How to Interview Presentation Designers (Portfolio Review Rubric Included)

I’ve been building presentation design teams for over a decade now, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that finding the right talent can make or break your team’s success. Presentation designers occupy a unique space at the intersection of visual design, storytelling, and technical execution. They’re the professionals who transform complex information into compelling visual narratives that engage audiences and drive business outcomes.

However, identifying top-tier presentation design talent requires a structured approach that goes beyond standard interview questions. You need a comprehensive strategy that evaluates both technical skills and soft competencies while providing candidates with a fair opportunity to showcase their talents.

In this guide, I’ll share my battle-tested approach to interviewing presentation designers, including a detailed portfolio review rubric that has helped me build high-performing teams across multiple organizations. Whether you’re hiring your first presentation designer or expanding an established team, these insights will help you make more informed hiring decisions.

Essential Skills for Presentation Designers

Before diving into interview strategies, let’s establish the foundational skills every presentation designer should possess. These core competencies form the backbone of effective presentation design:

1. Creativity in Slide and Visual Design

Presentation designers must demonstrate strong visual design skills and creative thinking. Look for candidates who can:

– Create visually striking slides that maintain brand consistency

– Transform complex concepts into simple visual representations

– Design memorable graphics and illustrations that enhance messaging

– Demonstrate an understanding of layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy

When reviewing portfolios, pay special attention to the visual sophistication of their work. Are they creating generic-looking slides, or are they pushing creative boundaries while maintaining effectiveness?

2. Technical Proficiency with Presentation Tools

Technical competence with industry-standard tools is non-negotiable. Strong candidates should demonstrate proficiency in:

– PowerPoint (advanced features including master slides, animations, transitions)

– Keynote (for Apple-focused environments)

– Google Slides (for collaborative environments)

– Adobe Creative Suite (particularly Illustrator, Photoshop, and After Effects)

– Basic video and animation techniques

According to industry research, technological competencies such as software knowledge, animation capabilities, or video editing skills can significantly differentiate candidates in the selection process (source).

3. Storytelling and Communication Skills

Perhaps the most underrated yet crucial skill for presentation designers is storytelling ability. The best designers don’t just make slides look good—they craft narratives that resonate with audiences.

Candidates should demonstrate:

– Strong understanding of narrative structure and flow

– Ability to organize information logically and hierarchically

– Skill in visual storytelling techniques that enhance comprehension

– Clear articulation of design decisions and rationale

As noted in expert resources, “Storytelling is critical in portfolio presentations to keep interviewers engaged. Candidates must focus on their contributions and avoid overly detailed or dry summaries. Structuring the presentation around designer (candidate), challenge, and resolution helps build a compelling narrative.” (source)

4. Organization and Time Management

Presentation designers often juggle multiple deadlines and stakeholder requests. Strong candidates show:

– Excellent project management skills

– Ability to prioritize and meet tight deadlines

– Clear processes for organizing assets and files

– Experience managing feedback from multiple stakeholders

Design-specific interviews should assess these organizational capabilities alongside creative talents, as they’re essential for success in fast-paced environments (source).

5. Adaptability to Company/Style Needs

Finally, presentation designers must be adaptable. They should be able to:

– Work within established brand guidelines

– Adapt their personal design style to match company aesthetic

– Quickly learn and incorporate feedback

– Stay flexible when project requirements change

Nice-to-Have Traits in Presentation Designers

Beyond the essential skills, there are several traits that can elevate good candidates to great ones, particularly for senior roles:

1. Leadership Experience in Design Teams

For senior-level positions, leadership experience becomes increasingly important. According to design leadership experts, “For design leaders, portfolios should emphasize leadership and team projects over individual contributor work.” (source)

Look for candidates who can demonstrate:

– Experience mentoring junior designers

– Success leading design projects or initiatives

– Ability to advocate for design at an organizational level

– Track record of elevating team performance

2. Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams

Presentation designers rarely work in isolation. Those who thrive in collaborative environments can:

– Partner effectively with content creators, executives, and subject matter experts

– Translate non-designer feedback into actionable design changes

– Build strong working relationships across departments

– Balance competing priorities from different stakeholders

3. Experience with Data Visualization and Accessibility

Two increasingly important specializations within presentation design are:

Data Visualization: Candidates with strong data visualization skills can:

– Transform complex data into clear, compelling visuals

– Choose appropriate chart types for different data stories

– Simplify numbers without sacrificing accuracy

– Create custom data visualizations beyond basic charts

Accessibility Expertise: Designers who understand accessibility can:

– Design presentations that work for audiences with visual impairments

– Create slides that translate well to screen readers

– Use color combinations that accommodate color blindness

– Structure information for maximum comprehension

Portfolio Review Rubric for Presentation Designers

Now let’s get to one of the most crucial tools in your interview toolkit: a structured rubric for evaluating portfolios. This ensures you’re assessing all candidates against the same criteria rather than making subjective judgments.

