I applied online. The company responded with an assignment. I typically like interviews that involve assignments because they give me the opportunity to prove my qualifications rather than just talk about them. I've NEVER been given an assignment prior to an introduction over the phone or in person though. I think that it's borderline rude for a potential employer to assign a time consuming project to candidates via mass email before even meeting them in any capacity. I received another mass email-style response about a week later informing me that the company wouldn't be furthering my application. I have years of experience doing this exact job for a variety of companies in major cities across the country, so I know that the work that I submitted was good — at least good enough to speak with someone over the phone or receive a personal email about what I submitted. I was willing to put in the time to complete the project despite the style in which it was assigned because several of my friends and acquaintances in the fashion industry in NYC have suggested that I look into working for Ref. They clearly weren't aware of Ref's lousy corporate culture and practices. I'll definitely be reporting back to them that this company is a waste of time and completely unprofessional. The company may even be lazily assigning these interview projects as a way to get candidates to work for free. It wouldn't be the first time.