19 Interaction Designer Interview Questions (With Example Answers)
It's important to prepare for an interview in order to improve your chances of getting the job. Researching questions beforehand can help you give better answers during the interview. Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various interaction designer interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.
Common Interaction Designer Interview Questions
- How do you approach designing for user interactions?
- What are your thoughts on using animation and micro-interactions to improve the user experience?
- How do you think about usability when designing web or app interfaces?
- What strategies do you use to ensure that your designs are accessible to all users?
- How do you account for user feedback when iterating on your designs?
- How do you think about information architecture when designing user interfaces?
- What challenges do you think designers face when creating responsive interfaces?
- How do you approach designing for international audiences?
- What challenges do you think designers face when creating interfaces for touch-based devices?
- How do you think about usability when designing mobile apps?
- What strategies do you use to ensure that your designs are optimized for conversion?
- How do you approach A/B testing for user interfaces?
- What challenges do you think designers face when working with web analytics data?
- How do you think about web typography when designing interfaces?
- What challenges do you think designers face when creating effective calls-to-action?
- How do you approach designing for search engine optimization?
- What strategies do you use to ensure that your designs are accessible to all users?
- How do you account for user feedback when iterating on your designs?
- How do you think about information architecture when designing user interfaces?
How do you approach designing for user interactions?
Interaction design is all about crafting the user experience for a product or service. It's important for interaction designers to be able to approach design from a user-centric perspective in order to create the most intuitive and efficient experience possible. This question allows the interviewer to gauge how well the candidate understands users and their needs.
Example: “There are a few key things to keep in mind when designing for user interactions:
1. Keep it simple and intuitive - The goal is to make the interaction as easy and straightforward as possible for the user. This means keeping the number of steps involved to a minimum, and using clear and concise language throughout.
2. Make it visually appealing - First impressions matter, so it's important to make sure the interaction is visually appealing and easy on the eyes. This includes using consistent branding and design elements throughout.
3. Consider the user's needs - Put yourself in the user's shoes and think about what they need or want from the interaction. This will help you design something that is both useful and enjoyable to use.”
What are your thoughts on using animation and micro-interactions to improve the user experience?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the interaction designer's opinion on using animation and micro-interactions to improve the user experience. It is important to know the interaction designer's opinion on this topic because it will help the interviewer determine if the interaction designer is a good fit for the position.
Example: “I believe that animation and micro-interactions can be extremely beneficial in improving the user experience, as they can add an extra layer of engagement and interactivity. When used correctly, they can help guide users through a task or flow, and provide feedback that reinforces their actions. Additionally, animation can help to add personality and character to an interface, making it more memorable and engaging.”
How do you think about usability when designing web or app interfaces?
The interviewer is asking how the interaction designer thinks about usability when designing web or app interfaces because it is important for the interaction designer to be able to create interfaces that are usable by the people who will be using them. If an interface is not usable, people will not be able to use it effectively and may give up on using it altogether. Usability is therefore an important consideration for interaction designers when they are creating web or app interfaces.
Example: “Usability is all about making sure that users can easily use your web or app interface to achieve their desired tasks. To do this, you need to think about the user's needs and goals, and design the interface in a way that makes it easy for them to accomplish what they want to do. This involves things like making sure the interface is easy to understand, providing clear instructions, and using consistent layout and navigation.”
What strategies do you use to ensure that your designs are accessible to all users?
An interviewer might ask "What strategies do you use to ensure that your designs are accessible to all users?" to a/an Interaction Designer to better understand the designer's process and approach to design. It is important to consider all users when designing an interface, as some users may have disabilities that prevent them from using certain interface elements. By taking an inclusive approach to design, interaction designers can create interfaces that are usable by the widest possible audience.
Example: “There are a few strategies that I use to ensure that my designs are accessible to all users:
1. Use clear and concise language.
2. Use simple and familiar concepts.
3. Organize information in a logical and easy-to-follow manner.
4. Use visuals and other forms of media to supplement text where possible.
5. Test designs with a variety of users, including those with disabilities, to get feedback and make necessary adjustments.”
How do you account for user feedback when iterating on your designs?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to an interaction designer. First, it can help the interviewer understand how the interaction designer approaches user feedback when designing new features or redesigning existing ones. Second, it can help the interviewer understand how the interaction designer uses feedback to inform their design decisions. Third, it can help the interviewer understand how the interaction designer communicates with stakeholders about feedback and how they incorporate feedback into the design process.
