Question about web design interviews

[SomeWittyUsername]

I was just wondering what everyone elses opinion was on presenting a new web design concept to a company you're interviewing at. Someone who interviewed at my company a few weeks ago did this and I was just curious what others thought.

I can see it as being both beneficial and a really bad idea. Beneficial if you impress some of the people interviewing you, and bad if you have the person(s) in the room who designed the existing website which may rub them the wrong way.

What's your opinion?

[zumojuice]

You mean they proposed a redesign of an existing company site for your company in the interview?

See it is something I've often thought about - should you attempt to build on or knock down what has gone before... The answer is frequently to build - I think if this guy merely suggested a redesign as a possible move forward rather than a redesign based on a crap old site, you might get away with it.

I think it comes down to confidence and attitude, more importantly, did they impress you with it or did it back fire (even if you were not the one interviewing)? Personally I'd not go to the extent of mocking up an entire design concept for an interview, basically since it would be sooooo easy to get it wrong and miss what the company is about as you've had no contact with them other than many a website... You'd be in a fair better situation to listen to the interviewer and judge if it is right to discuss such matters and tactiful say that the work now is solid but it can be built apon... - a careful mix of flattery and promise...

[SomeWittyUsername]

Unfortunately I didn't see it because I was too busy to attend the interviews but according to my colleuge it was okay, nothing magnificent. Actually they built upon the existing design but made it different.

It was something I just never thought of before and made me think that's a bit of a risky move. I hope to be interviewing soon and was considering doing it too. But the last thing you want to do is **** off the existing staff who designed or work on the website.

I would consider myself an "insecure" designer. I know I'm not the best and I love seeing great design but hate feeling threatened. Honestly though whatever this girl proposed couldn't be that good because her portfolio was very unimpressive. If I was in there when she showed us I think I would of been fine with it because it wasn't great.

Our website's kinda crap though due to limitations by management and the fact that we don't really work on the website at all, we work mostly on customer projects. I proposed a new design a year ago which everyone loved but then they hired a sales guy who didn't like it for stupid reasons and nothing's happened since and we're left with our 3 year old website.

[zumojuice]

MMMmm it is a tough line to make. I guess by interviewing soon, you mean you'll be conducting the interviews rather than being interviewed?

I think it would, if phrased right, to state that the website needs an update if it is 3 years old, depending on which sector you're in. Obviously if it's design (like an agency) then defo on the update, if it's in-house for a large company, maybe not..

It might be worth going along the tact that the website has been online a long time, so perhaps we need to look at it's design and see it it's still relevant to the direction of the business...

[SomeWittyUsername]

Originally Posted by zumojuice

I guess by interviewing soon, you mean you'll be conducting the interviews rather than being interviewed?

Actually I'm in the market for a new job so I'll be going to interviews (be the victim). I think I'll stay away from suggeting new designs for the website of the company I'm interviewing at.

[zumojuice]

Oh right.... piece of advice then: don't let your current company know. They can get edgey then and it can lead to an early departure... and in this job climate, you don;t want that.

[SomeWittyUsername]

You are so right! My company is the worst. They require us to give a 30 day notice (2 weeks is the norm) and when people try to give less than 30 days they threaten to sue you which they can't actually do.

When people leave they try to talk them into staying. When the employee refuses they give them the cold shoulder and treat them like crap. I think they'd be somewhat nice to me because our company only had 2 graphic designers, me and one other guy. The other guy recently left and now the other person.... well it's a long story but my company is total drama. It's epic. I've been with the company for 10 years... tooo long!

Originally Posted by zumojuice

Oh right.... piece of advice then: don't let your current company know. They can get edgey then and it can lead to an early departure... and in this job climate, you don;t want that.

[zumojuice]

Where abouts is this based? Frankly, most designers tend to move every few years unless their is progression in front of them. My last job was middle of nowhere (windermere) and I didn't get on with my boss that much. He was not a good boss at all, but when asked if I wanted to leave, I didn't lie. It was the last nail in his decision that we should apart company, that and the fact I had nothing to do...His thought was not to bother investing more money in me if I was only going to leave anyway... a pretty poor view in some ways...

[SomeWittyUsername]

It's in San Diego. I'm leaving because there's no more progression. Time for better things. Anyway, I'm off to bed so you take care. Lot of portfolio work to do tomorrow.

Adios!