Describe a successful team-based design project. What was your role within the team, and how did you contribute to the projects' success?
As a Design Consultant, you know that no one project is precisely the same. Each project requires a great deal of flexibility from all team members and stakeholders. Teamwork is an essential component of pulling together a successful design project, so the interviewer wants to know that you are a positive contributing team member. The best design teams are not hierarchical. Instead, they are more free-flowing and innovative.
Using the STAR framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result), take the time to tell a story surrounding your ability to collaborate and help your team to generate a positive result. State your typical role in a team-based project, and describe how you contribute.
"(Situation) When I was working on the public library design project, there was conflict as we had to follow plenty of regulations and work alongside government employees. (Task) When I work as part of a design team, I often take on the role of 'people problem solver.' I can sense friction, and I can quickly see when a conflict is brewing. In times of disagreement, I have a natural ability to see all sides and communicate with others effectively to come up with a situation. (Action) In this instance, I would carefully listen during meetings and take note of communication roadblocks. I expressed that to succeed, we needed to have a shared language and vision. We needed to win together and lose together. I often identified forgotten tasks and project needs we had lost in translation between the designers and the contractors. I spent my time clarifying these issues by bringing together the designers and contractors in quick daily meetings. (Result) My approach took some time and a lot of effort, but we solved many communication issues along the way. Of course, I did not resolve all of the problems; however, the mediator role that I took helped the project to stay on track in many senses."
