17 Packaging Designer Interview Questions and Answers

Designing the packaging for the products we use every day is a complex and rewarding job. As a packaging designer, you’ll need to be creative, but you’ll also need to understand the science of how packaging protects and preserves the products it contains.

Your job interview will be your chance to show that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to be a successful packaging designer. The interviewer will ask you questions about your experience, your design process, and your understanding of the packaging industry. They may also give you a design challenge to assess your creative problem-solving skills.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions and answers that you can use to practice for your interview.

Are you familiar with the different types of packaging materials available?

Packaging designers need to be familiar with the different types of packaging materials available so they can choose the best option for their client’s product. An interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with a variety of materials and how you decide which one is best. In your answer, try to list as many materials as you know and explain why each one might be useful in certain situations.

Example: “I am very familiar with the different types of packaging materials because I’ve worked with them all throughout my career. The first thing I do when starting a new project is research what type of material would work best for the client’s product. For example, I recently designed a package for a company that makes organic dog treats. Because these treats are healthy, I knew the package needed to be recyclable. So, I decided to use recycled paperboard.”

What are some of the most important considerations when designing packaging?

This question can help the interviewer understand your knowledge of packaging design and how you approach a project. Use examples from past projects to highlight your ability to prioritize important elements when designing packaging.

Example: “The most important considerations for me are ensuring that the product is clearly visible on the packaging, making sure it’s easy to open and that the materials used are recyclable or reusable. I also like to make sure the brand identity is consistent across all marketing channels, including the packaging. In my last role, I worked with a client who wanted their branding to be more colorful and fun, so we changed the color scheme of the packaging to reflect this.”

How do you think consumers perceive the packaging of a product?

This question can help the interviewer understand your perspective on how packaging affects consumers. Use examples from past projects to explain how you consider consumer perception when designing packaging.

Example: “I think it’s important to design packaging that is visually appealing and easy for consumers to use. For example, I worked with a client who wanted to create a new line of cosmetics. The client was looking for a way to make their products stand out in stores, so we decided to create a unique box that would be eye-catching but also functional. We used bright colors and patterns to attract customers’ attention, while making sure the packaging was sturdy enough to protect the product inside.”

What is your process for creating a new design for a product?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and what steps you take to complete it. Your answer should include a few of the most important steps in your process, such as researching the product or company and creating sketches for your design.

Example: “I start by learning everything I can about the product itself and its target audience. This helps me create designs that are appealing to consumers and also align with the brand’s overall aesthetic. Next, I sketch out several different ideas for the packaging and choose my favorite one. Then, I present my final sketch to my supervisor for approval.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to work with a tight budget and explain how you managed it.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to explain how you managed the budget and what steps you took to ensure that your packaging design was effective.

Example: “In my last role as a packaging designer, I had to work with a tight budget for one of our clients. The client wanted to create a new line of products but didn’t have much money to spend on marketing materials. In order to meet their needs while still creating an attractive product, I worked with them to find ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality. We decided to use recycled materials in the packaging and created a social media campaign to help promote the product.”

If you could only use one color to design a product’s packaging, what color would it be and why?

This question is a test of your color theory knowledge and how you apply it to packaging design. It also tests your creativity in using only one color to create an effective product package.

Example: “If I could use only one color, I would choose black because it’s the most versatile color for creating contrast on any background. Black can be used as a base color or as a highlight color, which makes it easy to pair with other colors. For example, if I were designing a wine bottle label, I would use black as the base color and then add red accents to make it pop.”

What would you do if you were given a deadline but weren’t sure you could meet it?

Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to prioritize your work and manage your time. In your answer, explain that you would first assess the situation and determine what resources are available to help you meet the deadline. Then, you would create a plan for completing the project as quickly as possible while maintaining quality.

Example: “If I was given a tight deadline but wasn’t sure if I could meet it, I would first look at my current workload and see which projects were due sooner than others. Then, I would prioritize those projects and figure out how much time I had to complete them. If there isn’t enough time to finish all of the projects, I would start with the most important ones and then move on to the next-most important ones.”

How well do you work with others?

Packaging designers often work with other members of a team to create the best packaging for their clients. Employers ask this question to make sure you can collaborate well and get along with others. Use your answer to show that you are a friendly person who is willing to help others succeed. Explain how you enjoy working in teams and helping others solve problems.

Example: “I love collaborating with others on projects. I find it helpful to bounce ideas off of others, especially when I’m stuck or unsure about something. I also like to share my knowledge with others so they can learn from me. In fact, I have helped several people on my team improve their skills as packaging designers. I think it’s important to be an active member of a team because it helps everyone achieve more.”

