Graphic Designer

Showing interest in your field outside of office hours may indicate you really love what you’re doing (and that’s always a good thing). If you don’t subscribe to any publications or websites, it’s never too late.

Your interviewer isn’t asking this question because she wants to know about that time in college that you had a paper due but your cat got a stomach virus and your car broke down. What she’s really asking is “Tell me a time that you succeeded under pressure”. You’ll want to answer it without framing it as a “woe is me” story. For instance:

“In my last position, we were working on a very strict budget and close deadline. Because we were skilled communicators, everyone was able to pull together and exceed client expectations when the presentation was rescheduled to a week ahead of time.”

(Be confident)

After five years, I see myself working for your firm in capacity of senior graphic designer, producing effective visual communications and making history in the field of graphic designing!

Yes. I work with clients to create clean, functional, SEO friendly websites that are easy to navigate providing a positive user experience. This includes layout, design thru completion, SEO integration and final site upload. There are some aspects of more complex programming that I have chosen not to do – but will seek out professional colleagues for these client services if and when necessary.

With this question, the interviewer is obviously keen to find out where your passion lies and what your motivations are for working in the industry. When trying to prepare your answer to this question, think about what it is that makes you want to continue to work in the graphic design industry. Is it the creativity aspect? The chance to create pieces which will be seen by thousands of people every day? Or the fact you get to create lots of different pieces of work every year? With this type of answer, it’s easy to tell who’s being false and who’s being honest so whatever answer you give, try and stay true to yourself and avoid copying anyone else.

An employer might ask this question because, although you might have mentioned it on your CV or included it in your portfolio, they want to hear about your most successful campaign in your own words. With this question, the employer wants to hear about your passion for that particular campaign and why you personally think it was such a success. They’re also looking to see how you judge the success of a campaign and how and what you did to make it successful. Obviously with this question, your answer will depend on your previous experience – but whichever campaign you choose, try and have some stats to hand and be careful not to take responsibility for other people’s work.

Let your creative juices flow, we want to hear the craziest and wildest ideas of what might next drive the design industry. Extra points for storytelling!

For example, VR (virtual reality) is opening a big space in the consumer world: from gaming to virtual museums and any kind of virtual experiences. In regard to visual design and interaction, VR is one of the new mediums for design inclusion from the graphic and interactive perspective.

The candidate needs to explain the entire design process, the decisions, ideation, context, why’s, do’s and dont’s, through describing the production and execution of a specific project.

Question the designer’s decisions to discover details of projects and the reasoning behind these decisions. Ask how the designer would have made those projects even better.

A great app requires a unique visual design, a fast and understandable user experience and interaction.

Clear display of information and hierarchy are fundamental in how the user understands the intended visual communication of the app. Memorable visual identity and association of colour are just a few elements that make a great app.

Show us some great apps and explain what makes them good. Likewise, explain how some popular apps could be improved upon.

If you were confronted by a tough challenge, we want to hear about it. Why was it the biggest challenge in your career? What happened, what did you do to overcome it, what tools and processes were employed?

Most design work goes unseen and behind the curtains in the design process. We want to hear your design hero story. Alternatively, describe your dream challenge and how you would design a process to help you deal with it.

More often than not, you’ll be working on multiple projects with deadlines that may overlap. This is an excellent opportunity to show off your project management and task prioritization skills.

I like designing websites and advertisements as I believe my expertise lies here. However, I am also quite interested in mobile application designing which I would like to explore now.

The answer will vary for each person. Some people will want to be experts in what they do, while others may see themselves in a more of a management role. Think about what you want for yourself, and confidently answer this question.

This is the chance for your sales pitch. Tell the interviewer how awesome you are and why your skills are a great fit for the company.

I have developed several web banners and landing pages for my previous employers. Details are enclosed in my portfolio for your view.

With this question, the employer is basically asking you why they should hire you over any other candidate and they’re also testing how well you know yourself as a professional graphic designer. Again, with this question it’s important to be honest and to think about what qualities and experience you might possess as a graphic designer that other candidates might not – this could be your previous client base, the range and depth of your experience – or even some of the techniques you’ve picked up in your career. Whatever reasons you give, be sure to have some examples to hand so you can back them up.

From awards, to happy clients, consumers, engaged public, social movement, and tangible results in skyrocketing numbers and profits, we want to hear it all.

How did it start, what happened, and why did you succeed?