Get ready for your upcoming Graphic Design Intern virtual interview. Familiarize yourself with the necessary skills, anticipate potential questions that could be asked and practice answering them using our example responses.
Updated April 20, 2024
The STAR interview technique is a method used by interviewees to structure their responses to behavioral interview questions. STAR stands for:
Situation: Describe the context or background of the situation you were in.
Task: Explain the challenge or task you were faced with.
Action: Detail the specific actions you took to address the task or challenge.
Result: Share the results or outcomes of your actions.
This method provides a clear and concise way for interviewees to share meaningful experiences that demonstrate their skills and competencies.
How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and techniques?
Being updated with trends and techniques reflects your eagerness to continually learn and stay relevant in the fast-paced design industry.
Dos and don'ts: "Demonstrate your commitment to learning and staying relevant by sharing how you keep abreast with design trends and techniques."
Suggested answer:
Situation: Keeping up with the ever-changing design trends and techniques is a constant responsibility for any designer.
Task: My goal is to stay updated and knowledgeable about the latest trends to make informed design decisions.
Action: I regularly read design blogs, follow influential designers on social media, participate in design forums, and attend webinars and workshops.
Result: This habit helps me to stay on the cutting edge of design trends, continually inspire my creativity, and ensure my work is current and relevant.
Share your feedback on this answer.
/
Can you share your experience working with design software like Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.)?
As Adobe Creative Suite is commonly used in the industry, your familiarity with these tools is crucial for your productivity and compatibility with the team.
Dos and don'ts: "Instead of merely listing the software you're familiar with, describe instances where you used these tools effectively to create compelling designs."
Suggested answer:
Situation: During my graphic design degree, we had to complete several projects using Adobe Creative Suite.
Task: The objective was to become proficient in these tools, as they are fundamental to graphic design.
Action: I spent hours practicing on Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, creating everything from simple posters to complex website designs.
Result: Over time, I became very comfortable with these tools and was able to effectively use them to bring my creative visions to life.
Share your feedback on this answer.
/
How do you approach a new design project? What steps do you take from conception to completion?
Your approach to design projects speaks volumes about your organizational and problem-solving skills, critical for timely and successful project execution.
Dos and don'ts: "Discuss your thought process when starting a new design project. Highlight your organizational and problem-solving skills."
Suggested answer:
Situation: In a college project, I was tasked with designing a series of social media graphics for a local business.
Task: The challenge was to develop a consistent, engaging design style that would help enhance the company's social media presence.
Action: I started with research, understanding the company's brand, target audience, and competitors. After getting a clear idea, I brainstormed, sketched ideas, and started designing the graphics digitally, ensuring they were on-brand and appealing to the target audience.
Result: The local business implemented the graphics on their social media, resulting in increased engagement and follower growth.
Share your feedback on this answer.
/
Tell us about a time when you had to meet a tight deadline for a design project. How did you manage it?
Asking about a time-sensitive project can reveal your ability to work under pressure and manage time efficiently.
Dos and don'ts: "Show your time management skills and how you handle stress when discussing a project with a tight deadline."
Suggested answer:
Situation: During my final semester, I worked on a project where we had to design a magazine from scratch within two weeks.
Task: The project involved creating the layout, sourcing content, and designing the cover of the magazine, all while maintaining a consistent theme.
Action: I prioritized tasks based on their importance and deadlines, worked efficiently with my team, and frequently communicated with them to ensure we were on track.
Result: We managed to deliver a professionally designed magazine within the deadline, receiving excellent feedback from our course instructor. This experience highlighted the importance of time management and teamwork.
Share your feedback on this answer.
/
What kind of design projects are you most interested in and why?
Knowing the kind of projects you're interested in aligns your interests with potential assignments during the internship.
Dos and don'ts: "Speak about your areas of interest in design, but remain open to other types of projects. This shows your passion and flexibility."
Suggested answer:
Situation: During a design internship, I had the opportunity to work on various design projects ranging from print to digital designs.
Task: The task was to explore different design areas and discover which ones I was most interested in.
Action: I engaged in different projects wholeheartedly and enjoyed the process of learning. However, I found myself particularly drawn towards branding and logo design. I appreciated the challenge of encapsulating a brand's essence into a simple, yet compelling visual representation.