Do you have any experience working with a creative director?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you work with others and your ability to collaborate. Use examples from past experiences where you worked with a creative director or other senior members of your team to show that you’re able to collaborate effectively.

Example: “In my last role, I was working on packaging designs for a new line of products when our company hired a new creative director. The creative director had more experience than me in this field, so she helped me understand some of the best practices for designing packaging. She also gave me feedback on my designs and provided constructive criticism when needed. This helped me improve my skills as a packaging designer.”

When designing a product’s packaging, what is your process for determining its shape and size?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you apply your creativity to a variety of projects. Use examples from past experiences to explain how you use your critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities to complete packaging design projects.

Example: “I start by researching my client’s target audience, including their age group, gender and geographic location. I also consider what type of product they are selling and its intended use. Once I have this information, I begin sketching different shapes and sizes that would appeal to these groups. For example, when designing a new line of children’s toys for a major retailer, I considered the size of the child who would be playing with the toy and the amount of space it would take up in their bedroom. This led me to create a box shape that was large enough to hold several small figurines but not so big that it took up too much room on a shelf.”

We want to stand out in a crowded marketplace. How would you design our packaging to make it unique?

Employers ask this question to see how you can create unique packaging that stands out from the competition. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to make sure your designs are different than other brands in the industry.

Example: “I would start by researching the current market and finding out what makes each brand stand out. I would then use these insights to come up with a design that is completely unique. For example, if I were designing for a coffee company, I would focus on creating a package that was more eco-friendly than others on the market. This could be through using recycled materials or including instructions on how customers can recycle their used cups.”

Describe your process for creating a visual identity for a product or company.

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer how you apply your skills and creativity to a project. Use examples from previous projects that highlight your design process, communication skills and attention to detail.

Example: “I start by researching the company or product I’m designing for. This helps me understand the brand’s values and goals. Next, I create mood boards of different color schemes, fonts and imagery that reflect the client’s vision. Then, I sketch several ideas for the logo and packaging designs based on these elements. After presenting my sketches to the client, I work with them to finalize the visual identity.”

What makes you stand out as a packaging designer?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your skills and experience as a packaging designer. They want to know what makes you unique compared to other candidates. When answering this question, think of the most important skills you have that make you an ideal candidate for the job.

Example: “I believe my creativity is one of my strongest skills. I am always thinking of new ideas for packaging designs. I also feel confident in my ability to work with clients to create effective packaging solutions. In my last role, I worked with several different brands to design their packaging. This helped me develop my communication skills and understand how to meet client needs.”

Which design software do you prefer to use and why?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level with packaging design software. It also helps them understand which tools you prefer to use and how familiar you are with each one. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few of the programs you’re most comfortable using and why you like them.

Example: “I’ve used Adobe Illustrator for years now because I find it’s easy to learn and has many useful features that make designing easier. For example, I love being able to create symbols in Illustrator so I don’t have to recreate elements every time I need them. I also enjoy using InDesign because it allows me to combine my designs with content and export files into different formats.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of packaging design?

This question can help the interviewer understand your priorities and how you approach a project. Your answer should show that you know what’s important in packaging design, but it also gives you an opportunity to highlight other skills or experiences that are relevant to this role.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of packaging design is making sure the product is easy for the consumer to use. Packaging needs to be visually appealing, but it also has to be functional. I’ve worked on projects where we had to create packaging that was both aesthetically pleasing and practical for shipping. In those cases, I always make sure my designs are user-friendly so customers have a positive experience with the brand.”

How often do you update your portfolio?

Employers want to know that you’re constantly improving your skills and updating your portfolio. They may ask this question to see if you have a regular schedule for adding new work to your portfolio. In your answer, let the employer know what you do to keep your portfolio up-to-date. You can also mention any specific tools or resources you use to find inspiration for new projects.

Example: “I update my portfolio once every six months. I usually start by looking through my old work and deciding which pieces I would like to add to my portfolio. Then, I create a list of ideas for new packaging designs. I sketch out some of these ideas and then choose the ones I think are most interesting. After creating digital mockups, I print them out and add them to my portfolio.”

There is a trend in the industry that you don’t agree with. How do you handle it?

This question is a great way to see how you handle change and adaptability in your career. It also shows the interviewer that you are willing to challenge the status quo when necessary. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you can be innovative while still respecting industry trends.

Example: “I think there is too much emphasis on making packaging as aesthetically pleasing as possible. I understand why companies do this because they want their product to stand out on store shelves, but I believe that function should always come before form. If a package isn’t functional, then it doesn’t matter how beautiful it looks. I would rather have an ugly package with a well-designed label than a pretty one that falls apart after a few uses.”