Can you describe a situation where you had to think creatively to solve a design problem?

User Interface Designer Interview Questions

Sample answer to the question

Sure! In my previous role as a User Interface Designer, I encountered a challenging design problem when tasked with creating an intuitive navigation system for a mobile app. The client wanted a unique and engaging user experience, but also wanted to ensure that the navigation was easy to use and understand. To solve this, I thought creatively and came up with a solution using custom icons that represented each section of the app. I did extensive research on visual metaphors and created a set of icons that were both visually appealing and easily recognizable. This approach not only solved the design problem but also added a fun and memorable element to the app. The client was thrilled with the result and praised my creativity and problem-solving skills.

A more solid answer

Absolutely! In my previous role as a Junior User Interface Designer, I encountered a complex design problem while working on a web application. The challenge was to create a visually appealing and user-friendly interface for a data-heavy dashboard. To tackle this, I had to think creatively and approach the problem from different angles. I conducted user research and gathered feedback to understand their pain points and needs. Based on that, I came up with a solution to simplify the interface by using color-coded data visualizations and interactive elements. This not only made the information more digestible but also enhanced the overall user experience. I presented my design concept to the team, gathered their input, and iterated on the design until we reached a consensus. The end result was a visually stunning and intuitive dashboard that received positive feedback from both users and stakeholders.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer expands on the basic answer by providing specific details about the design problem, the candidate's approach, and the outcome. It demonstrates the candidate's skills in creative thinking and problem-solving by mentioning user research, gathering feedback, and iterating on the design. The answer is more comprehensive and showcases the candidate's abilities effectively. However, it could still be improved by providing more specific examples or metrics to quantify the success of the design solution.

An exceptional answer

Certainly! In my previous role as a Junior User Interface Designer, I encountered an interesting design challenge while working on a mobile app for a travel company. The problem was to design an immersive and engaging onboarding experience that would captivate users from the moment they first opened the app. To tackle this, I decided to think outside the box and incorporated gamification elements into the onboarding process. I created a series of interactive tasks and quizzes that users had to complete to unlock exclusive rewards and discounts. This not only made the onboarding process more enjoyable but also encouraged users to explore the app's features. To validate the effectiveness of this approach, I conducted user testing and analyzed the data. The results showed significantly higher engagement and retention rates compared to the previous onboarding design. The client was thrilled with the outcome as it not only solved the initial design problem but also contributed to increased user adoption and satisfaction.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer provides a highly detailed and specific example of a design problem and the candidate's creative solution. It showcases the candidate's ability to think outside the box and incorporate gamification elements to enhance the user experience. The answer also mentions the candidate's validation process through user testing and provides tangible results to quantify the success of the design solution. Overall, the exceptional answer demonstrates a high level of creativity, problem-solving skills, and the ability to deliver measurable results. To further improve, the candidate could mention any challenges or constraints faced during the implementation of the gamification elements and how they were overcome.

How to prepare for this question

1. Familiarize yourself with design thinking methodologies and techniques, such as user research, prototyping, and user testing. This will help you approach design problems from a creative and problem-solving perspective.
2. Practice brainstorming and ideation exercises to improve your ability to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions.
3. Stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in user interface design to have a broader range of creative ideas and inspiration.
4. Develop a strong portfolio showcasing your previous design projects that required creative thinking and problem-solving. Highlight the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the positive outcomes.
5. During the interview, be prepared to share specific examples of design problems you've encountered and how you creatively solved them. Focus on the process you followed, the techniques you used, and the impact of your solutions.

What interviewers are evaluating

Creative thinking
Problem-solving