15 graphic design interview tips
The following graphic design interview tips were written by Lee Newham, a senior designer at London-based design consultancy, P&W.
I read these tips on a forum thread about interviews, and thought they’d interest you. Lee kindly allowed me to republish his advice here.
15 graphic design interview tips
- When you arrive in the interview give us your business card. It should be well designed, memorable, simple and hopefully have a great idea. It should be unique and you should be branded.
- Have 8–12 pieces of work in your folio. Put the best pieces at the front and back.
- Have at least six questions ready to ask (if you have less, you’ll find they will be answered in the course of the interview).
- Take a pad and pen, take it out at the beginning of the interview. You don’t have to take notes, but it looks as if you are organized.
- Talk about your work before you show it, but don’t talk too much. This should be one short sentence to engage the interviewer with you. We will be looking at you as you speak. Then show us your work.
- Have samples and mock ups.
- Bring sketches. We are as interested in how you got to the final solution as the solution itself. You can show other concepts.
- Have a copy of your CV (resumé) at the back of the portfolio. Offer it even if we already have it.
- On your CV don’t tell people about exam results or part-time jobs that have nothing to do with your chosen career. It pisses us off.
- Don’t talk about holiday or money in a first interview.
- Give a firm handshake.
- Tell us you really want the job (believe it or not, hardly anyone does this).
- Ask for our business card(s).
- When you get back home, send an email thanking us for the interview.
- Make sure your branding is consistent on your business card, CV and email signature.
- One for luck: Remember, 80% of design students are crap. We see lots of CVs (95% of which are crap). If you can get into the top 20% you will get a job.
Further resources
- How to nail an interview — 22 tips
- How to ruin a job interview — a little humour
Your own interview tips
I’d love to know your own interview tips, and what you think of Lee’s advice. Have you followed these guidelines in previous interviews?
Related posts on David Airey dot com
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Can i ask what makes 80% of design students are crap?
Also, is it bad to go into an interview with an ego?
Timely. I should be having some interviews very soon and a couple of those tips are not things I have thought about! Thanks David.
Eeek. I’ve never given my business card out straight away, I have always left it at the end, i would think it looks to eager the other way.
In one interview I actually had to take a personality test which was interesting. Thanks for the list Lee and David for publishing it, some good ideas in there.
I also write a post about How To Get Your First Job on JCD which would also be of help.
Excellent article. I love articles that I truly learn something from and that I can apply in the real world. I am a design student myself, and they don’t teach us these tips.
Thanks for all the articles you provide us with.
Interesting tips. Thanks Lee and David for sharing it.
I’ve read a few books in the last couple of weeks about “how to be a graphic designer” and it’s interesting to see the different opinions.
I wonder what makes a good CV? Obviously it’s got to be different to the typical BL & WH right? Personally I’d see it as an opportunity to be creative and showcase my skills but you have to be careful not to go over the top. It’s a fine line! The whole point is to communicate information about yourself and not go go over board with the graphics. That’s what the portfolio is for, right?
Valerie,
That 80% does seem to be quite a generalisation. Lee has a lot of design experience, and I’d be interested to know his answer. Can you give an example of what you mean by entering an interview with an ego?
Steve O,
What jobs are you aiming for? Best of luck with the upcoming interviews.
Jacob,
I think you’re right about giving your card at the end, or whenever you receive one. An interview is different from a chance meeting, where you’re more likely to hand a card over straight away. Although seeming eager isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Andrew,
I’d have loved these tips when I was in college. Some design courses really let students down.
Szabi,
You’re very welcome. I’ve not yet read that book, but have meant to for some time now.
Richard,
There’s definitely a fine line, and I’ve seen Lee comment on CVs in the past. I’ll see if I can dig up his comments on the graphic design forum.
“We see lots of CVs (95% of which are crap)”
I can see where this comment comes from. I once worked at a graphic design company in Leeds who received loads of CV’s, mostly from graduates. Most were mediocre, but some were dire – one bloke sent in a CV with yellow text printed on white paper! And supposedly, he just completed a degree…I’ll always remember that one…
Its true, 80% of design students are crap. I’m back to school after working in the industry for a few years, & the majority of students really don’t have a grasp on the amount of work required infront of the computer and away from it. It seems everyone wants to make pretty pictures, instead of orgainizing information or conveying concepts, products, or ideas. Basicly, knowing photoshop… doesn’t make you a graphic designer.
thanks so much for posting this! and thanks for the link to that forum. I have business cards but didn’t make a habit of giving it to them after the interview…even though they gave me theirs…I will do that next time – I didn’t do it because all my contact info is already on my resume.
Hi David, liked the article but one thing ercked me. Writing an e-mail when you get home thanking for the interview. This may make you look more desperate. Maybe in small towns this would be a nice gesture, I just feel in big cities where there are a great amount of opportunities – the person looking for job can be in the drivers seat as well. (if his portfolio is up to par [all things equal] )
Sorry but that comment about 80% of students being crap is bullshit and a huge insult to those of us who teach. Maybe he’s only attracting the crap ones, and all the good ones are going elsewhere…
Utter, utter bollocks.
Apart from that, a good list. It doesn’t excuse the crappy over-generalisation though.
Andrew: funnily enough we don’t award degrees for making CVs. They learn that in school, not at university and the day I find myself teaching undergrads to design personal stationery is the day I wonder what we think degrees are for. You’ll be asking why we don’t teach them to tie their own shoelaces next.
But having said that, it is a worldwide phenomenon: designers can’t do their own stuff. Like builders’ houses always have half-finished extensions or incomplete roofs. The best thing any designer could do is commission another designer to do their CV, and return the favour. Overnight you’d see a huge improvement.
Regarding #6, one of the best questions I’ve found to ask from an interviewee’s standpoint is:
“What are you looking for in the ideal candidate?”
I’ve found many employers will gladly tell you what their ‘wishlist’ is, and you can see how good of a mutual fit you and the organization will be, and tailor your answers as such.
The tip on bringing a notepad to the interview is great as well – those notes help make for a detailed, personalized thank-you note or followup email afterwards.
80% figure is cruel. I have interviewed over 20+ years and come to the conclusion that some colleges are really good and some sadly poor. Eventually you start to think “is it worth seeing them, if they are from….” I give them a chance but sadly it often reaffirms my opinion that some colleges are really letting their students down. Other produce students that you now will have interesting work in their portfolio.
I am not sure about some of the other advice on offer, ie giving your business card as soon as you meet. Think I would give them a card when they gave theirs, or at the end. If you only presenting 8 pieces of work, they should all be good. A great ideas book would impress me.
I once interviewed a student who said he was a wolf, and howled to prove it. The only person I thought would never get a job in design.
Chris’s last blog post…Spam, spam, spam…
Jonathan,
I realize that degrees aren’t just handed out. I am working extremely hard in school to become a great designer. I was simply stating that in school, not all teachers talk about “real world” experiences and how to approach them, although some do. Luckily I have been able to gain real world experiences while still in school, but I can’t say that for every student. I am very appreciative of David and all the other graphic design resources on the internet, Jacob Cass also being one of them. I believe their posts are just as important in the learning process as school itself.
I have business cards and make a habit of giving it out. When I receive feedback, most of the time, my card has been past on to a fresh prospect. That is a plus!
i must agree with Lee Newham about that 80 % of design students are crap. I study in an institute with people who are not even concerned about their projects of graphic design. they seem to put them off for the last week or even last day.Maybe, people think graphic design is easiest and fastest to study, and you can earn money by fixing some photos and things like that. I’ll follow these tips and send them to some friends. Thanks David and Lee.
This post came 3 weeks to late, lucky i did a few of the things and landed the job anyway :)
Nice post david
Andrew,
Yellow text on white paper?! He was probably thinking, “This’ll set me apart”. Sadly, for the wrong reasons.
