Web Designer Interview Questions
Nowadays, with globalization occurring at a head-spinning pace, it is quite normal for organizations and companies to develop and utilize well-designed websites that are capable of retaining visitors and creating a positive impression.
Among all the components that contribute to an attractive website, design is the most crucial. The web design makes up the first impression and the overall concept of the nature and attitude of the organization as a whole. Website design is what gives a website its overall look and feel. Thus, it is apparent that there is a high demand for web designers today, and therefore, what the future holds for web design jobs is quite promising.
As a web designer, you can either create websites for your own business or for clients. If you are preparing yourself for an upcoming interview in the booming web design field, then you have come to the right place.
In this article, we will discuss the most common Web Designer interview questions and answers. These questions have been categorized according to the level of difficulty, for freshers as well as experienced professionals. Practicing these common questions will be a great asset to preparing for your job interview.
Web Designer Interview Questions for Freshers
1. Explain doctype.
Every HTML or XHTML document must begin with a declaration of the document type, which is called DOCTYPE; this is often the first line of code. It is not an element or tag, but rather a way for browsers to identify the standard/version of HTML or any other markup language that the current page is written in. A document type declaration is required for each HTML document to ensure that pages display as intended.
Syntax:
< !DOCTYPE html >
Example
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
<h1>Scaler Academy</h1>
<h2>This is HTML5 Doctype Tag!</h2>
</body>
</html>
2. When should you use HTML5 tags such as STRONG, EM, SMALL?
While these tags provide a unique visual effect (STRONG makes the text bold, EM italicized it, and SMALL shrinks it), this is not their primary purpose, and they should not be used simply to style a piece of content in a specific way. Unlike some other tags, these ones provide a unique visual effect (STRONG makes the text bold, EM italicized it, and SMALL shrinks it). However, they are not intended to provide a visual effect, nor should they simply be used to style content in a particular way.
- <em> tag: Used to mark up the emphasized text.
- <strong> tag: Often used in titles, headings, and paragraphs to emphasize the word or phrase of greatest significance. Also, it can be used to emphasize the seriousness or importance of a word or phrase.
- <small> tag: Typically used for disclaimers, side comments, clarifications, etc.
3. Can a web page have multiple H1 tags? Would it matter?
H1 tags can be used as many times as you like on a web page, as there is no upper or lower limit. A website's H1 (title) tag is of great importance to search engines and other machines that read the code of a web page and interpret its contents. It is generally recommended that web pages contain only one H1 tag. Multiple H1 tags can, however, be used as long as they are not overused, and are contextually relevant to the structure of the page. H1 is considered the main heading or title of an article, document, or section. It may be detrimental to the website's SEO performance if H1 elements are not used properly.
4. What format would you use to embed self-hosted video on a web site?
When you embed a video on a website using HTML5 video (instead of using YouTube or another video-hosting service), the website must ensure that the video is served in a format that the browser can play. The MP4 video format is currently supported by major browsers, operating systems, and devices (using MPEG4 or h.264 compressions). For Firefox clients and some Android devices that are not capable of playing MP4 videos, having copies of the video in OGV and WebM formats is helpful.
5. How does white space affect the content on the webpage?
White space, also referred to as empty space or negative space in web design, refers to the unused space that surrounds the content and functional elements of a web page. With white space, you make your design breathe by minimizing the amount of text and functionality users see at once.
- By using white space, you can visually group and separate elements, draw attention to a specific element, and reinforce a content grid or layout in web design and other media.
- Aside from contributing to the harmony and balance of a design and assisting the branding process, whitespace can also be utilized to direct the reader from one element to the next.
- This makes the website appear clean and uncluttered, providing readers with the information they will enjoy.
6. What is W3C and how does it affect web design?
An international organization, the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) promotes web development. Members of the organization, a full-time staff, experts invited from around the world, and the public collaborate together to create Web Standards. Also, W3C develops standards for the World Wide Web (WWW) to facilitate interoperability and collaboration between all web stakeholders. Since its inception in 1994, W3C has endeavored to lead the web towards a fuller potential.
7. Explain information architecture.
Information architecture (IA) refers to the process of planning, organizing, structuring, and labeling content in a comprehensive, logical, and sustainable manner. It serves as a means of structuring and classifying content in a way that is clear and understandable, so users can find what they are looking for with little effort. IA may also be used to redesign an existing product, rather than being limited to new products. Essentially, it determines how users will access your website information as well as how well their user experience will be.
