What Does a Graphic Designer Do? 

A graphic designer is a professional who uses images, typography, and layout to create visual communications. These graphic design services can range from product design, billboards, newsletters, and more. 

Graphic designers must be able to think creatively. They understand the needs of their clients and problem solve accordingly. They must also know how to use software to help them create their designs.

Personality and Qualities 

The graphic designer represents your company. You want someone professional and capable of creating quality graphics. 

The designer should be friendly. If they are designing marketing materials or creating logos, they will be interacting with your customers. 

A qualified graphic designer will be good at active listening. Their soft skills are just as important as their problem-solving skills and experience level. The designer should also be trustworthy. They will be handling sensitive information. A good graphic designer should know how to keep confidential information confidential. 

They should be self-disciplined. Designers often have tight deadlines, so you need someone who can meet them without getting flustered. 

Why Conduct a Graphic Design Interview Test? 

You can use different tests to see if your designer has the skills to work with you. A test will help you make sure the designer can back up their portfolio. 

The designer will show you in real-time their skill set and qualifications. 

You want to ensure that the designer you choose has the necessary communication skills and experience for the project you have in mind. By testing, you'll have real-time feedback on whether or not they have the skills they claim to have. 

This is extra helpful when hiring freelance graphic designers. They may not have references, but through testing you'll see what they can do.

Design Challenge: 

You give the designer a specific task to complete, such as designing a logo or creating a flier. It is a great way to see how they work under pressure and gives you an idea of their attention to detail.

Technical Test: 

You ask the designer to complete a specific task using specific software. This test is a great way to see how they work with technology, and will also give you an idea of their level of expertise.

For example, you may want to check how well they can use Adobe Creative Cloud. The Cloud includes Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop CS. These programs are vital for a visual designer to know how to use. 

What Is the Most Important Factor to Consider When Hiring a Graphic Designer?

The most critical factor to consider is the portfolio. The graphic design portfolio is a compilation of the designer's best work. It will showcase their skills and style to prospective clients. 

The contents of a portfolio will vary depending on the designer's strengths and preferences. The portfolio should generally include a selection of both digital and print projects. 

The portfolio should target the specific needs of the client or employer. For example, a portfolio for a User Experience design job might emphasize experience with HTML and CSS.

When looking at a portfolio, pay attention to the following:

• Quality of the work: Is it well-designed and professional looking?
• The variety of work: Does the designer have experience with different graphic design projects?
• The skills demonstrated: Does the portfolio show a strong understanding of design principles?
• The creativity: Does the work show originality and a fresh perspective?
• The impression: Is the portfolio well-organized and easy to navigate?
• Do their designs look professional and clean? 
• Are they easy to read and understand? 
• Does the layout of their portfolio look pleasing to the eye?

These are all factors to consider when choosing a graphic designer. Besides looking at a portfolio, you should also ask for references from previous clients. Ask for examples of work they did for other companies and find out how satisfied those clients were with the final product. 

What Are Some Common Mistakes Made When Hiring a Graphic Designer?

Hiring a graphic designer is an important decision, but it does not have to be a difficult one. 

You can avoid mistakes to speed up the hiring process. A common mistake is neglecting to provide feedback throughout the process. 

Feedback will help the designer understand your vision and ensure that they are meeting your expectations. If you are not satisfied with the results, let the designer know so they can make changes. 

How Can You Tell if a Graphic Designer Is a Good Fit for Your Company?

Make sure the designer has a strong portfolio of previous work, as this will give you an idea of their skills and abilities. It's important to find out what kind of design experience the designer has. 

If you're looking for someone to create monthly newsletters, make sure they are an experienced designer in that field. When you need a logo designer, look for someone specialized in that role.  

When you want a general graphic designer, hiring someone without a specialization may be best. You'll also want to ask them how they set up their workflow. A corporate graphic designer's workflow includes creating wireframes or storyboards of the design, mocking up the design in a software program, and then sending the files off to the printers. 

The graphic designer may also work with a team of other designers and marketing professionals to create cohesive branding across all company materials.

The most important skill for a graphic designer is to communicate the company vision. The graphic designer must take the abstract concepts of the company and turn them into tangible designs that your team understands. The corporate graphic designer must also be able to work within the brand guidelines set forth by the company.

You'll want to see if they have the skill set to do this work. You also want to be clear if the designer will work on a team or alone. In some cases, the graphic designer may be the sole design professional on staff. In other cases, there may be a team of creatives working under the head designer. 

What Are Some Questions You Should Ask a Prospective Graphic Designer?

During the interview process, ask potential candidates about their creative process and how they approach projects. It will give you insight into their way of thinking and working. 

Ask them how they handle critique, and how they set up their workflow. Do they need a lot of feedback or are they independent? 

Finally, don't forget to test the designer's skills before hiring them. Give them a small project to work on and see how they do.

What Are Some Red Flags to Watch Out for When Interviewing a Graphic Designer?

As you go through the test process and interview, you'll want to see how the designer handles feedback and critique. Ask yourself the following questions throughout the process: 

• Can they explain why their portfolio lacks examples of their work in your industry (if applicable)?
• Can they speak to specifics about their design process or how they would approach your project?
• Can the designer create original designs, or do they rely heavily on stock images or templates?
• Does the designer have a good understanding of branding and marketing?
• Does the designer seem knowledgeable about the latest trends in graphic design?

If they can't answer these questions, consider this a red flag. By taking the time to choose the right designer, you can ensure that your project will be a success.

How Can You Assess a Graphic Designer’s Portfolio?

One way to assess a graphic designer's portfolio is to look at the quality of their work. Review specific projects they have completed and look at the level of detail in their designs. 

Assess a graphic designer's portfolio by reviewing their process. Look at how they work with clients, how they approach design problems, and how they use technology in their work. 

Look at their professional achievements too. Check for any awards they have won, recognition they have received, and the clients they have worked with. Have they done any courses or extra training recently?

When you assess a portfolio, remember that there is no one right way to do it. Instead, use a variety of methods to get a sense of the work. This will help you get a better understanding of their style, their approach to design, and their overall body of work. 

When looking at a portfolio, pay attention to the following:

• The use of color, imagery, and typography
• An understanding of color theory, visual hierarchy, and other graphic design principles. 
• The overall usability of the designs. Are they easy to navigate and understand?

If you're satisfied with what you see in the portfolio, then it's likely that the designer can do the job. 

Hiring a Graphic Designer Made Easy

If you're looking to hire a top-notch graphic designer, following these tips will help you find the best candidate for the job. To find the best possible graphic designer for your company, you need to know what to look for. 

By knowing what skills and qualities to seek out, you can ensure that you are hiring a designer who will be a valuable asset to your team. Conducting a graphic design interview test ensures your new employee has the skills to back up their dazzling portfolio.