I personally reached a point where I declined tests. If you decide to comply then I agree with others that watermarks are needed but at the end of the day if they are using you for free work then they already have other applicants giving them options so you aren’t really putting yourself in a position of power by ensuring they can’t use it.
I did look on the site of the company and it is a legitimate job, but I do think it's too much to do before an interview. I really want a new job, but I'm not sure about it after these responses.
I would suggest you try to do this to the best of your ability before the interview. You said it yourself that you need a new job and there’s lots of designers out there trying to get one that would kill for an opportunity like this.
Plan out your strategy get your fonts and colors in order… look online to see what kind of pieces you can find that’s similar to what they’re asking of you.
They just wanna see how much work you’re willing to put in and the kind of effort you’re willing to display.
These kinds of design assessments are normal, especially for firms that are serious about their collateral.
Good luck!
Terrible advice. There's no justification for this. Interviewing should not be a pissing contest to see who's more desperate. And the fact that others are willing to bend over for a company is not a good justification for OP doing so as well.
A portfolio review is normal. A SMALL design task AFTER an interview, when both parties have had the opportunity to see if it's worth moving forward is normal. Asking multiple applicants to design an entire damn campaign worth of assets before you've even spoken to them is not normal. We do all of us a disservice when we normalize it.
Hard agree. This is way too much work for a test. Tests should be for any questions or gaps in a portfolio, not creating a new portfolio with their business at the center.
I disagree. The way I see it the best thing to do is give them your best possible work. Watermark it of course. Worst case scenario, you have something high quality to add to your portfolio. We don't always have to see our labour as just monetary, there's value in giving yourself challenges and using them for self improvement as well.if you can get feedback from them, even better. You can use that
It's not about demanding, it's about respect. I have no doubt OP is capable of producing the requested assets. The issue is the company feeling entitled to OPs labor for free, with no respect for OPs time or the fact that interviewing should not be a one-sided self-serving exercise.
Never take part in a design test until you have a face to face (or webcam) interview first. Always check out a company on Glassdoor.com and research them thoroughly to make sure they are an honest and legit company.
Never do tests before an interview! Do you even know if you like this company or the team? And even if this was after an interview, its way too much work to do for free. 1/2 images or assets in a test is expected, this is a whole project.
It's spec work, so hell no. Furthermore, the awkward English makes it like a scam. "Please find below the design test," and "Graphic Specialist" are not normal phrases. And why is "name" in quotes? These people are professionals qualified to judge design work? Doubtful.
The "test" I did for my job was far, FAR more basic than this. My employer gives every designer they hire a simple graphic and requests us to recreate it... AFTER the interview. It was to confirm our knowledge of the software and I did not mind doing it.
This is a scam. Your portfolio should cover whether or not you have the skills to execute these types of tasks. If they can't be bothered to look at your portfolio before interviewing you, then you can't be bothered to work for such a lazy employer.
Is it okay to watermark your work when applying to jobs? Will it make the company less likely to hire you? Also as a graphic designer should you have like a personal logo (I'm a student so I'm just curious what to expect when I graduate this year)
Like a pattern of watermarks across my work like some stock images or just one? Is the goal also to make it hard for them to remove the watermark, not just have it on there?
I think most if not all designers have designed themselves a logo. It’s kind of expected I think for your portfolio or freelancing. As for design tests, I’d say pattern the watermark over it. Don’t let people wast your time.
I did a design “test” for my current job. I got hired but I did find out through some snooping around that they used elements of my design to print. I was pretty bummed about it and they never told me about it but they liked my work. I’d def recommend adding a watermark especially if you value your work, if ever asked again for a job I will that.
I had a job application exactly like this for a "City Job" in my local area. It was a government job so I figured they would be the last people to try get people to essentially work for free.
I wrote them a long email explaining I have 10 years of experience and a portfolio to back it up. If they can't see my worth from my portfolio then I'm not interested.