Result: By the end of the internship, I had a portfolio rich with diverse projects, but with a clear focus on branding and logo design. This experience helped me understand my preferences and strengths better, which I believe will guide my career progression.
Share your feedback on this answer.
/
Why are you interested in graphic design, and what attracted you to this field?
Understanding your interest in graphic design helps us gauge your passion for the field, as a passion-driven employee often shows high dedication and productivity.
Dos and don'ts: "Convey your passion and genuine interest in graphic design by sharing what attracted you to this field. Avoid clichéd phrases; be specific and personal."
Suggested answer:
Situation: Growing up, I was always intrigued by how visual narratives influenced people's perception of brands.
Task: When I realized this was called graphic design, I decided to delve into it to understand its potential and bring ideas to life visually.
Action: To formalize my interest, I pursued a degree in graphic design, where I learned various principles, techniques, and tools of the field.
Result: Over time, my passion has only grown, and I am excited about the opportunity to apply my skills in a real-world setting and create designs that resonate with people.
Share your feedback on this answer.
/
Can you describe your design style? How would you say it aligns with our company's brand aesthetics?
Knowing your design style gives us insight into your aesthetic sensibility and how it might fit with our existing brand aesthetic.
Dos and don'ts: "Illustrate your design style by citing influences, values, and unique aspects. Align it with the company's aesthetics without compromising your individuality."
Suggested answer:
Situation: Over the years, I have developed a minimalist design style that focuses on conveying the message efficiently.
Task: While working on a design project for a local café, I was tasked with creating a design that aligns with their brand aesthetics, which were minimal and focused on organic elements.
Action: I used earthy colors and minimalist graphics to create a design that communicated the brand's values and aesthetics.
Result: The design was appreciated for its alignment with the café's brand aesthetics and its effective communication of the brand's values.
Share your feedback on this answer.
/
Tell us about a project or coursework where you had to use your graphic design skills.
Discussing a specific project allows us to understand your practical skills and how you apply your theoretical knowledge to real scenarios.
Dos and don'ts: "Highlight your problem-solving skills and creativity when sharing about a project or coursework. Discuss the project's scope, your role, and the results."
Suggested answer:
Situation: During my last semester, I took a course in which I had to create a full branding package for a fictional company.
Task: The goal was to demonstrate my design skills and apply them in a real-world scenario.
Action: I developed a unique brand name, logo, color palette, and typography. I also designed business cards, a website layout, and social media posts.
Result: The project received high praise from my professor and classmates for its creative approach, consistency, and the successful application of design principles.
Share your feedback on this answer.
/
How do you handle feedback and criticism about your designs? Can you provide an example?
Your response to criticism and feedback can indicate your adaptability, openness to improvement, and professional maturity.
Dos and don'ts: "Showcase your professional maturity by discussing how you handle feedback and criticism. Emphasize your willingness to learn and improve."
Suggested answer:
Situation: In a typography class project, I created a poster that, despite my initial confidence, received critical feedback from my professor.
Task: My task was to accept and utilize this feedback constructively to improve my design.
Action: Rather than seeing it as a setback, I opened a dialogue with my professor to understand his perspective better. I took his constructive criticism on board and reworked the elements he pointed out.
Result: The updated design was met with much more positive feedback. This experience taught me the importance of receptivity to feedback and its role in continual learning and improvement.
Share your feedback on this answer.
/
Can you share an example of a design you created that you are particularly proud of and why?
Sharing a design you're proud of helps us see your creativity, skills, and the value you place on your work.
Dos and don'ts: "Share a design you're proud of, highlighting the concept, creative process, and the impact it had."
Suggested answer:
Situation: Last year, in a design class, we were asked to create a visual identity for a fictional product of our choice.
Task: The objective was to create a cohesive and attractive design that conveyed the product's unique selling proposition.
Action: I chose to design for a sustainable fashion brand, creating everything from the logo to packaging and promotional materials. I used eco-friendly elements and calming colors to convey sustainability and used modern, minimalistic typography to attract the targeted young, environmentally conscious consumers.
Result: The project was a success. The professor commended my comprehensive branding effort, saying it effectively communicated the brand's values and appeals to the target audience. I was proud not just of the design itself but the thought and research that went into it.
Share your feedback on this answer.
/
Have you ever had to work on a project with a group or a team? If so, how was the experience?
Enquiring about group projects helps us understand your teamwork skills, a crucial aspect in most design environments.
