A Virtual Interview with a Graphic & Web Designer

Last night (December 19th) and this morning (the 20th), I applied for some graphic and web design jobs being offered in the greater Seattle area. If you’re here because I listed this website as a reference point for my portfolio, then hello to you. I’m a time-valuer, so I thought I’d save you some time by giving a virtual interview. In this post I’ll explain why I’d be a great fit as your designer, answer some common interview questions, and talk a little bit about who I am. If at the end of this post you think “Hey, she’s kinda cool,” and would like to consider me for a real interview, then please contact me. If you think, “Meh, she’s no big deal,” then I’ve saved you some time of having to actually talk to me about my strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to interview someone better-suited for your team.

So let’s get cracking.

Why Should You Hire Me?

To be perfectly blunt about it, I’m good at what I do. My strength is in web design, and I’m able to build websites using HTML and CSS, both static and with WordPress. Knowing how to code is beneficial when designing a site, as I know what will work within a browser, and what’s just a pipe dream. Everyone works on different computing platforms, within different browsers, and varying screen resolutions. Web, unlike print, is more of an organic being, taking on a life of its own. A web designer who also knows how a website works, can make websites look and perform their best across the internet spectrum.

Logo creation and branding solutions are challenging. A logo should be a simple and memorable graphic which will convey a company or organization’s most basic idea, and will one day be the keystone to building the brand’s reputation. That’s a lot of responsibility for one little graphic. Logos take a great deal of initial research and preparation, and requires me, the designer, to really dig deep into the client I’m trying to visually represent to their customer-base. Where a web design can take an afternoon to mockup, a logo might take me days to fully conceptualize.

Presentation folder. Client: AMS

The world of printing is pretty foreign to me. Don’t get me wrong, I know the basics and can design a business card, flyer, presentation folder, poster and what have you, but I’m more experienced with working with the web than I am talking with a printer. I know about die-cuts, bleeds, the difference between CMYK, RGB, and Pantone coloring, the importance of having at least 300 dpi (and the more the better), and how much easier it is to deal within existing paper sizes. But anything more than that and I get a little lost, and find myself running to Google to try and figure things out, then learn about the terms and practices that make my forehead wrinkle.

Less is more. I mean that in a couple of ways: firstly, in design often times the simplest solution is the best one. That typically means that the design process requires lots of adding and subtracting of elements. Sometimes it takes seeing too much to realize that a project works better with less. Secondly, less work interference produces better results. I work best independently, after getting the answers to questions needed to start work on a new project. Collaboration is great every now and then, and fellow designer feedback and impressions can be helpful. Generally speaking though, this designer works best on her own. Why is that good for you? Give me an assignment, let me ask my initial questions, and I’m good to go!

Why Shouldn’t You Hire Me?

Hey, things don’t always work out, right? Some people work better with others, so it’s entirely possible that I wouldn’t be a good fit for you. If your office environment is chaotic (not to be confused with vibrant), with excessive noise, constant meetings (think Michael Scott from The Office), or requires a lot of travel, then you should hire someone else. As I point out in the above section, I’m a self-motivated person, one who works best independently. I can better serve a client or organization when given minimal supervision and allowed to focus on the task assigned to me, instead of juggling my duties with daily meeting attendance.

Graphic design is not art, therefore it is not subjective. Design is communicating an idea in a visual way. It’s my sincere desire to communicate my client’s idea, mission, goal, what have you, as best I can. I have always strived to educate a client on the reasons for my design decisions, explaining why each element is placed where it is, the reasoning behind color selection, element size, and so forth. Before designing a logo, website, or other branding collateral, I always ask the client what their end goal is for their specific project. I gladly accept feedback on a design, but do not always implement client change requests. Why? Design isn’t subjective, and the client isn’t always right. Is that a scandalous thing to say? I don’t think so, but if you want a designer who does your bidding without question, then I wouldn’t be a good fit for you. You wouldn’t tell an accountant or lawyer how to do their job, you’d expect them to be an expert in their field, which is why you hired them in the first place. The same applies to a graphic designer. Do I know absolutely everything about graphic design? Heck no! If there’s a good reason to make a change to a design, or a client has a concern about something, then I’m happy to address it. But I’m not going to “make the logo bigger” just because a client demands it. I ask why should it be bigger? It’s my job to solve a problem in a visual way, and a client’s job to tell me what the problem is.

Common Interview Questions Answered

What do you consider to be your greatest weakness?

