Top Graphic Designer Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Graphic Designer interview by going through these most asked Graphic Designer interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

Interview Practice

Search Graphic Designer Questions:


  • Question: What kind of print experience do you have?
  • Question Overview: Print design is a critical part of the graphic design industry, and a candidate’s experience with print can tell you how well they understand the nuances of this medium.

    Sample Answer: I’ve designed everything from business cards to brochures to annual reports. I’ve also worked with clients to develop their brand’s identity system and create collateral that aligns with their brand guidelines.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience with print
    • - Print design skills
    • - Print design knowledge

  • Question: Why do you want to leave your current job?
  • Question Overview: This question can reveal if a candidate is actively looking for a new job and if they’re open to new opportunities. It can also help you determine if they’re currently happy in their role or if they’re ready to move on.

    Sample Answer: I’m ready for a new challenge and I’m excited to work with a company that values design as much as I do.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Desire for a new challenge
    • - Desire for more responsibility
    • - Desire for a new company

  • Question: How was your experience with using InDesign templates?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see how well a candidate can use a graphic design tool. InDesign is a popular software used to create print and digital designs, so knowing how to use it will be an important part of the job.

    Sample Answer: I had no experience using InDesign when I first started my previous role, but I was able to learn the basics in a few days. I found the software intuitive and easy to use, and I was able to quickly create professional-looking designs.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Proficiency with InDesign
    • - Ability to learn new software
    • - Ease of use

  • Question: Which languages are you most proficient in?
  • Question Overview: Graphic designers who are proficient in multiple languages can communicate with a much larger audience and work with clients across the globe. This question will help you determine if a candidate has the language skills to work internationally.

    Sample Answer: I’m most proficient in English, but I’m also fluent in Spanish.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Fluency in multiple languages
    • - Ability to adapt to different cultures

  • Question: Let's go through your resume, can you tell me about yourself?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to gauge a candidate’s ability to communicate their experience and skills in a clear, concise manner. It also gives you the opportunity to learn more about their background and determine if they have the experience and skills you’re looking for.

    Sample Answer: I’m a highly organized, detail-oriented graphic designer with over five years of experience in the industry. I’ve worked with a variety of clients across different industries, including healthcare, retail and financial services. I’m passionate about design and have a strong desire to create beautiful, effective designs that solve problems for my clients.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to communicate experience
    • - Confidence in their skills

  • Question: What is your favorite piece in your portfolio?
  • Question Overview: This question will reveal if a candidate has a strong attachment to their work and is able to articulate why they’re proud of it. It will also help you understand how they view their own work, which can be a good indicator of how they will view the work of others.

    Sample Answer: My favorite piece in my portfolio is a campaign I designed for a local nonprofit. I was able to use my design skills to help the organization raise awareness about an important issue in our community.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Passion for work
    • - Ability to articulate design decisions
    • - Design mindset

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you failed.
  • Question Overview: This question will reveal how a candidate responds to failure and what they learned from the experience. Candidates who can admit their mistakes and take responsibility for them are more likely to succeed in your organization.

    Sample Answer: I once designed a logo for a client that was too similar to another design in their industry. I didn’t notice the similarities until the client pointed them out, so I had to go back and redesign the logo. I learned that it’s important to take a step back from my work and look at it from a different perspective before submitting it.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to take responsibility
    • - Willingness to learn from mistakes
    • - Ability to bounce back

  • Question: What did you learn from your previous job?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to gauge how a candidate has grown professionally and what they’ve learned from their past experiences. It will also help you determine if they’re a good cultural fit for your company.

    Sample Answer: I learned that it’s important to take time for yourself and your family. I used to work long hours and weekends, but now I make sure I have time for my family and friends. I also learned that it’s important to take risks and try new things. I used to be afraid of failure, but now I embrace it because it allows me to learn and grow.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to learn from past mistakes
    • - Desire to grow professionally
    • - Commitment to professional development

  • Question: What can you offer to this company?
  • Question Overview: This question will reveal if a candidate is truly interested in the position and company or if they’re just looking for a job. A great graphic designer will be able to clearly articulate how they can help your company grow, improve and succeed.