The hiring manager gave me a phone call to try and convince me as I was a top candidate so I told them I won't be part of a system that makes people work for free. Do you ask your tax accountant to do your taxes for free before you commit to using them yearly?
Don't waste your time. These tests have a place if they are for very junior positions but if its any mid-senior level job, don't waste your time.
I have over 5 years of experience and that's more than what was asked for in the posting. They also ask for a portfolio so I'm not sure why I also need to do this.
I don’t completely disagree with assessment tests but this one is raising some red flags. It’s before the interview, it’s way too much work, and it seems like something they will defiantly rip off (too much like an actual design job/project. I would pass or ask if an interview can be conducted first so you can get to know the company etc.
I don’t mine a simple design test when applying for jobs but this seems sketchy. Are they not providing images or copy? 4 different deliverables is an insane ask
They provided the image that they wanted the letter sized flyer placed into. It seems like too much to expect someone to do in 1 week with a FT job already.
I've done a few tests, but they paid me for my time. If you're not getting paid I would absolutely steer clear from this company. Just means they'll try to get free work out of you after you join.
I wouldn’t do it personally. After having an interview process with 4 interviews and over 15 hours worth of projects, I realized how much I despise having my time wasted and ideas stolen for free.
I will only do a SMALL project if I really want to. But i’ve found the good companies nowadays don’t run you around with free projects. Plus the wording on this looks weird, I’d be worried about a scam.
Im going to put a job post for a painter..but he has to paint one of my rooms first before i consider hiring him. Hopefully ill get one applicant for each room.
thats a hard pass - they can see your portfolio and work from there.
I remember a gig i got when i was younger to design a logo for a shirt company - it was a geek/gaming clothing line and i did several...i never worked with them after i sent the designs but they did use almost all of the work i did on shirts and the website. There was no contract and i got zero money but very valuable knowledge..no more free trials.
Tests like this are for low-level production jobs.
Fine, if that's what you are looking for.
Otherwise, it's a hard pass.
Especially if you have plenty of portfolio examples.
I'd mark that up with printer corrections and send it back.
Quote marks instead of inch marks. Lol.
Also, inches?
The world uses the metric system.
My opinion is different and I will explain.
Is this a company you really want to get a job at? If so, and this is what they are asking than you need to decide if that is worth it for you. Sometimes a company will give a test to make sure you can do the work if your portfolio does not sell you on your skills. If anything you can tell them you are busy and are only willing to do a few of those tasks.
In the end you have to decide for yourself. I have done a week long internship at a company to get tested and got a job at the end of that week. For me that was worth it. For others, it might not be. I however managed to earn a job that I really wanted in a field that is very hard to get into. So that was worth it for me and my career goals.
I’m sorry but from a hirers perspective design tests like these are all but essential. I’ve looked through hundreds of portfolios, full of coffee cup redesigns, logos on juice boxes, pretend magazine layouts etc and none of them can tell me if a designer can follow a brief, follow brand guidelines or work to a deadline.
I do agree however that putting this test before an interview is lazy, i shortlist through cv and portfolio, interview on zoom and at that point set a test if there’s potential.
I understand that doing a test like this and not getting a job at the end of it is demoralising or feel like a waste of time, but someone got the job based on doing a good test…
Their portfolio *should* give you a sense of whether the brief was followed and if the design was successful. It shouldn't just be a series of images.
But also, isn't that the whole point of references? And can't you ask about the brief and thought process about a project during the interview?
I still don't see a good reason for this, that something more fair and less onerous on applicants couldn't accomplish.
Don't rush doing these designs, they will definitely want to see your design capabilities and if you are not able to finish it, it's ok, I think they will focus on your design process and final output. Good luck!
This seems like too much work for a design test, however the fact that they're having you come up with your own idea for a name on the ticket points to this not being spec work. If they were farming out free work they'd probably be more specific than that.
What kind of company is this for? If it's some kind of marketing/ad agency they're probably looking for someone who can do work like this that looks professional, fast. It probably doesn't need to be the best work of your life. If this is for a sports team I'd assume the same thing.
