Get ready for your upcoming Head of Design 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 21, 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.
Can you share an example of a design strategy you created and implemented successfully?
Interviewers want to gauge your strategic thinking and ability to lead design initiatives. They want to understand your ability to formulate a strategy and see it through to successful execution.
Dos and don'ts: "Showcase your strategic thinking, planning, and execution skills in your response. Detail the design strategy, its objectives, and how you went about implementing it successfully. Focus on measurable outcomes and what made it successful."
Suggested answer:
Situation: At my previous company, we were launching a new product, and I was responsible for the entire design strategy.
Task: My role was to create an effective and appealing design strategy that was in line with the product vision and objectives. The challenge was to harmonize the functionality and aesthetic appeal in a way that stood out in the market.
Action: I conducted a thorough market research and created user personas to understand our potential users' preferences. We held brainstorming sessions and developed multiple design prototypes which we tested with a selected user group. Based on the feedback, I refined the strategy and guided my team through the implementation.
Result: The product was well-received in the market. It garnered positive reviews particularly for its user-friendly design and aesthetics. The success of this project reinforced the importance of a thoughtful design strategy, and this approach became a standard practice in our team.
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How do you balance business objectives with design aesthetics when working on a project?
The goal here is to determine your ability to strike a balance between the functional and aesthetic aspects of design, considering the business needs.
Dos and don'ts: "Discuss how you balance business requirements with aesthetic considerations. Explain your process, highlighting instances when you made crucial design decisions that satisfied both aspects. Remember, communication is key here, so be sure to mention any collaboration with stakeholders."
Suggested answer:
Situation: In a previous role, we were tasked to redesign our company's flagship product which was performing well but looked outdated.
Task: I was in charge of the redesign. The challenge was to modernize the look and feel without compromising the existing functionality that our users loved.
Action: I involved key stakeholders from the outset, ensuring their objectives were considered. I worked with my team to come up with several design prototypes, each proposing a balance between aesthetics and business objectives. We performed A/B testing on these designs with a subset of our users.
Result: The feedback helped us iterate and ultimately implement a design that was both modern and user-friendly. The redesign led to an increase in user engagement and received positive reviews from both our existing users and new customers.
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Can you provide an example of a project where you had to use data to inform your design decisions?
This question tests your data-driven approach to design. Employers need leaders who can integrate data into the design process to make informed decisions.
Dos and don'ts: "Demonstrate your ability to incorporate data into your design process. Talk about a specific project where data played a significant role in shaping your design decisions. Highlight how you analyzed and interpreted data to enhance your design."
Suggested answer:
Situation: At a previous job, we were struggling with low user engagement on our website.
Task: My responsibility was to identify the issues and propose design changes to improve user engagement.
Action: I worked with our data analyst to study user behavior on our site. We used heatmaps and user flow analysis to identify problematic areas. I led the team in brainstorming and implementing changes based on the insights gained from this data.
Result: The design changes, informed by data, resulted in a 20% increase in user engagement and significantly reduced bounce rates. This project underscored the value of data-driven design in my team.
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How do you approach fostering creativity and innovation within your team?
This question assesses your ability to inspire creativity and innovation among your team members, which is crucial for a design leader.
Dos and don'ts: "Illustrate your leadership style and how you inspire creativity and innovation within your team. Discuss any specific techniques or practices you've found effective."
Suggested answer:
Situation: In one of my roles, I was leading a team of designers who were tasked with numerous projects, leading to creative burnout.
Task: It was important for me to foster a culture of creativity and innovation within the team to keep them motivated and engaged.
Action: I introduced a "Design Day" once a month where team members could explore new design trends, participate in workshops, or work on a passion project. I also promoted an open environment where everyone was encouraged to share and discuss their ideas.
Result: This approach led to a noticeable increase in team engagement and morale. More importantly, it led to an influx of fresh ideas and innovative solutions that we could implement in our projects. This was reflected in the quality of our work and the positive feedback we received from clients.
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Can you discuss a time when you faced resistance to your design ideas? How did you handle it?
It is important to see how you handle opposition or critique, demonstrating your problem-solving skills and adaptability in difficult situations.
Dos and don'ts: "Display your problem-solving skills and resilience in this answer. Share an example when your design ideas met resistance, focusing on how you navigated the situation, any compromises you made, and what the outcome was."
Suggested answer:
Situation: While at a health-tech startup, I proposed a radical design overhaul of our primary application to enhance user experience and align it with modern design trends.
Task: Despite the potential benefits, my ideas were met with resistance from both management and the development team due to concerns about the implementation time and potential user adaptation issues.
Action: I organized a series of workshops and presentations to educate the stakeholders about the benefits of the proposed changes and how they would improve the user experience and boost user retention. I also proposed a phased approach, which made the change feel less overwhelming.
Result: By addressing their concerns directly and demonstrating the potential value-add, I gradually gained their support. The redesign was implemented in phases and we saw a significant improvement in user engagement and satisfaction, proving that the change was worth it.
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How do you keep up-to-date with the latest design trends and technologies?