    Sample Answer: I’m passionate about graphic design and I’m excited to contribute to your company’s success. I can offer my expertise in visual storytelling, brand identity and digital marketing to help you grow your business.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Passion for the company’s mission
    • - Desire to contribute to the company’s success
    • - Willingness to learn

  • Question: What would your previous employer say about you?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and work ethic. It will also give you a sense of how they view their previous employer and coworkers.

    Sample Answer: My previous employer would say I’m a hard worker who is always willing to go above and beyond to get the job done. They would also say I’m a team player who is always willing to help out my colleagues and that I’m very detail-oriented.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Positive attitude
    • - Respectful of others
    • - Team player

  • Question: What is your expected salary?
  • Question Overview: Graphic designers are in high demand, so candidates who are confident in their value and worth will ask for a salary that reflects their experience. However, you should also expect candidates to be flexible and willing to negotiate.

    Sample Answer: I’m looking for a salary of $X per year. However, I’m open to negotiation based on the scope of the role and the size of your company.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Confidence in value
    • - Flexibility
    • - Ability to negotiate

  • Question: How do you like to work?
  • Question Overview: Graphic designers work in a variety of environments, from traditional agencies to start-ups to in-house teams. This question will help you determine if a candidate is a good fit for your company’s culture and work environment.

    Sample Answer: I like to work independently because I can set my own schedule and focus on my work without distractions. I also like to collaborate with my teammates because it helps me learn from their experiences and gives me the opportunity to share my knowledge with others.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Comfort level with different work environments
    • - Ability to work independently
    • - Collaboration skills

  • Question: What makes you emotional?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to gauge a candidate’s personality and see if they’re a good fit for your company culture. You can also use it to see if they’re passionate about the work they do.

    Sample Answer: I get really emotional when I see something that I’ve designed being used by people I don’t know. It makes me feel like I’ve made a difference in their lives.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Passion for work
    • - Passion for design
    • - Passion for the industry

  • Question: How do you handle negative feedback?
  • Question Overview: Designers should be open to receiving feedback, even if it’s negative. This question will reveal how a candidate responds to negative feedback and whether they can use it to improve their work.

    Sample Answer: I never take negative feedback personally. I know that my designs are a reflection of my employer’s brand, so I use feedback to improve my work and make sure I’m always delivering the best possible results.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to listen
    • - Ability to take criticism
    • - Ability to learn from mistakes

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to resolve a conflict with your team.
  • Question Overview: Conflict is inevitable in any team environment, but how a candidate handles it can show you how they work through difficult situations and whether they can be a team player.

    Sample Answer: I once had a disagreement with a teammate over the direction of a project. We both had valid points, but I realized that we were both passionate about the same thing – creating the best possible design for our client. I was able to reach out to my teammate and resolve the issue by coming up with a compromise that we both felt good about.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to resolve conflict
    • - Ability to compromise
    • - Ability to work in a team environment

  • Question: Tell me about your career.
  • Question Overview: This question gives you an opportunity to learn about a candidate’s career trajectory, how they’ve grown professionally and what they’re looking for in their next role.

    Sample Answer: I started out as a graphic designer at a small agency in my hometown, where I learned the basics of design and gained experience working on local businesses’ marketing materials. After two years, I moved to a larger agency in the city and was able to take on more challenging projects for national brands. Now, I’m looking to work for a company that will give me the opportunity to work on global brands and expand my skill set.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Career growth
    • - Desire to learn
    • - Career goals

  • Question: How do you prepare flights in pre-flight?
  • Question Overview: Graphic designers must be detail-oriented and organized to ensure their designs are pixel-perfect and ready for print. This question will reveal if a candidate has the attention to detail and organizational skills to ensure their designs are ready for print.

    Sample Answer: I always make sure my design is the correct size, resolution and color mode before I send it off to print. I also double-check that all fonts are properly embedded and that all links are working.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Attention to detail
    • - Organization skills
    • - Ability to work within tight deadlines

  • Question: What motivates you the most to work with us?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to gauge a candidate’s interest in your company. If they can’t pinpoint what specifically about your company or the role excites them, it’s a red flag.

    Sample Answer: I’m most excited about working with your team because I believe in your mission to help small businesses succeed. I’m also impressed by your company culture and the way you empower your employees to make an impact.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Company mission
    • - Company culture
    • - Role in the company