Graphic Design Interview Questions and Answers

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In this article, we’ll discuss about mostly asked Graphic Design Interview Questions and Answers.

Why did you choose to become a graphic designer?

A graphic designer must have creative zeal and passion towards their profession. Through this question, interviewers assess what drives the candidate.

Share your experiences with design, educational background, and skills that make you a good graphic designer.

Sample answer:

I chose to become a Graphic Designer as it resonated with my creative zeal and allowed me to showcase my talent. I loved drawing and doodling ever since I was a kid.

Graphic designing makes my interest a profession and lets me create impressive designs that impact people.

With a bachelors degree in graphic design from ABC college and a diploma in design, graphic designer seems to be the perfect job for me.

According to you, what is the role of a graphic designer?

Sample answer

For me, the role of a graphic designer is to create visual concepts that inspire and captivate consumers.

A good graphic designer enables effective marketing by creating a brand appeal.

They are responsible for product design and planning the overall layout for advertisements, corporate reports, etc.

What is the significance of communication in graphic design?

This is a frequently asked graphic design interview question. Interviewers ask this question to assess your perspective about the field.

Talking points can be the nature, scope, and importance of the field.

Sample answer

Communication is very crucial to graphic design as the entire point of design is to communicate with people.

The primary objective of any design is to speak to its consumers effectively to convey messages and ideas.

A graphic designer ensures that the consumer understands the objective of design effectively.

Secondly, as a designer, communication across peers and teams is important so that all stakeholders can provide input in the creation of design and are aware of its development.

What should be a designer’s priority while creating a design?

This is a common graphic design interview question. Interviewers ask this question to understand your perspective as the priorities are subjective and differ for all designers.

Discuss the aspect that you think is most important for design. Focus on the “why” and “how” to answer effectively.

Some common aspects that designers prioritize are:
• Design framework
• User engagement
• Content
• Usability
• Visual aesthetics
• Typography

Sample answer:

I can’t speak for all designers but I prioritize user engagement and content both. In my opinion, content has a major impact on consumers and without the consumer, there is no value of design.

So I focus on creating designs with high-quality content that have the potential to gauge users.

What makes you a good graphic designer? Or What makes a graphic designer stand out from others?

A good graphic designer can multi-task and create designs that complement their ideas, client’s requirements and attract the audience’s attention.

Qualities that make graphic designers stand out are:
• Creativity
• Passion
• Curiosity
• Openness
• Ability to take criticism
• Patience

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Strengths and weaknesses are different for everyone. Honesty is the key to answer this question effectively.

For strengths, list all the good qualities you possess. Talking points could be:

• Passion
• Creative zeal
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Analytical thinking
• Problem-solving skills
• Patience
• Artistic skills

When talking about weaknesses, talk about the skills you lack and what you are doing to develop them.

Answers like “I’m too punctual” or “I enjoy working too much” are old tricks and fail to impress.

Sample answer:

I’m a creative person driven by my passion for design. I’m proficient with graphic tools and have an artistic approach towards everything I create.

I’m also a team player and know how to improve myself when given feedback.

But my weakness is that I’m rather bad with time-management. I understand meeting deadlines is an important part of what I do, which is why I read a lot of time management books and try staying organized.

Describe a situation where you had to meet a tight deadline and how did you deal with it?

This is a frequently asked graphic design interview question as it helps the interviewer understand if you can perform efficiently with time constraints without compromising on the quality.

Pick any project where you had little time and discuss the strategy used to overcome the challenge.

Talk about time allocation and answer to reflect how you designed and followed the road map throughout the project.

Are you aware of different types of graphic design projects?

Yes, I’m well-versed with different types of graphic design projects. The 5 most common types of projects are:

1. Visual Identity Graphic Design– Visual elements that establish a brand’s identity through images, shapes, and colors.
2. Marketing & Advertising Graphic Design– Designing for marketing and advertisement. e.g, postcards, flyers, print ads, billboards, brochures, etc.
3. User Interface Graphic Design– Designing to enhance the user’s interaction with devices and applications. Includes web page design, interface design, app design, etc.
4. Motion Graphic Design– Designing in-motion graphics like advertisements, animated logos, presentations, tutorial videos, websites, videogames, GIFs, etc.
5. Environmental Graphic Design– Designing spaces to make them interesting and memorable. Example- Wall murals, exhibitions, designing conference spaces, stadiums, retail stores, etc.

What kind of design projects interest you?

