AI Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: AI Product Designer

Company: Lockwood Publishing

Location: United Kingdom

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Product Design / GTM Strategy

Date Posted: 2026-05-19

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and ship player experiences for Avakin Life, leveraging AI-first workflows to enhance core player journeys, LiveOps features, and monetization systems.

• Collaborate closely within cross-functional squads, working with Product and Engineering teams to continuously improve key player metrics.

• Focus on iterative design, rapid experimentation, and weekly value delivery, rather than conceptual, non-shipped work.

• Utilize AI tools such as Claude, Figma AI, and generative AI to accelerate the design process and increase team velocity.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a product designer with a strong emphasis on leveraging AI tools for rapid iteration and delivery within a live service game environment. The "AI Product Designer" title and the explicit mention of AI tools like Claude and Figma AI indicate a focus on integrating AI into the core design workflow, not just as a supplementary tool. The emphasis on "shipping value every week" and "continuous optimization" points towards a fast-paced, agile environment common in live operations (LiveOps) for mobile games.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design end-to-end player journeys across features, systems, and LiveOps within Avakin Life.

• Translate product and commercial objectives into intuitive, high-performing user experiences that drive engagement, retention, and monetization.

• Utilize AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT, Figma AI, Midjourney) to generate, iterate, and refine design outputs, accelerating the design pipeline.

• Rapidly prototype and test design concepts to validate assumptions and gather player feedback efficiently.

• Support and contribute to A/B testing initiatives and iterative improvements based on data and player behavior insights.

• Continuously optimize existing features and workflows, prioritizing ongoing improvements over one-off releases.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineers to shape and prioritize the product roadmap, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.

• Partner with Art and Creative teams to maintain visual quality, brand consistency, and aesthetic appeal across all player-facing elements.

• Clearly present design work, articulate strategic decisions, and explain trade-offs to stakeholders across various departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of traditional product design skills and a forward-thinking approach to AI integration. The emphasis on "translating product and commercial goals" and driving "engagement, retention, and monetisation" aligns this role with revenue-generating aspects, common in GTM (Go-To-Market) operations. The responsibility to "Continuously refine AI-driven workflows to increase team velocity" is a key differentiator, indicating a need for someone who can not only use AI but also optimize the processes around its use for design teams.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mentioned, a strong portfolio demonstrating practical application of design principles is paramount. Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is often preferred.

Experience:

• 2-5 years of experience in product/UX/UI design.

• Experience in games, mobile applications, or live service environments is strongly preferred.

Required Skills:

• Strong portfolio demonstrating shipped features and measurable impact on player engagement, retention, or monetization.

• Hands-on experience with generative AI tools: Claude, ChatGPT, Figma AI, Midjourney, or similar platforms.

• Ability to effectively use AI for generating, iterating on, and refining design outputs at speed.

• Solid UX and interaction design fundamentals, with a deep understanding of user-centered design principles.

• Confident in rapid prototyping and iterative design methodologies.

• Experience with data-informed decision-making, utilizing player data and analytics to guide design choices.

• Outcome-driven mindset focused on achieving measurable player and business impact.

• Ability to work quickly and pragmatically in a fast-paced, high-velocity environment.

• Excellent communication skills, capable of simplifying complex problems and presenting clear solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with LiveOps, in-game economies, or monetization systems within gaming.

• Familiarity with experimentation and growth frameworks (e.g., AARRR, HEART).

• Experience contributing to or maintaining design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "AI Skills (Essential)" section is critical. This isn't just about knowing AI exists, but having practical, hands-on experience using specific tools like Claude and Figma AI to accelerate design output. The "Core Strengths" further emphasize the need for a pragmatic, outcome-oriented designer who can deliver results quickly, aligning with the fast-paced nature of live service games and GTM execution. The preference for LiveOps and monetization experience directly links this role to revenue-generating objectives.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase at least 2-3 case studies of shipped features or significant product improvements, ideally within a mobile or live service context.

• Clearly articulate the problem statement, your design process, the AI tools/workflows utilized, and the resulting business or player impact (quantified with metrics).

• Demonstrate end-to-end design thinking, from user research and ideation to prototyping, testing, and final implementation.

