Are you preparing for an upcoming visual design interview? As a creative professional, you’ll need to showcase not only your technical skills but also your ability to think critically, solve problems, and collaborate effectively. To help you stand out from the competition, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of 19 essential visual design interview questions and answers that cover a wide range of topics.
1. What do you think of (x) project?
Interviewers often present a specific project or design and ask for your critique. This question allows them to assess your ability to analyze and critique design work objectively. When responding, consider discussing the project’s context, goals, references, influences, aesthetics, problems, solutions, and the rationale behind the chosen direction. If you can offer quick solutions to specific issues, even better.
2. What areas of your work or personal development are you hoping to explore further?
This question aims to understand your desire for growth and continuous learning. Discuss areas of personal development you wish to explore, particularly those related to visual design. Explain how you plan to become even better or branch out into different areas of design expertise.
3. How would you describe your work and your influences?
Interviewers want to gauge your passion for design and design thinking. Share elaborate and interesting stories about your work, influences, and the reasoning behind your design choices. References to history, art, culture, music, and architecture can provide valuable insights into your thought process.
4. Portfolio critique: Please explain the three best projects from your portfolio.
Be prepared to walk the interviewer through your design process, explaining the ideation, context, decisions, do’s and don’ts, and execution of specific projects. The interviewer may also ask how you would have improved those projects, allowing you to demonstrate your ability to self-critique and grow.
5. Can you tell us more about your design background?
This question allows you to share your design journey, including your educational background, past work experiences, significant projects or challenges, and how they have shaped your current career aspirations.
6. Why did you become a designer?
Your answer to this question will reveal your character, passion, and the driving force behind your professional career. Share your inspiration, influences, and the aspects of design that excite you the most.
7. What is your design approach?
Discuss your design process in detail, including how you develop and create your work, handle different situations and briefs, and collaborate with teams. A thorough and well-articulated approach demonstrates your professionalism and attention to detail.
8. How would you describe your design research?
Explain the techniques, tools, and thought processes you employ to conduct design research. If you received data from clients, copywriters, strategists, or UX designers, discuss how you would validate and potentially enhance the provided information.
9. What software do you use, and when?
While proficiency in standard design software like Adobe Creative Suite and Sketch is expected, showcasing additional skills in areas like processing, illustration, animation, video, or art can make you stand out. Explain when and why you use specific software for different projects.
10. What field, industry, type of work do you prefer?
Share your interests and preferences when it comes to the type of work you enjoy most. This could range from digital to print, social causes to luxury projects, or anything in between. Discuss personal goals, project goals, and the type of work you haven’t had the chance to tackle yet.
11. What would you say will be the future of design? Or the next big thing?
This question allows you to showcase your creativity and vision for the design industry. Share your wildest ideas and predictions about emerging trends, technologies, or mediums that could shape the future of design. For example, you could discuss the potential impact of virtual reality on visual design and user experience.
12. What is your biggest design career moment?
Share a significant achievement or milestone in your design career, such as winning an award, delighting a client, creating a successful social movement, or contributing to a project that yielded tangible results. Describe the journey, challenges, and strategies that led to your success.
13. What is your biggest design challenge?
Discuss a particularly challenging project or situation you faced in your career, and how you overcame it. Explain the tools, processes, and problem-solving skills you employed to tackle the challenge. Alternatively, you could describe your dream challenge and how you would approach it.
14. Please describe why you would like to work with a team and why you would like to work alone.
This question assesses your ability to collaborate and work independently. Explain your preferences, strengths, and strategies for succeeding in both team and individual environments.
15. What are your strengths?
Highlight your strongest qualities and the unique value you can bring to a project, client, or brand. Discuss your hard and soft skills, creative abilities, and any other positive attributes that make you an excellent designer.
16. Design school never ends, at least for great designers. How do you learn and grow your knowledge and expertise?
Continuous learning is essential for designers. Share your methods for expanding your knowledge, such as reading books, following design blogs or magazines, attending workshops or conferences, or learning from mistakes (both your own and others’).
17. What constitutes good design?
Discuss your understanding of good design principles and the elements that make a design successful. You could reference specific projects, products, visual identities, or campaigns that exemplify good design, and explain why they resonated with you.
18. What is the meaning of color and color theory in visual design?
Color plays a crucial role in visual communication and brand identity. Explain how successful brands use color theory and consistent color palettes to convey their stories, connect with their audience, and differentiate themselves from competitors.
19. What makes a great app in terms of visual design?
A great app should have a unique visual design, intuitive user experience, and clear information hierarchy. Discuss the elements that contribute to a memorable visual identity and a seamless user experience in mobile apps. You could also provide examples of well-designed apps and suggest improvements for popular ones.
Remember, interviewing is a two-way process. While preparing insightful responses, also have questions ready to ask the interviewer about the company, the role, and the team you’ll be working with. Good luck!
Graphic Design Interview Questions with Answer Examples
FAQ
What is asked in design interview?
How do you answer the design process interview question?
