Interview scorecard template

Sustainable Packaging Designer interview scorecard

Evaluate Sustainable Packaging Designer candidates across 4 weighted areas: portfolio, craft and rationale, feedback and iteration, and working with the brief. Portfolio leads at 35%, so review actual packaging projects: dielines, structural prototypes, retail SKUs shipped. Ask which materials they specified (mono-material PE, molded fiber, PCR resin) and measured waste or weight. Use the rubric to compare role-specific evidence consistently.

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design visual communicationdielineslife cycle assessmentmono materialrecyclabilitystructural packaging
TL;DR
For portfolio, look for evidence the candidate shows named SKUs on shelf with before and after material specs, gram weight cuts, and recyclability outcomes they owned. For craft and rationale, look for evidence the candidate explains structural and material choices with barrier, cube efficiency, and end-of-life reasoning, not just visual 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

Review actual packaging projects: dielines, structural prototypes, retail SKUs shipped. Ask which materials they specified (mono-material PE, molded fiber, PCR resin) and measured waste or weight reduction.

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 named SKUs on shelf with before and after material specs, gram weight cuts, and recyclability outcomes they owned.

02
Evaluation factor

Craft and rationale

25% weight

Probe fluency in ArtiosCAD or Esko Studio, corrugated flute selection, ISTA drop testing, and how they justify a closure or coating against compostability claims.

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 structural and material choices with barrier, cube efficiency, and end-of-life reasoning, not just visual preference.

03
Evaluation factor

Feedback and iteration

25% weight

Test how they handled failed drop tests, co-packer line jams, or brand pushback on unbleached board, and what the revised dieline or substrate became.

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 test failures or line trials, the redesign that followed, and evidence the fix held in production.

04
Evaluation factor

Working with the brief

15% weight

Assess work with brand, procurement, and converters under EPR fees, How2Recycle labelling, FSC chain of custody, and cost per unit ceilings set by the client.

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 sustainability targets and regulatory constraints into a brief converters can quote and marketing will approve.

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