8. What are the most common problems in website design?
A few of the most common website design problems include:
- An outdated or inadequate web design.
- Poor website navigation.
- Ineffective SEO strategies.
- Convoluted or unclear user journeys.
- Excessive use of images, icons, colors, and textures.
- Lack of quality content.
- Poor quality images.
- Hidden contact details.
- Upload time is extremely slow.
- Mobile optimization is not available.
9. What should you consider when writing an error message?
Although the error message may seem innocuous, it has a big impact on the user's experience. Error messages written poorly can frustrate users, while well-written error messages increase users' subjective satisfaction and speed. One should consider the following factors when writing an error message:
- Write in clear, simple language, without ambiguity, so that the issue can be understood easily.
- Keep it concise, precise, and meaningful.
- Be humble and don't blame users as tone and language are major factors in how they interpret your message.
- Refrain from using words that are negative.
- Provide a solution to resolve the error.
- Format your error messages correctly.
- Don't overwhelm users with error messages.
10. What do you mean by grid system?
In graphic design, grid systems provide a two-dimensional framework for aligning and laying out elements. This is a set of measurements that the designer can use to size and align objects within a certain format. It is composed of horizontal and vertical lines that intersect, allowing the contents to be arranged on the page. A grid can facilitate the positioning of multiple design elements on a website in a way that is visually appealing, facilitates a user's flow, and improves accessibility and the attractiveness of information and visuals. A grid can also be broken down into several subtypes, each with its own specific application in web design.
11. Which color would you choose as a web designer when declaring the "delete" button?
By using a color like Red, you can make the "Delete" button more visible, especially if two buttons have to be displayed simultaneously. Almost always, red is used as a symbol of caution, so that is a great way to get the user's attention.
12. How do you set an image as the background of a web page?
Background images provide a visually appealing and interactive background to a website. These images can be applied in many ways.
1. In the body tag, pass the URL or location path of a background image in the background attribute.
Syntax
<body background = "Image URL or path" >
Website Body
</body>
Example
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>Scaler Academy</title>
</head>
<body background="scaler.png">
<h1>Welcome to Scaler Family</h1>
<p><a href="https://www.scaler.com">Scaler.com</a></p>
</body>
</html>
2. Add CSS style properties.
Syntax
<style>
body {
background-image:url(" URL of the image ");
}
</style>
Example
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
body {
background-image: url("scaler1.jpg");
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Scaler Academy</h1>
</body>
</html>
13. Explain responsive web design.
The responsive web design process involves creating a web page that "responds" to or resizes itself to fit whatever screen size the viewer is using. This involves the use of HTML and CSS to resize, shrink, hide, and enlarge a website so that it appears correctly on all device resolutions (desktops, laptops, tablets, and phones). With responsive design, you can have one website that adapts to different screens and devices according to their sizes.
14. What are the most widely used languages for web design?
The following are some common languages used in web design. Among the following, the most fundamental language for web design is HTML, which will provide you with a solid foundation for designing websites and web applications. In fact, it is probably the first language taught to a web designer, thereby making it an essential tool for all designers to have.
- HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)
- CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
- Java
- JavaScript
- SQL (Structured Query Language)
- PHP (Hypertext Processor)
- Python
15. Who is a web designer?
Simply put, a web designer is responsible for the appearance of a website. A web designer will take your ideas and create a mockup so that you can visualize the final look and feel of your website. Designers tend to possess expertise in UI (user interface), which means they create a site that is intuitive and easy to use. Designing a website is largely a creative process that involves organizing content and images across several web pages, integrating applications, and including other interactive elements. Some of their responsibilities include:
- Design and layout websites according to client specifications.
- Prepare mockups and samples for clients to review.
- Selecting readable fonts.
- Picking colors that are both attractive and easy-to-read.
- Using colors, fonts, and layouts to implement a brand's identity.
- Create a map of the website's structure to ensure a seamless navigation experience.
- Integrating images, texts, logos, videos, and other elements.
- Designing optimized versions of websites and pages for desktops and mobile devices.
16. What is web designing?
In simple terms, web design refers to the process of creating the visual layout and look of a website so that they resonate with a company's brand, convey information, and support user-friendliness. Designing a website comprises many components that work together to create the overall user experience including graphic design, UX/UI design, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and content creation. Whether you're building a website, mobile application, or maintaining content on a website, appearance and design are crucial elements. Since the mid-2010s, web design has increasingly been geared towards designing for mobile devices and tablet browsers.