• Highlight instances where AI was used to accelerate iteration, generate concepts, or improve design quality, specifying the tools and methods.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of experience working within agile development sprints and contributing to sprint planning.

• Examples of how you've used data and player feedback to inform iterative design changes and optimizations.

• Showcase understanding of A/B testing principles and how design decisions are validated through experimentation.

• Demonstrate ability to collaborate with engineering to ensure design feasibility and efficient implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an AI-focused design role, the portfolio needs to explicitly demonstrate the applicant's ability to integrate AI into their workflow and achieve tangible results. Simply showing polished UI is insufficient; the narrative must explain how AI was used to achieve faster delivery, better outcomes, or novel solutions. Quantifiable results are key to proving "measurable impact."

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on location (United Kingdom), experience level (Mid-Level, 2-5 years), and the specialized nature of AI skills, a competitive salary range for a CONTRACTOR role would be approximately £45,000 - £70,000 per annum, prorated for contract duration. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for contract UX/Product Designers in the UK, with an uplift for AI proficiency and the gaming/live service sector.

Benefits:

• Private Healthcare Plan: Comprehensive medical coverage.

• Pension Plan: Contributions towards retirement savings.

• Life Assurance: Financial security for beneficiaries.

• Work From Home: Fully remote working arrangement.

• Training & Development: Opportunities for skill enhancement and professional growth.

• Employee Assistance Programme: Support services for personal and professional well-being.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected due to the nature of live service operations and potential for urgent updates or issue resolution.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this is a contractor role, the salary is an estimate and may vary based on the specific contract length, agency involvement, and negotiation. The benefits listed are typical for full-time employees but may be offered differently or not at all to contractors, depending on company policy and the specific contract terms. The "Work From Home" benefit is explicitly stated and aligns with the remote nature of this role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Lockwood Publishing operates within the mobile gaming industry, specifically focusing on social virtual world games like Avakin Life. This industry is characterized by rapid innovation, a strong emphasis on player community, and continuous content updates to maintain engagement.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated in the raw data, a company with a flagship live game like Avakin Life and a dedicated hiring process through Workable typically ranges from 50-250 employees, indicating a mid-sized organization with established teams and processes.

Founded: Lockwood Publishing was founded in 2013. This history suggests a company with experience in navigating the evolving mobile gaming landscape and a proven ability to develop and sustain a popular live service game.

Team Structure:

• The AI Product Designer will be part of cross-functional squads, implying a matrixed or agile team structure.

• These squads likely consist of Product Managers, Engineers, Artists, and other designers, fostering close collaboration.

• The role reports to the Creative Director, indicating a focus on the aesthetic and player experience quality alongside functional execution.

Methodology:

• The team operates using AI-first workflows, emphasizing rapid iteration and experimentation.

• Agile methodologies are implied by the mention of cross-functional squads and weekly value delivery.

• Data-driven decision-making is a core component, with an expectation to use player insights and A/B testing results to inform design.

• A strong focus on continuous optimization and iteration is central to the team's approach for live service games.

Company Website: https://www.lockwoodpublishing.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on a single, successful live game (Avakin Life) suggests a highly specialized and experienced team dedicated to its ongoing development and player satisfaction. The emphasis on AI integration points to a forward-thinking company willing to adopt new technologies to gain a competitive edge in the gaming market.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level AI Product Designer, suitable for individuals with 2-5 years of relevant experience. It requires hands-on execution and the ability to work independently within squad structures, but also implies a growing responsibility for shaping player experiences and contributing to strategic product decisions.

Reporting Structure: The designer reports to the Creative Director. This structure suggests that creative vision, user experience quality, and brand consistency are highly valued. It also indicates a direct line of influence on the game's aesthetic and player-facing elements.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role will be on improving key player metrics such as engagement, retention, and monetization. By designing and shipping features efficiently using AI, the designer directly contributes to the game's commercial success and player satisfaction, which are critical for a live service game's longevity.

Growth Opportunities:

• AI Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-driven design workflows, becoming a go-to person for AI tool integration and optimization within the design team.

