SENIOR LEVEL

Can you give an example of a time when you had to handle feedback or critique on your design work? How did you respond?

Sample answer to the question

I remember a time when I received feedback on a web design project I was working on. The feedback was about the color scheme and layout of the website. Initially, I felt a bit defensive because I had put a lot of thought and effort into the design. However, instead of reacting defensively, I took a step back to understand the perspective of the person giving the feedback. I realized that their suggestions were valid and could enhance the overall user experience. I acknowledged their feedback and thanked them for taking the time to provide it. I then took their suggestions into consideration and made the necessary adjustments to the design. The end result was a more visually appealing and user-friendly website.

A more solid answer

I can give you an example of a time when I had to handle feedback on my design work. I was leading a team on a branding project for a client. We presented our initial concepts, and while the client was impressed with the overall direction, they had some critiques regarding the color palette and typography choices. Instead of becoming defensive, I actively listened to their feedback and asked follow-up questions to fully understand their concerns. I then collaborated with my team to brainstorm alternative solutions that addressed the client's feedback while still aligning with the project goals. We presented the revised designs, explaining our thought process and how we incorporated the client's input. The client appreciated our responsiveness and was impressed with the revised concepts. This experience taught me the importance of open-mindedness, effective communication, and the ability to turn feedback into actionable improvements.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The answer includes specific details about the leadership, organization, communication, and problem-solving skills required for the role. It also mentions the use of industry software and the integration of creative thinking with marketing objectives. However, it can still be improved by providing more specific examples of using industry software and elaborating on the strategic thinking involved in integrating creative thinking with marketing objectives.

An exceptional answer

I have faced feedback and critique multiple times throughout my career, and each experience has helped me grow as a creative professional. One particular instance stands out when I was leading a team in designing a mobile app interface for a client. After presenting our initial designs, the client expressed concerns about the user flow and suggested some modifications to improve the overall navigation. Instead of taking the critique personally, I saw it as an opportunity to enhance the user experience. I held a team meeting to discuss the feedback, and we analyzed the client's suggestions together. We used industry software like Sketch to prototype different options and conducted user testing to validate our decisions. We iterated on the design multiple times, considering both the client's feedback and the insights gained from user testing. In the end, we delivered an app interface that not only met the client's expectations but also received positive feedback from the users. This experience taught me the value of collaboration, adaptability, and data-driven decision-making. It reinforced my belief that feedback, even when initially challenging, can lead to significant improvements in design.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The answer includes specific details about the leadership, organization, communication, understanding of industry software, strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and decision-making under pressure required for the role. It also demonstrates the ability to integrate creative thinking with marketing objectives. The candidate utilizes industry software like Sketch and conducts user testing to improve the design. The answer showcases adaptability, collaboration, and the use of data-driven decision-making. It could further improve by providing more examples of strategic thinking and problem-solving skills in other design projects.

How to prepare for this question

Reflect on past design projects where you received feedback or critique, and think about the specific actions you took to handle it in a positive and effective manner.
Consider how you can demonstrate your leadership and organization skills when discussing your response. For example, you can highlight how you coordinated with your team to address the feedback and what steps you took to ensure the project stayed on track.
Practice explaining how you integrated the feedback into your design work, showing your ability to think strategically and align your creative thinking with marketing objectives.
Think about how you can showcase your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities during the process of handling feedback. Provide examples of how you analyzed the feedback, brainstormed solutions, and made informed decisions.
Consider discussing the industry software or tools you utilized to implement the feedback and make improvements to your design work.
Reflect on how you handled pressure or challenges during the feedback process and what techniques or strategies you used to stay focused and deliver high-quality work.

What interviewers are evaluating

Leadership and organization skills
Communication and presentation abilities
Understanding of industry software
Ability to think strategically and integrate creative thinking with marketing objectives
Problem-solving skills and decision-making under pressure