Most candidates over-invest in the portfolio and under-invest in the conversation around it.

The three questions behind every question

Design interviews reduce to three checks:

1. Can you frame a problem before solving it?
2. Can you defend a decision with evidence?
3. Can you collaborate when pushed?

Tell the story, not the screens

For each portfolio piece, prepare the narrative: the constraint, the tradeoff, the result. Screens are supporting evidence, not the pitch.

Prepare one sharp question

At the end, ask something that shows you understand their product, not something generic. It is the cheapest differentiator available.