BY THE NUMBERS
WHAT'S IN A NAME
DESIGN SCHOOL
THE INTERVIEWEE
THE EMPLOYER
100

In 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said there were this many people employed with the title "graphic designer" in the U.S. (Closeness to correct number is up to teacher's discretion)

What is 277,400?

100

What does the "UX" stand for in UX Designer?

What is user experience?

100
Which of the fonts below is not a serif typeface?

a) Garamond
b) Georgia
c) Gill Sans
d) Bodoni

What is c) Gill Sans?

100

Students should pair this other document with their resumes when submitting their information for review by a potential employer.

What is cover letter?
100
Name at least 3 typographic no-no's that will stand out to a potential employer?


From an AIGA article "What creative directors are looking for in an online portfolio" by writer Ram Castillo mentions

What are:
orphans, widows, two-spaces between sentences, not using "smart quotes," poor kerning, awkward leading, indents that are too big, misaligned tabs,
misspellings, grammar mistakes, illegible type (if not intentional)

200
Based on the TCG annual salary guide, the 2020 "graphic designer" position had the lower 25% (which included mostly new candidates to the role) at THIS average salary. 


Group within $5,000 gets credit.

What is $42,000?

200

What is the position title for a temporary, low (or unpaid) position within a company?

What is intern?

200

What is the terminal degree for a graphic designer (i.e. it is often required for teaching in a college or university)?

What is a masters degree (usually an MFA)?

200

Years ago, only one portfolio format was necessary. Today, there are three. What are they?

What are print portfolio, PDF portfolio, and website portfolio?

200

Designer and design book writer, David Airey, published a series of Q&As asking employers what they are looking for in potential hires, of those that gave a number, how long did they say they look at each digital portfolio (initially)? 

What is 30 seconds?

300

Approximately, how many pieces are recommended for your portfolio?
a) No more than 30
b) No more than 20
c) No more than 10
d) No more than 5

What is B) No more than 20? 

This is kind of a trick question as employers have different answers for this. Most say "quality over quantity" and many portfolio pieces are integrated campaigns were 4-5 pieces from the portfolio relate to one another.

300

What was the name of Stevenson University before it changed to this name in 2008?

What is Villa Julia College?

300
A common club for graphic design students to participate in is the AIGA. What does AIGA stand for?

What is the American Institute of Graphic Arts?

300

In addition to school projects, what other projects could be included in your portfolio?

What is
a freelance project?
a personal project?
an internship project?

300

This post-interview act is something that many employers say makes one candidate stand out more than another.

What is writing a thank you note?

400

Graphic design professions have changed this percent between 2016 and 2020:
a) 23%
b) -12%
c) 4%
d) stayed the same

What is C) 4%? Some fields such as UI/UX, social media, and web/interactive fields are up 10-20% while other fields (newspaper, print) are down.

400

What is another name for an entry level graphic designer? (Hint: designer is still in the name)

What is junior designer?

400

True or false, can you be a doctor of design?
(You have a 50/50 chance...no one else can answer)

What is true?

400

What information below is not usually included on a resume?

a) organizations
b) recognition
c) hobbies
d) skills

What is c) hobbies?

400

A potential employer may call this person to learn a little bit more about you. 

What is a reference?

500
What year was Stevenson University founded?

What is 1947?

500

Who invented the printing press around 1450?

Who is Johannes Gutenberg?

500

In 3 minutes, name as many design professions as you can think of. The group with the most original titles (that don't overlap with another group) will win the points. No cell phones or laptops.

Good job!

500

This essential job application term comes from a French word that means "to sum up".

What is résumé?

500
When you are offered a position (woo-hoo!), what are some things you should ask/discuss before formally accepting (name at least 3)?


What are salary, benefits, expectations, vacation/sick leave, 401k, schedule?