The ideal candidate

It's nice that are interviewing a studio for every day of February to find out what it is that studio's
really want from new graduates and interns.
This is the first interview with Stefan Sagmeister Inc. studio :

Stefan Sagmeister – Sagmeister Inc.

DESCRIBE THE IDEAL CANDIDATE IN THREE WORDS

COMPETENT
CURIOUS
COLLEGIAL

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR YOU TO SEE PERSONAL WORK?

Of paramount importance. It proves the person really loves the field, and views their own work as a calling rather than just as a regular job. It also shows what the person can do when all the regular restrictions are removed. The ideal portfolio contains a mix of commissioned and published, unpublished, and personal work.

WHAT’S THE BEST QUESTION ANYONE’S ASKED YOU IN AN INTERVIEW?

Can I get some more lemon wafers?

WHAT’S WORSE — OVER OR UNDERSELLING YOURSELF?

As a studio we try to undersell and overperform, we like to see the very same in people we hire.

WHAT’S THE ONE THING A POTENTIAL EMPLOYEE CAN DO THAT WILL IMPRESS YOU?

The one thing? Have good work (= original ideas well executed) in the portfolio. The second thing: Be nice.

DO YOU EVER GIVE FEEDBACK ON INTERVIEWS?

I do give extensive feedback in our monthly salons, where people come in to show their portfolio.

In a regular interview I only give feedback when requested.

SAGMEISTER INC.

Stefan Sagmeister formed the New York based Sagmeister Inc. in 1993 and has since designed for clients as diverse as the Rolling Stones, HBO, and the Guggenheim Museum. The studio is still tiny, featuring 3 designers, 2 interns and 0 account managers.

www.sagmeister.com