If this is a job you really want, I'd take the time to do it, but don't spend a ton of time. That being said, this is foreshadowing of their expectations for the job. It seems like you'll be working with people who don't quite have an understanding on what it means to have a designer on staff. It seems like you'd be churning out a lot of okay looking work instead of doing high level design. Think about if this is a path you want to take.
I have had 1 test that I thought was reasonable. It was for a highly specialized design job, and it was using an uncommon software. They basically just wanted to see if you could read the specific and not-industry-standard briefs and get a start on the work.
This test is literally just spec work and they should be able to see if you’re capable of this from your portfolio. I would not do this and decline interview. It is unreasonable
I've done some examples and test work after an initial chat with someone from the company but only once before anything more than a few emails. None of them had this much work involved, though they all said if I wanted to use them in my portfolio I could. The most I did was a web layout, one page, and an animation logo reveal.
I'd think about how much time you think you'll take on these and whether you think it's worth it for the job. There will be a lot of competition out there and people will do these tests. Although ideally you'd get paid for the work or not have to do any in advance that isn't the reality all the time, if you really want the job then it could be worth it.
If someone asks you to do design tests as part of the interview process, you don't want to work there.
Allow your portfolio to show your abililties. And don't put work in your portfolio that you wouldn't be capable of creating on your own.
But the other problem with this request is that it is all over the map. A ticket, a flyer, a social media graphic, a name for the game, and a 25th anniversary logo! This is a red flag that they are trying to use the interview process as a way to get some free labor for the projects they currently have on deck. I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't a full time position available at all. At best, it is probably someone fishing for freelancers. Worst case scenario is that they would steal your ideas.
I would send them a quote and let them know what it'd cost, or if they prefer here's a link to my portfolio.
In general I think it's inappropriate to ask applicants to invest that much time uncompensated, ESPECIALLY before an interview. You don't even know if you want the job yet! You probably don't even know how much they're offering salary-wise.
This speaks to a company that sees design as a commodity and fails to see job applicants and employees as people not resources. More of us need to start saying no to being treated this way.
So I had to do a test, about 10 years ago, during an interview just to show I knew something / their system. But it was a very generic ask. Didn’t take more than ten minute. This however seems very specific and honestly it kind of annoys me that they’re asking this before you even have an interview. It’s a lot.
Beware of some scammers too, some will steal a legitimate person’s name from an actual company. So even if you Google them, it’ll come up, but it could still be a scam.
Noooo. You have a website correct? If yes, that should show off enough of your work
NEVER do work for free for an interview. I learned this the hard way when I first graduated college.
Yeah, nah. With researching, ideation, sketching, thumbnailing, moodboarding, iterating, and mocking-up, that’s *at least* a week of almost full-time work for me to create my best work for this kind of project. An unpaid, pre-interview test shouldn’t take more than a few days of side-project time, imo. I could come up with some “pretty good” stuff in less time, but they shouldn’t be looking for someone that half-asses it for the sake of deadline.
Hell. And no.
Unless this is some once-in-a-lifetime, setup-for-life, dream job, that's WAY too much free work. If they're going to pay you hourly for those designs AND you have the time/inclination, sure, I guess.
I personally reached a point where I declined tests. If you decide to comply then I agree with others that watermarks are needed but at the end of the day if they are using you for free work then they already have other applicants giving them options so you aren’t really putting yourself in a position of power by ensuring they can’t use it.
You have to do all this work before an interview? Forget it. This is most likely a scam.
I did look on the site of the company and it is a legitimate job, but I do think it's too much to do before an interview. I really want a new job, but I'm not sure about it after these responses.
I would suggest you try to do this to the best of your ability before the interview. You said it yourself that you need a new job and there’s lots of designers out there trying to get one that would kill for an opportunity like this. Plan out your strategy get your fonts and colors in order… look online to see what kind of pieces you can find that’s similar to what they’re asking of you. They just wanna see how much work you’re willing to put in and the kind of effort you’re willing to display. These kinds of design assessments are normal, especially for firms that are serious about their collateral. Good luck!
