
Free People Designer Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 13 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
Candidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at Free People.
Designer
It was a phone interview, then a zoom interview, followed by a project setup and finally an in-person interview with 4 members of the design team. It was a long process and they gave a second brief. One small project was enough since the designer's time is not paid for.
- How do you see yourself fitting into the brand's design team?
Designer
This was a really long and tough interview process. They asked tons of questions, but didn't share much about the actual job. It turns out there wasn't even a real opening. They expect design candidates to do a lot of design work. After I sent about 15 submissions, they kept asking for more. I eventually stopped sending them sketches. When I pressed them, they finally admitted they were looking for designers in general, but not for the specific role I applied for. I heard from school that this company sometimes does this to get free designs, but I didn't listen. Just sharing what happened. Be aware of what you're getting into and don't spend too much time on design projects for this company, as you might end up giving them your work for free.
- The biggest surprise was that there wasn't an actual job opening, and the work I thought I was putting in was for a fabricated position designed to get free labor.
Designer
It started with a phone screening, then a zoom call with the director. The recruiters were helpful. The director seemed unaware of the interview's purpose when she joined. I introduced myself and the role. After a pause, I offered to show my resume, which we then reviewed. When it came to my portfolio, she cut me short, citing another call and urging me to be quick. She then interrupted my presentation to ask for more "detailed" work. When I asked for clarification, she stated it's a senior position requiring more than what I presented. I offered to do a project if my portfolio, which included mood boards, color palettes, sketches with technical notes, wasn't sufficient. She then asked about the recruiter and if I was informed about preparation. I maintained politeness, then withdrew my application due to another opportunity. It was a very negative experience.
- Can you describe your experience at "xyz" company?
Free People Designer Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from Free People interview reports.
“Create a design project that envisions innovating the brand.”
Read reports →“Do you play in a band outside of your work?”
Read reports →“What are your sources of inspiration?”
Read reports →“Besides your job, how do you express your creativity?”
Read reports →“What position would you ideally want?”
Read report →“Tell me about how you discover new ideas and where you find inspiration.”
Read report →“Could you complete a project that aligned with the brand identity?”
Read report →“How do you see yourself fitting into the brand's design team?”
Read report →“Could you explain your project and design concepts?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 13 Free People interview reports.