User feedback is important because it helps interaction designers understand how users interact with their designs and what they think about the design. Feedback can be positive or negative, and it can help interaction designers improve their designs.
Example: “When iterating on designs based on user feedback, it is important to take into account the specific needs and wants of the users. This can be done by conducting user research, surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Based on the feedback gathered, designers can then make changes to the design that will improve the user experience.”
How do you think about information architecture when designing user interfaces?
An interviewer might ask "How do you think about information architecture when designing user interfaces?" to an Interaction Designer to get a sense of how the Interaction Designer approaches designing user interfaces. It is important to have a strong understanding of information architecture when designing user interfaces because the way that information is organized and presented can have a significant impact on the usability of the interface.
Example: “Information architecture is a critical part of designing user interfaces, as it helps to organize and structure information in a way that is easily navigable and understandable for users. When thinking about information architecture, it is important to consider how users will search and access information within the interface, as well as how to group and label information in a way that makes sense. Additionally, it is important to consider how the information architecture will scale as more content is added over time.”
What challenges do you think designers face when creating responsive interfaces?
An interviewer might ask "What challenges do you think designers face when creating responsive interfaces?" to an Interaction Designer in order to better understand the designer's process and how they think about responsive design. It is important to understand the challenges designers face when creating responsive interfaces because it can help create better design solutions.
Example: “There are a few challenges that designers face when creating responsive interfaces. First, they need to make sure that the interface is easy to use and navigate on all devices. Second, they need to ensure that the interface looks good on all devices, regardless of screen size or resolution. Finally, they need to make sure that the interface is responsive to user input, whether it be taps, clicks, or swipes.”
How do you approach designing for international audiences?
An interviewer might ask "How do you approach designing for international audiences?" to an Interaction Designer in order to gauge the level of cultural sensitivity and understanding that the designer has. It is important to take into account the fact that people from different cultures may have different preferences and needs when it comes to design. For example, some cultures may prefer more ornate and detailed designs, while others may prefer more simplistic designs. By understanding the needs of different cultures, an Interaction Designer can create designs that are more likely to be well-received by a wider range of people.
Example: “When designing for international audiences, it is important to consider a few key factors. First, you need to think about the different cultures that will be using your product or service. What are their values and how do they differ from your own? What commonalities do they share?
Second, you need to consider the language barrier. Will your product or service be used in multiple languages? If so, how will you accommodate for this? Will you need to provide translations?
Third, you need to think about the different devices that people from different countries will be using. What types of devices are popular in different countries? How do the screen sizes and resolutions differ? What about input methods?
Finally, you need to consider any legal or regulatory requirements that might be specific to different countries. For example, data privacy laws vary from country to country. You will need to make sure that you are compliant with all relevant laws and regulations.”
What challenges do you think designers face when creating interfaces for touch-based devices?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to an interaction designer. First, it allows the interviewer to gauge the interaction designer's level of experience with touch-based devices. Second, it allows the interviewer to understand the interaction designer's thought process when it comes to designing interfaces for touch-based devices. Finally, it allows the interviewer to get a sense of the interaction designer's understanding of the challenges that come with designing for touch-based devices.
Touch-based devices present a unique challenge for designers because they require a different level of interaction than traditional desktop or laptop computers. When designing for touch-based devices, designers must take into account the fact that users will be interacting with their interfaces using their fingers instead of a mouse or trackpad. This means that designers must create interfaces that are easy to use and navigate using only one's fingers. Additionally, designers must account for the fact that users may be using their touch-based device in different environments and situations, such as while walking or driving. This means that interfaces must be designed to be used in a variety of different scenarios and be easy to use in all of them.
Example: “Designers face many challenges when creating interfaces for touch-based devices. One challenge is creating an interface that is easy to use and navigate with a finger. Another challenge is designing for different screen sizes and resolutions. Additionally, designers must take into account the limitations of touch screens, such as the lack of hover states and the difficulty of inputting text.”
How do you think about usability when designing mobile apps?
When designing mobile apps, it is important to think about usability in order to create a user-friendly experience. By making the app easy to use, people will be more likely to use it and recommend it to others. Additionally, good usability can help to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Example: “Usability is a key consideration when designing mobile apps. There are a few key factors to keep in mind when thinking about usability for mobile apps:
1. Ease of use: The app should be easy to use and navigate. All features and functionality should be easily accessible.
2. Intuitive design: The app should be designed in a way that is intuitive and logical. Users should be able to understand how to use the app without needing extensive training or instruction.