• Product Leadership: Progress into a Senior Product Designer role, taking on more complex features, leading design initiatives, and mentoring junior designers.

• LiveOps Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in LiveOps, in-game economies, and monetization, becoming a key contributor to the game's ongoing revenue strategy.

• Cross-functional Influence: Expand influence across Product Management and Engineering, contributing more significantly to roadmap planning and strategic direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path here is strongly tied to specialization in AI within product design and deep expertise in the live service game domain. The "Success Looks Like" section in the original description ("Features ship quickly and consistently," "AI tools are used effectively," "Designs drive measurable improvements") clearly defines the trajectory for high performers.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is explicitly defined as REMOTE SOLELY, meaning there is no physical office requirement. The work environment is entirely virtual.

Office Location(s): The role is open to candidates located anywhere within the United Kingdom, allowing for a distributed team.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is entirely digital, relying on collaboration tools and cloud-based platforms for design and communication.

• Expect a highly collaborative virtual environment, with regular communication via video calls, instant messaging, and project management tools.

• Access to advanced design software and AI tools will be provided or expected as part of the standard toolkit.

• The environment likely fosters autonomy and self-direction, requiring strong time management and proactive communication.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week. Given the nature of live service games and contract roles, some flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines or address urgent issues, particularly concerning time zone alignment within the UK.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a fully remote role, the emphasis is on asynchronous communication and self-management. The company provides benefits like "Work From Home," reinforcing this environment. Successful candidates will need to be comfortable with digital collaboration tools and maintaining productivity without direct in-person supervision.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of your resume and portfolio to assess core qualifications, especially AI tool experience and shipped product examples.

• Hiring Manager/Creative Director Interview: Discussion about your background, design philosophy, approach to AI in design, and understanding of game design principles. Expect questions about your experience with Avakin Life or similar games.

• Portfolio Presentation/Design Challenge: You will likely be asked to present a selection of your best work, focusing on case studies that demonstrate your process, AI integration, and measurable impact. A small design challenge related to the game's features or player journeys might be given.

• Cross-functional Team Interview: Conversation with Product and Engineering team members to assess collaboration style, agile experience, and technical understanding.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss cultural fit and long-term contributions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• AI Integration Focus: Clearly highlight how you used AI tools (Claude, Figma AI, etc.) in your case studies. Detail the specific prompts, iterations, and outcomes achieved.

• Quantifiable Impact: For each case study, provide metrics demonstrating the impact of your designs on player engagement, retention, or monetization. Use data points and explain the context.

• Process Clarity: Walk through your design process step-by-step, emphasizing iterative loops, user testing, and data-informed decisions.

• Problem/Solution Framing: Clearly define the problem you were solving, your proposed solution, and the rationale behind your design choices, especially those influenced by AI.

• Conciseness and Relevance: Tailor your portfolio to showcase experience relevant to mobile games and live service operations. Prioritize quality over quantity.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with Avakin Life: its core gameplay loops, monetization strategies, and community features.

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach designing a specific feature or improving an existing player journey, incorporating AI.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, as if presenting to a mixed audience of designers, product managers, and engineers.

• Understand common game design metrics and how to measure success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI tools means your portfolio presentation should dedicate significant time to explaining your AI-driven design workflows. Be ready to discuss specific AI tools and techniques, not just generic design concepts. The "Success Looks Like" section in the job description should be a key guide for what they are looking for in candidates.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• AI/Generative AI: Claude, ChatGPT, Figma AI, Midjourney (essential for this role).

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly likely, given Figma AI mention), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Tools for analyzing player behavior, engagement, retention, and monetization metrics. Specific tools might include: GameAnalytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel, Firebase Analytics, or custom in-house solutions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how player data is managed and segmented for targeted features or LiveOps events is beneficial.

• Automation tools might be used for workflow optimization within the design team or for delivering in-game content/promotions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with Figma and its AI features is almost a given. The core differentiator here is the explicit requirement for hands-on experience with large language models (LLMs) like Claude and generative AI art tools like Midjourney for design ideation and asset creation. Familiarity with game analytics platforms is also crucial for demonstrating data-informed decision-making.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Speed & Iteration: A strong emphasis on rapid execution, continuous improvement, and shipping value frequently.

