Design interviews can involve portfolio walkthroughs, critique, collaboration and a practical exercise. Separating those formats makes preparation easier and keeps feedback meaningful.
A process you can configure
Use the following as a working sequence, then adapt it to the companies and conversations in front of you.
- Record which projects fit the team's problem space
- Note presentation format, audience and time limit
- Keep critique and follow-up questions with the stage
Keep the system workable
Keep one clear record for the opportunity, its current stage, the people involved and the next action. That gives you enough structure to return to the search without adding ceremony.
Candidate keeps this context together so a useful update after an application, conversation or exercise does not need to be copied across several tools.