Brand Design Manager - Remote

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Design Manager - Remote

Company: Replika

Location: Remote (with specified EMEA and LATAM locations, and a requirement for US-based candidates)

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Brand Design / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-07

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (Implied by responsibilities and '5-10' years AI experience estimate)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the conceptualization and design of a brand-new AI product, focusing on its core functions and user experience rather than just the interface.

• Translate novel AI capabilities into meaningful product features that enhance users' daily lives, outlook, or experiences.

• Drive innovation by generating unique, original product concepts and mechanics that push the boundaries of applied AI.

• Execute a rapid prototyping and testing methodology to quickly ship working concepts and iterate based on user feedback.

• Uphold a high bar for originality, rejecting derivative ideas and championing the development of a truly one-of-a-kind product.

• Collaborate closely with product management, engineering teams, and company founders to bring innovative product ideas to fruition.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is described as "conceptual," "product design," and "inventing functions" rather than UI. This suggests a strong emphasis on strategic product thinking and innovation, aligning more with a Product Designer or even Product Manager role with a strong design background, rather than a traditional brand designer focused solely on visual identity. The requirement for "5-10 years AI experience" in the AI summary is unusually high for a 'Brand Design Manager' and might indicate a typo or a highly specialized role. Given the description, it's more likely seeking extensive experience in designing AI-driven products.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Invent and design the fundamental functions, interactions, and overall experience of a new AI product from its inception.

• Transform raw AI capabilities into intuitive and impactful user-facing features that demonstrably improve user outcomes.

• Generate a steady stream of novel ideas and product mechanics, prioritizing originality and uniqueness.

• Rapidly prototype and test concepts to validate ideas and accelerate the learning and iteration cycle.

• Actively challenge and refine concepts to ensure they are distinct, innovative, and meet a high standard of user value.

• Partner cross-functionally with product, engineering, and leadership to guide concepts from ideation through to implementation within the product.

• Champion a user-centric approach to product development, ensuring that technical advancements are translated into genuine human benefit.

• Contribute to the overall product strategy by identifying new opportunities and innovative applications of AI technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "designing the product itself, not just the interface" and "inventing the functions, the moments, the way the whole thing works and feels, from a blank page" strongly suggests a role that bridges product strategy and design. The responsibilities are geared towards innovation and product invention, requiring a deep understanding of how to leverage AI for user benefit.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for roles of this nature. A strong portfolio demonstrating conceptual product design will be paramount.

Experience: Proven experience in product design, conceptualizing and developing new product experiences, preferably within the technology or AI sector. A history of shipping innovative concepts and a demonstrated ability to work from a blank slate are crucial. The AI summary suggests 5-10 years of experience, particularly in AI-related product development.

Required Skills:

• Conceptual Product Design: Ability to design the core functionality and user experience of a product, not just its visual interface.

• Original Idea Generation: Demonstrated capacity for creating novel concepts and product mechanics.

• Rapid Prototyping: Proficiency in quickly building and testing functional concepts using tools like Figma, motion design software, or even code.

• User Experience (UX) Design: Deep understanding of user needs and how to translate technical capabilities into meaningful user benefits.

• AI Product Development: Experience or a strong understanding of how to leverage AI capabilities to create engaging and valuable user experiences.

• Agile Development Mindset: Bias for speed, iteration, and learning from shipped concepts.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with engineering, product, and leadership teams.

• Strong Communication & Presentation Skills: Ability to articulate complex ideas and present prototypes effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI, conversational, or emotionally engaging products.

• Proven track record of taking a product concept from ideation to user adoption and satisfaction.

• A diverse portfolio showcasing concepts, prototypes, and products that highlight range and originality.

• Proficiency in multiple prototyping tools beyond Figma, such as motion design, code, Keynote, or paper prototyping.

• Familiarity and practical experience with AI tools for exploration and accelerated development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Bonus Points" section strongly implies preferred skills, particularly those related to AI product experience, rapid prototyping across various mediums, and a demonstrated history of successful product launches. The "5-10 years" experience mentioned in the AI summary is a critical data point that should be considered alongside the job description.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio that prominently features original product concepts and invented functionalities, not just polished UI screens.

• Case studies detailing the process of transforming AI capabilities into user-centric product features.

• Examples of rapid prototyping and iterative development, showcasing how concepts were tested and refined.