This tests your commitment to ongoing learning and staying current with industry trends, crucial for keeping the company's designs relevant.
Dos and don'ts: "Show your passion for design and commitment to staying updated with the latest trends and technologies. Mention any specific sources, events, or practices that help you stay current."
Suggested answer:
Situation: In the fast-paced field of design, staying abreast of the latest trends and technologies is critical to remain competitive and produce relevant work.
Task: As the Head of Design, it's my responsibility not just to stay current myself, but also to ensure my team is up-to-date.
Action: I regularly attend industry conferences, follow leading design blogs, and participate in online forums to stay informed. I also encourage team members to do the same and allocate time for them to learn and experiment with new techniques. We have regular team meetings where we share and discuss new trends and technologies.
Result: This approach has helped us to remain at the forefront of design trends and technology, allowing us to deliver cutting-edge solutions to our clients. It has also fostered a culture of continuous learning and growth within the team.
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How do you approach a redesign of a successful product?
Redesigning a successful product is tricky and requires a deep understanding of why the current design works. Interviewers are checking for your critical thinking and risk management skills.
Dos and don'ts: "When discussing a product redesign, stress your respect for what works and your ability to evaluate the need for improvements. Detail your approach to ensure the redesign does not alienate existing users while attracting new ones."
Suggested answer:
Situation: At a previous company, we had a successful product that, despite its popularity, was starting to show its age in terms of design and user interface.
Task: The challenge was to modernize the product without alienating our existing user base.
Action: I started by collecting user feedback to understand what they liked about the current design and what they wished could be improved. I then collaborated with my team to create design prototypes, keeping in mind the feedback we received. We rolled out the changes incrementally and collected user feedback at each stage.
Result: The gradual redesign was successful. We managed to freshen up the product's design while preserving its core features. User feedback was positive, with many commenting on how the design had improved without losing the aspects they loved about the product.
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What is your approach to user testing and feedback in the design process?
Interviewers ask this to understand your methodology around user testing, which shows your user-centric approach and commitment to making designs that work for end-users.
Dos and don'ts: "Underscore the importance you place on user feedback in your design process. Discuss how you incorporate user testing at different stages of design, and how this input helps improve the final product."
Suggested answer:
Situation: When I was leading the design team for a major e-commerce platform, user testing and feedback were crucial parts of our process.
Task: Our mission was to deliver an intuitive and efficient shopping experience. To ensure this, we needed user insights at every phase.
Action: We integrated user testing into all stages of design, starting from initial wireframes to high-fidelity prototypes. Using various tools, we conducted A/B testing, usability testing, and collected user feedback. I encouraged the team to view this feedback not as criticism, but as a valuable resource for improvement.
Result: This user-centric approach helped us uncover blind spots, better understand our users' needs, and make improvements based on real-world usage. As a result, we significantly increased the platform's user engagement and sales conversion rate.
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Can you provide an example of how you've adapted your design approach to meet a diverse audience's needs?
This question evaluates your adaptability and understanding of inclusive design, key for creating products that serve diverse user groups.
Dos and don'ts: "Highlight your commitment to inclusivity in design. Discuss a project where you adapted your design approach to cater to a diverse audience, sharing the steps taken and the outcome achieved."
Suggested answer:
Situation: At a global streaming service company, our user base was extremely diverse, spanning different cultures, languages, and accessibility needs.
Task: The challenge was to ensure our designs catered to this wide array of users while maintaining a cohesive brand identity.
Action: We conducted extensive user research to understand the needs of different user groups. We adapted designs to support multiple languages and cultures, and followed accessibility guidelines to ensure our service was usable for those with different abilities. We made use of flexible design systems that could accommodate this diversity while still adhering to our brand guidelines.
Result: As a result, we successfully rolled out designs that were appreciated by our diverse user base, leading to increased user satisfaction globally. Our approach also reinforced the company's commitment to inclusivity.
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How do you handle a situation where a project is not meeting its design objectives?
They want to understand how you approach problems and potential solutions, as projects may often face issues that need to be dealt with professionally and effectively.
Dos and don'ts: "Exhibit your problem-solving skills by discussing a project that didn't meet its design objectives initially. Highlight how you identified the problem, proposed a solution, and turned things around."
Suggested answer:
Situation: During my tenure at a FinTech company, we were tasked with designing an app aimed at making personal finance management easy for young adults.
Task: Midway through the project, we realized our design was not resonating with our target demographic and was failing to meet our objectives.
Action: We paused development and took a step back to reassess our design strategy. We conducted focus groups and one-on-one interviews with members of our target audience to gain deeper insights into their needs and preferences. Based on these insights, we revised our design approach to better align with our users' expectations.
Result: The revised design was well-received, with beta testers praising its user-friendliness and relevance. By being flexible and willing to pivot, we were able to turn a challenging situation into a successful outcome.
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Can you share an example of a design project that failed and what you learned from it?
This allows interviewers to gauge your resilience, learning mindset, and ability to extract constructive insights from failures.
