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Guide to interviewing designers

A comprehensive guide to conducting effective designer interviews, including interview plans, example questions, and evaluation criteria.

Updated over 2 months ago

Interview plan structure

First round: Initial screen

  • Duration: 30 minutes

  • Interviewer: Dover Interviewer or Recruiter

  • Focus: Initial qualification and cultural alignment

Second round: Portfolio review

  • Duration: 30 minutes

  • Interviewer: Hiring Manager

  • Focus: Design skills assessment and project discussion

Final round: Onsite interviews

  • Total duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Schedule breakdown:

  1. Introduction (15 minutes)

    • Overview of interview day

    • Led by Recruiter or Head of Talent

  2. Behavioral Interview 1 (30 minutes)

    • Cultural fit assessment

    • Led by Hiring Manager or Business Area Leadership

  3. Technical Assessment (30 minutes)

    • Role-specific skills evaluation

    • Led by Business Area team member

  4. Team Social (30 minutes)

    • Non-evaluative meet and greet

    • Led by two team members from different areas

  5. Behavioral Interview 2 (30 minutes)

    • Additional cultural fit assessment

    • Led by another Hiring Manager or Business Leader

  6. Wrap-up (15 minutes)

    • Final questions and company overview

    • Led by executive team member


Portfolio review guidelines

UI/UX Designer assessment

Structure

  • Introduction and background (5 minutes)

  • Portfolio review (15 minutes)

  • Design exercise (10 minutes)

  • Closing discussion (5 minutes)

Key evaluation areas

  • Design process

  • User interface design

  • Information architecture

  • User research methods

  • Visual design skills

Product Designer assessment

Structure

  • Introduction and background (5 minutes)

  • Portfolio review (15 minutes)

  • Design exercise discussion (10 minutes)

  • Closing discussion (5 minutes)

Key evaluation areas

  • Product design process

  • User research capabilities

  • User experience design

  • Prototyping skills

  • Problem-solving approach

Visual/Graphic Designer assessment

Structure

  • Introduction and background (5 minutes)

  • Portfolio review (15 minutes)

  • Design exercise discussion (10 minutes)

  • Closing discussion (5 minutes)

Key evaluation areas

  • Visual design skills

  • Brand understanding

  • Typography expertise

  • Layout principles

  • Software proficiency


Evaluation criteria

Design expertise

  • Understanding of design principles

  • Technical proficiency

  • Portfolio quality

  • Design process methodology

Problem-solving abilities

  • Analytical thinking

  • Creative solutions

  • Decision-making process

  • User-centered approach

Communication skills

  • Presentation abilities

  • Design explanation clarity

  • Stakeholder management

  • Team collaboration


Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for in a designer's portfolio?

Look for a clear design process, problem-solving methodology, and the impact of their work. Strong portfolios demonstrate both visual skills and strategic thinking.

How do I evaluate technical skills during the interview?

Use the design exercise portion to assess technical capabilities. Ask candidates to explain their tool choices and workflow processes.

What are red flags during a designer interview?

Watch for inability to explain design decisions, lack of user-centered thinking, or portfolio work without clear problem statements and outcomes.

How do I assess cultural fit for designers?

Focus on collaboration examples, ability to receive feedback, and how they handle design iterations and stakeholder input during the behavioral interviews.

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