• Demonstrations of how you have taken a product idea from a blank page to a tangible, user-tested concept.

• Evidence of originality, highlighting projects where you introduced new mechanics or approaches.

• Documentation of user testing or feedback loops that informed product design decisions. Process Documentation:

• Detailed case studies outlining the end-to-end process of designing a product concept, from initial ideation to functional prototype.

• Explanation of your methodology for translating technical capabilities (especially AI) into user-facing features.

• Examples of your rapid iteration cycles, including how you identified learning opportunities and adapted designs.

• Documentation of how you collaborated with engineering and product teams to bring concepts to life.

• Evidence of your approach to maintaining a high standard of originality and rejecting generic solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on conceptualization and rapid iteration, the portfolio should prioritize showcasing the process of invention and validation over final, polished deliverables. The ability to demonstrate how an idea was conceived, prototyped, and tested to prove its viability will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a remote role with specified locations across EMEA and a requirement for US candidates, salary will vary significantly by region. For a Brand Design Manager with 5-10 years of experience in a rapidly growing tech company, especially one focused on AI, typical ranges in the US could be between $100,000 - $150,000+ USD annually, depending on specific location and experience. In major European hubs like London or Berlin, this might translate to €80,000 - €120,000+ annually.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package.

• Flexible job schedule, allowing for work-life balance and autonomy.

• Generous vacation policy, encouraging time off and employee well-being.

• Unlimited access to the latest AI coding assistants, supporting efficiency and innovation.

• Opportunity to work in a "no corporate bs" environment, suggesting a lean and agile culture.

• Direct, significant impact on millions of users within months of product launch.

• Exposure to cutting-edge applied AI in a consumer-facing context.

Working Hours: The role is fully remote and offers a flexible job schedule, implying that while a standard 40-hour work week is likely expected, there may be flexibility in when those hours are worked, provided deliverables are met and collaboration with global teams is managed effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in tech, considering the company's focus on AI and the specified remote locations. The benefits highlight a culture that values autonomy, rapid impact, and innovation, with a clear rejection of bureaucratic processes.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Consumer Technology, Social/Companion Apps. Replika operates at the intersection of AI development and consumer engagement, aiming to create emotionally resonant digital experiences.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of "35M+ users" and "scaling fast" suggests a mid-to-large-sized startup or a rapidly growing tech company. The AI summary indicates a potential team size around 50-200 employees (based on typical "5-10 years AI experience" roles in such companies).

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company's focus on AI and rapid user growth suggests it is a relatively modern tech company, likely founded in the last 5-10 years to capitalize on advancements in AI.

Team Structure:

• Product-Focused: The team is likely structured around product development, with close collaboration between product, engineering, and design.

• Lean & Agile: The "no corporate bs" ethos points to a streamlined organizational structure that prioritizes speed and direct impact.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role requires direct interaction with founders, product managers, and engineers, indicating a highly collaborative environment.

Methodology:

• Concept-Driven Innovation: Emphasis on generating original ideas and quickly turning them into tangible concepts.

• Rapid Iteration: A philosophy of "ship working concepts fast. A rough thing people can feel beats a beautiful deck describing it. Prototype, test, learn, repeat."

• User-Centricity: Focus on translating technical capabilities into meaningful improvements for the user's daily life.

• Data-Informed Decisions: While creativity is key, user feedback and testing are implied to guide iteration.

Company Website: https://careers.replika.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be fast-paced, innovative, and user-focused, with a strong emphasis on direct impact and minimal bureaucracy. The AI product focus means that staying abreast of AI advancements and their application is likely a core part of the company's operational ethos.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Brand Design Manager" with a focus on inventing product experiences. It's a senior-level individual contributor role with significant strategic input. The emphasis is on conceptual leadership and execution, rather than managing a team of designers. It requires a blend of strategic product thinking, deep design expertise, and a hands-on approach.

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to leadership (founders, product leads) and works closely with product and engineering teams. There is no explicit mention of direct reports for this role, suggesting it's an individual contributor position with high influence.

Operations Impact: The Brand Design Manager will have a direct and profound impact on the success of a new AI product. By defining its core functions and user experience, this role will shape how millions of users interact with and perceive the product, directly influencing user engagement, retention, and overall product-market fit. The ability to translate complex AI capabilities into desirable and meaningful user experiences is critical to the product's adoption and success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Product Innovation Leadership: Opportunity to lead the conceptualization and early development of groundbreaking AI products.

