Design Consultant Interview Questions

Design consultants, working in areas of interior, graphic, and fashion design, primarily lend their expertise to assist in developing products, creating interior spaces, building prototypes, or assisting in creating new fashions.

Design consultants evaluate customer or client needs, work with architects, select interior design articles such as furniture and accents, oversee the layout of graphic arts projects, and choose fashion themes. Design consultants might create product displays, assist in marketing processes, or use relevant software to produce interior space or clothing designs.

Design consultants work in a variety of industries, such as retail stores, interior design companies, or graphic design firms.

Whether you're a job seeker preparing to be interviewed for the role of Design Consultant or an employer preparing to interview candidates for Design Consultant position, these Design Consultant interview questions will help you prepare yourself for the job interview session.

Design Consultant Interview Questions

Below are a list of some skill-based Design Consultant interview questions.

1. Tell me about the best product or space you designed. What made it successful?
2. Describe a time your design failed to meet a client's standards. What happened?
3. What do you think is the primary role of a Design Consultant?
4. How do you tend to use color in your designs?
5. When starting a new project, what questions would you ask the client?
6. What drives your design decisions? What are some of your biggest inspirations?
7. Do you consider aestheticism or functionality to be more important? Why? Did you ever have to compromise one for the other? 
8. Which section of your portfolio are you most proud of? What does it reflect in you as a design consultant? 
9. Has a client ever been dissatisfied with your work? How did you respond?
10. What questions do you typically ask your clients before getting to work, and how do their answers factor into your design decisions?
11. Did you ever have an experience where you fell behind schedule? If so, what did you do to make things, right?
12. Do you have experience working with creative software programs to draw design blueprints?
13. If you could redesign this room, what would you do with it and why?
14. What's your opinion on using antiques or thrifted items over name brand items in your designs?
15. Have you ever re-upholstered a piece of furniture? Can you provide an example?
16. A client has a limited budget, but they insist on including furniture and design features that would put them well over their budget. How do you help them realize their budget limitations while maintaining their enthusiasm for the project?
17. What recent interior design or fashion design trends do you love? Are there any trends you don't like and if so, why?
18. A client refuses to pay you after you finish a project because they claim they're dissatisfied. What do you do?
19. Have you ever disagreed with another interior designer about their design choices? How did you address the situation?
20. Do you have experience marketing your services to local clientele?
21. How can you design small spaces?
22. When designing a room what is the most important factor for you?
23. How do you fit bookshelves in a small space?
24. What wood will you prefer for designing?
25. What is a good way of using lights in your room?
26. What graphics design software are you familiar with?
27. How can you use the space in your balcony or veranda for garden?
28. Explain the difference between interior design and interior decoration?
29. As an interior designer, what questions would you ask your client?
30. As a graphics designer, what questions would you ask your client?
31. As a fashion designer, what questions would you ask your client?
32. Mention some of the popular and widely used software for interior designing, fashion designing or graphics designing?
33. Describe a time when you fell behind schedule. What did you do?
34. Have you ever had to collaborate with architects or tradespeople who were difficult to work with?
35. Have you ever exceeded the budget for a project?
36. Describe a time when your client didn’t like one of your designs. What did you do?
37. Tell me about a time you disagreed with your team on something. How did you handle it?
38. What do you need to consider when designing?

Design Consultant Interview Questions and Answers

Every interview is different and the questions may vary. However, there are lots of general questions that get asked at every interview.

Below are some common questions you'd expect during Design Consultant interviews. Click on each question to see how to answer them.

1. Are You a Leader or a Follower?
2. Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Job?
3. Why Do You Want This Job?
4. What is Your Salary Expectation?
5. What is Your Greatest Weakness?
6. Do You Have Any Questions for Us?
7. Why Should We Hire You?
8. What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment?
9. Tell Me About Yourself
10. What is Your Greatest Strength?