Adam,
When I began studying graphic design, I had very little grasp of what was required. Most of what I’ve learnt has come from outside college or uni, and what you learn from practice sticks much better than theory — especially when you makes mistakes.
tif,
I’ve been visiting that forum for a couple of years now, and there are a few very knowledgeable contributors. MySpace gets its fair share of criticism, which I can fully understand given the amount of spam posted on forums, but Lee does a good job of keeping the graphic design group on-topic.
Joe,
You’re right. The interviewee can be in the driving seat, but I think it’s more politeness than desperation to send a thank you email.
Jonathan,
Glad you found agreement with most of Lee’s pointers. I actually think it’d be a worthwhile exercise for a student to work on their own stationery. I found it more difficult creating my own than that of clients, but I disagree that designers can’t design their own personal work. It may take longer / more effort, but that’s not to say it isn’t good.
Gio,
Great question. I never used that, but definitely would have.
Chris,
Thanks for your interviewer insight. I liked your wolf case study, and wonder where he is / what he’s doing today?
Gerardo,
You’re very welcome.
James,
Congratulations on your job success. I viewed your portfolio my laptop, but couldn’t view the full playing card without scrolling. It’s a novel idea though, and I hope your new job works out great.
Great tips David.
What jobs are you aiming for? Best of luck with the upcoming interviews.
Well I was looking to move to London, but most go through agencies who won’t look at you twice if you don’t have Sony, Nintendo or other big names in your portfolio. I know how big money projects work, but they don’t care. I should have an interview coming up at a studio in Cambridge though, so we’ll see how that goes.
Thanks for the luck!
I visited Cambridge a couple of months ago. Beautiful city / town. I hope you ace the interview.
Some solid advice that not only design-students should consider, but all designers applying for a position.
Tanner Christensen’s last blog post…Motivation Monday: Polaroid love.
Lol, love number 16.
I do think graphic design courses are failing a lot of students, how can you come to the end of 3yrs of something that you have presumably ‘qualified in’ and be crap.
That’s just not fair…their job as a university if they have given you the qualification is to ensure you earn it, and that is by becoming ‘not crap’ during your time on the course.
Amanda, it’s a common misconception but degrees aren’t “qualifications” to practice (i.e. they’re not training programmes). Foundation degrees and HNDs are more so, but a degree by definition is not intended to pronounce someone “qualified” to do anything. (I’m talking about the UK here)
Let me explain:
Qualification to practice usually occurs either on a vocational programme for non-graduate occupations (i.e. Foundation degrees) or on a postgraduate programme for graduate roles (i.e. a Masters, an MPhil or a PhD, or a specific industry-based qualification).
For example, you could do a three year degree in biology or medicine – it would not qualify you to be a doctor or a nurse. You would need to study for a postgraduate certificate to practice, same with law and architecture.
However if you wanted to be a paramedic, or a court reported (I think I have the term right) you would not need a degree, instead you would do a Foundation degree.
Another example might be better: a school teacher will do a general degree, say in maths, then a postgraduate certificate (PGCE) that qualifies them to teach. A teaching assistant, on the other hand, may do a Foundation Degree – it’s not a graduate role (although there’s nothing to stop a graduate doing it, and many do.).
A degree is a general “qualification”, an education that equips the graduate with a range of skills that can be applied in a range of graduate-level roles (often termed a “liberal” qualification. It isn’t supposed to be tied to one area. Indeed, if a graphics degree only equipped someone with the skills to be a graphic designer and nothing else, it would be failing them. Given that there are 8,000+ graphics students in the UK at the moment, the likelihood of becoming a designer is quite low, so offering courses that only qualify you to be one would be a bit silly.
