Questions for a Design Interview

I still remember my very first class at RISD. I had signed up to an illustration course over the summer in Rhode Island. Providence was a small town, so I mostly focused on school work. That’s where I realized I wanted to take up Graphic Design instead and live in a bigger city where I could learn from my environment too! 

So what’s the difference between illustration and graphic design? 

An illustration can be defined as a visual explanation or interpretation of an idea, process or concept. Illustrations are usually used in magazines, books, posters, video games, films and animations. However, graphic design is more commercial art.  It is widely used by organizations to sell, advertise and promote their brand, products and services. A graphic designer aims at conveying a message to target audience. To do so, there is a careful selection of design elements of colors, typefaces, images, symbols, and others. 

Living in New York city I had the opportunity to intern at Mucca Design, Avroko, Dior and United Nations as a graphic designer. Through my varied experiences I’ve come up with a list of questions you could be asked in a design interview! 

1 ) Tell me about yourself 

Open ended questions like this should showcase your recent success and abilities to deliver on tasks. As a creative- remember - you are the brand. You should rehearse this answer as it would be one of the first few things that reflects your confidence. You can also share your strengths relating to you job or company.

2 ) Why do you want to work for us?

Your potential employer wants to hire someone thats interested in working with them, specifically. This is your opportunity to show them why it is a good career move for you. You can chat about projects you admire at the company or their culture. Employers may ask this question to understand your motivations to apply to the job and to gauge if you will stay for a while. 

3 ) What project are you most proud of and what was your role in it?

Before the interview, make sure you portfolio is up-to-date. While answering this question open up to the project you are referring to. Chat about the software you used. Most importantly show collaborative skills. The best designers work as a team. Display what roles and responsibilities you had but point out what you learnt from others too. 

4 ) Where do you find inspiration?

What websites do you admire? Which apps do you use? What type of products do you buy and what is the packaging around them? Think of the last time you drew in your journal - where were you? If you are a graphic designer, employers want to know if your inspiration is drawn from other aspects apart from just pure design- like nature, architecture or the art-scene.

5 ) Who is your favorite designer and why?

This is a good opportunity to talk about current trends and articulate why a certain designer stands out to you. Perhaps the culture around the brand you pick is similar to the company culture. For example you are applying to be a shoe designer and your favorite designer is Manolo Blahnik. Explaining influences is an important part of this answer. 

6 ) What do you think of x project?

Here the employer is probably going to show you something outside your comfort zone. Try to give answers that explain context, goals, references, influences, pure aesthetics and the possible reasoning behind the chosen direction. If you’d like to go one step further even give solutions to how you may be able to design it better. 

7 ) What does design mean to you? or why did you become a designer? 

Here the employer is trying to understand your personal story. When discussing these themes - talk with energy and passion. Explain your style preferences, influences and historical references.

8 ) How do you incorporate feedback in designs?

You want to make sure you showcase how you solve design problems, not make them. Mature designers appreciate and incorporate constructive feedback. 

9 ) Tell us about one well designed object in your opinion?

Your answer could range from something like a I Pod, to a tea kettle or even a book cover! Technology has changed a lot of things about products but design is still a very important aspect of all things we create. The employer will view not just what you picked but why you picked that certain object and how you broke down your answer. 

10 ) Tell us about your favourite project in your portfolio

This is a fairly flexible question. While answering this question try to use the STARS approach. STARS is a technique to help you think and talk about your experiences and accomplishments. It help you realize how important your experience really is!

STARS means – Situation/Task/Action/Results/(Skills Illustrated). Quantify (add #’s) wherever you can, so the employer knows exactly what you did, why you did it, and what for. Practice in the mirror before you go in to an interview!

SITUATION: Describe the company; it’s climate; how big, interesting or otherwise impressive; timing; interpersonal situations, “This is what was happening—this was the situation where I worked…”

TASK: The objective, assignment or problem to be solved

 ACTION: How YOU accomplished the task

 RESULTS: Use numbers, what the result means for the company or for you

 Skills/Attributes illustrated

BEST OF LUCK!

We hope these questions and answers help you ace the interview!