Web Designer Interview Questions for Experienced
1. How to write a UX case study?
UX case studies are an essential component of a stellar UX portfolio. Yet, writing UX case studies can often feel daunting. Developing an effective UX case study entails telling the story of a project and communicating not only what you accomplished but also the reasons for it. The following is an outline of what to include in an UX case study:
- Overview: A short description of the company and project.
- Problem Statement: State your objectives, such as why you worked on this project and what its objectives were.
- Client and Audience: Describe the intended niche for the product or service. This may include what were your target audiences when creating your product or service and who precisely was it designed for.
- Roles and Responsibilities: Provide information about your team, including how your responsibilities were shared. Was your team headed by you, or did you have several experts on hand?
- Scope and Constraints: Include details regarding your working conditions and your limitations. It may involve tight deadlines, a low budget, or a time zone difference.
- Work Process: This stage is crucial to your UX story. It should outline in detail the steps you took as well as why you did it (e.g., to solve user pain points or to increase conversion).
- Results and conclusions: You have come to the end of your tale. Describe the results of your efforts, your achievements, the lessons you learned, and the experience you gained.
2. State difference between HTML elements and HTML tags
HTML elements and HTML tags differ in the following ways:
HTML Tags | HTML Elements |
---|---|
Tags indicate the start and end of an HTML element, i.e., the container that holds other HTML elements (except <!DOCTYPE>). | All HTML elements must be enclosed between the start tag and closing tag. |
Each tag begins with a '<' and ends with a '>' symbol. | The basic structure of an HTML element consists of the start tag (<tagname>), the close tag (</tagname>) and the content inserted between these tags. |
Any text inside ‘<’ and ‘>’ is called a tag. | A HTML element is anything written in between HTML tags. |
Example: <p> </p>
|
Example: <p>Scaler Academy</p>
|
3. What do you mean by jQuery?
jQuery simplifies the process of implementing JavaScript on a website. With jQuery, most common tasks that require a lot of JavaScript code are wrapped into methods that can be invoked with just one line of code. Additionally, jQuery simplifies several complex aspects of JavaScript, such as DOM manipulation and AJAX calls. JQuery is a lightweight JavaScript library that strives to do more with less coding. Following are some features of the jQuery library:
- HTML/DOM manipulation
- HTML event methods
- CSS manipulation
- Effects and animations
- AJAX
- Utilities
4. What are the different JQuery functions available for designing web pages?
Here are a few popular JQuery functions used in web design:
- Animated hover effect
- Simple slide panel
- Accordion#1 and Accordion#2
- Entire block clickable
- Styling different link types
- Collapsible panels
- Chainable transition effect
- Simple disappearing effect
- Image replacement gallery
- Simple slide panel
6. Describe CSS file and its benefits.
CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets, is a style sheet language. Essentially, it controls and oversees how elements should be portrayed on screen, on paper, in speech, or in any other media. CSS allows you to control the text color, font style, spacing between paragraphs, and columns' size and arrangement. This allows you to quickly change the appearance of several web pages at once.
Advantages:
- Has lightweight code.
- Is easy to update and maintain.
- Provides various formatting options.
- Increased consistency in design.
- Easy to present different styles to different audiences.
- Greater accessibility.
- Improved accessibility.
- Has great SEO benefits.
- Faster download times because of its simplicity.
7. How are CSS files integrated into your webpage?
There are three ways to add CSS to HTML documents:
- Inline: Inserting the style attribute inside an HTML element.
Example:
<h1 style="color:blue;">Scaler Academy</h1>
<p style="color:black;">Welcome to Scaler Family!</p>
- Internal: Adding <style> element to the <head> section.
Example:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
body {background-color: powderblue;}
h1 {
color: blue;
font-size: 200%
}
p {
color: red;
font-size: 140%;
border: 2px solid black;
margin: 20px;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Scaler Academy</h1>
<p>Welcome to Scaler Family!</p>
</body>
</html>
- External: Linking to an external CSS file using the <link> element.
Example:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">
</head>
<body>
<h1>Scaler Academy</h1>
<p>Welcome to Scaler Family!</p>
</body>
</html>
8. Why should a graphic containing several words be saved in GIF and not JPG?
In cases where an image consists of certain words, it is recommended that the image be saved as a GIF instead of a JPG. JPG files have a file compression feature that causes the fonts to become unreadable.
9. In what situations would you advise using JPEG and when would you recommend PNG?
Different image compression formats use different compression techniques for different purposes.
