How do you start a new design project after receiving a brief?
What the interviewer wants to hear
- Read the brief and ask clarifying questions
- Understand objective, audience, message, deliverables and deadline
- Research the brand, competitors and references
- Sketch multiple concepts before going digital
Model answer
I start by reading the brief carefully and writing down anything unclear. Then I ask the client or account manager questions: what is the main goal, who is the audience, what is the one key message, what formats and sizes are needed, what is the deadline, and are there brand guidelines I must follow. I write the answers back as a short summary so we agree on the target. Next I research the brand, its competitors and the category, and collect references into a mood board. Then I sketch several rough ideas on paper or quickly on screen before committing to one. This keeps me from falling in love with the first idea. Finally I develop the strongest two or three concepts and present them with a short explanation of the thinking.
Can you answer it under time pressure?
Take a timed easy round and get scored on every answer.
More easy Graphic Designer questions
- What are the key principles of good graphic design?
- Explain the difference between RGB and CMYK. When do you use each?
- How do you create a clear typographic hierarchy in a layout?
- Tell me about a project in your portfolio you are proud of.
- How do you choose a colour palette for a new brand or project?
- Explain the difference between vector and raster graphics, and when you use each.
- How do you choose typefaces for a project?
- What do you keep in mind when designing graphics for social media?
- What should a good creative brief contain, and what do you do if the brief you receive is incomplete?