Graphic Design Interview Guide: How to Pass It

Graphic Design Interview Guide: How to Pass It

The way interviews work for today's designers has changed a lot. Well, now they're not what they used to be. They used to be simple: you show your work, answer generic questions, and you're done.

The 2025 graphic design interview is a quest. Remember all your past projects. Come up with new ones. Solve a problem you've never seen before – and probably never will in real life. And at the end, say something profound about your mission, values, and identity as a designer.

Jokes aside, recruiters and managers now pay much attention to soft skills. This is confirmed by a recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), which shows that businesses now prioritise teamwork, problem-solving, and strong communication over any other competency.

What to Expect in a Graphic Design Interview

The flow of a job interview often depends on the company's culture, the role you're applying for, and the scope of the design projects involved. However, most of the time, these interviews follow a similar structure with a few key steps.

The guide explains what happens in each interview process. It provides examples of graphic designer interview questions you might face when meeting different company representatives, from HR to the Head of the Creative Department.

This knowledge will help you appropriately prepare for the interview and create a strong, positive impression (yes, the likeable kind) at every meeting point.

Typical Interview Stages

1. Screening Call

Most screenings start with an initial phone call from a recruiter or someone from HR. The recruiter will ask you general questions about your background, education, professional qualifications, and why you decided to apply.

This call will likely establish whether your qualifications match the company's requirements and this role. The recruiter or HR representative will probably request a summary, so be ready to briefly talk through your career path and share a bit about your portfolio.

2. Portfolio Review

After the screening process, you will move on to a portfolio evaluation stage. Diving deep into each project is key, not just skimming the surface with a basic overview. Remember to highlight how you tackled challenges and effectively met the client's needs.

3. Technical or Design Task

In most interviews, you must face practical tests or design challenge assignments. The interviewer will briefly explain your expectations and set the time limits. This way, the employer will test your design skills and ability to work under stressful circumstances. During this task, you need to explain your design process from start to finish, the way you think, and your reasons for choosing certain things.

4. Final Interview with a Design Lead or Creative Director

Last but not least, the final interview step usually involves meeting someone from management. It could be your future team lead, the creative director, or someone from the leadership.

The main goal at this stage is to see if you'd be a good match with the team – the so-called cultural fit. If you have gone through all the previous stages and reached this point, congratulations – you've got a real chance of landing the job. So, take your time to learn everything you can about the company, the team, and the role itself.

Very often, in the About Us section of a company's website, you'll find information about its values, mission, and long-term goals. 

Use this when preparing your answers.

But don't lie to yourself. If your values don't align with the company's, considering whether this is the right place for you is worth considering.

5. Team and colleague introductions

Meetings with team members and colleagues from different departments occasionally occur during your job interview experience. These potential interviewers could be your peers and sometimes someone from the marketing department.

And you know it's a win-win.

Your future teammates will be able to figure out if you'd get along if working together would feel easy, and yep — if you'd laugh at the same jokes. At the same time, you'll get a sense of the team and whether you can see yourself working with these people daily.

Knowing who you're talking to – and what the conversation is about – will help you pass the interview successfully. Tailor your answers based on who you are talking to and focus on sharing the most relevant information for them.

Types of Interview Questions and How to Handle Them

HR and Soft Skill Questions

The HR round interviews are needed to evaluate your soft skills and personality.

Oh yes — expect that classic question: “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” It almost always comes up at this stage.

This part of the interview isn't just a formality but is worth preparing for. Those exact instructions apply here: read the job description carefully – it typically describes the type of person the company seeks. Then, tailor your answers to match. Please talk about your experience and qualities in a way that shows you're exactly who they need.

Common HR Questions (All Levels)

• “Tell me about yourself.”
• “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
• “Why did you choose graphic design as a career?”
• “Describe a challenging situation you encountered in a past project and how you solved it.”
• “Tell me about a time you worked on a team project. What was your role, and what did you do?”
• “Do you like to work alone, or do you like to work in a team? Why?”
• “What's different about you compared to other candidates?”

Junior Graphic Designer HR Questions + Sample Answers

“Why did you choose graphic design as a career?”

Sample Answer: “Since I was a child, I was creative. I liked the idea of building something from nothing and giving it meaning. Through graphic design, I can tell a story not with words but with colours and combinations of textures. I love it.”

“How do you cope with tight deadlines?”

