Review the evidence signals before interviewing. Then use the anchored descriptions—not instinct alone—to choose the score that best matches each answer.
01
Evaluation factor
Portfolio
35% weight
Review garments in their portfolio where circularity was designed in: zero-waste pattern cutting, mono-material construction, deadstock or GRS-certified inputs, and any take-back or repair line that reached retail.
Evidence to listen for
Work exists and can be looked at, not just described
States what they made versus what the team or a template made
Shows range rather than one repeated style
Can walk through a piece from brief to final
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
No portfolio, or work that is unattributable or clearly templated.
2
Needs Improvement
Thin portfolio; unclear what they personally made.
3
Satisfactory
Real work with adequate range; contribution mostly clear.
4
Very Good
Strong varied portfolio with clear personal ownership.
5
Excellent
Shows shipped styles with fabric yields, material passports and end-of-life routes documented, not moodboards of recycled-looking concepts.
02
Evaluation factor
Craft and rationale
25% weight
Probe technical craft: monofibre trim selection, stitch types that allow disassembly, Clo3D sampling to cut physical protos, and how they write tech packs specifying recyclability to the factory.
Evidence to listen for
Explains why a layout, type choice, or colour decision serves the brief
Knows typography and hierarchy as craft, not decoration
Works to a brand system without either breaking it or hiding behind it
Names the tools they are genuinely fast in
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Cannot explain any decision; work is arbitrary.
2
Needs Improvement
Talks in taste terms only; no link between choice and brief.
3
Satisfactory
Sound craft with some ability to justify decisions.
4
Very Good
Articulate about why each choice serves the brief.
5
Excellent
Explains seam, trim and dye choices in terms of both fit and disassembly, citing Higg MSI or LCA numbers behind fabric swaps.
03
Evaluation factor
Feedback and iteration
25% weight
Test how they respond when sustainability claims get challenged by merchandising, cost sheets or a supplier who cannot source the certified yarn; look for redesign, not compromise theatre.
Evidence to listen for
Takes critique without treating it as an attack
Distinguishes a subjective preference from a real problem, and says so politely
Iterates fast rather than defending version one
Delivers files correctly and on time
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Defensive about critique; will not revise.
2
Needs Improvement
Accepts feedback passively; iterations do not improve the work.
3
Satisfactory
Revises willingly; struggles to push back on weak feedback.
4
Very Good
Iterates quickly and can argue for the work when the feedback is wrong.
5
Excellent
Describes specific iterations where cost or supply constraints forced a rework that kept the circular attribute measurable and auditable.
04
Evaluation factor
Working with the brief
15% weight
Assess work against commercial and regulatory briefs: price architecture, ESPR and Digital Product Passport requirements, Green Claims scrutiny, and collaboration with sourcing on MOQ realities.
Evidence to listen for
Asks about audience and goal before opening the design tool
Works with marketing, product, or clients rather than in isolation
Flags an impossible brief early
Hands over files and assets others can actually use
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Designs in isolation; ignores the brief's purpose.
2
Needs Improvement
Starts designing before understanding the goal.
3
Satisfactory
Asks the right questions when prompted.
4
Very Good
Interrogates the brief up front and hands over cleanly.
5
Excellent
Translates a commercial brief into circular specs that legal, sourcing and buyers all signed off, naming the regulation or standard applied.
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