5 Ways To Ace a Designer Interview - Interviewing Tips for Graphic Designers and Creative Pro's
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2020
- #Designer Interview
I’ve interviewed over 1000 designers and reviewed portfolios for over 25 years for some of the largest global companies and agencies. If you’re interviewing for a job as a designer or any kind of creative professional - I’ve got some advice to share about what to do, what not to do, what works and what doesn’t. I also share a number of questions you can ask your interviewer to show them you are engaged and will be the best person for the job.
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This video is targeted to my channel’s audience of entrepreneurs, designers, creative professionals and anyone interested in brand strategy, business planning, design, trend, marketing and communications.
Philip VanDusen is the owner of Verhaal Brand Design, a brand strategy and design agency. Philip is a highly accomplished creative executive and expert in brand strategy, graphic design, marketing and creative management. Philip gives design, branding, marketing, career and business advice to creative professionals, entrepreneurs and companies on how to build successful brands for themselves or for the clients they serve.
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This eased my anxiety about an upcoming design interview! Thank you so much for your help!
You rock Meg Neil! Let me know how it went!
@@PhilipVanDusen I just got the email this morning that I got the position! You're the best, have a great week!
Meg Neil that’s fantastic! Congratulations!
I feel oppositely. My anxiety went up after realizing that I got nothing..
I’ve got an interview in an hour and I thought I should check this video out just to polish up.
how did it go?
Pretty good, I got the job. Thank you so much for following up and for your videos. ❤️
Having my very first graphic design interview in an hour! Thanks for all the awesome tips
@@skylarjones3040how’d it go
Omg I just had an interview and it went so well! They do want me to join their team🙌🏼 thank you so much sir!
Thanks SO AWESOME! Thanks for coming back to the video and sharing your win! Congratulations!
"I've interviewed 3,000."
"I've hired 300."
*sweats*
TBH, it's probably more like interviewed 4000 and hired 400. Generally you interview anywhere from 5 to 10 candidates before making a hiring decision. But don't sweat it just follow the feedback I gave you and do the best job you can!
This is so helpful! I have a graphic design interview next week. I’m definitely going to use these tips!
UPDATE: My interview went ✨amazing✨ I think I might get the job!!!
Did you get the job?
Thank you for this video! Have my second interview and wanted to refresh!
I have an interview in 2 hours!!!! This is so helpful!!!
Got the job! thank you so much for the tips, they really helped a lot. I was super confident because I had prepared for all scenarios and questions and they were very impressed with the questions I asked. Awesome content, honestly!
That's FANTASTIC! Congratulations - and thanks for sharing your win! I've posted your comment in my Brand Design Masters Facebook group today!
❤❤❤
what question u asked ?
Could you share the questions you asked please?
can you share what questions you were asked? plz
Excellent advice, thanks!
Got an interview tomorrow. Feeling definitely better after watching this. Thanks
Great points! Questions are key! They show interest and reflect your ability to initiate interactions if working there later. Thx for the video!
Hey Rick, I'm glad you agree. Just get the other person talking!
I'm watching this in my lunch break :) Thanks Philip, I always learn something useful from you.
Happy to help!😍🔥
This was extremely helpful and comforting! Thank you so much for being a guiding light to aspiring designers.
You rock Sarah Hedrick!
REALLY HELPFUL VIDEOS. ALWAYS GREAT
Going for my first design job!
Thank you so much, hopefully I won't get so nervous 🙂
Really well said, this video do helps me a lot.
Hi! I used your advice and got the job I was interviewing for :) Thank you for the great tips!
I like your videos before even I start watching! Thank you Philip Vandusen
😂💥
Thank you Philip for these valuable advice. God bless you and your family abundantly always. 🙂🙏🏻❤
I appreciate the thoughts Kerwin!
This is so helpfull! As an art director, i have an upcoming job interview from another country and it is so refreshing to know how different people communicate worldwide! Thanks a lot ✌🏼
Hey Kerrigan! Thanks so much for checking out my video! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. Please come back to the comments and tell me how the interview went and if you were able to use any of the suggestions in this video.
love this one ( THANKS A MILLION) cant wait to see the next ones
TRAC, be sure to look at the other video on interviewing I mentioned - the link is in the description to the video.
@@PhilipVanDusen will do thanks! love your channel! appreciate all the time and effort you put into them. have a great day!!