Sample Answer: “I try to keep calm and not get anxious. I break tasks into small, manageable steps and get started. I avoid distractions such as coffee breaks or social media scrolling.”

Mid-Level Graphic Designer HR Questions + Sample Answers

“How do you prioritise projects when you are designing several things at the same time?”

Sample Answer: “First, I ensure I understand the project deadlines and scope. I use task management tools like Notion to stay organised and meet deadlines while executing quality work.”

“Can you describe a time when you had to work with a difficult client?”

Sample Answer: “There was a client I worked with who had a vague idea about what they wanted. So, I prepared several mockups in different styles and colour schemes to help them get a clearer vision. And you know what? It worked! A few hours of preparation saved me a few days of redoing everything.”

Senior Graphic Designer HR Questions + Sample Answers

“How do you manage a design team?”

Sample Answer: “I think of a team as more than just a group of people who get things done, but as partners. Everyone should be on equal footing. It's also imperative that you set clear expectations, not only around work quality but also around communication. And, of course, being human, empathetic, and supportive is essential. Still, it's equally important to ensure it wasn't getting in the way of hitting KPIS and all the things that are our mutual goals.

“How do you handle tough feedback?”

Sample Answer: “I usually try to hear people out and understand what they expect from our situation or my work. I also try to separate my identity from the results of my work. I also try to remove my identity from my work results. In that way, if someone says something negative – it doesn't hurt me – it drives me to take action and improve.”

Thoughtful Questions to Ask During the HR Interview

• “What skills and experiences are you seeking in an ideal candidate?”
• “Who will I work with most closely?”
• “How would you describe the work environment here?”
• “How does your onboarding process work?”
• “Do you have any office traditions?”
• “What are the next steps in the hiring process, and when can I expect to hear from you?”

Thoughtful questions show that you've researched and are dedicated to finding the right fit.

Portfolio Review Questions

Your graphics design portfolio will still be at the centre of your interview. But it's not just about the colours or the design itself. The interviewer will also be paying attention to how well you can explain your choices, how creatively you think, and how you adapt to the client's needs.

Common Questions You'll Get

• “Which project from your portfolio means the most to you and why?”
• “Can you walk us through how you approached solving problems and meeting client needs in that project?”
• “What challenges did you face during this project, and how did you handle them?”
• “How do you balance your creative ideas with the business's needs?”
• “How do you choose fonts, colours, and layout for the project?”

What to Include or Leave Out

Your portfolio isn't just a place to show off your best work  – it's so you can highlight the full range of what you can do.

Created a mockup for a landing page or a multi-page design? Great, include it.

Did something in the education space, like a textbook, cover? Portfolio-worthy.

Collaborated with marketers and shaped a brand's visual identity.  That kind of collaboration is gold.

Even a simple banner ad can get its place – if it looks fresh and gets clicks. (Hey, even one solid performer counts.)

Be selective at the same time. More is always less than quality. A few strong, relevant projects will speak louder than a dozen average ones.

Technical and Creative Design Questions

If your portfolio worked well for the company, prepare for the next step: the technical and creative interview. As the name suggests, the interviewer will want to dive deeper into your innovative thinking and technical expertise.

This is your moment to walk them through your workflow and talk about the tools you use – basically, show how you make things happen.

Junior Creative/Technical Questions + Tips

“Tell me about your design process.”

Tip: Focus on your design thinking approach. Talk about how you start with research, draft your ideas, and refine them through feedback to develop the best solution.

“How would you create a logo for a new startup?”

Tip: Mention how you would start by learning as much as possible about the startup industry, audience, goals, and values. Only then will you move on to sketching ideas or building a mockup? Describe how you would achieve simplicity, scalability, and relevance in the design.

Mid-Level Creative/Technical Questions + Tips

“How do you stay on-brand with your design?”

Tip: Show how you follow the brand guidelines, research competitors, and work with the branding or marketing team to ensure your design aligns well with the brand's visual identity.

“Can you describe a situation where you needed to incorporate new design trends?”

Tip: Highlight your knowledge of the current design trends and explain how you decide which ones make sense for the project. The goal isn't just to follow what's trendy – it's to use those elements in a way that helps the brand stand out, not blend in.

Senior Creative/Technical Questions + Tips

“How have you used client feedback in your projects?”

Tip: Talk about finding the balance between what the client wants and what makes sense from a design perspective. Show that you're open to feedback and know how to adapt your work without losing sight of the project goals. It's all about collaboration and ensuring the final result works for everyone.

