ING UX/UI Designer interview questions & guide 2026

The following questions are representative of the patterns observed in recent ING interview cycles. While specific technical prompts may evolve, the core competencies being assessed remain consistent. Use these to structure your practice rather than treating them as a static list.

Portfolio and Project Walkthrough

These questions test your ability to articulate your design process, your decision-making rationale, and your ability to learn from previous outcomes.

• Can you walk us through a project in your portfolio where you had to simplify a complex user flow?
• How do you balance user needs with technical constraints in your design process?

Preparation for ING should be systematic. You should focus on demonstrating not just your technical proficiency in tools like Figma or Sketch, but your ability to think critically about the ecosystem in which your designs live.

• Design Process and Rationale: You must be able to justify every design decision. Avoid saying "I liked the look of this." Instead, frame your choices around user research, testing data, or business goals.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: ING interviewers want to see that you are a team player. Demonstrate how you communicate with developers to ensure design feasibility and with product managers to align on scope.
• Handling Ambiguity: Financial systems are rarely straightforward. Show that you can take an ambiguous problem statement and break it down into actionable research, wireframes, and high-fidelity prototypes.
• Alignment with Banking Values: Familiarize yourself with how ING approaches digital banking. Show an interest in security, trust, and ease of use, which are the cornerstones of their user experience.

The ING interview process is rigorous and typically spans multiple stages designed to assess both your technical capabilities and your cultural fit within their Tribe structure. You should expect a journey that begins with a recruiter screen, followed by a deeper dive into your portfolio with peers, and culminating in discussions with leadership.

The process is generally structured to be thorough rather than fast. Candidates have reported timelines varying from a few weeks to two months. The emphasis is on consistency: you will likely encounter different interviewers in each round who are looking for specific signals regarding your technical craft, your behavioral approach, and your strategic thinking.

This visual timeline highlights the progression from initial screening to final-stage leadership interviews. Use this to pace your preparation, ensuring you have enough time to refine your portfolio presentation before the mid-stage interviews and to prepare your case study presentation for the final rounds. Note that the process can vary slightly by location and business unit, so remain flexible.

Portfolio Presentation

Your portfolio is the foundation of your candidacy. Interviewers are looking for the "why" behind your work, not just the final visual output.

• Process Transparency – Explain your research, user personas, and how you arrived at your final solution.
• Impact and Outcomes – Where possible, quantify the success of your designs.
• Design Systems – Familiarity with maintaining and working within a scalable design system is a significant advantage.

As a UX/UI Designer, you will own the user experience for specific features or products within the ING portfolio. Your daily work involves translating business requirements into wireframes, flows, and high-fidelity designs. You are expected to be the bridge between the customer and the product team, ensuring that user feedback is integrated into every sprint cycle.

You will regularly participate in Design Sprints and Agile ceremonies. Beyond your own designs, you will play a role in maintaining the ING design language, ensuring that the visual identity remains consistent across platforms. Collaboration is key; you will spend a significant portion of your time discussing implementation feasibility with developers and aligning on project priorities with product owners.

A competitive candidate for this role possesses a blend of strong visual design skills and a strategic mindset. You must be comfortable working in a fast-paced, Agile environment.

• Must-have skills:
  • Extensive experience with Figma or equivalent prototyping tools.
  • A strong portfolio demonstrating complex problem-solving and user-centered design.
  • Proven ability to work in cross-functional teams with engineers and product managers.
  • Understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG).
• Nice-to-have skills:
  • Experience in the fintech or banking industry.
  • Familiarity with data-driven design and A/B testing methodologies.
  • Basic understanding of front-end development (HTML/CSS) to facilitate better developer handoffs.

Q: How difficult are the interviews at ING? A: Candidates generally describe the process as challenging but fair. The difficulty often lies in the depth of the questions regarding your design process and your ability to defend your decisions under scrutiny.

Q: What is the most important thing to prepare for? A: Your portfolio. Be prepared to talk in detail about every decision you made, why you made it, and what you would change if you had more time or data.

Q: Is the process the same for all locations? A: While the core values and standards are global, the specific interview stages or the intensity of the case study might vary slightly by local team or region.

Q: How long does the process take? A: It can take anywhere from a few weeks to two months. Always ask your recruiter for an updated timeline if you haven't heard back, as communication speed can vary.

• Articulate your process: When showing your work, start with the problem, then the research, then the iteration, and finally the result. Do not jump straight to the UI.
• Practice your story: You will tell your professional story multiple times to different people. Keep it consistent but tailor the emphasis based on who you are talking to (e.g., focus more on technical detail with engineers, more on strategy with product owners).
• Prepare questions: At the end of every interview, you will be asked if you have questions. Use this to show you've done your homework. Ask about the team's current challenges or how they collaborate.
• Stay positive: Even if an interview feels tough, maintain a professional and constructive attitude. The team is looking for someone they genuinely want to work with every day.

Securing a UX/UI Designer role at ING is a rewarding goal that requires a combination of creative excellence and strategic communication. By focusing on your design process, demonstrating your ability to collaborate within cross-functional teams, and showing a deep understanding of user-centered design, you will position yourself as a strong candidate.

Remember that the interviewers are looking for a colleague who can handle the complexity of banking while keeping the user experience simple and intuitive. Use the insights provided here to structure your portfolio, practice your responses, and approach each stage with confidence. You have the capability to succeed; stay focused on your narrative and the value you bring to the ING team.

The salary data provided reflects current market ranges for UX/UI Designers in this sector. Use this to benchmark your expectations, keeping in mind that total compensation packages at ING often include various benefits and performance-related components. Aligning your expectations early will help you navigate the final stages of the process with clarity.