Designer UI Freelance

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Designer UI Freelance (Contract)

Company: Sherpa

Location: Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Job Type: Contractor

Category: UI/UX Design Operations

Date Posted: June 10, 2026

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

Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the strategic redesign and modernization of user interfaces for both mobile (Nomad) and web (Unify) products, requiring a deep understanding of UI/UX best practices.

• The designer will be instrumental in enhancing the user experience of platforms used by hundreds of thousands of event participants globally, impacting engagement and usability.

• Key responsibilities include integrating the latest UI design trends and best practices to create more elegant, intuitive, and performant digital products.

• This is a contract position with the potential for full-time or part-time engagement, offering flexibility to adapt to project needs and candidate availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Designer UI Freelance," the scope of evolving interfaces for established products and influencing the visual and functional direction suggests a role with significant operational impact on product development and user engagement strategies. The company's focus on large-scale events implies a need for robust, scalable, and intuitive UI solutions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the redesign and modernization of UI for Sherpa's Nomad mobile application and Unify web platform, ensuring a cohesive and elevated user experience across both.

• Apply user-centered design principles and design thinking methodologies to translate user needs and business requirements into intuitive and aesthetically pleasing interface designs.

• Develop high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and detailed design specifications for development teams, ensuring clear communication of design intent.

• Conduct user research, usability testing, and gather feedback to iterate on designs, continuously improving the elegance, intuitiveness, and performance of the user interfaces.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, developers, and other stakeholders to ensure design feasibility, alignment with product strategy, and successful implementation of UI updates.

• Stay abreast of the latest UI design trends, technologies, and best practices in mobile and web design, and proactively recommend innovative solutions to enhance the user experience.

• Contribute to the evolution of Sherpa's design system, ensuring consistency and scalability across all product interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are framed around product evolution and user experience enhancement, which are critical operational functions for a technology company. The emphasis on integrating best practices and trends underscores the strategic importance of UI/UX in driving user adoption and satisfaction for Sherpa's event-focused platforms.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or equivalent experience in Interaction Design, Digital Design, or a related field. Experience:

• Proven experience in UI design for both mobile applications and web platforms is essential. This role requires a strong understanding of the distinct design considerations for each medium. Required Skills:

• UI Design Expertise: Demonstrated ability to create visually appealing, intuitive, and user-friendly interfaces for complex applications.

• Figma Proficiency: Expert-level command of Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design creation.

• Design Thinking & User-Centered Design: Strong understanding and practical application of user-centered design principles and design thinking methodologies.

• Mobile & Web Design Standards: Excellent grasp of UI principles, standards, and current trends for both mobile (iOS/Android) and web interfaces.

• Bilingualism (French-English): Fluency in both French and English, both written and spoken, is crucial for effective communication within the Montréal-based team and with a global user base.

• Prototyping Skills: Ability to create interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows.

• Problem-Solving & Synthesis: Strong analytical skills to identify user pain points and synthesize complex requirements into elegant design solutions.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication abilities to articulate design decisions and collaborate effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with advanced animation and prototyping tools (e.g., Framer, Principle).

• Proficiency with other design tools such as Sketch, Axure, or InVision.

• Familiarity with the Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator and Adobe XD.

• Knowledge of UI/UX best practices within the event technology or navigation solutions industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for both mobile and web UI experience, coupled with Figma mastery, points to a need for a designer capable of managing diverse design challenges within a unified product ecosystem. Bilingualism is a key operational requirement for this role in Montréal.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated UI Evolution: Showcase projects where you have successfully modernized or significantly improved existing user interfaces, highlighting the impact of your design changes.

• Mobile and Web Design Examples: Include distinct examples of UI design work for both native mobile applications (iOS/Android) and responsive web platforms, demonstrating versatility.

• Figma Proficiency Showcase: Present designs created in Figma, ideally including examples of interactive prototypes, component libraries, or design system elements.

• User-Centric Case Studies: Provide detailed case studies that illustrate your process from problem identification and user research through to final UI design and its outcomes, emphasizing user impact and problem-solving.

• Collaboration Evidence: If possible, include examples or descriptions of how you collaborated with development and product teams, demonstrating your ability to work within a project lifecycle.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Detail your approach to mapping user flows and information architecture for complex applications.

• Design Iteration: Explain your process for iterating on designs based on feedback, user testing, and performance data.

• System Integration: Briefly describe how your UI designs consider integration with existing or future backend systems and functionalities.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UI design role, the portfolio is paramount. The emphasis on demonstrating UI evolution, specific tool proficiency (Figma), and user-centric case studies highlights the need for tangible evidence of design impact and process. This aligns with operational expectations for designers to deliver measurable improvements.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

As this is a freelance contract role, compensation will be negotiated based on experience, skill level, and the scope of the contract (full-time vs. part-time). Based on industry standards for freelance UI designers with 2-5 years of experience in Montréal, a competitive hourly rate would typically range from CAD $45 to CAD $75 per hour.

