Designer Interview Questions
A designer can work in a variety of capacities, including graphic design, web and app design, fashion design, interior design and software design. Designers apply their creative skills to create visually appealing and engaging elements. When interviewing for design positions, interviewers often ask questions that relate to specific knowledge and skills.
Top Designer Interview Questions & How to Answer
Here are three top designer interview questions and tips on how to answer them:
Question No. 1: How do you overcome a creative block?
How to answer: People in creative roles, such as design, often have to apply unique skills and can experience blocks when they feel stuck or unsure of how to proceed. When answering this question, describe how you avoid procrastinating when you feel stuck creatively and which fresh concepts you use to break out of a creative slump.
Question No. 2: Describe a time when a client wasn't happy with your work.
How to answer: Designers often experience situations when their vision does not align with the client's vision. Prior to the interview, think about a specific situation when you had to adjust your work to adhere to what the client wanted. Use the STAR method: Describe the situation, task, action and result.
Question No. 3: How do you balance multiple projects with competing priorities?
How to answer: A designer regularly has to balance multiple projects, often with competing priorities. Use this question to talk about how you manage stressful situations, especially when you have ongoing work supplemented by urgent client requests or needs. This answer can also outline your organisational method for meeting deadlines and managing tasks.
What are some of the most important tools that you use when working on web design?
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Have you ever been on a boat? (Creative Open-ended question)
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Yes, I was actually born in the hold of a fishing trawler off the coast of Antarctica. (When the interviewer says, "Really?", I say, "No. But yes, I have been on a boat." Less
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Not yet - But I will be someday, when I finally get rescued off of this stupid island you put me on way back in Question #1 Less
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No, next question...
Q. What is it about Google that inspires you?
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Research
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Its innovations and creativity!! Whenever, there is a special occasion, the way it portrays on Google chrome search, it is inspiring!! I believe that Google knows that its real asset are humans, that's why interacting with common people like this makes it unique!! Google has its unique selling point! Less
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Research.
what is the salary you are expecting?
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Question from director: "... four people need to cross a bridge at night, there is only one flash light and only one person can walk on the bridge at a time. How do would you get them all across the bridge?"
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If a UX director asks this question, he wants to see how much of real UX designer you are, and how methodical you approach this task. A good UX designer needs to understand the real problem first. Based on the information given we can only make broad assumptions. A hypothesis based on limited data is a good starting point, but before we jump to premature "solutions", the first task is to do more digging. We need to ask questions (and do research) to understand the actual problem before we can propose a a fitting solution - a user experience that truly solves the unique problem these four people have in their specific situation (it might even turn out that they don't need to cross a bridge at night but need something completely else, but let's not go that far here). So - based on the information given, we don't know what type of bridge it is (does it have a railing, is the bridge lit, short, long, is there even pavement or gravel and potholes, is there traffic, etc...), we need to understand WHY only one person can walk on the bridge and whether the people even need to walk (they might be able to drive, maybe there is a bus that can transport them). Where is the flash light, what type of flash light is it And who are these individuals? What is the relationship between these people? Do they all have the same motivation to cross the bridge? WHY do they need to cross the bridge? Is that really what they need, or do they have a different problem? Also, are they all on the same side? Why do they need to cross the bridge at night, do they have to cross the bridge every night or just once? Etc. etc. -You get the point. In addition: What are my resources to get them over the bridge? Which technical and business opportunities and constraints do I have? In which time duration do I have to get them cross the bridge? Fun exercise for a UX candidate. Less
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Nope, only 1 person at a time, remember? just have the last person shine the flashlight on the bridge while the other people cross and then cross last. Less
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Well, why do you need a flashlight to cross a bridge? A blind person can cross a bridge, no? Can you not keep a hand on the railing and feel your way across? Can you not feel the rumble of traffic passing and keep away? Sure, it feels safer with a light, so let's go with that. You need to see what's ahead, so the first three people take turns shining the light from behind as one person crosses at a time. Then the fourth person crosses with the flashlight. Less
If I know TV design lingo.
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Would you say the iPhone is a competitor to the Blackberry
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It just goes to show how history teaches lessons - That was a good answer at the time and it was the right answer because that's what RIM wanted the truth to be. Not surprised they offered you the job. Less
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Thanks Ooops! It was clear they were nervous, and i have to say the opportunity is still there for RIM, but their competitors are not iPhone, its Samsung, HTC, Windows8. Those are the real challenges for them. If you have a LinkedIn profile let me know Less
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Yes and no, both are smartphones and provide similar functionality but the Blackberry is more productivity driven while the IPhone is more "user friendly" and entertainment driven. They do compete but they appeal to different segments of the market. Blackberry for the corporate/ government sectors and IPhone for the domestic. Less
I think it's inappropriate to ask applicants to donate two hours to an online assessment pre-interview, at the start of the interviewing process. It seems arrogant, and impersonal. I'd be fine with 20 minutes. Two hours is too much, and likely hurts P2's reputation with applicants.
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@Carbonate, in your original post, you state "This kind of tests beats any reference or experience ever" and you casually refer to "retards", "dumb people" and "the mentally and culturally limited". I think you meant to say "this kind of test" not "tests" and references to "retards", "dumb people", and the "mentally and culturally limited" are unprofessional, not to mention impolite. Statistically, it’s probable that one of your peers may have a developmentally disabled child, sibling, or other relative. So who hired you at P2, or are you in senior management there? Because, apparently the testing doesn't weed out bigots, loose cannons, and those who cannot use correct English grammar. On the other hand, an effective behavioral interview, along with a shorter version on the test, might. Less
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@Carbonate, apologies - I was not kind above. I just got a little bit p-d off at having to take a two hour test as part of a job application, really. Not sure what part I flunked, really, but I was not applying for an engineering position, so much of the test just annoying me. Maybe I was too honest on the cultural questions. Best of fortune to you. Less
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Heh - "annoyed me"
are you comfortable with night shift
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What are your strengths and weaknesses? Yup, that was it. He didn't ask who I've worked for, didn't even glance through my portfolio. Mr. Bass actually seemed preoccupied and rushed through my interview.
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Good for you! Those post were written by the owner trying to excuse the sorry offers he makes. I am positive you were over qualified! Good luck and stay as far away as possible from this place! Less
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Good one Mr Bass, I don't know how you find time to come on here and put interviewees down when you are too busy to meet with them (even though you were the one who sent the email asking me to come in for an interview). And to the person who commented recently, thank you and I appreciate your kindness. I know what I'm worth and do not need to work for pennies for a no-name company who is putting up the biggest show at the Pacific Design Center. Less
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It's my pleasure! You were smart enough to walk away. Can you imagine accepting a position and realizing the person the owner is once you were inside , in too deep to leave? It happens to a lot of people , good people also. Just thank the universe and your experience for being able see through this guy. Less