• Deep AI Product Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in designing for AI, conversational interfaces, and emotionally engaging applications.

• Cross-Functional Influence: Gain experience working closely with founders and engineering on strategic product decisions.

• Impact at Scale: Contribute to products used by tens of millions of users, offering significant career recognition.

• Skill Expansion: Potential to explore new prototyping methods, AI tools, and product development strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity for a designer to act as a product inventor, shaping the very essence of a new AI offering. Growth will likely come from successfully launching innovative products and deepening expertise in the rapidly evolving field of AI product design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. The company embraces a distributed workforce, eliminating the need for a physical office presence for this role.

Office Location(s): While the role is fully remote, the company lists numerous EMEA locations (Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom) and LATAM locations (Brazil, Argentina), with a specific requirement for candidates based in the United States. This indicates a global team with distributed employees.

Workspace Context:

• Autonomy and Flexibility: The remote nature and flexible schedule empower individuals to design their work environment and hours.

• Technology-Centric: Access to cutting-edge AI tools and a focus on digital collaboration platforms.

• Global Collaboration: The opportunity to work with a diverse, international team, requiring strong remote communication skills.

• Innovation Hub: A virtual workspace that encourages creativity, rapid prototyping, and direct contribution to product development.

Work Schedule: Flexible job schedule, indicating that while a full-time commitment is expected, there's likely latitude in structuring the workday to accommodate personal needs and global team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote and flexible nature of the role is a key feature, appealing to professionals who value autonomy and work-life integration. The company's distributed presence across multiple continents suggests a need for asynchronous communication skills and cultural adaptability.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess conceptual design skills, originality, and relevant experience.

• Conceptual Challenge/Portfolio Review: A deep dive into the candidate's portfolio, focusing on conceptual product design, invented functionalities, and rapid prototyping processes. Expect to discuss specific case studies in detail.

• Product Vision & Strategy Discussion: Interviews with product leads and founders to assess understanding of AI capabilities, product vision, and ability to translate technology into user value.

• Technical/Prototyping Session: Potentially a hands-on session or discussion about how the candidate would approach prototyping a specific AI concept.

• Cultural Fit & Collaboration Assessment: Evaluation of how the candidate collaborates, their approach to speed and iteration, and their fit within a "no corporate bs" environment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Prioritize Concepts: Showcase projects where you invented core product functions or unique user experiences.

• Demonstrate Process: Clearly articulate your thought process, from initial ideation to prototyping and iteration. Use visuals to show how ideas evolved.

• Highlight Originality: Emphasize projects that were genuinely new or approached problems in a unique way. Explain why your solution was original.

• Show Speed & Iteration: Include examples of rapid prototyping and how user feedback or testing informed design changes.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): While challenging for conceptual roles, try to describe the potential user impact or the learning gained from a prototype.

• Tool Agnosticism: If you've used various tools effectively (Figma, motion, code, etc.), showcase that versatility.

Challenge Preparation:

• Think "Concept First": Practice brainstorming product ideas based on hypothetical AI capabilities.

• Rapid Prototyping Practice: Be ready to quickly sketch or wireframe ideas to demonstrate functionality.

• Articulate "Why": Prepare to explain the rationale behind your design choices, focusing on user benefit and originality.

• Understand AI Potential: Familiarize yourself with current AI capabilities and their potential applications in consumer products.

• Embrace Iteration: Be ready to discuss how you would test and refine an initial concept.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh conceptual thinking and a demonstrated ability to innovate. The portfolio is not just a showcase of work but a tool to demonstrate a specific design methodology focused on invention and rapid validation.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Likely the primary tool for wireframing, prototyping, and UI design, given its industry prevalence.

• Motion Design Tools: Such as After Effects, Principle, or similar, for creating dynamic prototypes and conveying interaction.

• Prototyping Tools (Broader): Candidates are encouraged to use whatever gets the idea across fastest, which could include Keynote, specialized prototyping software, or even code.

• AI Tools: Explicitly mentioned as being available and encouraged for use in exploration and development (e.g., AI coding assistants, generative AI tools).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, an understanding of user analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel) would be beneficial for understanding user behavior post-launch and informing iterations. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to this role, as it's focused on product invention rather than sales or marketing operations. However, an understanding of how products connect to user databases or engagement platforms is implied.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is on flexibility and speed in tool usage. The company encourages leveraging AI tools directly in the design process, signaling a forward-thinking approach to leveraging technology for creative output.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Originality: A core value, driving the rejection of derivative ideas and the pursuit of unique product concepts.