• Data-Driven Decisions: A commitment to using player data, analytics, and A/B testing to inform design choices and measure impact.

• Player-Centricity: A core focus on understanding and improving the player experience to foster engagement and retention.

• AI Integration: An openness and enthusiasm for leveraging AI to enhance design processes and team efficiency.

• Collaboration: A belief in the power of cross-functional teamwork to achieve shared goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Squads: Designers work closely with Product Managers and Engineers in agile teams, fostering a highly integrated workflow.

• Open Communication: Expect regular communication via Slack, video calls, and collaborative design tools.

• Feedback Culture: A culture that encourages constructive feedback on designs and processes to drive continuous improvement.

• Outcome-Oriented: The team is focused on delivering tangible results and measurable impact rather than just completing tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values align directly with the role's requirements: speed, data, player focus, and AI adoption are paramount. This suggests a dynamic and results-oriented environment where designers are empowered to experiment and drive change.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Iteration Demands: The need to design, test, and ship features very quickly can be demanding and requires efficient workflow management.

• AI Tool Proficiency & Evolution: Staying current with rapidly evolving AI tools and integrating them effectively into design workflows requires continuous learning.

• Balancing AI Generation with UX Fundamentals: Ensuring that AI-generated outputs align with strong UX principles and brand consistency requires careful curation and iteration.

• Measuring AI Impact: Quantifying the specific impact of AI-driven workflows on team velocity and design quality can be complex.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Tool Mastery: Become an expert in cutting-edge AI design tools and their application in game development.

• LiveOps & Monetization Specialization: Gain deep insights into the mechanics and strategy of live service game operations and revenue generation.

• Growth Frameworks: Learn and apply experimentation and growth methodologies to drive product improvements.

• Cross-functional Skill Development: Enhance collaboration and communication skills by working closely with Product and Engineering.

• Design System Contribution: Opportunity to contribute to or build design systems for scalable game design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly related to the innovative nature of the role—integrating AI and working in a fast-paced live service environment. The growth opportunities are geared towards deep specialization in AI design and the specific domain of mobile gaming operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you use AI tools like Claude or Figma AI to accelerate the design of a new in-game event for Avakin Life?" (Focus on process, specific AI prompts, and expected outcomes.)

• "Describe a time you used player data or A/B test results to significantly improve a feature's performance. How did you present these findings to stakeholders?" (Demonstrate data-informed decision-making and communication.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What aspects of Avakin Life's current player experience do you find most compelling, and where do you see opportunities for AI-driven innovation?" (Show research and strategic thinking about the game.)

• "How do you approach collaboration within a cross-functional, agile team, especially when working remotely?" (Assess teamwork and communication style.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• AI Integration Narrative: Dedicate a significant portion of your presentation to explaining how you used AI. Show specific examples of prompts, generated outputs, and your iterative refinement process.

• Quantifiable Results: For each case study, clearly state the problem, your solution, the AI tools used, and the resulting metrics (e.g., X% increase in engagement, Y% reduction in design time).

• Process Flow: Visually represent your design process, highlighting the stages where AI was integrated and how it impacted efficiency or outcomes.

• Concise Storytelling: Focus on 2-3 strong case studies that best represent your skills in AI-driven product design for live services.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss specific AI tools and practical applications. Generic answers about AI won't suffice. Demonstrate a clear understanding of how AI can translate into tangible improvements in speed, quality, and player experience for a game like Avakin Life.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this AI Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workable link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies that showcase your hands-on experience with AI design tools (Claude, Figma AI, etc.) and their impact on shipped features. Quantify results wherever possible.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords such as "AI Product Design," "Generative AI," "UX/UI Design," "Mobile Games," "LiveOps," "Figma AI," "Claude," and "Agile." Clearly state your years of experience and relevant achievements.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your AI design process and presenting your portfolio. Be ready to discuss how you would apply AI to improve player journeys within Avakin Life.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Lockwood Publishing, Avakin Life, and the mobile gaming industry. Understand their player base, monetization strategies, and recent updates to demonstrate genuine interest and insight.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.