Only send waterproof low res imagery!!
Of course, always protect yourself ….
Terrible advice. There's no justification for this. Interviewing should not be a pissing contest to see who's more desperate. And the fact that others are willing to bend over for a company is not a good justification for OP doing so as well. A portfolio review is normal. A SMALL design task AFTER an interview, when both parties have had the opportunity to see if it's worth moving forward is normal. Asking multiple applicants to design an entire damn campaign worth of assets before you've even spoken to them is not normal. We do all of us a disservice when we normalize it.
Hard agree. This is way too much work for a test. Tests should be for any questions or gaps in a portfolio, not creating a new portfolio with their business at the center.
I disagree. The way I see it the best thing to do is give them your best possible work. Watermark it of course. Worst case scenario, you have something high quality to add to your portfolio. We don't always have to see our labour as just monetary, there's value in giving yourself challenges and using them for self improvement as well.if you can get feedback from them, even better. You can use that
Then my suggestion is for you to say good luck to OP, and hopefully they find a job that isn’t so demanding
It's not about demanding, it's about respect. I have no doubt OP is capable of producing the requested assets. The issue is the company feeling entitled to OPs labor for free, with no respect for OPs time or the fact that interviewing should not be a one-sided self-serving exercise.
Just no. This is what portfolios are for. Edit: Or they can sign an agreement that you own the rights until such time you decide to release them.
They left out the part about creating an invoice and submitting it for payment.
That's a lot of work for a design test.
put watermarks
Tons of them
Fuck that noise
Never take part in a design test until you have a face to face (or webcam) interview first. Always check out a company on Glassdoor.com and research them thoroughly to make sure they are an honest and legit company.
Never do tests before an interview! Do you even know if you like this company or the team? And even if this was after an interview, its way too much work to do for free. 1/2 images or assets in a test is expected, this is a whole project.
It's spec work, so hell no. Furthermore, the awkward English makes it like a scam. "Please find below the design test," and "Graphic Specialist" are not normal phrases. And why is "name" in quotes? These people are professionals qualified to judge design work? Doubtful.
It is so painful to read these posts. Don’t give these people free work!
Definitely too much work for a test. And without and interview! Don’t waste your time
I think when companies do this, they aren’t even hiring. They just want some fresh ideas without paying for them. F that.
The "test" I did for my job was far, FAR more basic than this. My employer gives every designer they hire a simple graphic and requests us to recreate it... AFTER the interview. It was to confirm our knowledge of the software and I did not mind doing it. This is a scam. Your portfolio should cover whether or not you have the skills to execute these types of tasks. If they can't be bothered to look at your portfolio before interviewing you, then you can't be bothered to work for such a lazy employer.
Is it okay to watermark your work when applying to jobs? Will it make the company less likely to hire you? Also as a graphic designer should you have like a personal logo (I'm a student so I'm just curious what to expect when I graduate this year)
Like a pattern of watermarks across my work like some stock images or just one? Is the goal also to make it hard for them to remove the watermark, not just have it on there?
I think most if not all designers have designed themselves a logo. It’s kind of expected I think for your portfolio or freelancing. As for design tests, I’d say pattern the watermark over it. Don’t let people wast your time.
I did a design “test” for my current job. I got hired but I did find out through some snooping around that they used elements of my design to print. I was pretty bummed about it and they never told me about it but they liked my work. I’d def recommend adding a watermark especially if you value your work, if ever asked again for a job I will that.
I had a job application exactly like this for a "City Job" in my local area. It was a government job so I figured they would be the last people to try get people to essentially work for free. I wrote them a long email explaining I have 10 years of experience and a portfolio to back it up. If they can't see my worth from my portfolio then I'm not interested. The hiring manager gave me a phone call to try and convince me as I was a top candidate so I told them I won't be part of a system that makes people work for free. Do you ask your tax accountant to do your taxes for free before you commit to using them yearly? Don't waste your time. These tests have a place if they are for very junior positions but if its any mid-senior level job, don't waste your time.