This is a common interview question, and I thought I’d just go ahead and answer it here. Honestly I’m not sure what answer an interviewer is looking for, but usually interviewees take this question and try to turn it around to show a weakness as a strength. Not me. I’m human, so I have many weaknesses, and though I’m not sure what my greatest weakness is, I can give you one: I’m impatient. Yep, I’m admitting to being impatient! I’m also honest, but I think that’s pretty evident in this post. How does my impatience affect my job performance? It usually doesn’t. When I get frustrated I try to remove myself from the situation and work it out on my own. My impatience is my problem and I don’t want to impose it on others. When I can’t remove myself from the situation, as sometimes happens, I take a moment of silence and pause before responding. This typically happens when trying to explain something to a client who may not want to hear my response to a question, or is telling me I’m wrong and how to do my job (see paragraph above). I take some solace in knowing this is a rampant issue in the design world, then try to move on. I’m also an exercise junkie, so most of my frustrations get worked out while I’m working out.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In my fantasy world, which is where I hope to be in five years, I’m a successful novelist, perhaps an international bestseller, and I rub elbows with J.K. Rowling, have David Fincher (who has directed the film adaptation of my novel) on speed dial, and have waterfront property, where I’ve built my own cob house, and I have a dock out on the water, where I keep Libby, my sailboat. Of course I also have a beautiful and loving family, multiple shelties, and more happiness than I know what to do with. That’s where I see myself in five years.

In my non-fantasy world, which is what you want most likely want to know about, I’m working on projects I enjoy, projects that are engaging and fulfilling, all while I’m able to pay for certain luxuries like eating and paying my car insurance.

Why do you want to work for _______ company/organization?

I left that blank because, to be honest, I applied to many different companies and organizations: I want to make a living. I’ve grown accustomed to having certain things in my life, including but not limited to: three meals a day plus the occasional snack, my morning coffee, gasoline in my tank, warm clothes, and sleeping someplace dry. I’d like to keep those things, and perhaps have the occasional splurge like treating friends to a cup of coffee (I love that caffeine stuff), repairing my car when it needs a repair (I drive a ’94 Honda del Sol), and getting a few ebooks a month. It’s tough out there, and I need work to live. We all do. Why did I apply to your specific company or organization? Because I really do think I’d make a good employee for you, because I love design, and can give you a great product. Believe it or not, I didn’t apply everywhere. Like you, I’m able to weed out what would make a good fit and what wouldn’t.

A Little More about Me

If you’ve read this far, I’m going to assume you’re a little curious. So let me give you some quick facts and stories about me. Who knows, maybe we have something in common. It is, as they say, a small world.

I Live on a Sailboat

Yep indeed, I’m a liveaboard. I just moved aboard my boat, and did so for a few reasons: adventure, mobility, and finances. It’s a heck of a lot cheaper to live aboard a boat, mainly because it’s such a small space and I have less stuff. Libby is a 30 foot 1972 Islander MK II. If you think living aboard a boat could be nifty, or you also love boats, you can read more about my sailing adventures here.

Sailing home from a day adventure to Seattle.

Call me Hermione

A handful of people have affectionately referred to me as “Hermione.” It first happened when I was in college. My two friends, both guys, and I were playing pool, and I broke into song (can’t remember why or what song). I’d recently taken both of them to the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and somehow me singing (I’m a soprano) caused both of them to say I was just like Hermione Granger. At fist I was offended: Hermione is bossy and sometimes obnoxious. But then Kevin and Craig made me feel better by saying Hermione was good at many things, and her two best friends were also boys, just like mine. Other friends of mine have pointed out that, whatever the conversation at hand, I always have some fact to give. I guess being christened Hermione is better than Cliff Claven. I’m aware that I can sometimes be a know-it-all, and do my utmost to control it.

Tally-Ho!

Dante and I at a hunter pace.

I used to be a fox-hunter. Yep, you read that right. When I lived in California, I hunted for two seasons. Most people’s experience with fox-hunting is limited to that animated clip in Mary Poppins. That’s a pretty accurate representation! Fox-hunters are some serious equestrians, and I’m proud to count myself among them. Galloping over the beautiful countryside, the wind howling in my ears, jumping three foot fences, all for the chase, was a grand adventure, and I so hope I’m able to hunt again.

My Greatest Accomplishment

In March of 2011, I reached a milestone. After seven years of work, I finally published my novel Jaden Baker a psychological thriller. Four of the seven years were spent struggling, trying to figure out how the novel would end (a huge frustration). Once I solved that problem, two years were spent wondering how I’d start the novel. In June of 2010, I had an Aha! moment, and wrote the entire story in a few months, publishing it one year later. Jaden Baker is my 179,000 word pride and joy.

The Old One-Two

Since February of 2011, I’ve been regularly attending a kickboxing class. Why am I sharing this with possible employers? If I work for you, don’t be surprised if during my lunch break I go outside for a quick walk, drop down and pump one-armed pushups, or try to get coworkers to do some sit-ups with me during a break. Exercise is nature’s prozac, and I love it!

Well?

If you’d like to interview me for real, or you want to ask me specific project questions before formally meeting me, please contact me. Be sure to check out my portfolio to see some of my work!