3. User-friendly interface: The interface should be designed with the user in mind. It should be easy to read and understand, and users should feel comfortable using it.
4. Performance: The app should perform well, with no lag or crashes. All features should work as intended, and the overall experience should be positive.”
What strategies do you use to ensure that your designs are optimized for conversion?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question:
1. To gauge the designer's understanding of how important it is to design with the user's needs in mind.
2. To see if the designer is familiar with common techniques for designing user interfaces that are effective and easy to use.
3. To assess the designer's ability to think critically about how users interact with their designs, and how to optimize those interactions for conversion rates.
It is important for designers to be aware of how users interact with their designs, and to design with conversion rates in mind because, ultimately, the goal of most design projects is to create something that users will find valuable and want to use. If a design is not optimized for conversion, it is likely that users will not find it useful or engaging, and will not continue using it.
Example: “There are a few key strategies that I use to ensure that my designs are optimized for conversion:
1. Use data to guide your decisions.
When it comes to optimization, data is your best friend. Use data from your analytics platform to understand how users are interacting with your site or app, and use that information to guide your design decisions.
2. Keep it simple.
Don’t try to cram too much into one page or screen. Keep the design simple and focus on one call-to-action per page.
3. Use visuals to guide the user’s eye.
Use visual cues like arrows or contrasting colors to guide the user’s eye towards the call-to-action.
4. Test, test, test!
The only way to know for sure if your designs are optimized for conversion is to test them. Set up A/B tests and track the results to see which version performs better.”
How do you approach A/B testing for user interfaces?
User interface A/B testing is a process of comparing two or more versions of a user interface to see which one performs better. This can be done by measuring things like click-through rate, time on page, or conversion rate.
It's important to do A/B testing for user interfaces because it allows you to test different hypotheses about what might work better for your users. This can help you optimize your user interface for better results.
Example: “There are a few key steps to approach A/B testing for user interfaces:
1. Define what you want to test - Is it a specific element on the page? Or the overall layout? Make sure you have a clear goal in mind before starting.
2. Set up your test - This involves creating two versions of the interface (A and B), and ensuring that traffic is evenly distributed between them.
3. Collect data - Once the test is live, you'll need to track how users interact with each version. This data will help you determine which interface is more effective.
4. Analyze results - Carefully analyze the data to see which interface performed better. Keep in mind that there may be other factors at play, so make sure to interpret the results carefully.
5. Implement the winning design - Once you've determined which interface is more effective, implement it as the permanent design.”
What challenges do you think designers face when working with web analytics data?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer would ask this question to an interaction designer. First, it allows the interviewer to gauge the interaction designer's understanding of web analytics data and how it can be used to improve the design of a website or application. Additionally, it allows the interviewer to see if the interaction designer is aware of the challenges that designers face when working with web analytics data. By understanding the challenges that designers face when working with web analytics data, the interaction designer can be better prepared to overcome them.
Example: “There are several challenges that designers face when working with web analytics data. One challenge is that web analytics data can be overwhelming and difficult to interpret. Another challenge is that web analytics data can be volatile and change frequently, making it difficult to track trends and patterns. Additionally, web analytics data can be subject to sampling error, which can impact the accuracy of the data.”
How do you think about web typography when designing interfaces?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to an interaction designer. First, typography is a critical element of any interface design, and it is important for designers to have a strong understanding of how to use it effectively. Additionally, this question can help to gauge a designer's attention to detail and their overall approach to design. Finally, asking about typography can also give the interviewer some insight into the designer's creative process and how they think about the relationship between form and function when creating interfaces.
Example: “Web typography is an important aspect of interaction design, as it can affect the legibility and usability of interfaces. There are a few things to consider when thinking about web typography:
-The size and weight of typefaces should be appropriate for the interface and the user's needs.
-The hierarchy of information should be clear, with headings and subheadings helping to organize content.
-Typefaces should be easy to read, with a good contrast between foreground and background.
-Line spacing and letter spacing should be comfortable for readers.
-Justified text can be difficult to read, so it is often best to use left-aligned or center-aligned text.”
