Understanding the Dual Nature of Design

Great design transcends aesthetics; it’s the harmony of creativity and technical prowess. In the process of interviewing designers, recognizing the delicate balance between these elements is crucial.

Evaluating Creativity

Creativity isn't just about imagination; it’s about practical application. To assess this, consider their portfolio review:

• Diversity of Work: Can they showcase a range of styles and problem-solving approaches across different projects?
• Storytelling: How effectively do they explain their design choices and the stories behind their work?
• Originality: Are they trend followers or do they set new standards with innovative concepts?

Technical Skills Assessment

Technical mastery ensures your vision turns into functional reality. During an interview, dive into the nitty-gritty:

• Tool Proficiency: Test their familiarity with industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Suite or Figma.
• UX/UI Knowledge: Ask them to walk you through a user journey or to refine an interface element on the fly.
• Code Skills: If applicable, inquire about their ability to handle HTML, CSS, or even JavaScript for more interactive designs.

Practical Interview Techniques

Interactive tasks reveal much more than traditional questioning. A short design sprint can be an effective tool. Give them a hypothetical problem and watch them ideate, sketch, and explain their process.

Consider embedding a relevant task: Sketch out a landing page for a new gaming app in 20 minutes. This pushes them to demonstrate both rapid ideation and precision.

Case Study: A Successful Hire

I remember interviewing a designer who totally stood out. She not only had an extraordinary portfolio with vibrant designs but also brought a physical sketchbook. During her design sprint, she rapidly transitioned from concept sketches to detailed user flows. Her tech skills were also impressive; she walked us through a custom website she built from scratch. This approach made it clear she was a multifaceted designer, perfect for our needs in the gaming industry.

Conclusion

Ultimately, to secure a top-notch designer, you need to see creativity and technical skills in action. Prioritize a thoughtful blend of portfolio reviews, technical tests, and practical tasks to ensure you’re bringing on someone who not only looks good on paper but performs excellently in the real world.

Here's a video that delves deeper into the art of interviewing creative professionals, which might enrich your approach: