Top Prescreening Questions to Identify the Best Full-Time Graphic and Web Designer for Your Business

What design software are you most comfortable with?

Proficiency in design software is a must for a graphic designer or web designer. Depending on the role and your company's specific needs, you may require experience with software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, or Figma. This question will give you insight into the candidate's technical skills and familiarity with the tools essential to their role.

Can you describe your design style?

Every designer has a unique style that they bring to their work. Asking about their design style can give you a glimpse into their creative process, influences, and the kind of aesthetic they may bring to your projects.

Can you share your portfolio with us?

A portfolio is a visual representation of a designer's abilities. It showcases their style, creativity, and the scope of projects they've handled. Reviewing a candidate's portfolio can give you a clear picture of their capabilities and whether their style aligns with your company's branding.

Do you have experience working with wireframe tools?

Wireframes are the blueprint for web design. They outline the structure, layout, and functionality of a web page. Understanding a candidate's experience with wireframe tools can help assess their process of turning concepts into visual design elements.

What is your process for creating design concepts for a new project?

This question helps you understand a designer's workflow and how they approach new projects. It can provide insights into their creativity, problem-solving skills, and ability to translate a brief into a compelling design.

Do you have experience designing for both web and print?

Each medium, web or print, requires a unique set of skills and understanding. This question will help determine a candidate's versatility and adaptability to different design mediums.

Can you discuss a time when you received harsh criticism for your work and how you handled it?

The ability to handle criticism and make improvements is a critical quality for a designer. This question can shed light on a candidate's resilience, willingness to learn, and how they handle feedback.

Can you describe your experience working with cross-functional teams?

Designers often work in a collaborative environment with diverse teams. It's essential for a designer to communicate effectively and work well with others to ensure the success of a project.

Have you ever missed a deadline, and if so, how did you handle it?

This question can reveal a lot about a candidate's time management skills and their ability to work under pressure. It also gives them an opportunity to demonstrate problem-solving skills and how they handle unforeseen challenges.

Do you have experience with user interface (UI) or user experience (UX) design?

Experience in UI/UX design is crucial for creating user-friendly websites. This question helps you gauge a candidate's understanding of these design principles and their ability to apply them to create functional and aesthetically pleasing designs.

Are you comfortable working with HTML/CSS?

While not always required, understanding HTML/CSS can be a valuable skill for a web designer, enabling them to work more efficiently with developers and troubleshoot issues.

What type of projects are you most passionate about?

This question can provide insight into what type of work excites and motivates the candidate. It can help you assess whether their interests align with the type of projects your company typically handles.

Do you have any experience with branding and identity design?

Branding and identity design skills can be very valuable, especially for companies looking to build a strong brand image. This question can help you assess a candidate's experience and understanding of brand consistency and identity design.

How do you handle feedback and revisions in your design process?

Feedback is a crucial part of the design process. This question can help you gauge a candidate's ability to take constructive criticism, their flexibility, and how they handle changes in their work.

Do you have experience with mobile-responsive design?

With the increasing use of mobile devices, it's essential for a web designer to have experience with mobile-responsive design. This question will help you assess a candidate's understanding of the principles of responsive design and their ability to create designs that work well on a variety of devices.

Can you talk about a project where you had to balance aesthetics with functionality?

Design isn't just about making things look good - it's also about functionality. This question will help you understand how a candidate approaches this balance and their understanding of the relationship between form and function in design.

Do you keep up with the latest design trends?

The world of design is always changing, and staying updated with the latest trends is crucial. This question can help you gauge a candidate's enthusiasm for their field and their commitment to continuous learning.

Have you ever had to defend your design decisions to a non-designer?

Designers often need to justify their decisions to clients or team members who may not have a design background. This question can help you assess a candidate's communication skills and their ability to explain their work effectively.

How do you handle the pressure of multiple projects or tight deadlines?

Designers often juggle multiple projects with tight deadlines. This question can help you understand how a candidate handles pressure, their time management skills, and their ability to prioritize tasks.

Do you have any front-end development experience?

While not a requirement for all design roles, front-end development skills can be a valuable asset. This question will help you gauge a candidate's technical skills and their ability to collaborate with development teams.