15
more... NID Bangalore
National
PROCEDURE
NID

Written followed by interview

EDUCATION

Web Web Images Videos CLUELESS!

REVIEWS
RELATED SEARCHES COURSES
NID Ahmedabad
The National Institute of Design (NID)
NID Ahmedabad
NID Bangalore The National Institute of Design (NID) is internationally acclaimed as one of the foremost NID Bangalore
NID Gandhinagar multi-disciplinary institutions in the field of design education and research.
NID Gandhinagar
www.nid.edu · Cached page
SIMILAR COLLEGES
IDC, IIT Powai RANKING RATING ONLINE PRESENCE

COMPARE
Shrishti, Bangalore India - Top 10 Blogs
more... World - Top 50 Discussion Boards
Forums

FEES DURATION
REVIEWS DISTANCE

NID is one of the best x New Delhi

NID is one of the best

design schools.... You are here!
New Delhi, India To
more...
Yes No
Product Design,
Transport and

2 yrs
A
Automobile Design....
C
more...

design schools.... Approx. 1.5 lacs pa B

IMP. DATES NID

more...
Refer to the site www.nid.edu
Product Design,
Transport and
Automobile Design.... PREREQUISITES
more... Graduates with a Bachelors in Design, Architecture, Fine or Applied Arts, Visual
Communication, Mass Media, Computer Science, I.T., Electronics, Engineering, or
degrees from Humanities or Social Sciences or equivalent or graduates in any
discipline with one year relevant industry experience.

CONTACT DETAILS

Student Faculty College

Abhijeet Minhaas Ritu Deora

Naveen Thomas Sravani Das

more...
EDUCATION

CLUELESS!
 EDUCATION Engineering
CLUELESS!

COLLEGE TYPE POPULAR RESULTS

National A
C
Regional x A
IIT, Kanpur
You are here!
New Delhi, India Kanpur, Uttar
RANKING Yes No Pradesh
TOP 10 0112 2356789
TOP 50
B
TOP 100 IIIT, Allahabad
Doesn’t matter Allahabad,
B
Uttar Pradesh
Location 0112 2356789
All over India C
My State MNNIT, Allahabad
1000 KM Allahabad,
Uttar Pradesh
Distance from hometown 0112 2356789
more...
ADMISSION TYPE

Common Entrance
Merit Based
Written Exam
Donation seats
 EDUCATION Engineering
CLUELESS!

COLLEGE TYPE Rank College City G/P Plmt % POPULAR RESULTS

National
Regional 1 IIT Kanpur Kanpur Govt. 95 IIT, Kanpur
2 IIT Kharagpur Kharagpur Govt. 90 Kanpur, Uttar
RANKING 3 IIT Bombay Mumbai Govt. 95 Pradesh
TOP 10 4 IIT Madras Chennai Govt. 90 0112 2356789
TOP 50 5 IIT Delhi Delhi Govt. 90
TOP 100 6 BITS Pilani Pilani Private 85 IIIT, Allahabad
Doesn’t matter 7 IIT Roorkee Roorkee Govt. 90 Allahabad,
Uttar Pradesh
8 IT-BHU Varanasi Govt. 91
Location 0112 2356789
9 IIT Guwahati Guwahati Govt. 86
All over India 10 College of Engg, Anna University Guindy Govt. 88
My State MNNIT, Allahabad
11 Jadavpur University Calcutta Govt. 95
1000 KM
12 Indian School of Mines Dhanbad Govt. 98 Allahabad,
Uttar Pradesh
13 NIT Warangal Govt. 94
Distance from hometown 14 BIT, Mesra Ranchi Private 97 0112 2356789
15 NIT Trichy Govt. 87 more...
ADMISSION TYPE
16 Delhi College of Engineering New Delhi Govt. 86
Common Entrance 17 Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh Govt. 88
Merit Based 18 NIT Suratkal Govt. 90
Written Exam 19 Motilal Nehru National Inst. of Technology Allahabad Govt. 91
Donation seats 20 Thapar Inst of Engineering & Technology Patiala Private 94

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Thank You