Industrial Designer Interview Questions & Answers

Industrial designers combine art, business, and engineering to develop concepts for manufactured products.

Interviewers look for candidates who demonstrate excellent skills such as:

• Artistic ability
• Computer skills
• Analytical skills
• Creativity
• Interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Mechanical skills

In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for industrial designer positions. We also discuss the qualities that interviewers look for in successful candidates. In other words, we’re here to help you out!

Also, read more about frequently asked job interview questions here and check our job interview preparation checklist.

Skills Interviewers Look For In Successful Candidates

Below we discuss the skills that you can highlight in your answers to demonstrate that you’re qualified for the job.

Analytical skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your analytical skills:

Industrial designers use logic or reasoning skills to study consumers and recognize the need for new products.

Artistic ability

Why the interviewer is interested in your artistic ability:

Industrial designers sketch their initial design ideas, which are used later to create prototypes. As such, designers must be able to express their design through illustration.

Computer skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your computer skills:

Industrial designers use computer-aided design software to develop their designs and create prototypes.

Creativity

Why the interviewer is interested in your creative skills:

Industrial designers must be innovative in their designs and the ways in which they integrate existing technologies into their new products.

Interpersonal skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your interpersonal skills:

Industrial designers must develop cooperative working relationships with clients and colleagues who specialize in related disciplines.

Learn more about communication interview questions and how to answer them!

Mechanical skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your mechanical skills:

Industrial designers must understand how products are engineered, at least for the types of products that they design.

Problem-solving skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your problem-solving skills:

Industrial designers determine the need, size, and cost of a product; anticipate production issues; develop alternatives; evaluate options, and implement solutions.

Learn more about problem-solving interview questions and how to answer them!

(source: bls.gov)

Industrial Designer Job Interview Questions & Answers

During a job interview, the hiring manager wants to discuss several things. Think of your:

• Employment history
• Skills and abilities
• Accomplishments
• Job qualifications
• Educational background
• Career goals
• Personality

Below you find a list of commonly asked interview questions.

Examples Of General Industrial Designer Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. How would you describe yourself?
3. Why do you want to work here?
4. What interests you about this position?
5. Walk me through your resume.
6. What motivates you?
7. Why are you leaving your current job?
8. Describe your work ethic.
9. What is your greatest strength?
10. How does your experience qualify you for this job?
11. What is your greatest weakness?
12. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
13. Tell me about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it.
14. What are your expectations for this position?
15. What are your career goals?
16. Why should we hire you?
17. What did you like most about your last position?
18. What did you like least about your last position?
19. How do you handle stress?
20. What is your greatest accomplishment?

Learn how to answer these common job interview questions!

Examples Of Specific Industrial Designer Behavioral Interview Questions

Learn more about answering behavioral interview questions by using the STAR interview technique.

1. What types of software do you use to create your designs?
2. Tell me how you integrate existing technologies into new products.
3. What current trends or developments are you most excited about and why?
4. What methods do you use to overcome difficulties in a project?
5. Why did you decide to become an industrial designer?
6. Have you ever had to make an important decision quickly? What was the outcome?
7. What is your specialty as an industrial designer?
8. Tell me about a time you had to think outside of the box to solve a problem at work.
9. How do you study consumers and recognize their need for new products?
10. What is your greatest accomplishment as an industrial designer?
11. What modeling software do you use?
12. Can you walk me through your portfolio?
13. What stage of the design process is your favorite to work on?
14. What types of projects have you been involved in? How do they relate to the position?
15. How experienced are you with CAD modeling?
16. Walk me through your general design process.
17. What project do you like the least in your portfolio? Why?
18. What project do you like the most in your portfolio? Why?

Learn more about questions to ask the interviewer during your job interview.