Most Common Technical Questions

Technical interviews for UX/UI designers often cover a range of topics that assess a candidate's skills in user experience (UX) design, user interface (UI) design, problem-solving, and sometimes even coding or technical knowledge, depending on the role. Here below are some of the most common types of questions and topics that may be covered. Preparing for these types of questions by reviewing your portfolio, staying updated with industry trends, and practicing design challenges will help you perform confidently in a UX/UI design interview.

General Tips 🏆

• Be structured and clear: Organize your answers logically, using clear and concise language. Start with the problem, then describe your approach, and conclude with the outcome or impact.

• Use real examples: Whenever possible, refer to specific projects from your portfolio or past experiences. Concrete examples make your answers more credible and relatable.

• Show your passion: Let your enthusiasm for design and user experience shine through. Passionate candidates are more memorable and often leave a stronger impression.

• Ask questions: If a question is unclear or you need more context, don’t hesitate to ask clarifying questions. This shows you’re thoughtful and thorough in your approach.

• Prepare and practice: Before the interview, review your portfolio and think through potential answers to these common questions. Practice with a friend or in front of a mirror to refine your responses.

1. Design Process and Methodology 🍥

"Walk me through your design process."

Interviewers want to understand how you approach problem-solving, from research to wireframing to final design. Be clear and structured. Outline the key steps you follow, such as research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and testing. Emphasise how your process is flexible and user-centred, adapting to different project needs. Use examples from past projects to illustrate each step.

"How do you incorporate user feedback into your designs?"

This question assesses how well you integrate user needs and feedback into your design work. Highlight specific methods you use to gather user feedback, such as surveys, interviews, or usability testing. Discuss how you iterate on designs based on feedback, showing your commitment to creating user-friendly solutions.

2. Portfolio Review 🧞‍♂️

"Can you walk us through one of your projects?"

You'll need to explain your design choices, challenges faced, and how you solved them. Be ready to discuss the tools and methods you used. Choose a project that showcases your best work and is relevant to the job you're applying for. Structure your explanation: start with the problem statement, discuss your research and ideation process, walk through your design decisions, and conclude with the outcomes or impact of the project.

"What was the most challenging project you’ve worked on?"

Here, they’re looking for your ability to handle complexity, adapt to constraints, and think critically. Focus on a project that had significant constraints or complexities. Discuss how you overcame these challenges, emphasizing problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability. Highlight the final outcome and what you learned from the experience.

3. Design Challenges 🤺

"How would you design a feature for [specific scenario or app]?"

This on-the-spot design challenge tests your problem-solving skills, creativity, and how well you can think under pressure. Approach this as you would a real project. Start by asking clarifying questions to understand the problem fully. Walk the interviewer through your thought process, considering user needs, business goals, and technical constraints. Sketch or outline your ideas if possible, and be open to feedback.

"Redesign [well-known app or website]. What would you change and why?"

This question evaluates your ability to critique existing designs and propose meaningful improvements. Begin by analyzing the current design's strengths and weaknesses. Propose improvements that are both practical and innovative. Justify your decisions with user-centric reasoning, and consider the impact of your changes on the overall user experience.

4. User Research and Testing 🎡

"How do you conduct user research?"

They want to know your methods for gathering insights from users and how you use that data to inform your designs. Discuss the methods you prefer (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing) and explain how you choose the appropriate method based on the project. Mention how you translate research findings into actionable design insights. Use specific examples to illustrate your approach.

"Describe a time when user testing contradicted your assumptions. How did you handle it?"

This question examines your adaptability and commitment to user-centred design. Be honest about the situation and explain how you adapted your design based on the findings. Emphasize your openness to feedback and commitment to delivering the best possible user experience, even if it means revisiting your initial ideas.

5. Interaction and Visual Design 🎨

"How do you ensure your designs are accessible?"

Accessibility is critical in design. This question tests your knowledge of accessibility standards and how you apply them. Show your knowledge of accessibility standards (like WCAG) and discuss specific techniques you use, such as color contrast, text readability, keyboard navigation, and screen reader compatibility. Mention any tools you use to test accessibility and provide examples from your work.

