Founding UI/UX & Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Founding UI/UX & Graphic Designer

Company: Clera

Location: London, UK / San Francisco, US

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: UI/UX & Graphic Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-05

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

Remote Status: Hybrid / Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end UI/UX design for a premium AI-powered wearable consumer product's iOS application.

• Define and execute the visual brand identity across all digital touchpoints, including website, social media, and marketing communications.

• Develop compelling marketing collateral, event invitations, and campaign assets that embody a premium consumer brand.

• Establish and maintain a consistent, high-quality design language across the entire user experience.

• This is a foundational role with significant ownership and the potential to build and lead the design organization as the company scales.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is explicitly described as a "Founding" position, implying a high degree of autonomy and impact. The emphasis on "owning the entire visual presence" and "defining how users experience" the brand points to a strategic design leadership opportunity, not just an execution role. The mention of a Y Combinator backed startup and prototypes already on users' wrists indicates a fast-paced, early-stage environment requiring strong initiative and a proven ability to deliver.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and iterate on user interfaces and user experiences for the Clera iOS application, ensuring an intuitive and engaging user journey.

• Develop and implement a cohesive visual design system and brand guidelines that reflect a premium consumer hardware aesthetic.

• Create high-fidelity mockups, prototypes, and wireframes for app features, website elements, and marketing campaigns.

• Design visually appealing and effective marketing materials, including social media graphics, email templates, ad creatives, and launch collateral.

• Collaborate closely with the founding team, product managers, and engineers to translate product requirements into exceptional design solutions.

• Conduct user research and usability testing (as applicable for a founding designer) to inform design decisions and validate user experience improvements.

• Maintain and evolve the brand's visual identity across all digital platforms to ensure consistency and impact.

• Stay abreast of design trends, competitor activities, and emerging technologies in the consumer wearable and AI space.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are framed around "owning" and "leading" design across multiple platforms. This suggests a need for a candidate who can not only execute high-quality design work but also strategically define the brand's visual direction and user experience from the ground up. The "end-to-end" nature of the role implies involvement from concept to execution and ongoing refinement.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Interaction Design, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

• Candidates with education from top design schools (e.g., RCA, RISD, or equivalent) are considered a strong plus. Experience:

• 2-5 years of professional experience in UI/UX design and graphic design, with a significant focus on consumer-facing products.

• Proven experience designing for mobile applications (iOS preferred) and web platforms.

• Experience working in a startup environment or with early-stage companies is highly desirable.

• Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining brand identity systems. Required Skills:

• Outstanding Portfolio: This is the single most critical requirement. The portfolio must showcase exceptional taste, strong graphic design fundamentals, and a clear understanding of UI/UX principles. It should demonstrate impact and problem-solving.

• UI/UX Design: Expertise in user-centered design principles, wireframing, prototyping, and creating intuitive mobile app interfaces.

• Graphic Design: Strong skills in visual design, typography, color theory, layout, and brand identity development.

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in Figma for UI design, prototyping, and design system management.

• Brand Design: Ability to define, articulate, and implement a premium brand aesthetic across diverse digital touchpoints.

• Marketing Collateral Design: Experience creating engaging assets for social media, email campaigns, websites, and advertising.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with consumer hardware product design or wearables.

• Background at a consumer company renowned for its tasteful and high-quality design.

• Familiarity with user research methodologies and usability testing.

• Experience with motion design or animation for UI elements.

• Knowledge of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS) to better collaborate with engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on an "outstanding portfolio" as the "single most important factor" is a critical signal. Candidates should curate their portfolios to specifically highlight projects demonstrating premium consumer brand aesthetics, strong UI/UX for mobile apps, and effective marketing collateral. Highlighting problem-solving and the impact of their designs will be key. The "2-5 years" experience level suggests a need for demonstrated capability rather than extensive management experience, though leadership potential is valued.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end design process for at least one complex mobile application (iOS preferred), detailing problem identification, user flow, UI design, and final output.

• Include examples of brand identity development and application across multiple digital touchpoints (e.g., website, social media, marketing campaigns).

• Demonstrate proficiency in Figma, including examples of design systems, component libraries, or complex interactive prototypes.

• Present case studies that clearly articulate the design challenges, your specific contributions, the solutions implemented, and the measurable impact or outcomes.

• Highlight projects that reflect an exceptional aesthetic sensibility suited for a premium consumer hardware brand. Process Documentation:

• Clearly outline the design thinking or user-centered design process followed in your portfolio projects.

• Explain how user feedback or data was incorporated into your design iterations.

• Detail your approach to maintaining design consistency and quality across different platforms and assets.