So it is entirely reasonable to come to the end of a design degree and be a “crap” designer, but that person might go on to be a great teacher, a journalist, a manager, or anything. (To give an example, I met a physics graduate yesterday who trades on the Asian stockmarket – their physics degree opened up all sorts of opportunities, not just being a scientist! Design degrees should do the same)
Anyone who wants to be a designer should really be looking to FdAs, HNDs or the new “Creative Apprenticeships” (on-the-job training). Degrees are really for people who want to keep their options open, or are interested in strategic level jobs, and who are interested in academic study of the discipline – perhaps using research to identify new ways of design, or to solve tricky social problems (see designagainstcrime.com for an example of this sort of thing. It’s pushing the boundaries rather than fitting to a specification laid down by industry). They may also (and often do) become designers. ;-)
See The Design Council’s ‘Blueprint’ for more on apprenticeships and the definition of ‘higher level skills’ – e.g. understanding of global markets, business strategy, ethics and so on – which degrees are supposed to develop; and see http://www.qaa.ac.uk for definitions of different qualifications in the UK, and the national guidelines (“benchmark statements”) on what a design degree should cover.
Jonathan’s last blog post…What design is versus what design was
Great article!
Although I’m 16, I have a lot of experience of (web)design, blogging and meetings and I think these tips are extremely useful for me!
I’m going to implement them in my way of contact with clients and in interviews!
Furthermore, I’d like to say that I’ve seen many blogs about (web)design and that sort of things, but I’ve rarely seen a blog with such a good content, resources and tips, you’re my bookmark and feed in Firefox immediately!
Thanks so much, David!
Nout van Deijck
You’re very welcome, Nout.
Great choice of magazine style theme, by the way, and good luck with your future interviews.
What I really appreciate, is that the tips are not only useful for interviews but also for meetings with clients.
Nout van Deijck’s last blog post…Much typography
I took a class in business communication last semester and interviews were a very hot topic. It seems that everyone has this misconception that you should tell everything about yourself to those you want to be hired by. Another misconception is that you should be selling yourself as your first priority.
While those two concepts are good, they should be done in moderation. This is addressed in a few of Lee’s points. I especially like 1,2,10, and 14. Sending a thank you is hardly done by anyone, and it helps keep you in their minds.
This is a great set of tips. I’d say that some seem a little over the top though, such as handing out the business card first thing.
Point 2 is one that I hadn’t thought about, even though it’s fairly obvious. I’d put all of my best work at the front and let it get worse as it goes on. Of course thinking about it now that’s probably not a good idea!
Point 5 is one that I’ve always tried to achieve, but I always get the feeling that the people who I’m talking about my work to are impatient and simply want to see the goods. Perhaps it’s nerves, but I always feel that they don’t appreciate an introduction to it as much as perhaps they should.
Matthew,
I too think that a little extra courtesy can definitely show you in a good light.
Neil,
Point 2 makes a lot of sense, because your best work captures attention from the beginning, but you don’t want to end on a low note.
Thanks guys.
Good suggestions. However, I really *dislike* biz cards or letterhead where students have ‘branded’ themselves. I would trade a classically typeset CV for a million custom logos featuring the applicant’s 2 initials merged into a wacky glyph at the top. Show me you can organize information and layout a beautiful typographic page. Logo is not needed.
Hello Doug,
I enjoyed your recent let the (logo) games begin article. Thanks for taking the time. I notice from your bio that you also enjoy watching the English Premiership. Just a few days until the big kick-off!
In response to the idea that designers shouldn’t do their own stationary, I wholeheartedly disagree. Personal branding and stationary are two of the hardest projects I’ve ever had. It brought great insight to being on the client’s end as well because I KNOW what I want to communicate about myself and still had trouble. How must a client feel when trying to tell me what they want and I’m not getting their vision? Learned a great deal of patience from that one :)
Oh, and if a student’s logo consists of “the applicant’s 2 initials merged into a wacky glyph at the top” then they haven’t put the effort into it to count. I think a student/designer’s brand is much more important than their logo anyway, and agree that a resume with good typography is most important.