"What are your go-to tools for UI design?"

Be prepared to discuss the software and tools you use, such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or others, and why you prefer them. Name the tools you’re proficient in (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) and explain why you use them. Highlight any advanced features or techniques you use within these tools that improve your workflow. If applicable, mention any design systems or libraries you’ve worked with.

6. Collaboration and Communication 👯

"How do you work with developers during the handoff process?"

This assesses your ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. Discuss your approach to ensuring a smooth handoff, such as creating detailed design specifications, using design tools that integrate with development platforms, and maintaining clear communication. Highlight any experience with tools like Zeplin, Figma’s handoff features, or direct collaboration in Agile environments.

"Describe a situation where you had a conflict with a stakeholder. How did you resolve it?"

This question looks at your communication and negotiation skills. Choose an example where you successfully navigated the conflict. Focus on your ability to listen, understand different perspectives, and find a compromise or solution that aligns with both user needs and business goals. Emphasize your communication and problem-solving skills.

7. Knowledge of Design Systems and Guidelines 📖

"How do you approach designing within a design system?"

Companies want to know if you can work within existing frameworks while maintaining creativity and consistency. Explain your experience working with or creating design systems. Discuss how you ensure consistency while also allowing for creativity within the system's guidelines. Provide examples of how you’ve contributed to or adapted design systems in previous roles.

"How do you keep your design knowledge up to date?"

This question is about your commitment to continuous learning and staying current with design trends and best practices. Mention specific resources you use, such as design blogs, industry conferences, online courses, and books. Discuss how you actively seek out new trends, tools, and best practices to ensure your skills remain current. Highlight any recent learning or projects where you applied new knowledge.

8. Understanding of Metrics and Business Goals 🎯

"How do you measure the success of your designs?"

This examines how you tie design decisions to business outcomes, user engagement, or other key metrics. Discuss the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics you consider, such as user engagement, conversion rates, or task completion rates. Provide examples of how you’ve used data to assess and iterate on your designs, aligning your work with business objectives.

"How do you balance user needs with business goals?"

This question assesses your ability to align your designs with broader company objectives. Talk about your approach to finding the sweet spot between user-centric design and business requirements. Use examples where you successfully aligned user needs with company objectives, demonstrating your ability to prioritize and make informed trade-offs.

9. Coding and Technical Skills (if applicable) 👩‍💻

"Do you have any experience with front-end development? How does it influence your design work?"

Some UX/UI roles may require knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, so be prepared if this is part of the job description. If you have coding experience, discuss how it informs your design decisions, particularly in terms of feasibility, performance, and collaboration with developers. If not, focus on your understanding of design’s impact on development and how you ensure your designs are technically sound.

"How do you ensure your designs are feasible from a development perspective?"

This assesses your understanding of technical constraints and collaboration with developers. Highlight your experience working closely with developers to understand technical constraints. Discuss any practices you use, such as involving developers early in the design process, creating prototypes, and being open to feedback during design iterations.

10. Behavioural Questions 🥸

"Tell me about a time when you had to learn a new tool or process quickly."

This question looks at your ability to adapt and learn in a fast-paced environment. Share a specific instance where you quickly adapted to a new tool or process. Emphasize your learning strategies, such as online tutorials, hands-on practice, or seeking help from peers. Highlight the positive outcome and how it improved your work or productivity.

"Describe a project where you had to work under tight deadlines."

They want to see how you manage time, prioritize tasks, and deliver quality work under pressure. Choose a project where you successfully managed time and delivered quality work despite tight deadlines. Discuss your time management strategies, prioritization skills, and how you maintained a high standard of design under pressure.

Bonus: Scenario-Based Questions 🤾‍♂️

"How would you improve the onboarding experience for a new user in our app?"

This kind of question tests your practical application of design thinking to real-world problems specific to the company. Start by identifying potential pain points in the current onboarding process based on what you know about the app. Propose actionable improvements, supported by your understanding of onboarding best practices. Consider the user's journey, motivation, and possible friction points.