Benefits:

• Contract Flexibility: Opportunity to work on a contract basis, offering potential for full-time or part-time engagement as per project needs and candidate availability.

• Project Impact: Chance to significantly influence the user experience of widely adopted products used by hundreds of thousands of global participants.

• Creative Autonomy: A role that encourages the integration of the latest design trends and best practices, offering creative freedom within defined project goals.

• Professional Development: Exposure to large-scale event technology and indoor navigation solutions, providing valuable industry-specific experience.

• Collaborative Environment: Work with a passionate team dedicated to delivering high-quality event experiences.

Working Hours:

The role is described as full-time or part-time, indicating flexibility. For a full-time engagement, standard working hours would be approximately 40 hours per week. For contract roles, specific project-based hours and deliverables will be agreed upon.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on typical freelance rates for mid-level UI designers in Montréal, Canada. The benefits listed are intrinsic to the nature of a contract role with a dynamic company. The flexibility in working hours is a key aspect of this freelance opportunity.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Event Management Software, Mobile Applications, Web Platforms. Sherpa operates at the intersection of technology and the large-scale event industry, providing digital solutions that enhance attendee experiences and facilitate navigation at major congresses and trade shows.

Company Size: The company description and job posting suggest a growing tech company. While an exact size isn't provided, the need for a freelance designer implies a lean but effective product development team.

Founded: Sherpa has established products (Nomad, Unify) that have been "widely adopted," indicating a company with a solid market presence and a history of product development.

Team Structure:

• The UI Designer will likely work within a product development team, collaborating closely with product managers, UX researchers (if available), and front-end developers.

• Reporting will likely be to a Product Lead, Design Lead, or Project Manager overseeing the Nomad and Unify platforms.

• Cross-functional collaboration is emphasized, requiring interaction with various departments to understand product goals and user needs across different event sectors. Methodology:

• User-Centric Design: The core methodology revolves around understanding and prioritizing the needs of event participants and organizers.

• Agile Development: While not explicitly stated, most tech companies operate with agile methodologies, implying iterative design and development cycles.

• Data-Driven Improvement: The goal of modernizing interfaces suggests a commitment to using data and user feedback to drive design decisions and improve product performance.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Sherpa's focus on the event industry means their technology needs to be robust, reliable, and user-friendly for a diverse, often non-technical, audience. The company culture likely values innovation, user satisfaction, and efficient problem-solving to meet the demands of high-stakes events.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level freelance UI Designer, requiring 2-5 years of experience. It's an opportunity to operate with a degree of autonomy on established products, influencing their future direction.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to a project lead or product manager, working closely with development teams. This structure allows for focused contribution to specific product streams.

Operations Impact: The UI Designer's work directly impacts user engagement, satisfaction, and the perceived professionalism of Sherpa's products. By modernizing interfaces, they contribute to customer retention, acquisition, and the overall success of the events utilizing Sherpa's platforms.

Growth Opportunities:

• Portfolio Expansion: Develop a robust portfolio showcasing significant UI overhauls and contributions to successful, widely-used digital products.

• Industry Specialization: Gain deep expertise in UI/UX design for the event technology sector, a niche but significant market.

• Advanced Tool Proficiency: Opportunity to hone skills in advanced prototyping and animation tools, enhancing marketability.

• Potential for Long-Term Engagement: Successful contract performance could lead to extended engagements or future project opportunities with Sherpa.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a freelance role, "growth" is often measured by the breadth and impact of projects, skill enhancement, and potential for future work. This role offers a chance to leave a visible mark on established products and gain specialized industry experience.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While the role is remote-friendly, the primary location is Montréal, Quebec, Canada. The company likely has a physical office, but the contract nature and remote OK status suggest flexibility.

Office Location(s): Montréal, Quebec, Canada.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Work: Candidates can expect to work remotely, requiring self-discipline and effective virtual collaboration tools.

• Collaborative Digital Tools: Reliance on tools like Figma, Slack, video conferencing, and project management software for communication and workflow.

• Cross-functional Interaction: Opportunities to engage with a diverse team of professionals across product, development, and potentially marketing/sales, fostering a dynamic work environment.

• Flexible Schedule: As a freelance contract, there's potential for a flexible schedule, provided project deadlines and core collaboration times are met.

Work Schedule: The role is advertised as full-time or part-time, offering flexibility. Standard business hours in Montréal (EST/EDT) are typical, but specific working times can often be negotiated for freelance positions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-friendly aspect is a significant draw for many designers. The environment will be digitally-driven, emphasizing asynchronous and synchronous communication through various online platforms.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and fit.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: An interview where you will likely present key projects from your portfolio, discussing your design process, decision-making, and the impact of your work. Expect questions about your experience with Figma, mobile/web design, and user-centered approaches.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: Potential for a design challenge or a deeper dive into your Figma skills and problem-solving abilities.

• Team/Culture Fit Interview: A conversation with key team members (e.g., product manager, lead developer) to assess collaboration style and cultural alignment.