I have an interview for a Graphic Design role tomorrow. I am nervous because I really need this job and I will totally take these tips onboard! Thank you
Good advice for any kind of interview.
Hey 00000-etc! Thanks so much for checking out my video! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. Keep tuning in!
Very informative thank you 🙌🏻
Philip, you are really smart, would love to work with you! A designer who is a natural Psychologists is "the" successful one, as an UX Designer, love the way you think, thanks for sharing this 😀
This is great! I'm scheduled for a Graphic Design interviw within a few days and this is has definitelly taken my confidence to a higher level. Thank you! I'll be reaching out for help soon. Awesome, Awesome, Awesome...🙂
Justo - make sure to come back and let us all know how it went. I'm collecting success stories from this one video - about 12 new jobs won and counting! I'd love to work with you for some coaching to make sure your 1st 90 days in the new role sets you up for long term success.
Got my interview in a few hours 😩🙈. Wish me luck!
Thank you Philip!
Anjana Vas, Thanks so much!~ Can you do me a favor as a small thank you? Please share my video with a friend or two! I'm trying to build my subscribers. More to come!
Thanks!!!❤
Well good to know even though I'm only 15 but it will certainly come usefull when I'm applying for game designer .
I believe in myself ✊
You're doing the right prep by watching videos like this - good for you!
Thanks!!
Really helpful! I just had my first junior interview last week and I think I nailed all your tips - except for bringing the printed resume 😂
DR, let me know if you got the job!
Thanks for the video! I’m sure I’ll need to review it in the future.
Also look at the other video I did on the subject - the link is in the description.
Great tutorial.
Just about to go for an interview and this really helped, thank you so much!
You rock Chantel Lee!
Loved these tips, thanks!
You're so welcome!
I am so glad to see this video. it will definitely guide me through my upcoming interview. Thanks
Hey George Adeponle! Thanks so much for checking out my video! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. Keep tuning in!
Man that intro was sweet!!!
Great video, I have my first big interview tomorrow. This has really helped!
So, how did it go?
I'm having an interview today and I will totally use these tips! Thanks a lot, Philip!
Thanks Glaub!
@@PhilipVanDusen I got the job months ago, it really helped me!
@@louincosta That's fantastic man! Congrats! Come on over to the Brand Design Masters Facebook group community and share your win! facebook.com/groups/branddesignmasters
Dear Philip, My pleasure for your recommendations. I have the interview with Toptal today. I search for a job for a long time. I don't like Freelance, prefer to work stabilized, fixed at the one company or agency.
Come back and tell me how it goes!!!!🚀😀
Thanks mate, this really helped me gain some confidence for a design interview
Glad it helped!
Lol I think my work is way too weird, failed so many interviews, god the cultural zeitgeist has been bizzare lol great stuff bud. thanks for sharing.
Only thing im worried about is my confidence, I get a lot of social anxiety and because of it im the opposite of what you said, I actually ahte talking about myself.
Okay, good news, I've learnt a lot from this video and have a reference for my dissertation, bad news I need to find more sources for this info because this is too good to not talk about a lot.
Btw thanks for this video...hope it will help me in future
Never knew about a lot of this stuff. Knew about the resume cuz they had us do one school. If I got a new doctor I'll literally ask " Well how long have you been doing this"...or I'll look around the room to see if they got a degree or something..!! Great advice, I learn alot just from watching your videos...Thank you.
Thanks Dashia!
@@PhilipVanDusen You're gladly welcome.
Great ⭐
Thank you so much.
You rock Imagicarolina!
Thank you.
Very good tips!
Val, Thanks so much!~ Can you do me a favor as a small thank you? Please share my video with a friend or two! I'm trying to build my subscribers. More to come!
My interview is in half an hour. Thanks for the tips!
I had an interview with a German Brand, thanks for this great information ❤
Glad it was helpful! I get a lot of comments like this! I hope you aced the interview. Come back and tell me how it went, OK?
Is it me or does this guy remind anyone of the design guy in th "Before and After" design vidieos? Nice talk and some great advice. Thank you for the advice.
"this guy" reads and answers every comment he gets. It's so funny to read comments that talk about me like I left the room or something....Glad you liked the video Khamrun.