- JPEG: The JPEG compression process reduces the size of an image by identifying similar colored areas; the higher the compression level, the more aggressively the process searches for these areas, which can lead to loss of visual information and artifacts at the edges of the compressed region. Colorful photos, illustrations, gradients, and other richly colored images benefit from this compression. It is particularly screenshots, flat icons, simple UI elements, and schematics.
- PNG: The PNG compression method reduces the number of colors in the image. It may result in a slight loss of color shades depending on the compression level. PNGs are excellent for UI elements, icons, signs, logos, illustrations that contain text, and screenshots. Unlike JPEGs, they also support transparent areas. In general, PNG files are bigger than JPEG files and do not offer good compression for photos and complex, colored images and gradients.
10. Explain Dreamweaver template.
The Dreamweaver templates typically come with premade CSS templates. All the pages and content on your website can be created, modified, and updated instantly with Dreamweaver templates. By making a site more flexible and consistent, it can increase your productivity. Designers can revise the Dreamweaver template files at once to make changes to the site at their convenience. With the help of a good web designer, you can create a Dreamweaver template out of any HTML or PHP page. You can, however, use readymade templates if you want a consistent design across all pages of your website, but do not know how to create DWT.
11. In order to make one picture higher or lower than the other, how do you align them in HTML?
To align images higher or lower than each other, use the align statement as part of the IMG SRC tag
Syntax:
<img align="left|right|middle|top|bottom">
Example:
< IMG SRC = "http://www.abc.com/fhndsy.gif" align=top>
< IMG SRC = "http://www.abc.com/fhndsy.gif" align=right>
12. What is the purpose of CSS float property?
The CSS float property can be used to determine how content is positioned and formatted on the page. One of the most common uses of this property is wrapping text around images. A float property can be used to wrap any inline element around a defined HTML element, for example, a paragraph, list, span, div, table, and an iframe. The float property indicates whether an element should float right, left, or not at all.
Syntax:
element {
float: value;
}
Example1: Float an image in CSS
img {
float: left;
height: 120px;
}
Example2: Float other HTML element in CSS
.button {
float: right;
background: blue;
border: 2px solid black;
}
13. What should you do when a client doesn't like your designs?
It is possible that you will receive some constructive feedback from clients regarding your designs and may need to adjust them based on updated specifications. Employers typically ask this question to understand how you deal with problems, respond to feedback, and build relationships with clients.
Sample Answer:
“I encountered this situation while working for a client in the financial sector. The company felt that my design was too sophisticated for many of their customers and might turn away some of their loyal members. I explained to the bank why my web design might be a good fit for the youngest of customers, but ultimately we agreed to a compromise. The final website had a sleek appearance with flashy elements that would appeal to the young audience.”
14. What steps do you follow during your design process, and is your client involved much?
By asking this question, the interviewer may be trying to ascertain how you work, how well you serve your clients, and how easy it is to work with you. Before answering, take a moment to collect your thoughts so the hiring manager will be able to understand your approach fully.
Sample Answer:
“First, I always meet with my clients to discuss their needs. Next, I draft a preliminary design and send it to them for review. As the design progresses, I send them regular updates. The completed product is sent to them for review once it has been completed. Whenever updates are required, we talk about what I need to alter, the time frame, and other details.”
15. What elements would you include in an optimized site?
As a web designer, it is your responsibility to ensure that your website is positioned well for SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and is responsive so that it can be used effectively by users. Using this interview question, a company can ascertain the designer's familiarity with SEO and responsiveness practices. To demonstrate your knowledge of website optimization, discuss elements such as URL structure, keywords, page titles, meta descriptions, alt text, and H1 tags.
16. What is the best way to combine fonts? How many font types should designers use on one website?
In some cases, fonts work together nicely and make a good combination when displayed together. As a general rule, two fonts are compatible if they are either quite similar, but with at least one significant difference (analogous fonts), or if they are very different, but have one notable characteristic in common (complimentary fonts).
- The best way to combine two fonts is to look for their common and unique features (serifs, x-height, historic backgrounds, aperture, thickness, stroke contrast).
- Fonts that look too similar should not be combined (e.g., Helvetica and Lucida Grande or Arial and Verdana).
- Avoid combining many font styles at once. Stick to two or three font sizes maximum; it will save you time and avoid readers skipping over the content.
- Try one serif font and one sans serif font. Especially at contrasting sizes, they tend to work well together.
- Choosing contrasting fonts is a good idea. Many ways can be used to create contrast, including weight, size, spacing, color, etc.