• Speed & Iteration: A strong bias for action, rapid prototyping, and continuous learning through shipping.

• Impact: Focus on creating products that meaningfully change users' lives and reach millions of people.

• Hands-on & Self-Directed: Expectation that individuals take initiative, drive their own projects, and don't require constant oversight.

• Simplicity & Directness: The "no corporate bs" mantra suggests a culture that values clear communication and efficient processes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Close working relationships with product, engineering, and founders are essential.

• Idea-Driven: Discussions are likely centered around concepts, prototypes, and user feedback, rather than hierarchical approvals.

• Agile & Iterative: A collaborative environment that embraces experimentation and learning from failures.

• Direct Communication: Open and honest feedback is likely encouraged to foster innovation and speed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture seems to be built around innovation, speed, and direct impact. It's likely a high-energy environment where individuals are empowered to make significant contributions and are comfortable with rapid change and experimentation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Defining the "Unknown": The primary challenge is to invent a product from a blank page, which requires significant creativity, foresight, and risk-taking.

• Balancing Speed and Originality: The need to "ship fast" while also ensuring concepts are genuinely original can be a tension to manage.

• Translating AI Potential: Effectively translating nascent AI capabilities into user-friendly and impactful functions requires deep insight and creativity.

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working in a ground-zero environment with minimal predefined structures or processes.

• Cross-Continental Collaboration: Managing communication and workflow effectively across different time zones and cultures.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Pioneering AI Product Design: Gain unparalleled experience in a rapidly evolving field, shaping the future of AI interaction.

• Strategic Product Influence: Direct involvement in defining product vision and strategy at a foundational level.

• Mastering Rapid Prototyping: Hone skills in quickly visualizing and testing complex ideas across various mediums.

• Industry Leadership: Opportunity to become a thought leader in AI-driven product innovation.

• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Tech: Constant engagement with new AI advancements and their application.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a significant challenge for designers who thrive on ambiguity and innovation. The growth opportunities are substantial for those who can successfully navigate these challenges and contribute to defining the next generation of AI products.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you invented a product feature or experience from scratch. What was your process, and what was the outcome?"

• "Given a new AI capability (e.g., advanced natural language understanding), how would you brainstorm its potential product applications? Walk me through your thought process."

• "How do you balance the need for rapid prototyping and shipping with the pursuit of truly original ideas?"

• "Tell me about a product you admire that you believe is truly 'one of a kind.' What makes it so unique, and how might you have arrived at those design decisions?"

• "Imagine you have a raw AI technical capability. How would you translate that into a function that significantly improves a user's day?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Replika's mission and its approach to AI companionship?"

• "How do you align with a 'no corporate bs' culture and a bias for speed?"

• "Describe your ideal remote work environment and how you maintain productivity and collaboration."

• "What does 'designing the product itself, not just the interface' mean to you?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the "Why": For each project, clearly articulate the problem or opportunity and your unique conceptual approach.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals, prototypes, and flow diagrams to illustrate your invented functions and experiences.

• Emphasize Process: Detail your steps from ideation to validation, highlighting how you iterated and learned.

• Highlight Originality: Explicitly point out what made your solution novel or unexpected.

• Discuss Trade-offs: Be prepared to talk about the decisions you made, especially regarding speed vs. polish, and what you might do differently.

• Connect to AI: If applicable, explain how your design leveraged or imagined the use of AI capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a conceptual mindset, a bias for action, and a deep understanding of how to translate technology into user value. Be ready to showcase your process and originality through your portfolio.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the Replika Careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in product design, conceptual innovation, rapid prototyping, and any work with AI or new technologies. Quantify achievements where possible, focusing on invention and impact.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Prioritize case studies that showcase your ability to invent product functions and experiences from a blank slate. Emphasize originality and your rapid iteration process. Ensure it's easily navigable and visually compelling.

• Prepare for Conceptual Questions: Practice articulating your design process, how you generate original ideas, and how you translate technical capabilities into user benefits, especially concerning AI.

• Research Replika: Understand their mission, user base, and existing products to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit. Focus on their goal of creating human-like AI companions.

⚠️ 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.