Agreed with everything. Performance is the key. Nonetheless content you show, and how you present it is the key as well. One of my new year's resolutions has been pushing my portfolio into case studies system. (I've always had more of a show, don't tell approach, which in the end doesn't work, but we're learning, right?) Guess what is my favorite reference. The best example full of structure and inspiration? You guessed it. Verhaal. Nice work, Philip! Love those changes you did.
Yeah I just retired my slideshow style portfolio after 20 years and moved to a case study format - I have to wait until I'd gathered enough work independently from my new agency - although I did include a little past agency work.
So it's about how we express ourself ¿
I have an interview for a Graphic Design role tomorrow at a local Media company. I am nervous but will totally take these tips onboard! Thank you
Daryl, Be sure to come back and let me know in the comments if you were able to use any of these tips, and how the interview went!
thank you, really helpful ♥
🚀
He's the epitome of a 'design thinker'
Very helpfull
My interview is tomorrow and your video was so helpful for me thank you so much 🙏🏼
Come back and tell us how it goes!
How did it go
That's a great video! As just graduated, I am wondering what I could say about my experience in an interview?
This is so helpful thank you! I'm wondering when is the right time to ask questions during an interview. I feel like typically they only ask if you have any questions at the end of the interview, so there's no opportunity for you to tailor your interview to their responses anymore. Are there ways to ask questions throughout the interview?
With over 20+ years of graphic designer and fine artist career focused experience with both working for corporate entities and 5 recent solid years of freelance...looking to return to the workforce....I'm dying on your suggestion to reduce the variety to share in a portfolio. The range of highlights of all facets under my graphic design umbrella is all over the place....and I can't imagine it any other way!
Ann-Marie, the beauty of digital is that when you send or upload your portfolio of a given position, you can curate it to focus on the area you are applying to. Sometimes when I saw a portfolio where the range it too broad I was left wondering what they were REALLY good at or what they REALLY wanted to do...you get my meaning.
Informative video. Philip, please make a video or a podcast on different designations and their roles in design and branding. So many times people confused about what an Identity Designer does and what a Brand Designer does, how their jobs are different, what they are and what they are not.
I design brand identities and also help businesses to understand their core values, their competition, and their target audience. So am I an Identity Designer or Brand Designer? Who am I? Sounds dramatic right :)
I believe that what we call ourselves is what we become.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge
Prashant, that is a great question. For the most part there really isn't a "brand designer" job role. Brand Design is an over-arching term that encompasses brand identity, graphic design, visual and verbal brand expression and more. An "identity designer" is just a graphic designer who specializes in brand identity/logo design.
@@PhilipVanDusen So what I should call myself or I would say, what title I should use to present myself in front of clients if I create brand identities for businesses and help them to understand their core value, competition, target audience?
@@prashantrawat9024 You offer brand strategy and graphic design services.
Philip VanDusen Ok. I think calling myself a Graphic Designer who specialises in Brand Identity Design would be nice.
Thanks for sharing you knowledge. And your podcast is awesome
I share Meg's feeling as well. I have an interview in 2 days. These are awesome tips. Thanks
How'd it end up going Mo?
@@PhilipVanDusen Got the job bro! Creative Services Manager at a software security company. Stocked
MO! That's fantastic brother! Congratulations. I hope the video tips made a difference!
worth to subscribed !
Ahmaf Arif Arif, Thanks so much!~ Can you do me a favor as a small thank you? Please share my video with a friend or two! I'm trying to build my subscribers. More to come!
I'm about to get interviewed in my first graphic design job. I'm both nervous and excited! Wish me luck
How did it go? Im waiting right now to go in for the interview
@@marinatursic hello thankfully I got accepted in my first interview. Its my First job too you can do it! Wishing you luck 🫶
Paying attention ...u hiring. You are someone I could learn
Propelllll from!!! TY #VETS4graphicdesign
Hey Tonya A.! Thanks so much for checking out my video! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. Keep tuning in!
I have an interview tomorrow!:) for a full time graphic designer.....
Mila- how'd the interview go?
Some interviewers/employers want a multi-skilled professional rather than a focused-on-a-technique one. Foremost in small studios and places hiring Jr positions. I've seen it very often. So you should know where you're applying to.
Thanks dan iel!
Thanks Timed Creations! Generalists are always preferred in smaller studios.