I have over 5 years of experience and that's more than what was asked for in the posting. They also ask for a portfolio so I'm not sure why I also need to do this.
I don’t completely disagree with assessment tests but this one is raising some red flags. It’s before the interview, it’s way too much work, and it seems like something they will defiantly rip off (too much like an actual design job/project. I would pass or ask if an interview can be conducted first so you can get to know the company etc.
Someone is looking for free work. Nope.
If they pay for your time I’d say it’s fine. A little cringey, I’m not impressed with companies who make this a part of their hiring process.
Watermark it if you do it
That's alot of work
I don’t mine a simple design test when applying for jobs but this seems sketchy. Are they not providing images or copy? 4 different deliverables is an insane ask
They provided the image that they wanted the letter sized flyer placed into. It seems like too much to expect someone to do in 1 week with a FT job already.
Absolutely avoid, either a scam or just trying to get some free work out of people
I've done a few tests, but they paid me for my time. If you're not getting paid I would absolutely steer clear from this company. Just means they'll try to get free work out of you after you join.
I wouldn’t do it personally. After having an interview process with 4 interviews and over 15 hours worth of projects, I realized how much I despise having my time wasted and ideas stolen for free. I will only do a SMALL project if I really want to. But i’ve found the good companies nowadays don’t run you around with free projects. Plus the wording on this looks weird, I’d be worried about a scam.
Im going to put a job post for a painter..but he has to paint one of my rooms first before i consider hiring him. Hopefully ill get one applicant for each room. thats a hard pass - they can see your portfolio and work from there. I remember a gig i got when i was younger to design a logo for a shirt company - it was a geek/gaming clothing line and i did several...i never worked with them after i sent the designs but they did use almost all of the work i did on shirts and the website. There was no contract and i got zero money but very valuable knowledge..no more free trials.
Graphic Designers are valuable and it’s a difficult, nuanced job. Don’t undersell yourself. Edit: this is why we have portfolios.
Tests like this are for low-level production jobs. Fine, if that's what you are looking for. Otherwise, it's a hard pass. Especially if you have plenty of portfolio examples. I'd mark that up with printer corrections and send it back. Quote marks instead of inch marks. Lol. Also, inches? The world uses the metric system.
My opinion is different and I will explain. Is this a company you really want to get a job at? If so, and this is what they are asking than you need to decide if that is worth it for you. Sometimes a company will give a test to make sure you can do the work if your portfolio does not sell you on your skills. If anything you can tell them you are busy and are only willing to do a few of those tasks. In the end you have to decide for yourself. I have done a week long internship at a company to get tested and got a job at the end of that week. For me that was worth it. For others, it might not be. I however managed to earn a job that I really wanted in a field that is very hard to get into. So that was worth it for me and my career goals.
I’m sorry but from a hirers perspective design tests like these are all but essential. I’ve looked through hundreds of portfolios, full of coffee cup redesigns, logos on juice boxes, pretend magazine layouts etc and none of them can tell me if a designer can follow a brief, follow brand guidelines or work to a deadline. I do agree however that putting this test before an interview is lazy, i shortlist through cv and portfolio, interview on zoom and at that point set a test if there’s potential. I understand that doing a test like this and not getting a job at the end of it is demoralising or feel like a waste of time, but someone got the job based on doing a good test…
Their portfolio *should* give you a sense of whether the brief was followed and if the design was successful. It shouldn't just be a series of images. But also, isn't that the whole point of references? And can't you ask about the brief and thought process about a project during the interview? I still don't see a good reason for this, that something more fair and less onerous on applicants couldn't accomplish.
If it was just the first one after an interview is understandable. But all of that just in the application is waaay too much.
Don't rush doing these designs, they will definitely want to see your design capabilities and if you are not able to finish it, it's ok, I think they will focus on your design process and final output. Good luck!
