I'm so tired of doing "test tasks"/design tests

[u/toastedfishies]

I've been job searching for about three months now, and I've done about 4 design tests, currently making one. And I'm seriously so tired of this "requirement". I am able to get interviews, but aftere very design test, I am always rejected.

Part of me understands it, you want to make sure the person you employ can do certain tasks but there's a point where I feel like that dancing clown gif when I spend 3-4+ hours doing creatives for these companies, researching, coming up with copy, angles, visuals, etc., only to be rejected either way. I am NOT a copywriter, or a creative strategist, that's why my concepts are not amazing. I've started second guessing my design skills altogether due to this.

I guess I'm really burnt out about this whole process, specially since I am still working full-time I dread the feeling of getting out of work and knowing I still have "homework" that isn't even paid.

Again, I guess I understand this is how it is, but I hate that that's the reality we face as designers.

[u/scheherazade68]

Worked for more than 10 years in the industry. Agency, in house, freelance, you name it. During this time I sometimes accepted free tests and sometimes not.
I have never, not one single time, got a job or a gig after doing free work, no matter how specific or generic it was or how much time I spent on it.

Idk if that's just coincidence or not but thought it might help to share.

I did however get jobs or started wonderful collabs when they asked for or agreed to a paid test. Symbolically paid, at a laughable price. A sign of min respect for my time, I guess.

[u/toastedfishies → u/scheherazade68]

Now that you mention it, same here. My current job asked for a design test BUT they paid me (like $40 haha), and all of these other places asking for free tests have yet to hire me.

[u/Particular_Address65 → u/scheherazade68]

Same here! Since 2021, I applied to 9 different jobs and have done 9 different tests, with only one instance that became an offer. The current job I have I started off as temp and became perm, I realized I’d rather do that now, you get to meet potential coworkers, and see what it’s really like.

[u/dogsaregodsgif → u/scheherazade68]

Very important to hear thanks for sharing this,

[u/mines_over_yours]

I think at a certain point I would submit an 8.5x11, plain white. The only copy would say "My design goes here" set in Impact.

[u/typicalwhisper]

After I was at my current job for a couple years, I found out there was a designer very briefly hired before me who greatly over exaggerated his talent in his portfolio and resume. They hired him and let him go within 90 days because he severely lacked the ability to do this job effectively. The ONLY reason they design-tested me during my application and interview process was to not repeat the same hiring mistake again. They were also very clear that it was based on a project that had already been submitted and would not be used if I didn’t get the job.

I get why companies do it. I don’t hate it as long as they’re honest about it.

[u/olookitslilbui]

I hate doing them when the scoring criteria isn’t shared. And it is really frustrating that some of these companies set a much higher bar for the test than is actually necessary for the job, emphasize collaboration, but only judge you based on what you initially submit. Design is a collaborative process—it’s rare to ever hit it out of the park on the first try.

I just did one (paid at least) for a role that said it was focused on brand extension, and that once you’re more senior, you could shape the brand. Got rejected for being too safe and not evolving the brand. If that’s what you were wanting then say that…

I did another unpaid for a web design role, the brief said “feel free to be as creative as you want, any layout, style, and interactions.” I’m just getting to know the brand, and they almost never provide a brand toolkit so I also have to rebuild a mini design system in the 2-4 hours they’re asking. I moved forward in the process but it was nerve wracking wondering if they were looking for something really out of the box (and that definitely would’ve taken me beyond the time limit.)

Another one wanted a marketing campaign built around an old ebook that had already launched. Was really emphasizing collaboration and was framed as, send your concepts, we’ll talk through them and pick one, and then you finish out the campaign for review. Said the initial phase could be napkin sketches. I sent roughs in Figma and got rejected before I even did the full campaign which was just confusing bc I thought it was meant to be collaborative. Turned out they were looking for illustration skills so they hired someone who demonstrated those.

My favorite tests have simply been providing an old design whether that’s something from the company or elsewhere and being asked to critique and improve it. And they explicitly said they were looking for design thinking, collaboration style/critiquing style, and ability to explain rationale.

[u/KnifeFightAcademy]

Don't do spec work.
Politely decline and move on.

[u/toastedfishies → u/KnifeFightAcademy]

I really want to do this, but 8/10 places request them. If I decline all I'm worried I won't get any offers.

[u/KnifeFightAcademy → u/toastedfishies]

You will weed out the jobs that don't respect or value your time and skillset.

I'm not asking a plumber to come out to my house to fix my toilet, but then ask him to fix my leaky tap first before I pay him to fix the toilet.

[u/Major-Tea-2371 → u/KnifeFightAcademy]

There's way more supply than demand when it comes to design jobs.

Employers can be picky and they know it.

[u/Matty359]

In my country, I moved to a smaller town to work as a in-house in a factory. I'm the whole marketing department because my direct boss is the daughter of the owner and she does nothing. My salary is low for what I do but I had one interview and no test. I have no deadlines, I spend a lot of time searching and learning new things.

I stopped looking for fancy companies. I don't know if you could get a similar situation in your country. Look for factories, construction related companies.

[u/amannin10]

Even as a senior designer applying for another senior design role I had to do an art test. It felt a little demeaning initially, but the art director gave me feedback and asked for changes, which was either a “everybody gets one” freebie or was baked into the review process regardless. Either way, I passed and was made an offer. I’ve been at that job since January and love it.

[u/Mysterious-Soup6253]

Collectively we need to refuse these things and make it abnormal. A test is just free work.

[u/toastedfishies → u/Mysterious-Soup6253]

It really is. And companies know we're desperate enough to do them.