“How do you manage to work on multiple projects?”

Tip: It's worth highlighting how well you can prioritise tasks, delegate when needed, and apply time management techniques to keep projects on track.

Questions to Ask About the Design Process

• “Can you describe the typical design process for your team?”
• “How do designers collaborate with other departments?”
• “What tools and software does the team usually use for design projects?”

Final Round / Cultural Fit Questions

Make Sure You Know the Culture You Want.

Stability, predictability, and transparent processes?

Freedom, no strict boundaries, and room to experiment?

Is the main thing just hitting the goal? There are no pizza parties here, just KPIS!

But hey, we're like one big family!

Understanding what would be an excellent environment for you is the first step in preparing for the final round. 

Look beyond the job description.

A job description can give you an idea of what skills are expected and what qualifications are needed for the position. Still, it is not necessarily something that outlines a company's culture. Many companies use their social media to share behind-the-scenes information about their work, so look at their LinkedIn, Instagram or X accounts to see how the company interacts with their staff and community.

Focus, Plan, Strategy, Vision, Leadership

A strong cultural fit is essential for senior and leadership roles because these people will shape future teams, processes, and the company's overall direction.

Examples of questions you may be asked during this step:

• “What kind of management style do you now think works best?”
• “Please explain your approach to team management and quality maintenance.”
• “What steps do you take to align your designs with the company's brand vision?”
• “Did you ever not agree with a company policy in your last job? If so, how did you deal with it?”
• “Tell me about a time in your job when you had to use your problem-solving skills. How did you handle the situation, and what was the result?”

Questions to Ask About Company Culture

• “How would you describe the atmosphere in the workplace?”
• “Do you think the work environment supports innovation and creativity?”
• “What are your company values?”
• “What does work/life balance look like at your company?”

How to Prepare Effectively

Successfully passing a graphic designer interview is no different from any other type of job interview.

Research the company, practice thoughtful responses to common questions, and take the time to assemble a strong portfolio.

Portfolio & Personal Brand

As we've mentioned more than once, your portfolio is your primary tool to show what you can do as a designer. It also speaks volumes about your style –  do not underestimate that.

If you are a beginner without commercial experience, you should do your pet projects for practice.  Sure, you might feel like doing a pet project is just a waste of time.  But when you're at the beginning of your journey, the most important thing is to build up your experience and sharpen your skills. It'll all pay off – promise.

Website, LinkedIn, Behance

The portfolio is only part of your brand. Platforms like LinkedIn or Behance can help potential employers get a complete picture of who you are as a designer.

Your LinkedIn profile should include all your previous jobs, and make sure the information aligns with your resume. Any mismatches can be “red flags” for recruiters. Like… did you work there?

Are there photos from your fishing trip or beach party with friends? That is very cool, but let's keep those on Instagram. LinkedIn is a professional space, so choose a clear, friendly, professional-looking photo instead.

Recruiters can see the posts you like and comment on. So, during your job search, hold off on spicy meme debates.

Learn the STAR Method 

The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) effectively structures your answers to behavioural questions. This keeps your responses short and to the point, but at the same time, shows how you made a difference.

Here's how to make the most of it:

• Situation: Describe a challenge or situation you faced.
• Task: Explain the task or responsibility you had.
• Action: Explain what you did to overcome the challenge.
• Result: Highlight the outcome, focusing on how you succeeded or what you learned from the situation.

Example:

“At my previous job, we had a tight company launch deadline. (Situation). My task was to develop all the promotional materials in a week. (Task). Of course, I set up a timeline and prioritised the most important tasks. I maintained open communication with the team to get their feedback. (Action). As a result, we delivered this project on time, and  the campaign generated a 20% increase in engagement (Result).”

Final Interview Checklist

Before you go to the graphic design interview, double-check your preparations. Here's a final checklist to make sure you're fully ready:

• Double-check your portfolio links: Make sure all your projects are readily available.
• Practice presenting one strong project: Be prepared to discuss one of your best projects and why it demonstrates your skills.
• Research interviewers on LinkedIn: Knowing more about your interviewers can help you tailor your responses.
• Prepare at least two company-specific questions: Show your interest in the company. You don't need to be perfect; just be prepared.

That's the main takeaway from this article, and it works.

Take some time to research the company and the role, and practice how you talk about yourself and your portfolio.

Yes, interviews can be exhausting, especially in the fifth round. But stay open, collaborative, and clear in your answers.

You've got this.