1. How do you cope up with criticism?
The question is genuine. In the field where you create something, it often happens that your work does not get its deserving appreciation. This is due to the differing tastes of different persons. You can say that you take that criticism in a healthy manner. It offers you a challenge to do better. It enhances your experience and helps you to grow in your career field in a better manner.
2. What do you look for while designing a logo?
A logo is the smallest entity that symbolizes a company. It is often treated as marketing material. Designing a logo for a company demands great observation and creativity. A logo should be designed in such a way that a common man can easily relate it with the company. It should be memorable and eye-catching. It should help in growing the company name into a brand. You can also cite examples of your work through your portfolio.
3. In your work what aspect do you give the maximum importance: planning, design or implementation?
This question should be framed in a very intelligent manner. Answer in the way that suits your working style. Remember your answer should be reflected in your portfolio. All the three things are correlated and efficiency in one yields in the better initiation of the other.
4. Which graphic companies do you like the most?
Name some of the famous companies that you idolize. Tell about some of the best creations they have given. Give reason of your liking. Also add that you see yourself in the same competition. Be precise and confident.
5. Graphic design interview tips:
1. 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.
2. Have 8 - 12 pieces of work in your folio. Put the best pieces at the front and back.
3. 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).
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Have samples and mock ups.
7. Bring sketches. We are as interested in how you got to the final solution as the solution itself. You can show other concepts.
8. Have a copy of your CV (resum) at the back of the portfolio. Offer it even if we already have it.
9. 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.
10. Don't talk about holiday or money in a first interview.
11. Give a firm handshake.
12. Tell us you really want the job (believe it or not, hardly anyone does this).
13. Ask for our business card(s).
14. When you get back home, send an email thanking us for the interview.
15. Make sure your branding is consistent on your business card, CV and email signature.
16. 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.
6. What to Do in a Graphic Design Interview.
* Do your best to fill any gaps in your knowledge. You might not be aware that there are any gaps - after all, if you just finished a graphic design degree, surely you know everything you need to know to get started? Right? Wrong. You never stop learning. Years after starting my graphic design career, rarely a day goes by when I don't learn or teach myself something new. Diversification is key in graphic design.
Hopefully this site will have given you a good knowledge of what you need to know from a technical point of view before landing your first job. The information here is not advanced for today's graphic designer - it's essential basic training. If you know and understand everything here you should be able go into an interview confident, knowing that you are armed with everything you are likely to need to know to do a print-oriented graphic design job.
* Do take examples of relevant work along to the graphic design interview. If you have something that's been produced in the commercial arena, great. An interviewer is going to be interested in what sells, not what looks good on a wall. If you haven't got any work that you've produced as professional graphic designer, try to put together a portfolio of projects which you've given yourself to do. For example, design some new stationery for a fake company along with a brochure, advert and anything else you can think of. This shows that you're interested enough in getting a job that you're willing to put effort into proving why you should get it.
Alternatively you could practice recreating well-designed magazine spreads and show them at interview. This will demonstrate that you understand how all the elements of a project go together. Don't try to pass designs like this off as your own - tell the interviewer what you have done and why. You'll also show that you have an eye for good design (assuming you chose a good design to recreate!).
* Do look the interviewer in the eye, listen to their questions and answer them succinctly, speaking clearly and confidently. Only expand on your answer if it is relevant. Talk about other jobs you have had if you are asked directly about them, or if they are relevant.
* Do be enthusiastic, express a willingness to learn (after all, no one knows everything) and be passionate about your vocation - because that's what this job is - a vocation. Anyone who is half-hearted about doing something creative isn't going to produce anything very good. You must project the impression that you know that this is the route your career path will follow. If you give the impression that you're just dipping your toe in the water, why would anyone want to pay you for the privilege? Which leads me to...
7. What Not to Do in a Graphic Design Interview
I've interviewed lots of prospective graphic designers - and I've learned a great deal about what to expect and what to look for in a graphic design interview. Here are some of the things which I find to be a complete turn off - some may seem obvious 'no-nos', but they happen again and again.
* Don't say that your grand plan is to learn as much as possible from your first job and then strike out on your own as a freelancer or to set up your own studio. Your ambition to steal your prospective boss's secrets and then set up in direct competition won't make you any friends.
* Don't appear desperate for the job - if you say that you've been to loads of interviews with no luck (and now you have to get a job or you don't know what you'll do) you won't get the job.
* Don't whisper - speak clearly. Don't fidget or look away while the interviewer is talking.
* Don't moan about how badly you were treated in your last job, or how much you hated your boss. If you do, your prospective employer may think you'll talk the same way about him or her behind their back!
* Don't produce vast amounts of irrelevant work from your college portfolio - just produce designs which would be at home in a commercial arena (adverts, stationery, brochures etc). My experience of college work has been mixed. Usually it comes over as somewhat (and I certainly don't mean to cause offence by saying this)... self-indulgent... and decidedly uncommercial. Many's the time that I would have got more out of seeing a couple of logo and stationery designs than I did out of looking through three years of abstract batik and photos of bicycles made of cheese.
* Don't give the impression that you're just there for the money. The employer won't care nearly as much about what you can get from the job as they will be concerned about what you can give. Employing a new graphic designer has to be a profitable decision. If your contribution is unprofitable, your job won't last long.
8. What inspired you to join graphic designing field?
I was always fascinated by animated images. My curiosity led me to take interest in animations and led me to opt for a degree in graphic designing. The most beautiful part is I can graphically create almost anything my mind conceives.
9. Why should we hire you?
I offer exactly what you seek and am capable of addressing your graphic designing requirements. I have studied your previous graphic material and I have some brilliant ideas to rejuvenate your graphic marketing communication through implementation of contemporary and modern visual marketing techniques.
10. Where do you see yourself five years from now?
After five years, I see myself working for your firm in capacity of senior graphic designer, producing effective visual communications and making history in the field of graphic designing!
11. Which programs are you comfortable working with?
I am well versed in Photoshop, adobe, illustrator, Visio, In design and other layout based software. I like diversity and bring demonstrated ability to work effectively in almost any program. Usually I select the software that will best compliment the idea after studying the given assignment.
12. What experience do you have in designing for the web?
I have developed several web banners and landing pages for my previous employers. Details are enclosed in my portfolio for your view.
13. What types of designing projects are you most interested in?
I like designing websites and advertisements as I believe my expertise lies here. However, I am also quite interested in mobile application designing which I would like to explore now.
14. Tell me something about your most challenging design project yet.
I have my portfolio here for your reference. I was asked to design an advertisement for baby clothes. It is a touchy subject which required much thought and sensitivity. I was actually quite apprehensive about offending they target audience but thankfully, it received accolades from both the company and the customers.
