Graphic Designer Interview Tips
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- Rubba_Bubba
I have been recently promoted to studio manager for a small studio and are in the process of hiring a junior designer.
Any tips, questions I should be asking during interviews? It's mostly large format artwork we create and in-house marketing materials for the company. I haven't had to interview anyone before.
Cheers
- Continuity0
One thing I've always asked the designers I've ever interviewed to do was to talk about a couple of favourite pieces in their folios, and then describe their process in arriving at their execution. This is in order to get an idea of how they think, and to see if they have a method (discovery, research, strategic thinking, et cetera), or if they just go at it kind of haphazardly. It also gives a good indication of how they work in a team setting, especially their relationships with an AD and account minders.
- tasty0
1) what was a "difficult" project that you spun into a positive?
We all have stories of difficult clients, and we've all had a moment with the client that we feel we've "won", how did we win?2) do you work in teams at your current position / @ school?
[if they are a 1 man show in an agency environment sometimes it's hard for a person to adapt to getting feedback]3) Where do you go for inspiration?
blogs, publications, other designers (this is actually self serving so I have more to look at)4) Why are you looking leave your current job?
positive answers please.
- aanderton0
If they're straight out of university then talk to them about their time there, what they liked and disliked about it, if they worked in teams at all whilst there and how that went for them.
- monospaced0
Have them talk about their influences, and not just graphic design ones.
- People, music, things, movements, buildings, fashion, anythingmonospaced
- +1Continuity
- ... sexual practices********
- i_monk0
Ask if they have any problem being in a sexual relationship with their immediate superior.
- bjladams0
best interview i ever attended had no questions. i walked in, they gave me 2-3 design briefs to work on and told me they'd check back in at the end of the day- introduced me to the appropriate people to answer any questions and showed me the computer. they didn't care about degrees, references, work history, etc until they saw that i could be productive take initiative and complete the tasks. i kept that job for 5+ years, and now that i run my own studio, that's how i interview all potentials.
- they put you to work?monospaced
- 1/2 day - and added the time to my 1st check.bjladams
- yeah that's a good onedoesnotexist
- Really? The best interview you ever had involved you doing spec work? Bullshit. You should be ashamed for using this as a hiring technique ;)NONEIS
- hiring technique!NONEIS
- I am not cool with this practice. Not at all.monospaced
- doesnotexist0
make up a project and talk through it letting them / observing them brainstorm ideas with you or haphazardly
- spot130
What's your favorite colour and why?
If you were a website, how wide would you be?
If your boss asked you to do something inappropriate, would you do it?
- obsolete0
ask him if he knows qbn, and if he read this thread
- d_rek0
Always hate the "What are your weaknesses" question. So don't ask that one.
- ********0
"PIITB?" is a good one too.
- ********0
Also, more tips here: http://www.google.com/search?cli…
- OSFA0
I had to help interview a 'designer' once and she kept mentioning how her age and experience would be a huge asset to the company unlike younger, nexperienced people... Mind you, I was the youngest person in the room, so I took it as a challenge and stepped in and asked her some questions...
ME: So lady, you say you have a vast experience with typography correct?
HER: Of course, 14 years
ME: Great! What are your top 5 favorite sans, serif and slab fonts?
HER: .... (5 minutes of silence).... hmmm.... well, Helvetica... hmmm.... Trajan..... hmmmm..... (8 minutes later)....
ME: OK, let's move on to the next question... You mentioned you stay current and love to find inspiration online...
HER: Of course! I do a lot of research and I've been doing this for years...
ME: Great!!! Are there any sites or blogs you visit often or would recommend?
HER: Hmmmm.... well..... (nervous laugh)
BOSS: Thank you (lady), as I told you, we are looking and still have a few interviews so we'll be in touch...
HA!!
- OSFA0
My advice, fuck the typical dumb HR questions... go straight to what matters in order to make sure they are the right person and they know their shit.
If you ask questions about team, handling tough clients, etc. You will only get lies and prepared answers....
- OSFA0
But PIITB is always important.
- stoplying0
What's the last book you read?
Who's your favorite director?
Have you ever seen a grown man naked?
- ARTsamurai0
You prefer Mac or Pc?
That tells me everything i need to know...