Graphic designers work on different types of projects and even though they are based on same principles, their objectives differ with product agendas.

Talk about the type of graphic designing that interests you the most. Try to draw a connection in your area of interest and the requirement of the role you are interviewing for.

Sample answer:

I like all aspects of designing but motion graphic designing intrigues me the most. It lets me add life to all my ideas.

It’s amazing how animated graphics can impress users everywhere and the process of creating them is fun too.

Which graphic design tools are you familiar with?

Apart from artistic inclination, graphic designers must also be up to date with technological advancements.

Use designs from your portfolio and discuss the tools you use to create designs and your proficiency with them.

Here is a list of 10 commonly used graphic design tools:

1. Photoshop
2. GIMP
3. Illustrator
4. Inkscape
5. CorelDraw
6. Adobe InDesign
7. Serif Draw plus
8. Xara Xtreme
9. Coral Paintshop
10. Coral Photoimpact

What are the differences between associative hatching and non-associative hatching in CAD?

ASSOCIATIVE HATCHING	NON-ASSOCIATIVE HATCHING
Moves with boundary	Does not move with boundary
Auto CAD crashes may result in corrupted drawings	No such issues in non-associative hatching

What is 3D Graphic Art and how is it useful for a designer?

3D Graphic Art is a computer graphic animation used to make 3-dimensional illustrations for video games, movie animations, etc.

Making 3D models helps the designers visualize space and enables efficient and accurate drawing, helping them observe otherwise invisible details.

What are the components of graphic design?

Here are 7 important components of graphic design :

1. Line
2. Shape
3. Color
4. Space
5. Texture
6. Scale
7. Typography

Explain the components of graphic design?

Graphic design is based on 7 important components:

1. Line: It is any two connected points in a design. Lines divide space, stress on specific words/phrases and creating patterns. It directs the viewer’s attention in the desired direction.
2. Color: Color has the most powerful impact on the audience. It can make a statement individually and with other components. A well-crafted color theory develops mood and emotions towards design and creates visual interest.
3. Shape: It is defined by boundaries like color or line. All components come together to make a shape. Three types of shapes are geometric, natural and abstracted.
4. Space: It is the area between different elements of a design. It defines importance and leads the viewer through the design. Effective use of space makes the user perceive the design better and positively.
5. Texture: Texture is the surface, look and feel of the design. It adds depth and visual interest.
6. Scale: Scale is the size of elements of a design. It impacts the viewer by creating emphasis and visual interest in the design.
7. Typography: Typography is the styling of words using different fonts and sizes. Just like colors and shapes, typography expresses the nature of the design.

What is the difference between a window polygon and a crossing polygon?

Window polygon allows the designer to select objects inside the polygon whereas crossing polygon is used to select all the objects within and around the boundary of the polygon.

What is Linked layer?

Linked layer is a tool in Photoshop that helps in the formation of a relational bond between layers and allows the designers to apply changes to all grouped layers.

What is Lasso tool?

Lasso tool in Photoshop is used to select areas with no pre-defined shape. It is a common tool available in all image editing software and enables free selection of area.

The three types of lasso tools are Standard lasso tool, Polygonal Lasso tool, and magnetic lasso tool.

What is the shortcut to reset zoom?

The shortcut to reset zoom is ctrl+0 (Zero key).

What are the core graphic design principles?

The core graphic design principles are:

1. Contrast
2. Proportion
3. Rhythm
4. Color
5. Visual Hierarchy
6. Proximity

Explain 4 crucial core graphic design principles.

1. Visual Hierarchy: Allocating visual weight to elements in a design based on their importance. Segregation can be done by fonts, size, and texture.
2. Color: Color enhances the overall mood of design and reflects the tone and sophistication.
3. Contrast: Bringing together two or more elements that oppose each other in style, color or look. It helps the viewer focus on key elements.
4. Proportion: It works together with dominance and priority and focuses on the scale of elements.

What are the basic composition laws graphic designers follow?

5 most basic composition laws followed by graphic designers are:

1. Single visual.
2. The Golden ratio.
3. The “Z” and”F” layout.
4. Focal point.
5. Grid design.

What is color theory and why is it important in graphic design?

Colors play an intricate role in establishing a strong brand identity.

Interviewers aim at understanding your knowledge of color palette and if it matches their brand(s).

Observe the color theory of the company you are interviewing for and accordingly discuss:

• The importance of color.
• Understanding of color theory.
• Application of color theory to enhance visual communication.

