Pre-Press Graphics Designer Interview Preparation Guide

Why yes I have done the freelance work on many occasions maybe 150 at least.

The final proof before the actual press run. It includes all the images at actual resolution, but everything is printed out in one color--blue.

Sarah from Salted Ink. I love her clean, fresh designs that stand out without being too overdone and in your face.

Adobe Photoshop - 80%, Illustrator - 35%, Dreamweaver - 60%, Premier - 40%

There’s a big difference between the level of attention you’ll get from your freelance designer if you’re providing a significant portion of their income versus sending them a small project here and there.

Before committing to a contract, set clear expectations around your requirements. Will you need closer to five or 40 hours of their time each week? Find out how booked up they are with other clients and if it’s realistic for them to take on your project given your expectations and their other commitments.

An employer might ask this question because, although you might have mentioned it on your CV or included it in your portfolio, they want to hear about your most successful campaign in your own words. With this question, the employer wants to hear about your passion for that particular campaign and why you personally think it was such a success. They’re also looking to see how you judge the success of a campaign and how and what you did to make it successful. Obviously with this question, your answer will depend on your previous experience – but whichever campaign you choose, try and have some stats to hand and be careful not to take responsibility for other people’s work.

Every designer should have a detailed answer prepared for this. A good designer won’t just jump in and start designing. Great designers begin by trying to understand the problem they’re being asked to solve. Depending on the project, they might interview users or look through data to determine the best course of action. They should also allow for at least one round of substantive feedback and iteration before they submit their final designs.

Employers love it when employees take an interest in their company or brand, especially in the case of designers. After all, how can you design something that matches their brand’s style if you don’t know anything about them?

After all, how can you design something that matches their brand's style if you don't know anything about them?

Do your homework before the interview and try to come prepared with some idea of what the company is all about. You don’t need to know all of the facts, but you should try to have an understanding of their overall message and philosophy, and why you are a good fit for them.

Liking your job has never been a requirement of employment, but good employers know that happy workers do better work—especially if they like the work they’re doing. Every designer has his or her own specialty, something they like to do above all else. If what you like to do just happens to be the same job you’re applying for, then you’re in good shape.

Liking your job has never been a requirement of employment, but good employers know that happy workers do better work—especially if they like the work they're doing.

If you’re afraid that your interests and the job you’re applying for aren’t the best match for one another, then try to find the best answer that is not only honest, but makes you the best candidate for the job. You could mention that you would like to work your way up into a position that would let you work on your favorite types of projects, if that’s a possibility.

This question, and versions of it (“Do you prefer working alone or in a team?”), is designed to ensure you work effectively with many different individuals, from your peers to executives. When asked about your collaboration abilities, give a specific example of how you regularly interacted with colleagues in other departments or led a project team that included staff from several different levels within the firm.