Dos and don'ts: "Share a story of a project failure but frame it as a learning experience. Detail what went wrong, your role in it, how you mitigated any negative effects, and what you learned."
Suggested answer:
Situation: Early in my career, I led a project to redesign the user interface of a productivity software. Our aim was to modernize the look and feel while adding new features.
Task: Our task was to deliver a fresh design without disrupting the established workflow of our existing user base. We needed to enhance functionality without compromising the simplicity that our users valued.
Action: Despite comprehensive design and testing phases, post-launch feedback indicated that we had missed the mark. Users found the new interface cluttered and the added features confusing.
Result: We had to roll back to the previous design. This was a setback, but it was a critical learning opportunity. We learned the importance of deeply understanding our users before initiating major design changes. It reminded us that design is not just about aesthetics but about solving problems and meeting user needs. This experience greatly shaped my approach to user-centered design.
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How do you assess and improve your team’s performance?
As a leader, your team's performance is a reflection of your leadership. The question aims to assess your management and team development skills.
Dos and don'ts: "Discuss your strategies for performance assessment and how you create an environment of continuous learning and improvement. Highlight any specific methodologies you use for performance reviews and team development."
Suggested answer:
Situation: In my role as Head of Design at a software company, one of my responsibilities was to evaluate and enhance the performance of my team.
Task: The challenge was to identify individual strengths and weaknesses and facilitate growth while ensuring the team remained cohesive and efficient.
Action: I implemented a performance review system that included self-assessment, peer feedback, and one-on-one reviews. This provided a holistic view of each team member's performance. We discussed not just areas of improvement but also strengths and achievements. I also introduced design workshops and continuous learning opportunities to help the team keep abreast of design trends and techniques.
Result: This approach fostered an environment of open communication, continuous improvement, and mutual respect. As a result, we saw improved performance, higher team morale, and greater innovation in our design work.
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How do you handle disagreements between team members regarding design decisions?
This question aims to understand your conflict resolution skills and leadership style in handling disputes over creative differences.
Dos and don'ts: "Show your leadership skills in conflict resolution. Discuss an instance when there was a disagreement and how you guided the team to find a solution that respected everyone's input."
Suggested answer:
Situation: During my tenure at a digital agency, our design team was working on a large project with tight deadlines. A disagreement arose among the team members over the design direction.
Task: As the team leader, it was my responsibility to resolve the issue swiftly and ensure the project stayed on track.
Action: I organized a meeting where everyone could voice their opinions and concerns. We revisited our project objectives, user research, and design principles to guide our decision-making. It was important to me that the process be democratic and that each team member felt heard.
Result: This open discussion led to a compromise that was acceptable to everyone and aligned with our project goals. The disagreement actually led to a stronger final design as it sparked a thorough review of our strategy. This experience reinforced the value of clear communication, respect for diverse perspectives, and keeping user needs at the center of our decisions.
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Can you share an instance where you helped mentor a junior designer? What were the outcomes?
Interviewers want to see your dedication to fostering new talent, assessing your mentorship and coaching abilities.
Dos and don'ts: "Display your mentoring skills by sharing a story about a junior designer you mentored. Highlight the progress made by the mentee, showcasing the success of your guidance."
Suggested answer:
Situation: In my previous role, a junior designer joined our team who showed a lot of potential but was struggling with the transition from academic to professional design work.
Task: I took it upon myself to provide guidance to help this individual adjust to the new environment and refine his design skills.
Action: I scheduled weekly one-on-one sessions to provide constructive feedback on his work, share design resources, and discuss any challenges he was facing. I encouraged him to experiment with different design methodologies and also ensured that he was involved in important meetings and presentations.
Result: Over a period of months, I saw a significant improvement in his design output and his confidence. He started to proactively contribute ideas during brainstorming sessions and became an integral part of our team. This experience affirmed my belief in the importance of mentorship and its role in fostering a strong, capable team.
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What's your vision for our company's design philosophy and how do you plan to implement it?
They ask this to understand your long-term vision and how you intend to drive the design philosophy of the company, showing your strategic thinking and leadership style.
Dos and don'ts: "Illustrate your strategic vision and implementation skills. Share your vision for the company's design philosophy and how you plan to achieve it, focusing on your leadership and management style to drive this change."
Suggested answer:
Situation: When I joined a previous company, they didn't have a strong, cohesive design philosophy, which often led to inconsistent user experiences across different products.
Task: As the Head of Design, my task was to define and implement a clear design philosophy that would align the entire team and create more coherent, user-centric products.
Action: I advocated for a design philosophy focused on simplicity, consistency, and a deep understanding of user needs. I conducted workshops and training sessions to ensure that every team member understood this philosophy and how to apply it. We also created a design system to foster consistency across all our products.
Result: Over time, we saw a noticeable improvement in the cohesiveness and user-friendliness of our designs. Feedback from users was positive, and we achieved a significant decrease in user complaints related to usability. This affirmed that a clear design philosophy and strong design leadership could bring about substantial improvements in product design and user satisfaction.
