20 Graphic Design Interview Questions [with Sample Answers]
by Kelsey Arrington on Dec 08, 2022 Are you searching for a graphic design position? Preparing for your interview is absolutely imperative – which is why we’ve compiled this list of design-focused interview questions (and sample answers) just for you! Keep scrolling.
In this article:
20 Graphic Design Interview Questions
Want to be ready for your interview? Read through this list of common graphic design interview questions. Then prepare your portfolio of graphic design projects
- As a design professional, how would you define graphic design?
- What does your design process encompass?
- Tell us about a design project that you are proud of. Why was it successful?
- What design tools do you use frequently? What are your favorite ones?
- What resources do you use to stay on top of design trends and new techniques?
- Can you briefly explain the difference between raster and vector graphics?
- Why is typography important?
- Can you explain the difference between a font and a typeface?
- Can you tell us about the role color plays in design?
- How much experience do you have working with clients?
- How well do you work under pressure? What is your time management strategy for assignments with competing deadlines?
- What is the importance of simplicity in design?
- Can you explain what role negative space plays?
- Briefly discuss the importance of hierarchy in design.
- Why is the user experience (UX) important?
- How do you think graphic designers impact society?
- Can you explain the role of grid systems in design?
- What is the role of contrast in design?
- Can you talk about why repetition is an important design principle?
- What is the role of alignment?
Keep reading to find 10 sample answers below:
1. How would you define graphic design?
Sample Answer:
As a design professional, I would define graphic design as the practice of creating visual elements that effectively communicate ideas, information, or concepts. Graphic design often involves the use of text, images, and other multimedia elements in way that is both aesthetically pleasing and effective at conveying the client’s (or company’s) intended message.
2. What does your design process encompass?
Sample Answer:
With each project, my design process varies slightly. However, I usually implement the following steps:
- Identify the problem that my designs need to solve or address
- Research and aggregate relevant information and inspiration for the project
- Develop an overall concept for the design
- Create sketches, wireframes, or mockups to explore different design options
- Consult with my client or design team to decide on a concept
- Refine and develop the chosen concept
- Present the design to the client or internal design team for constructive feedback
- Refine and finalize the design for implementation
3. Tell us about a design project that you are proud of. Why was it successful?
Sample Answer:
I am particularly proud of a design project that I completed for a local non-profit organization. I consider the project to be a success because I was able to design a unique logo that the organization leader’s loved.
4. What design tools do you use frequently? Which are your favorite?
Sample Answer:
I am a big fan of the Adobe Creative Suite. My favorite design tools are Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe XD and inDesign. I use them all in my design practice. I am fond of them because they all offer a variety of tools that allow me to create professional-quality designs and export them in the formats that my clients expect.
5. What resources do you use to stay on top of new design trends and techniques?
Sample Answer:
I read design blogs and participate in forums for design pros to stay on top of trends that other designers are implementing. From time to time, I also sharpen my graphic design skills by taking online courses.
6. Can you briefly explain the difference between raster and vector graphics?
Sample Answer:
Raster graphics, such as photographic images, are made up of a grid of pixels, with each pixel representing a specific color. Raster graphics are resolution-dependent and may appear pixelated (or blurry) when they are scaled up or down. Vector graphics, however, use mathematical equations to define the size and shape of each design element. Vector graphics can be scaled without a loss of quality – making them great for graphic designers.
7. Why is typography important?
Sample Answer:
Typography plays a key role in how information and ideas are communicated in visual design – making it an essential element of design. When implemented strategically, typography can make a design more visually appealing, help create a hierarchy of information, establish a mood, and support the overall concept of the design.
8. Can you explain the difference between a font and a typeface?
Sample Answer:
A font is a variant of a typeface. Font variants can include bold, italicized, or condensed text. A typeface, however, is a family of fonts that share common design characteristics, spacing, kerning, and overall aesthetic appearance. For instance, Garamond is a typeface that includes multiple fonts, such as Garamond regular, Garamond bold, and Garamond italic.
9. Can you tell us about the role color plays in design?
Sample Answer:
Color is an essential design element that can be used to establish a tone, create a mood, evoke emotions or draw attention to specific areas of a design. Color can also be used to establish visual hierarchy. As a professional graphic designer, it is important to understand the psychology of color and how it can be used to support or enhance the overall design concept.
10. How much experience do you have working with clients?
Sample Answer:
Over the years, I have acquired a wealth of experience working with clients and collaborating with other designers. I am confident working with clients in a company setting or one-on-one through freelance design projects. Through my experiences with clients, I have honed my communication skills, allowing me to actively listen to their needs, as well as, provide concise feedback and professional suggestions to steer the design in the right direction.
5 Resources to Sharpen Graphic Design Skills
On the job hunt and want to sharpen your skills? Below are 5 resources you can use to do so.
Udemy
Looking for a MOOC that’s all about graphic design? You may be able to find one on Udemy, a platform for free and premium courses in a variety of subjects.
Coursera
Coursera is known for their extensive course library, niche specializations, and virtual masters programs – making it a great resource for those seeking to advance their design skills.
EdX
EdX has courses from prominent university and institutions around the world. So, if you’re seeking online graphic design courses, this may be a good place to start.
Skillshare
Professionals who work in a variety of fields use Skillshare to share their craft with the world. Head over to their website and search for a design project.
Creative Live
Want to learn from live classes? Creative Live is the resource for you. Use it to sharpen your existing graphic design skills or hone new skills in a different design field.