@@daleldalel A multi-skilled-person out of school is going to be a master-of-none. But your work environment will shape their career; so the challenges that arise in the workplace will quite likely be instrumental in their career path. Unpredictable and exciting for an up-and-comer.
@@daleldalel then why you are calling the designer's title as JR and why on earth did Philip like such comment? Philip you just said yourself in the video that a designer should be focusing on one area rather than being an all arounder.
@@daleldalel you are right. but by saying that you mention that you are going to profit out of designer's mediocracy and this is what i don't find ethical. it's good only if you have room and the expected motivation for the mediocre designer to grow.
I have an interview tomorrow..really nervous. Thanks for this video!
How did the interview go????
@@PhilipVanDusen Well, with all the preparations, I didn't get interviewed. They just went straight to ask me if I'm willing to take a day of "trial" to see how it is to work with them. It was weird since I dread the interviews but I felt like they weren't professional. The trial days went on for almost a week and I'm sure I won't get paid since they haven't asked about my info since the interview day..I left cuz I believed that I deserve to be working somewhere better and wasting my time there. Felt like I was just used..(sorry for the long reply..)
@@_K4ND133 A day trial should be just that: 1 day. I would never work longer than that without pay if I were you. You aren't still working there are you? Sounds like the took advantage. Did they ever inform you 'yes' or 'no?
Question for anyone who could help. What is a good example of what you would say to explain this mentioned at 10:22? And how you would be a great fit for, without coming out of nowhere or coming off as salesey or haughty?
What if I love doing both design and illustration ,how should I design my portfolio ,I usually end up making an impression of being an illustrator only !
Hello, I'm hoping Philip VanDusen can answer this question, but if anyone else can answer this it would be great. I just had a graphic interview today, if I get the job it would be my first real graphic job. This job does not offer any benefits and is Contract work. So my question is (I live in MI) how do you find a reasonable 3rd party health insurance (a.k.a A retail policy or individual health ins.) with dental and vision? Also what do you do about not having a 401k or anything else you would have like that if you worked a "normal" job? Lastly what do you have to do with taxes since the job does not with hold taxes either (I'm guessing I have to pay them but how much do you hold back for them)?
What are some good questions to ask for collage interview?
what should be the way of asking questions to them?
agree with everything apart from "people love to talk about them selves" I despise talking about my self haha which is probably why I struggle with interviews. Acting like you want to be there when you just want it to be over is really hard to keep up after 20 minutes. Any tips for this? I obviously want the jobs I'm applying for but the interview process I find horrible
I’m no expert like the guy in this video, but I would definitely try to overflow a change in your mindset of caring enough to be interested and enthusiastic, but not too much. If you put too much weight on something you will worry about negatives or only worry about messing up. Like a trapeze artist; don’t think about falling but keep your focus on wha you want, to keep balance while you keep moving forward.
Just realize and think to yourself if it works out, it’s meant to be, if not; there’s other fish in the sea. (Unintentional rhyming but I will take the accomplishment 😆).
Try to build up your confidence in yourself too. Look at your work, realize you are where you are at in your skill and career, don’t compare to others because everyone is at different levels in different things in life, so no point to compare. With that said be proud of yourself and how far you have come in your experience and career and let that be enough for you. Then take that best version and image of yourself that you have OF yourself, and take it and present it to your interviews with confidence.
Iv in 1 hour to come many thanks
I realised I did this and I did this well
What exactly they look for in graphic designer?
والله الجدع دا لو شاف المجتمع المصري او اتعامل مع العملاء اللب بنتعامل معها هيجيله جلطة لكن لازال الفيديو قيم
Thanks Omar Khaled!
@@PhilipVanDusen sorry for arabic language in your channel 😅 but your valuable content make difference to me as grafic designer , just thanks from me in egypt and middle east to you ❤
I have an interview 3 days from today. I needed this...
Kobby - come back and let me know how it goes! Good Luck!
Can I go in and showcase my website that has all my work on it instead of printing out a portfolio
I’ve done all of these things and still haven’t been offered a position in over two years since I got laid off (due to downsizing). 😭
Oof. Good luck finding something. I'd recommend networking and maybe learning some new things to sharpen up your portfolio.