To go a little off-topic, typography is something I feel students don’t get enough of, and speak from personal experience. Doing my own resume last semester was an eye-opener to just how much i didn’t know. And looking at other student’s resumes and portfolios at regional review last semester was a reminder that #16 is very accurate. Well, I wouldn’t say 80%, that’s kind of steep, but the VAST majority of undergraduate students are not qualified for a job when they graduate.
I will be graduating in the fall from Nicholls State University and I can say without a doubt in my mind that I am in the top 20% of students in my area. And I thank goodness for my instructors because it’s mostly their doing.
Christy,
Thanks for leaving your take. My personal branding project was also one of the hardest I’ve done. I agree again how students don’t receive enough lessons about typography, at least I didn’t in my student days.
I hope your graduation goes well and you get the marks you deserve.
First off, I must say this blog is pretty brilliant.
I am likely one of those ‘crap’ designers – I haven’t even got a design degree. I’ve been extremely fortunate, learned from some amazing people and resources, and have somehow landed a ‘dream’ job.
As for interviewing, I definitely broke the rules after learning them. I don’t have a business card, admit all my weaknesses, and am visibly nervous during interviews. My handshake’s pretty weak too.
What I have done is let people know when I honestly believed in their company and work, hand delivering letters to each person who impressed me during the interview (no job = lots of time and I like writing letters anyway).
I’m not saying I know best, but I got a handful of trials and offers and am now working on a project and salary far above my qualifications, to be honest. (sorry for the long post)
Greetings,
I’m a student trying to get into graphic design and I haven’t had any interviews for any jobs in this field yet. None the less wouldn’t going into a interview eager mean you want the job? Rather than going in being emotionless? Kinda like you don’t care? Just a thought, oh and i thought the interviewer would be interested in knowing other work experience out side of the applying field? Well, none the less, great article :) Thanks for sharing with us :)
David,
I was quite like your description during my first interviews. Very unprepared, nervous etc. etc. As with most things, practice makes better, and they don’t bother me now. That said, it’s at least four years since my last one (a benefit of self-employment).
Randy,
I think it’s fine to draw upon experience in other jobs, as long as you say how it can help in the role you’re applying for. Good luck with your studies.
Greetings,
I’m a graphic designer from Indonesia, i’ve been designing for 12 years now…my latest position is an art director, I just found your website… such an interesting conversation you made with other designers, the articles about 15 graphics design interview tips open my perspective about every interview i’ve been trough these past 5 years….i’ve done every point of your tips except the first tips and the 14th and i’ve heard lot’s of “over qualified” answers from most of the company….that’s make me put away some of my experience and portfolios…but still the same answers come along the way…the last one happened 2 days ago…i wonder what do you think about this “over qualified” situation of mine….
I a someone who just graduated I can believe the 80% of the design resumes are crap. I started doing design work, self tought, at home when I started high school. By the time I was in college my design work was surpassed 95% of the students at my school, with the exception of those that did free hand work(I don’t like to draw, lol). Honestly most people get in to and do because they just think its something easy to go to school for.
Quite honestly graphic design is perhaps a more difficult career than people realize. Here in the US, it can be difficult to find work if you suck (which is the situation everywhere really, I’m sure).
I had a friend graduate from a local uni, and he hasn’t been able to find work for over three years. Frankly, he really sucks as a designer. He’s had a few things that he’s done for a few clients that have looked nice, but he did this project for a local restaurant (http://flickr.com/photos/11321810@N00/339303034/) that looked like I had done it in high school. First, he used Lucida Handwriting that comes stock with every PC and Mac I’ve ever owned. Second, he turned the tracking up to about 500 points, which is NOT something you do with a script font. Finally it looks like he found some stock clip art to use for the branding of this place.
Design is about 80% type, at least from what I’ve seen and read around the blogosphere. And as far as I’ve researched, typography is minimized in design schools. Most designers just don’t have a firm grasp of type and its proper uses. So many type designers probably sit back and wonder what the designer was thinking about while using the typeface they spent so much time and love making perfect.
