Interview with a Graphic Designe

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your background? Where are you from and what did you do before joining world4you?

Hannah: I’m originally from Steinbach in Upper Austria and attended HTL1 for Graphic and Communication Design in Linz. I completed the four-year program there and then continued in the Master Class. The Master Class was great because we worked on many amazing projects, and I was able to further expand my graphic design skills. After the Master Class, I really wanted to see what it’s like to work as a graphic designer. I made a conscious decision not to go straight to university, but rather to gain professional experience. I wanted to find out what it’s like to be a professional graphic designer. So, I looked for companies with open positions and applied to several. world4you was one of the companies I applied to.

How did you discover world4you? How did you prepare for your job interview?

Hannah: I spent a lot of time browsing karriere.at and searching for terms like "graphic design." That’s how I came across world4you, and I thought: they seem really good, they’re a young team, and they’re open-minded. I then adapted my portfolio to showcase more web design work and applied. The feedback came quickly, and I had an interview shortly after.

What do you think were the deciding factors in why you were ultimately chosen? Which of your traits help you the most in your job?

Hannah: I think interpersonal skills were the deciding factor in me being selected. That was conveyed to me very clearly during the first interview. Additionally, it certainly helped that I had a broad portfolio and showed a lot of what I’m capable of.

Looking back: How did you experience your first day at work?

Hannah: It’s hard to remember because I was very nervous at the time, and whenever I’m nervous, memories get a bit blurry. But I do remember having a good feeling at the end of the day and thinking it was going to be great. We ate together, and I felt truly welcome. That helped me overcome my nervousness quickly.

What was your very first task?

Hannah: I think my very first task was designing graphics for two of our domains. It was cool because I had total freedom and could design the icons however I wanted. Right after that, I got my first major task – it was a promotion. That promotion was essentially the birth of our consistent illustration style. I had a lot of creative leeway again and could contribute various ideas and suggestions. I was actually allowed to do quite a lot right from the start, which I really liked.

We’d like a little insight into your daily routine. What are your areas of responsibility? What does a typical workday look like for you?

Hannah: I start my day by booting up my computer and going through my to-do lists – what I finished yesterday and what’s on the agenda for today. After that, I usually check the sprint board and then work on my daily tasks. My main responsibility is creating graphics for all channels. I am the point of contact for all graphic design needs.

What challenges you the most? What do you find the most difficult?

Hannah: Well, I would say that the strategic and organizational aspects aren’t my strongest suits yet. I’m more of someone who jumps straight into implementation and starts working immediately. But I know it’s important, and the team (Editor's note: Marketing & Communications) points that out to me time and again. Now, I’m trying to integrate that more and more into my workflow. My self-confidence is also a struggle sometimes, especially when I have to present or give a talk. I’d much rather get straight to the implementation and rely on my creativity. That’s the area where I feel most comfortable.

It must be said, though, that you have developed tremendously in terms of organization and confidence! Back to the interview: On the flip side, what comes easily to you and what do you enjoy?

Hannah: The creative part. It’s actually quite easy for me to develop ideas and draw things, or to set up concepts – for example, for featured images for the blog or how we communicate in our ads. But it’s also important to me that everything looks consistent and fits together.

What motivates you most in a job? And to what extent does world4you fulfill that?

Hannah: The best thing about my job is definitely the team. The interpersonal relationships between us are very good. It’s great when you work with people who pursue the same goal and support each other. At world4you, we have great collaboration, and everyone does their best for the project. Additionally, having the opportunity to take on responsibility and new projects provides a huge amount of motivation. Being able to contribute and implement my ideas is very motivating for me.

What qualities should someone bring to your profession?

Hannah: Well, creativity, of course—that’s obvious. Teamwork is also very important; being able to collaborate and communicate well is part of the job here. Openness, a certain level of communication skills, and motivation are also very important.

What kind of person will be happy at world4you?

Hannah: A person who works well in a team and also enjoys spending time with colleagues outside of work would be happy at world4you. It’s important to be able to build friendly relationships with colleagues that go beyond the job.

You’re in the unique position of world4you being your first job. You’ve grown significantly both personally and professionally. Many young people leave their very first job within the first 2-3 years. What appeals to you about working at world4you?

Hannah: My initial reason was that I wanted to gain experience. And I’m doing that at world4you in every respect. I can learn so much from my team and their experiences. Additionally, I still have the opportunity to develop further. I can participate in further training, seminars, courses, and self-study time, and I can constantly improve as a graphic designer. My tasks are also becoming more and more versatile, which keeps me very motivated at world4you.

Let’s take a look into the future. What do you think: In which direction will the web industry develop? How will websites of the future look?

Hannah: I believe the web industry will be heavily influenced by artificial intelligence in the future. Similar to how we communicate with ChatGPT or other solutions today, we will be able to enter our needs and requirements, and the website will be automatically created in the background, including the right hosting package and the perfect email. I think that will be a major topic.

Can your family and other important people in your life understand exactly what world4you actually does?

Hannah: To be honest, I didn’t know that much about the industry myself before I applied. I was familiar with the terms web hosting and domain, but we only discussed them in more detail in the Master Class. Usually, my family and friends are a bit off and need an extra explanation. Most of them think we create websites and that I’m responsible for the design. I often have to explain that this isn’t the case and that I create graphics for our company. I always say: "We provide the home for websites."

What are your hobbies and how do you like to spend your free time?

Hannah: I like spending my free time most with friends. I enjoy having a drink with them or listening to music together. Going to concerts is also one of my favorite activities. And eating dumplings! With my new apartment, plants have also become a big hobby of mine.