• Contract/Offer Discussion: Final discussions regarding scope, deliverables, timeline, and compensation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your UI design skills for both mobile and web, focusing on those where you drove significant improvements or modernization.

• Highlight Figma Usage: Clearly show how you leverage Figma for your design process, from wireframing to prototyping and final asset delivery.

• Emphasize Process: For each project, walk through your problem-solving approach, user research, design decisions, and iterations. Explain why you made certain choices.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the positive outcomes of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, increased user engagement, positive user feedback).

• Showcase Bilingualism: If applicable, highlight any projects where your bilingual skills were an asset.

• Tailor to Sherpa: Briefly explain how your skills and experience align with Sherpa's mission and the specific needs of the Nomad and Unify platforms.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design exercise that might involve a short UI redesign task or a problem-solving scenario related to event app usability.

• Practice articulating your design process concisely and clearly.

• Have a strong understanding of current UI trends and best practices for mobile and web applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on your portfolio. Being able to articulate your design process, justify your decisions, and demonstrate tangible results is crucial for a successful application.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This is the core design tool required. Proficiency in creating user flows, wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and potentially component libraries is expected.

• Design Systems: Understanding and contributing to design systems for consistency across platforms.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary responsibility for this role, awareness of how UI design impacts user analytics (e.g., engagement metrics, conversion rates) is beneficial. Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics or similar for understanding user behavior. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this UI design role, but understanding how UI integrates with backend systems is important. Other Potential Tools (Preferred):

• Prototyping/Animation: Framer, Principle, Adobe XD.

• Design Software: Sketch, Adobe Illustrator, InVision.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly called out as a mandatory requirement. Experience with other design and prototyping tools is a strong plus, indicating a desire for a designer who is adaptable and potentially can introduce new tools or workflows to the team.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and serving the needs of event participants and organizers.

• Innovation: Embracing new design trends and technologies to enhance user experience and product performance.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve shared product goals.

• Efficiency: Designing intuitive and performant interfaces that streamline user interactions and event management.

• Quality: A commitment to delivering polished, professional, and reliable digital products.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Active participation in team meetings and discussions, providing design input throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Iterative Feedback: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback on designs and workflows.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share design insights, best practices, and learnings with team members.

• Agile Approach: Adapting to flexible timelines and project requirements, working collaboratively to meet evolving needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Sherpa's values likely reflect a blend of technology-driven innovation and a deep understanding of the event industry's demands for efficiency and user satisfaction. The collaboration style will be key for a remote freelance designer integrating into an existing team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Modernizing Legacy Products: Evolving established interfaces while maintaining user familiarity and addressing existing user needs can be complex.

• Balancing Mobile & Web Design: Ensuring a consistent yet optimized user experience across different screen sizes and interaction paradigms.

• Remote Collaboration: Effectively contributing and maintaining strong communication with a remote team.

• Meeting Diverse Event Needs: Designing for a broad range of event types and attendee demographics.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge of UI/UX design within the specialized event technology sector.

• Advanced Tool Mastery: Gain hands-on experience with advanced prototyping and animation tools like Framer.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Work on high-impact projects that can significantly boost a design portfolio.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Learn about product management, development processes, and the operational aspects of event technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a role focused on product evolution. The growth opportunities are significant for a freelance designer looking to build specialized experience and a strong portfolio.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach modernizing the UI of an established mobile application like Nomad, considering both new user acquisition and existing user retention?"

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting design requirements from different stakeholders. How did you resolve it?"

• "Walk us through your process for designing a new feature for a web platform like Unify, from initial concept to final handoff to development." Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Sherpa's mission and the event technology industry?"

• "How do you ensure effective communication and collaboration as a remote freelance designer?"

• "How do you measure the success of your UI designs, both quantitatively and qualitatively?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, your process, the solutions you implemented, and the results achieved.

• Focus on Figma: Demonstrate your mastery of Figma by showcasing complex prototypes, component usage, and workflow efficiency.

• Highlight UI Evolution: Emphasize projects where you directly contributed to modernizing or significantly improving existing interfaces.

• Showcase Bilingualism: If relevant, explain how your French-English skills facilitated specific aspects of a project or collaboration.

• Be Ready for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, trade-offs you made, and how you handle feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of UI/UX principles, practical application of Figma, and the ability to articulate design processes and impact, especially within the context of evolving established products.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Sherpa careers link provided.

• Customize Your Portfolio: Select and refine 2-3 key UI design projects that showcase your experience with both mobile and web interfaces, emphasizing any work involving modernization or significant UI improvements. Ensure these projects highlight your proficiency in Figma and your user-centered design process.

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience with UI design for mobile and web platforms, specific tool proficiencies (especially Figma), and your bilingual capabilities. Use keywords from the job description to ensure ATS compatibility.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on your design process, decision-making rationale, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss how you would approach the challenges of evolving Sherpa's Nomad and Unify platforms.

• Research Sherpa: Understand Sherpa's mission, their products (Nomad and Unify), and the event technology industry. Consider how your design approach can contribute to their goals of enhancing user engagement and event experience.

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