Anna- networking is the best way to land a new gig. Reach out to people directly on LinkedIn. Send them something valuable - and article they might like - and include a link to your portfolio. Be sure to ask if they might know someone who could use help with whatever it is you do. Good luck!
You rock Chocolatier!
Thank youuuu for saying him/ or her
I really should have said “they” actually. But thanks!
I ran into your video due to the fact that I want to give graphic design a shot. But it seems that I enjoy digital illustration. I have done some design pieces for individuals. This is bold of me to ask. I have nothing to loose at this point. Do you know of anyone who may be willing to give a self-taugh digital artists an opportunity? I figure that it does not hurt to ask. I would greatly appreciate any info. Thanks.
Do you feel that a designer should come to an interview with a printed "portfolio" any more? Should the portfolio be strickly online?
A portfolio presented as a PDF on a laptop is adequate. I don't know the last time I saw a printed portfolio. Just be sure you are NOT relying on an internet connection to show it. ALSO bring a backup copy on a USB thumbdrive in case your laptop fials - so you can use a computer on-site.
@@PhilipVanDusen I agree! For my first job out of college I had interviewed for, I had it online, on a flash drive and a printed portfolio. Three backup setup! :) plus I felt like I could metaphorically hide behind a nice portfolio binder. If I can hold onto something it eliminates anxiety. I guess I am a big baby still, haha. It is also handy to carry not just my portfolio work in a book, but also copies of my resume.
4:45 asking questions back
How to design an interview for Physical Education?
I'm on my 2nd interview with the Marketing Director. The first one was with the Senior Graphic Designer. Do these tips still apply towards a Marketing Director?
Even more so. Good luck!
Excitement is great but I also recommend consciously slowing down to not speak too fast and especially being careful not to talk over the interviewer.
I hired someone but their work was not very professional. I felt like he was trying to hustle me. I didn't interview him. Big mistake.
Jamelo - those kinds of lessons are the hardest - but also the ones that stick with us the longest!
@@PhilipVanDusen True.
We believe you, we listen to you. 1st 1.5 mins. was not necessary.
If I only wasted 1.5 minutes of your time, I think I’m head and shoulders above about 99% of other people on UA-cam… L O L.
I've checked all these boxes and still can't ace an interview right now. I've been a designer for 15 years now. Last 6 as a SR/ACD and Just failed a good 12 interviews in the last month so I've been trying to find patterns, asides from my anxiety for being jobless for a year due to covid.
One problem I am coming across is with my portfolio not having enough variety. Usually agencies and new brands hiring in-house want to see ACD/CD level portfolios with no point of focus. My point of focus was mobile advertising, and it ended up hurting me because I have 6 years worth of that work and nothing else. I'm working on building a brand new book right now with fake projects but approaching it as if it's a real client with a design problem.
The other problem is, in almost every single interview I'm asked: 1."Tell me about your background" 2. "What are you looking to do in your next role". The responses the interviewers expect are subjective. I have NO idea what these managers want to hear from candidates, so I'm always tweaking my message. I've worked for major global brands in my career and it makes no sense why I can't land even a shitty job at an a no name agency.
I decided to start my building my own company using the fake projects once they are done since no one wants to hire me at this point. Would love to see a video on those questions.
The problem is your mindset. I highly recommend listening to or reading Neville Goddard you will have the job in no time if you follow the very simple instructions . When the interviewers "ask tell me about yourself and your background" think of if you were hiring for your own company what would you want a candidate to say. What would make you hire someone.
@@ByRonnita I used to interview and hire other designers. Well aware of mindset.
@@raerlymade well maybe use a positive one
Cant wait until I finish my graphic design college and I finally quit unloading trucks all night in filthy warehouse
You rock Ricardo! Good luck!
Is there such a thing as too many questions?
that one time you bring a printed resume and forgets to hand it out *Picard face palsm*
I've been on the interviewer side. can't stand graphics on a resume. the ones with colored left sidebar, self portrait in upper left, slider graphs of skills on the left or bottom, light or transparent graphic on the background. it should be a TYPOGRAPHIC exercise of all their experience, skills, education, contact info, and summary. I can always tell if the designer doesn't know how to design because they compensate bad type with graphics.
What if a candidate interviews an interviewer silently and then gets rejected
After a day the interviewer gets to know the candidate was worthy enough however interviewer's arrogant behaviour lead to certain circumstances