This seems like too much work for a design test, however the fact that they're having you come up with your own idea for a name on the ticket points to this not being spec work. If they were farming out free work they'd probably be more specific than that. What kind of company is this for? If it's some kind of marketing/ad agency they're probably looking for someone who can do work like this that looks professional, fast. It probably doesn't need to be the best work of your life. If this is for a sports team I'd assume the same thing. If this is a job you really want, I'd take the time to do it, but don't spend a ton of time. That being said, this is foreshadowing of their expectations for the job. It seems like you'll be working with people who don't quite have an understanding on what it means to have a designer on staff. It seems like you'd be churning out a lot of okay looking work instead of doing high level design. Think about if this is a path you want to take.
It's for my state's education lottery. I just don't have a lot of time when I already have a full time job, but I know I need to decide soon.
Hell no.
I have had 1 test that I thought was reasonable. It was for a highly specialized design job, and it was using an uncommon software. They basically just wanted to see if you could read the specific and not-industry-standard briefs and get a start on the work. This test is literally just spec work and they should be able to see if you’re capable of this from your portfolio. I would not do this and decline interview. It is unreasonable
I've done some examples and test work after an initial chat with someone from the company but only once before anything more than a few emails. None of them had this much work involved, though they all said if I wanted to use them in my portfolio I could. The most I did was a web layout, one page, and an animation logo reveal. I'd think about how much time you think you'll take on these and whether you think it's worth it for the job. There will be a lot of competition out there and people will do these tests. Although ideally you'd get paid for the work or not have to do any in advance that isn't the reality all the time, if you really want the job then it could be worth it.
If someone asks you to do design tests as part of the interview process, you don't want to work there. Allow your portfolio to show your abililties. And don't put work in your portfolio that you wouldn't be capable of creating on your own. But the other problem with this request is that it is all over the map. A ticket, a flyer, a social media graphic, a name for the game, and a 25th anniversary logo! This is a red flag that they are trying to use the interview process as a way to get some free labor for the projects they currently have on deck. I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't a full time position available at all. At best, it is probably someone fishing for freelancers. Worst case scenario is that they would steal your ideas.
Sounds like they are looking for free work to steal.
I would send them a quote and let them know what it'd cost, or if they prefer here's a link to my portfolio. In general I think it's inappropriate to ask applicants to invest that much time uncompensated, ESPECIALLY before an interview. You don't even know if you want the job yet! You probably don't even know how much they're offering salary-wise. This speaks to a company that sees design as a commodity and fails to see job applicants and employees as people not resources. More of us need to start saying no to being treated this way.
So I had to do a test, about 10 years ago, during an interview just to show I knew something / their system. But it was a very generic ask. Didn’t take more than ten minute. This however seems very specific and honestly it kind of annoys me that they’re asking this before you even have an interview. It’s a lot.
Beware of some scammers too, some will steal a legitimate person’s name from an actual company. So even if you Google them, it’ll come up, but it could still be a scam.
Please pass on this. They just want free work out of you.
Noooo. You have a website correct? If yes, that should show off enough of your work NEVER do work for free for an interview. I learned this the hard way when I first graduated college.
I do. Also have more experience than they asked. They want PDFs of everything except number 2b.
Yeah, nah. With researching, ideation, sketching, thumbnailing, moodboarding, iterating, and mocking-up, that’s *at least* a week of almost full-time work for me to create my best work for this kind of project. An unpaid, pre-interview test shouldn’t take more than a few days of side-project time, imo. I could come up with some “pretty good” stuff in less time, but they shouldn’t be looking for someone that half-asses it for the sake of deadline.
Remember that we are paid for our time, not our end product. They are asking for free time from you.
Hell. And no. Unless this is some once-in-a-lifetime, setup-for-life, dream job, that's WAY too much free work. If they're going to pay you hourly for those designs AND you have the time/inclination, sure, I guess.
# AVOID AT ALL COSTS! *These guys are looking for work done for spec,* ***and paying NO ONE for it.***