I recommend using a 1-5 scale for each category, where:

1 = Does not meet expectations

2 = Below average

3 = Meets expectations

4 = Exceeds expectations

5 = Exceptional

Visual Design Quality and Innovation (0-5 points)

– Typography: Appropriate font choices, hierarchy, and readability

– Color: Strategic use of color, harmony, and brand alignment

– Layout: Clean composition, thoughtful use of white space

– Visual elements: Quality of graphics, icons, and imagery

– Innovation: Fresh approaches that elevate beyond standard templates

Relevance/Applicability to Company Needs (0-5 points)

– Industry alignment: Experience in similar sectors or with similar content

– Style compatibility: Work that could translate to your brand aesthetic

– Content complexity: Demonstration of handling subject matter at your complexity level

– Audience targeting: Experience designing for audiences similar to yours

– Technical requirements: Examples that show proficiency in your required tools

Industry experts emphasize that “Portfolio pieces should be applicable to company needs and candidates should listen and adapt to feedback during portfolio presentation.” (source)

Storytelling and Narrative Clarity (0-5 points)

– Information hierarchy: Clear prioritization of content

– Flow and progression: Logical sequence between slides

– Message clarity: Ability to convey complex information simply

– Engagement factor: Creating visual interest that supports the message

– Consistency: Maintaining narrative threads throughout the presentation

Presentation Skills During Portfolio Walkthrough (0-5 points)

– Articulation: Clear explanation of projects and processes

– Focus: Ability to highlight key points without excessive detail

– Engagement: Interactive presentation style rather than monologue

– Design rationale: Thoughtful explanation of design decisions

– Reception to questions: Openness and thoughtful responses

Leading design experts note that “A successful portfolio presentation is a performance—practice your pitch, focus on a few key projects, and engage your interviewers without reading a script.” (source)

Technical Skills Demonstrated (0-5 points)

– Software proficiency: Evidence of advanced tool knowledge

– Production quality: Professional execution and attention to detail

– Technical complexity: Challenging elements like animations or interactivity

– Efficiency indicators: Smart use of templates, master slides, etc.

– Problem-solving: Technical solutions for difficult presentation challenges

Total Score Interpretation:

– 21-25: Exceptional candidate, strongly consider for hire

– 16-20: Strong candidate, proceed with additional interviews

– 11-15: Average candidate, consider for junior roles or if other factors are compelling

– 6-10: Below average, likely not a good fit

– 0-5: Not qualified for the position

Designing a Fair and Effective Interview Loop

With our rubric in hand, let’s structure a comprehensive interview process that gives candidates the best opportunity to showcase their talents while providing you with the insights needed to make informed hiring decisions.

Stage 1: Initial Portfolio Review (30-45 minutes)

Before inviting candidates for full interviews, conduct an initial portfolio review:

Key elements to include:

– Request 5-7 diverse presentation samples

– Ask for brief context on each project (client, challenge, solution)

– Look for range of skills and design approaches

– Use the rubric to score objectively across candidates

Red flags to watch for:

– Generic template-based designs without customization

– Inconsistent quality across portfolio pieces

– Poor organization or presentation of the portfolio itself

– Lack of detail about their specific contributions

Stage 2: Technical Assessment (45-60 minutes)

For promising candidates, conduct a technical assessment to verify skills:

Design exercise options:

– Provide a simple slide redesign challenge (1-3 slides)

– Ask them to create a visual representation of a complex concept

– Request a quick storyboard for a presentation section

Technical questions to consider:

– “How would you approach creating a custom animation sequence in PowerPoint?”

– “What’s your process for creating and maintaining a slide master?”

– “How would you optimize a presentation containing large images and videos?”