What is the Golden ratio in graphic design composition and why is it important?

Also called Phi, the golden ratio is 1:1.61. The golden ratio is used to make the visitors focus on things the designer wants to emphasize.

How are UX, Visual and Graphic design different from each other?

• UX Design is about enhancing the user experience on the website. UX designers enhance the appearance of the website to make it simple, clear and easy to understand.

• Visual Design is concerned with the visual communication of design. Visual designers make communication of information holistically aesthetic through designs.

• Graphic design focuses on communicating with the user through designs. Graphic designers use typeface, hierarchy, color, and images to create designs.

How comfortable are you with short deadlines and new trends in a fast-paced environment?

Coming up with unique designs that impress users in a small time window is a tricky task.

Interviewers ask this question to evaluate the candidate’s ability to stay organized and meet deadlines.

Talking points to answer this question effectively are:

• Organization of time and ideas.
• How you constantly learn new tricks and techniques.
• Handling time constraints.

You can discuss these points for any project in your portfolio and talk about how you overcame time constraints.

How do you sustain long-term interest in designing for one brand?

Working for the same brand can be monotonous and one has to find ways to make sure that their job does not become monotonous.

Here are 5 things that can help you stay interested:

1. Know the answer to “why” you are here.
2. Acknowledge the learning process.
3. Innovate and create new methods of design.
4. Experiment with designs.
5. Keep learning new trends and techniques.

How do you measure the success of your designs?

Good design enables effective communication and attracts the audience towards a brand.

The 3 things that define the success of a design for me are:

1. Data-driven ROI.
2. Brand engagement through design.
3. Engagement of new and returning customers.

Which graphic designer hero do you take your inspiration from?

Talk about a person whose designs truly impact so you can connect to the answer. Explain in detail why they are your hero.

Is there a need for graphic designers to improve their knowledge? How do you keep up with changing trends?

The design industry is constantly evolving and graphic designers need to stay abreast with the latest trends to create unique designs.

Discuss what you do to develop your skill-set and keep up with new techniques.

Sample answer:

I read books and magazines and follow Vlogs and Blogs of my favorite graphic designers. This helps me upgrade my skill set.

I also work towards enhancing my knowledge of new software applications and keep experimenting with different tools.

Are you comfortable collaborating cross-functionally on your design projects?

Graphic designers need to work with various teams cross-functionally as they collaborate with clients, writers and various teams in a company to create unique and impressive designs.

To answer this question, talk about how you would:

1. Establish clear and transparent communication.
2. Involve all stakeholders on different aspects of a project.
3. Define purpose.
4. Consider ideas & feedback from all teams.

Can graphic designers impact society with their works?

Unique designs have the potential to impact cultural shifts. They reach out to a huge audience and inspire people, becoming the voice for political and socio-cultural causes.

Graphic designers who work for social causes design websites and logos to create awareness and invoke empathy amongst people.

These designs become the face of the cause and enables better engagement with people.

How do you deal with negative feedback?

Nobody likes criticism but the ability to incorporate it in your work can make you stand out.

Interviewers try to evaluate if you can take criticism positively and work on your design again and again until the stake-holders are satisfied.

Here are some tips to deal with negative feedback:

• Don’t react immediately, take time to understand the concern.
• Analyze feedback.
• Identify the pros and cons.
• Take feedbacks positively.
• Learn from the feedback.

How can graphic designers overcome creative block?

According to me, some ways to overcome creative block are:

1. Seek inspiration.
2. Do something monotonous.
3. Accept failure as it comes.
4. Digital detox- take a break.
5. Always carry a sketchbook.
6. Organize your thoughts.
7. Play around with Designs.

What is your process to create design?

Every designer has a way of channeling their ideas into the designs they create.

Asking about the creative process helps the interviewer assess the candidate’s creativity and problem-solving skills through potential roadblocks.

Talking points to answer effectively are:

• Research about the project.
• Planning.
• Dealing with multiple ideas.
• Time management.
• Attention to detail.

On what parameters do you draft the design brief?

I draft design brief based on 5 parameters:

1. Business profile.
2. Market position.
3. Target audience.
4. Objective of design.
5. Deadline.

How is designing for print media different from designing for digital media? Are you comfortable working with both?

Interviewers ask this question to assess the candidate’s ability to work for print and digital media.