Anyway enough of my soapbox. I have more things to say about type—including one of my classmates using Tahoma for something he was going to print—but I can get into that on another rant. Keep these articles coming David; I learn much every time I visit.
Henrietta,
Perhaps if you keep hearing that you’re over-qualified, now is the time to become self-employed? Whatever you choose, all the very best with it.
Nathan,
Good of you to point out the importance of typography in design, and thanks for the encouragement. :)
It was a good point about having at least 6 questions to ask. I know somebody who recently went to an interview and prepared three questions and they were answered during the interview so that generated an uncomfortable silence at the end of the interview when it was question time!
I am currently in my final year of high school and I am going to study graphic design next year. I’ve found this site very helpful, especially this section. I just hope that I am eventually part of that 20%, I’m a major perfectionist though so I know that I wont sleep until I reach the top. Anyway, thank you for putting the effort into creating all of these tips, it is greatly appreciated.
Bronte,
All the very best with your future graphic design studies. It’s my pleasure to present Lee’s interview tips here.
Ah David. Never educate a mug. Design and creativity ….. well, its very subjective. Artistic egos often come in the way of objectivity.
Thanks for the article though. I wish you and your fans a great New Year.
As Malin our head designer always says..
Brilliant design is a little like obscenity; you can’t define it but you know it when you see it.”
Cheers. The Baldchemist
Ray,
Not sure what you mean about mug education, but you’re right about subjectivity, and I wish you a great new year too.
I too am a graphic design student, and will be hopefully preparing for interviews soon, and found the article helpful. One thing that has come up in interviews before, at least for me, is “Tell me about yourself,” to which I am never quite sure how to respond. I feel it is unnecessary to talk about the fact that I am studying graphic design, but inappropriate to talk about my personal life.
I would agree that design programs do not teach enough typography, but at the same time, a lot of knowledge can be gained from those who know better. I think those who go out of their way to learn more than is simply handed to them make up that twenty percent that aren’t crap.
Hi Allison,
It can be appropriate to mention your personal life, as long as it relates to the job for which you’re applying. As an example, I’ve enjoyed my fair share of travelling, and instead of saying I like white sand beaches, I could say I’ve been taking an interest in graphic design from other cultures.
Good luck with your upcoming intereviews.
As someone who finds the interview process a hugely horrific experience, I find tip no. 16 strangely reassuring. Although I was successful at University, as soon as I graduated I had a huge problem with a loss of self confidence in myself and in my work…..and for some reason, I assumed that everyone else was better than me and having more success than me and this effected my performance when talking about my work – I often found myself coming across as rather ‘apologetic’ about my work.
….so it’s good to hear from a professional that not every student that graduates is great and that studios have to wade through a lot of mediocre CVs and portfolios…..if this makes any sense at all?
P.S. I’m a lot more confident about my work these days and can take rejection a lot better….I know that if someone doesn’t like my work it’s just not what they are looking for….I know it’s not crap.
That makes sense, Rosalind. Don’t worry.
Glad to hear your confidence levels have improved. Being able to handle rejection is such an important trait for designers. Sometimes, no matter how talented you are, a client just won’t like what you do.
Good advice but,
‘80% of design students are crap’
incorrect.
Generally good advice. I haven’t seen a lot of students’ work recently so I can’t comment on the 80% of them being rubbish. Mind you I had a peak at the P&W site. Ironic to see so much creativity for packaging when 80% of it shoots straight off the isles into the rubbish bin. At least the other 20% wins awards.
And why a firm handshake? The article doesn’t give us any indication.
The reason I assume is the common but erroneous notion that a good grip somehow demonstrates robustness of character. I would argue it does not necessarily do so. In fact it could illustrate the contrary. A firm handshake could simply be a consequence of someone reading and believing such advice to be wise counsel. In which case I would have misgivings about the character of the individual having fallen for such a fallacious and superficial branding short cut.