Interview scorecard template

Graphic Design Intern interview scorecard

Evaluate Graphic Design Intern candidates across 4 weighted areas: portfolio, craft and rationale, feedback and iteration, and working with the brief. Portfolio leads at 35%, so for an intern, look for any real portfolio: coursework, personal projects, or client work, as long as they made it. Use the rubric to compare role-specific evidence consistently.

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design visual communicationentry levelgraphic designinternshipvisual design
TL;DR
For portfolio, look for evidence the candidate portfolio shows range and genuine personal authorship, whether from coursework, personal, or client work. For craft and rationale, look for evidence the candidate explains type, layout, and colour choices in terms of the brief and the audience, not just preference. Apply the written 1–5 anchors to every answer, record the evidence behind each rating, and use the factor weights to reach a consistent overall assessment.
Complete evaluation framework

What to assess and how to score it

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

For an intern, look for any real portfolio: coursework, personal projects, or client work, as long as they made it.

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

Portfolio shows range and genuine personal authorship, whether from coursework, personal, or client work.

02
Evaluation factor

Craft and rationale

25% weight

Test whether they can explain a type, layout, or colour decision beyond personal taste.

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 type, layout, and colour choices in terms of the brief and the audience, not just preference.

03
Evaluation factor

Feedback and iteration

25% weight

Assess how they respond to critique, since most of an internship is revision.

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

Takes critique well, iterates quickly, and can politely question feedback that would hurt the work.

04
Evaluation factor

Working with the brief

15% weight

Judge whether they ask about audience and purpose before opening the design tool.

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

Asks about audience and goal before designing, and hands over organised files without being told to.

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