Dos and don'ts: "Display your teamwork and communication skills when talking about a group project. Share your role, challenges faced, and how the team overcame them."
Suggested answer:
Situation: As part of a student organization, we were tasked with organizing a university-wide event.
Task: The event required creating marketing materials, including posters, banners, and social media graphics. As the only graphic designer in the team, I was responsible for this task.
Action: I worked closely with other members to understand their ideas and expectations, presented multiple design concepts, incorporated their feedback, and managed the final production of the materials.
Result: The collaboration was successful. The designs were well-received, the event was well attended, and my experience helped me understand the importance of effective communication and collaboration in a team setting.
Share your feedback on this answer.
/
How comfortable are you with multi-tasking multiple projects at a time?
Your comfort level with handling multiple projects can show your versatility and capacity to manage various tasks efficiently.
Dos and don'ts: "Show your ability to prioritize tasks and manage your time when discussing multi-tasking."
Suggested answer:
Situation: During my internship at a local design studio, there were times when I had to work on multiple projects concurrently.
Task: My responsibility was to manage my tasks effectively to meet the different deadlines without compromising the quality of my work.
Action: I started by clearly understanding the scope and deadlines of each project. I then prioritized my tasks and created a schedule that allowed me to devote adequate time to each project. When necessary, I worked extra hours to meet the deadlines.
Result: With this approach, I successfully juggled multiple projects, delivering all of them on time and to the satisfaction of the clients and my supervisors. This experience improved my multitasking and time management skills.
Share your feedback on this answer.
/
How do you handle situations when you experience creative blocks?
Discussing creative blocks lets us know how you handle obstacles, maintain creativity under pressure, and adapt to unforeseen challenges.
Dos and don'ts: "Discuss strategies you use to overcome creative blocks. This can illustrate your resilience and adaptability."
Suggested answer:
Situation: During my second year of university, I took part in a design competition. I had a fantastic concept, but halfway through, I hit a creative block.
Task: The challenge was to overcome this block and complete my project before the deadline.
Action: To tackle this, I decided to step back and take a break from my project. I spent time seeking inspiration from different sources such as design blogs, art exhibitions, and even nature walks. I also sought feedback from my peers and mentors, which provided fresh perspectives.
Result: Eventually, the mental break and influx of new ideas helped me overcome the block. I returned to my project with renewed energy and a clearer vision, and was able to complete my design on time, earning a top five placement in the competition.
Share your feedback on this answer.
/
Do you have experience with digital design (web, app, social media graphics)? If so, can you share some examples?
If you have digital design experience, it broadens your scope as a designer, and ability to contribute to various projects.
Dos and don'ts: "If you have experience with digital design, share specific projects and what you learned from them."
Suggested answer:
Situation: In one of my classes, we had to work on a digital design project aimed at raising awareness about environmental conservation.
Task: The goal was to create a series of social media graphics that would resonate with young audiences and provoke thought about environmental issues.
Action: I used vibrant colors and minimalistic illustrations to capture attention and clearly convey the message. To make it more relatable, I incorporated current environmental statistics and easy tips for making eco-friendly lifestyle changes.
Result: The social media graphics were well received, not just by my peers and professor, but also when they were posted on the university’s social media pages. The posts received high engagement rates and sparked meaningful discussions about environmental conservation.
Share your feedback on this answer.
/
Why are you interested in interning with our company specifically? What do you hope to learn during this internship?
Asking why you're interested in our company specifically allows us to understand your expectations and see if your goals align with the opportunities we can provide.
Dos and don'ts: "Show that you've researched the company and express why it aligns with your career goals. Be specific about what you aim to learn from this internship."
Suggested answer:
Situation: During my university's career fair, I had the chance to learn more about your company. I was already aware of your brand, but this interaction sparked my interest in working with you specifically.
Task: My goal was to find an internship where I could not only apply my existing design skills but also grow as a designer by learning from experienced professionals.
Action: After thorough research about your company, I was impressed by your design-centric approach to problem-solving, the variety of projects you undertake, and the high standards of design excellence you uphold. I realized that an internship at your company would provide me with the challenging environment I was seeking.
Result: Consequently, I am eager to intern with your company. I hope to enhance my graphic design skills, learn more about translating client needs into effective design solutions, and understand how a successful design team operates within the corporate environment. I am confident this experience will be instrumental in my professional growth.