Here are the differences between designing for digital and print media:

PRINT MEDIA	DIGITAL MEDIA
Changes in final products are not feasible	Allows the designer to preview and test design at every point
Apart from a strong design and color theory, the design should stand out with its texture, the weight of the paper	Design should be clear, intuitive and navigable
Allows the user to engage with design physically, enabling the sense of touch	Digital media disables any physical senses and allows the user to see the design only
DPI (Dots per inch) and CMYK (Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Black) determine image quality	PPI (pixels per inch) and RGB (Red-Green-Blue) determine image quality

It is ideal if you are comfortable working with both formats.

In case you are not, discuss it with the interviewer and talk about how you plan on developing skillsets to suit the organization.

What do you do to meet deadlines?

To meet deadlines, I make sure that I set milestones in advance. I take ownership of the project and focus on getting the work done within the set time frame.

If required, I communicate with the team to get help well in time rather than getting worked up at the last minute.

How would you describe the process of graphic design?

Graphic designers draft roadmaps to make designs that fit the brand/cause. Some designers go with the flow while others follow a plan.

Explain the process you follow and focus on answering the “Why” of your process.

The popular approach to designing includes the following 6 steps:

1. Research.
2. Identification of objective.
3. Strategy.
4. Development.
5. Improvement.
6. Launch final design.

Walk us through a design that you are proud of and describe the process involved.

Interviewers ask this question to get an insight into your thoughts and way of working to assess your ideation process.

Talk about a project from your portfolio that is relevant to the industry you are applying to.

Explain the research, strategy, tools, software, and elements involved in shaping the design.

How do you incorporate feedback into your work?

This is a common graphic design interview question asked to evaluate your ability to work on feedbacks.

Discuss how well you accept it and how do you include it in your work.

Sample Answer:

I consider feedback to be constructive criticism that enhances my work. To incorporate feedback in my work, I:

• Listen carefully.
• Assess feedback.
• Evaluate Pros and Cons.
• Ask questions to understand the idea.
• Follow up.

What is the latest design campaign that you saw? What did you like or dislike about it?

The interviewers aim at assessing your skills as a critique through this question.

Pick a campaign that you have an opinion on to connect to the answer better.

Back your opinion with answers to the important aspects of design like:

• Did the design meet the objective?
• If it appealed to the target demographic?
• If the use of color, type, and typography is appropriate?

Do you like working alone or with a team?

The interviewer aims at assessing if you can work in a team or solo to adapt to the need of the project.

It is ideal if you can work in both environments, depending on the need of the task.

Talk about your experiences and refer to situations where you worked alone and in a team successfully.

In case you have apprehensions about working either way, clearly express it to the interviewer and discuss how you can overcome it if need be.

Sample Answer:

I have experience working both alone and with a team. I realised both have their own perks and challenges.

I like working with a team better because it brings more creativity and helps keep a track of time.

What is the use of Javascript in graphic design?

JavaScript is a scripting language used to control and enhance the graphic content on the web page.

Have you pursued any online graphic design courses to enhance your skills?

Graphic design is a dynamic field where changes happen in a blink. Through this question, interviewers assess how keen you are on developing your skills.

Discuss all the online certification courses and diplomas that you pursued to stay updated with the new trends.

In case you have nothing to discuss, talk about how you are willing to take up the necessary courses to meet the requirements of the organization.

Tips to get a job in top graphic design companies

Here are 5 tips to land your dream job in top graphic design companies.

1. Ask questions to the interviewer

Prepare a list of 3-5 questions you need to ask the interviewer. Ask questions that will help you understand the company’s culture and scope of your role.

You can ask questions about the nature of work, team culture, future projects and your role in the company.

2. Dress for the job you want

How you dress for an interview speaks volumes about your seriousness towards the job. The dress code is generally formal across organizations.

We suggest that you do your homework and find out about the culture and profile of the organization.

3. Find the right organization

The first thing to do after preparing for interviews is to find the right fit.

Graphic design is a creative course and working for a company that has a different objective than yours may hamper the process.

Research about top graphic design companies to identify the culture, objectives, and vision that matches yours.

Speak to people who work there and get insights. You can also read reviews by a company’s current employees at Ambitionbox.com

4. Focus on Growth

Graphic design is based purely on the creativity and skill set. While creativity is a natural aspect, skills can be developed.

Try to pursue certification courses to enhance your skills and develop new ones. You can take up online graphic design courses to learn new skills at your own pace.

5. Focus on body language

Body language plays a very important role in the interview process.
Maintain a positive demeanor and be open to taking questions.

Ensure that your body language reflects confidence and positivity.

All the Best!