- It is best to use a single font family. A superfamily contains many styles, weights, and cases within the same typeface. Sticking to one superfamily allows you to create a minimalist layout and have enough variation for your needs.
17. When deciding on a color scheme, what factors should you take into consideration?
Color schemes are an important part of the design process. Choosing colors for your project isn't easy, but keeping a few things in mind is a good way to ensure that you come up with a great color combination.
- Be familiar with the brand identity and what the company does. Get to know what they do, what services or products they offer, what their principles are, and so on. Knowing this will help you determine the right color scheme for their brand.
- Get to know the Big Boss better. Simply take a look at what they already use and have been using. See the uniforms, the logos, etc. You should choose a color(s) that reflect the nature of the company and its employees.
- Choose colors that are appealing to your target audience. When designing, always keep in mind who you're designing for and what the ultimate objective is. You might need to conduct some research on your target audience, or test different color combinations.
- The client/company's emotional relationship with their target market needs to be reflected. Brighter colors are appropriate for brands with high energy, whereas muted colors are appropriate for mature brands.
- Pick colors that are associated with positivism to make a lasting impression on the audience. Learn the significance of color in the specific industry.
18. Are there any ways to reduce the loading time for a page?
The speed and functionality of your website affect not only your users but also your search engine rankings. Here are a few tips for improving your web page loading time.
- Decide on a hosting solution that is performance-optimized.
- Make sure your images and content are compressed and optimized.
- Reducing the number of redirects is advisable.
- JavaScript and CSS should be placed in external files.
- Consider utilizing a content delivery network (CDN).
- Get rid of unnecessary plugins.
- Cache your website pages.
19. What is the point of marking an element as an ARTICLE, MAIN, HEADER, or ASIDE?
HTML5 introduces many new element types (semantic elements) that may be utilized for marking up complex content. These elements make it easier for machines (such as parsers, search engines, screen readers, etc.) to sift through web pages and understand their content structure.
- <article>: A piece of separate content that can exist outside the context of its webpage and has its own heading. This can be used in a news article, blog, product description, etc.
- <main>: This is what constitutes the body of a document or an application.
- <aside>: It is a reference to the main content on the webpage but is not part of that actual content. An example would be the list of related articles relating to the main article.
- <header>: It represents navigational or introductory aids that help you navigate through the terrain.
20. Can comments be inserted into HTML code without being picked up by the browser?
<!- and -> can be used to add comments to HTML code without the browser picking up on it. HTML comments begin with ‘<!–’ and end with ‘–>’. Any person viewing the page source code will be able to see HTML comments. Browsers will not render these comments
Example:
<!- This is a an HTML comment ->
Conclusion
In a tech interview, you are expected to demonstrate both your technical and communication abilities. As the format and questions of a job interview vary depending on the position and the company, you can expect to be asked a combination of behavioral, technical, and personal questions. An interview for a web design position is nothing to be apprehensive about, especially if you have practiced the most likely questions ahead of time. Your proficiency with web design tools, standards, and best practices will be assessed through knowledge-based questions. Preparation increases your chances of impressing the hiring manager and moving on to the next step. That's why we have compiled a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions during interviews for web designers.
In this article, we have provided an overview of web design as well as a list of the top 35+ web designer interview questions that can be helpful to job applicants starting their careers or moving up the career ladder. An ideal candidate should have a deep understanding of key concepts, as well as the ability to articulate their ideas clearly and persuasively. Also, you can enroll in an online course in web design to keep up to date on the latest developments in the industry.
Useful Resources
- https://www.interviewbit.com/full-stack-developer-interview-questions/
- https://www.interviewbit.com/css-interview-questions/
- https://www.interviewbit.com/web-developer-interview-questions/
- https://www.interviewbit.com/html-interview-questions/
- https://www.interviewbit.com/technical-interview-questions/
- https://www.interviewbit.com/coding-interview-questions/
- https://www.interviewbit.com/courses/programming/
- https://www.interviewbit.com/blog/
Web Designer MCQ Questions
Browsers apply the tag feature until they encounter a ___ tag.
CSS stand for _____
How do you insert images in HTML?
HTML stands for ____
If you want your website to be mobile-friendly, you should make it __.
In order to begin a webpage, the HTML tags should be in ____ order.
Is any of the following software suitable for building websites?
The title of the page is inside the ___ tag.
What tag is used to insert the main and largest heading in HTML?
Which is the most common language used in web designing?
Which language is helpful to create web pages?