When evaluating technical skills, remember that “Technological competencies such as software knowledge, animation, or video editing can differentiate candidates.” (source)

Stage 3: In-Depth Portfolio Presentation (60 minutes)

This is the candidate’s opportunity to shine through a detailed presentation:

Structure:

– Allow 30-40 minutes for the candidate to present 1-2 projects in depth

– Reserve 20-30 minutes for questions and discussion

– Include relevant stakeholders from your team

Key aspects to evaluate:

– Ask about their specific contributions to each project

– Probe for challenges faced and how they were overcome

– Evaluate presentation style as well as the work itself

– Note how they respond to questions and feedback

Experts advise that candidates “focus on a few key projects, and engage interviewers without reading a script.” (source)

Stage 4: Behavioral Interview (45-60 minutes)

Finally, assess how the candidate would fit within your team and culture:

Key behavioral questions:

– “Describe a situation where you received difficult feedback on your design. How did you handle it?”

– “Tell me about a time when you had to manage multiple presentation projects with competing deadlines.”

– “How have you handled disagreements with stakeholders about design direction?”

– “Share an example of how you’ve improved a presentation process or workflow.”

Leadership questions (for senior roles):

– “How have you helped develop the skills of other designers?”

– “Describe how you’ve advocated for design quality when facing business constraints.”

– “Tell me about a time you led a presentation design project from concept to completion.”

Best Practices for Interviewing Presentation Designers

To maximize the effectiveness of your interview process, consider these additional best practices:

1. Provide Clear Expectations in Advance

Set candidates up for success by:

– Explaining your interview process and timeline

– Clarifying what you’d like them to present and for how long

– Sharing information about your company’s presentation style

– Letting them know who will be in the interview

2. Evaluate Both Process and Output

Great presentation designers aren’t just skilled creators—they have effective processes:

– Ask candidates to walk through their workflow

– Inquire about their file organization methods

– Discuss how they incorporate feedback

– Evaluate how they collaborate with stakeholders

3. Include Diverse Perspectives in the Interview Panel

Gather input from:

– Direct manager or team lead

– Potential teammates

– Cross-functional stakeholders who will work with the designer

– Someone who can evaluate technical skills objectively

4. Give Candidates an Opportunity to Ask Questions

The questions candidates ask can reveal a lot about their priorities and work style. Allow time for them to inquire about:

– Team dynamics and collaboration processes

– Typical projects and expectations

– Growth opportunities and skill development

– Company presentation standards and guidelines

5. Provide a Realistic Preview of the Role

Be transparent about:

– Typical deadlines and workload expectations

– Common challenges in your environment

– Balance between creative freedom and brand constraints

– Stakeholders they’ll regularly interact with

Common Interview Mistakes to Avoid

Even well-intentioned interviewers can fall into traps that undermine the effectiveness of the process:

1. Overvaluing Visual Polish at the Expense of Strategy

It’s easy to be impressed by visually stunning work, but remember that presentation design must serve business objectives. Evaluate whether candidates understand the strategic purpose behind their design choices, not just their ability to create beautiful slides.

2. Failing to Verify Individual Contributions

Many portfolio pieces, especially for senior designers, may represent team efforts. Always clarify the candidate’s specific role and contributions to each project to ensure you’re evaluating their actual skills.

3. Not Testing for Adaptability

Some designers excel within their personal style but struggle to adapt to different brand guidelines or audience needs. Include questions or exercises that test their ability to work within constraints.

4. Neglecting Soft Skills Assessment

Technical abilities are crucial, but so are communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Dedicate sufficient time to evaluating how candidates interact with your team and respond to challenges.

5. Rushing the Process

Finding the right presentation designer takes time. Resist the pressure to fill the position quickly if it means compromising on quality or skipping important evaluation steps.

Conclusion

Interviewing presentation designers requires a balanced assessment of creative talent, technical skills, and soft competencies. By implementing a structured rubric and following a comprehensive interview loop, you can identify candidates who will not only create stunning presentations but also thrive within your organization’s unique environment.

Remember that the best presentation designers combine artistry with strategic thinking. They’re not just making slides look good; they’re crafting visual narratives that drive understanding and action. Your interview process should identify those who can elevate your organization’s messaging through thoughtful, impactful design.

By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to find presentation designers who can transform complex information into compelling visual stories that resonate with audiences and achieve your business objectives.