What challenges do you think designers face when creating effective calls-to-action?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to an Interaction Designer. One reason is to gauge the designer's understanding of effective calls-to-action. Another reason might be to see if the designer is aware of the challenges that other designers face when creating effective calls-to-action. This is important because it shows that the designer is thinking about the design process holistically and is always looking for ways to improve their own work.
Example: “There are many challenges that designers face when creating effective calls-to-action. One challenge is getting the user's attention. The call-to-action must be designed in a way that stands out from the rest of the content on the page. Another challenge is making the call-to-action clear and concise. The user should know exactly what they need to do in order to take the desired action. Additionally, the call-to-action must be relevant to the user and contextually appropriate. It shouldn't be too much of a stretch for the user to take the desired action. Finally, it's important to test different versions of the call-to-action to see what works best. Different users will respond to different designs, so it's important to find the right mix.”
How do you approach designing for search engine optimization?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to an interaction designer. One reason is to gauge the interaction designer's understanding of how search engines work and how they can optimize their designs to ensure that users can find the information they are looking for easily. Additionally, this question can also help assess the interaction designer's ability to think about the user's needs when designing websites or applications. It is important for interaction designers to understand how search engines work so that they can create designs that are effective and efficient for users.
Example: “There are a few key considerations to take into account when designing for search engine optimization:
1. Keyword research - In order to identify which keywords to target, you'll need to do some research. You can use tools like Google's Keyword Planner or Moz's Keyword Explorer to find popular keywords related to your product or service.
2. Page titles and meta descriptions - Make sure your page titles and meta descriptions are clear and concise, and include the target keyword.
3. Header tags - Use header tags (H1, H2, etc.) to structure your content and make it easy for search engines to understand.
4. Alt text - When adding images to your website, be sure to include alt text that includes the target keyword.
5. Site structure - A well-structured website with a logical navigation will help search engines index your pages correctly and improve your SEO.”
What strategies do you use to ensure that your designs are accessible to all users?
An interviewer would ask this question to an Interaction Designer to gauge their understanding of how important it is to design for all users, including those with disabilities. It is important because it ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity to use and interact with your designs. By taking into consideration the needs of those with disabilities, you can make your designs more user-friendly and inclusive.
Example: “There are a few strategies that I use to ensure that my designs are accessible to all users:
1. Use clear and concise language.
When writing content for my designs, I make sure to use clear and concise language. This helps to ensure that everyone, regardless of their reading level, can understand what is being communicated.
2. Use simple and familiar words.
In addition to using clear and concise language, I also use simple and familiar words. This helps to ensure that the meaning of what is being communicated is not lost in translation.
3. Use visual cues.
When possible, I use visual cues to help communicate the message of my design. This can be anything from using color to highlight important information to using icons or illustrations to explain a concept.
4. Use alternate formats.
When creating designs, I always try to create alternate versions that can be accessed in different ways. For example, if I am creating a web page, I will also create a PDF version that can be downloaded and printed out.”
How do you account for user feedback when iterating on your designs?
An interviewer might ask "How do you account for user feedback when iterating on your designs?" to an Interaction Designer to better understand their design process. It is important to consider user feedback when iterating on designs because it can help improve the overall user experience. User feedback can help identify areas where users are having difficulty or are confused, and can also help point out areas that could be improved.
Example: “When iterating on designs, it is important to take user feedback into account in order to improve the overall experience. There are a few ways to do this:
1. Use surveys and questionnaires: Surveys and questionnaires can be used to gather feedback from users about their experience with the design. This feedback can then be used to improve the design.
2. Use usability testing: Usability testing allows designers to observe users as they use the design. This provides insight into how users interact with the design and what areas need improvement.
3. Use analytics: Analytics tools can be used to track how users interact with the design. This data can be used to identify areas that need improvement.”
How do you think about information architecture when designing user interfaces?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to an interaction designer. First, it shows that the interviewer is interested in how the designer thinks about organizing information. This is important because the way information is organized can have a big impact on the usability of a user interface. Second, it allows the interviewer to gauge the designer's understanding of information architecture principles. This is important because a good understanding of these principles is necessary for designing effective user interfaces.
Example: “Information architecture is a critical part of designing user interfaces. It helps to ensure that information is easy to find and navigate, and that users can understand the relationships between different pieces of information. Good information architecture makes user interfaces more efficient and effective, and can help to improve the overall user experience.”