Hi, this is Anne with Graphic Design How To,
and today is Graphic Design Interview Questions
and Answers, Part 6.
So this is going to go a lot like a lot of
the other interview questions and answer videos
that I've done.
My husband is going to ask me questions and
pretend like he's the interviewer.
Then I'm going to pretend I'm the interviewee
and answer those questions.
And then I'm going to give you some insights
into what I think the interviewer is looking
for.
So let's get started.
Question number one:
Which graphic design program are you most
comfortable with?
And which are you least comfortable with?
I'm pretty comfortable with all the graphic
design programs, but I would say Illustrator.
I am very, very, comfortable with that one.
I was a production artist for a long time,
and we used Illustrator all the time, almost
constantly.
I do think each program has its strong points,
so each program should be used the way it
is meant to be used.
For example, if I'm going to do a catalog,
I'd want to do InDesign for that.
So what is the interviewer looking for with
this question?
With this question, I think the interviewer
wants to make sure that you use the program
that they use the most.
If you've never used that program, it's probably
going to be a problem in your interview.
So if you haven't used one of the main graphic
design programs, definitely get that experience
under your belt... watch a few YouTube tutorials,
there are websites out there that have great
tutorials, also.
It's probably going to be important for any
job that you interview with, to know the three
main programs.
Number two:
Are you okay with a client telling you exactly
what to design?
I think every position I've ever worked in,
has had those clients who they just want to
have a little more control.
So they want you to do what they have in their
mind.
And, of course, you're not going to be able
to read their mind.
So it's a lot of back and forth and a lot
of, honestly, micromanagement.
But I think as a designer, we need to learn
to have a thick skin with that kind of thing.
Of course, it's not a best case scenario when
a client doesn't trust you to do the best
design possible.
But every position is going to have clients
like that, whether they're internal or external.
So I think it's important to make your clients
happy.
So what is the interviewer looking for with
this question?
With this one, I think the interviewer is
wanting to see if you're okay with that type
of client because no designer likes the type
of client who, you know, doesn't trust them,
is a micromanager, and that kind of thing.
But we all have to deal with that, and they're
wanting to see if you will get frustrated
in that situation or if you'll just accept
it and move on.
Number three:
Do you think it's necessary to sketch your
design before getting on the computer
by hand...
sketch?
Well, it really depends on the project and
also how much time I have.
So yes, best case scenario, I like to sketch
everything out, and then go to the computer,
but sometimes we don't have time for that.
I have to go straight to the computer.
So what is the interviewer looking for?
With this question, I think the interviewer
just wants to know what your style is of designing
and what your process is.
If your interviewer is a creative, a lot of
creatives think that sketching is a very,
very important part of the process.
And they want to know that you share that
value.
Of course, be honest with them.
So if you don't do that ever, go ahead and
tell them that, but I would also mention that
you're willing to change your process for
the best result possible.
Question number four:
How many concepts do you usually come up with
before choosing one?
Again, with this, it depends on the project.
So if it's like a layout for a catalog or
something, I might sketch one or two sketches
before going to the computer.
And then if it's a logo, it's going to be
more like 25 or more sketch concepts before
I go the computer.
Personally, I find that my best ideas will
sometimes come later, and so I have to kind
of flesh out what that idea is going to be.
And having more sketches helps me do that.
So what is the interviewer looking for?
With this question, the interviewer might
be worried about time.
So if you're going to make 100 sketches, they
might think, 'Oh, this person is not the right
person for our company, because we don't have
time to do that'.
So I think mentioning the fact that time comes
into play with it is a good idea.
But yeah, just be open and honest about your
process.
Question number five:
How long would it take you to plan, design
and complete a Google Web banner?
Well, that really depends on what the web
banner should end up looking like based on
my sketches.
Some of them will use photography or vector
art or illustration.
And those things take a long time to create.
So if those are already created, like using
stock vectors or stock photos, I could probably
have a Google Web banner completely designed
and completed, in maybe 30 to 45 minutes.
If it's a more templated design where I just
plug things in, it'll probably only take about
10 minutes.
So what is the interviewer looking for?
With this question, I think the interviewer
wants to find out how long it takes you to
do a specific project.
And this really does vary from designer to
designer, but they're probably wanting to
see how long it takes you compared to their
current designers.
Now with this question, I would absolutely
be honest, because you don't want to get in
a situation where you actually get the job
and then you cannot deliver on what you said
you could do.
So definitely keep it honest, like you would
with any other question.
All right, that's my video for this week.
I hope you all enjoyed it.
If you liked it, please click the 'Like' button,
and I will see you next Thursday.
Thank you, everyone!!!
