Comments on: 15 graphic design interview tips

By: David Airey

David Airey — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:46:22 +0000

Bronte,

All the very best with your future graphic design studies. It’s my pleasure to present Lee’s interview tips here.

By: Bronte

Bronte — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 07:06:39 +0000

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.

By: firebubble - logo design

firebubble - logo design — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:54:01 +0000

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!

By: David Airey

David Airey — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:53:35 +0000

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. :)

By: Nathan

Nathan — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:36:56 +0000

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.

By: Sharif

Sharif — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:53:35 +0000

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.

By: Henrietta

Henrietta — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:37:42 +0000

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….

By: David Airey

David Airey — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:17:08 +0000

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.

By: Randy

Randy — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:25:43 +0000

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 :)

By: David

David — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:11:43 +0000

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)