• Describe your methods for collaborating with product managers and engineers during the design and development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a founding designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to serve as a comprehensive demonstration of not just aesthetic skill but also strategic thinking, process, and the ability to own a broad design spectrum. The expectation is that the portfolio will illustrate how the candidate approaches design challenges, collaborates, and delivers polished, brand-aligned results.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• USD: Approximately $150,000 USD per year.

• GBP: Approximately £75,000 GBP per year for London-based candidates.

Benefits:

• Meaningful Founding-Stage Equity: Opportunity for 1-2% equity, representing significant ownership in an early-stage company.

• Visa Sponsorship: H-1B transfers are considered, indicating support for qualified candidates already in the US on an H-1B visa.

• Imminent Funding Round: Backed by a top-tier accelerator, with a significant funding round expected to close soon, providing financial stability and growth capital.

• Ground-floor Opportunity: Chance to shape a product and brand from its inception.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, estimated at 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected in a startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary provided is a specific figure, not a range. The mention of "H-1B transfers only" for visa sponsorship is a crucial detail for international candidates. The equity offering is significant for a founding role and should be a major consideration. The salary for London is provided in GBP, reflecting local market considerations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consumer Wearable Technology, AI, Health & Wellness, Hardware.

Company Size: Early-stage startup, Y Combinator backed. Exact employee count not specified but implied to be small and lean, growing rapidly post-funding.

Founded: Founded recently, with prototypes already in user hands and a funding round imminent.

Team Structure:

• A small, agile founding team with deep expertise in consumer hardware from world-class backgrounds.

• The UI/UX & Graphic Designer will be one of the earliest hires, working directly with the founders.

• Expect a flat hierarchy and high degree of cross-functional collaboration. Methodology:

• Data-driven approach to product development, leveraging AI for emotional state analysis.

• Emphasis on user experience and building a premium brand.

• Agile and iterative design and development processes.

• Strong focus on innovation and pushing the boundaries of wearable technology.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Clera positions itself as a cutting-edge startup in the AI-powered wearable space, focused on emotional intelligence. The "Y Combinator" backing and "prototypes already on users' wrists" suggest a company that is past the ideation phase and is rapidly moving towards product launch and scaling. The culture is likely to be fast-paced, innovative, and highly collaborative, with a strong emphasis on user-centricity and premium brand building.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Founding Designer / Lead Designer (early stage). This role is positioned as the sole design authority initially, with the explicit goal of building and leading the design organization as the company scales.

Reporting Structure: Will report directly to the founders, likely the CEO or CTO, given the early stage.

Operations Impact: The designer will have a direct and profound impact on the company's product success, brand perception, and market positioning. Their work will be instrumental in defining the user experience of a novel consumer technology product.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Direct path to establishing and managing a design team, setting design strategy, and influencing product direction.

• Skill Specialization & Expansion: Opportunity to deepen expertise in UI/UX for wearables and AI, while also broadening skills in brand strategy, marketing design, and potentially product management.

• Industry Influence: Become a key player in the emerging field of AI-driven emotional intelligence wearables.

• Equity Growth: Potential for significant wealth creation through equity as the company grows and achieves milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a career-defining opportunity for a designer. The "founding" title and the explicit mention of building a design org indicate a trajectory towards leadership. Candidates should view this not just as a design execution role but as a chance to shape a company's visual identity and user experience from the ground up, with significant long-term growth potential.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company has primary offices in London, UK, and San Francisco, US. The role can be on-site in either location or considered for remote work depending on the candidate's location.

Office Location(s): London, UK and San Francisco, US. Specific addresses are not provided but imply modern, collaborative workspaces typical of tech startups.

Workspace Context:

• Expect a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment where collaboration and rapid iteration are key.

• The designer will likely have significant input into their workspace setup, whether in-office or remote.

• Access to cutting-edge technology and tools will be standard.

• Close interaction with a small, dedicated, and highly skilled founding team. Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time (approx. 40 hours/week), but flexibility is often required in early-stage startups to meet project deadlines and launch goals.

• The ability to work autonomously and manage one's own schedule effectively will be important.

📝 Enhancement Note: The flexibility in work arrangement (on-site or remote) is a significant benefit, especially for a founding role. However, the emphasis on "on-site in London (or San Francisco)" for the preferred candidate profile suggests that in-person collaboration might be highly valued, particularly in the early stages.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Portfolio Review: The most critical first step. Your portfolio must immediately impress with its aesthetic quality, design thinking, and relevance to premium consumer brands.

• Screening Call: Discussion about your background, experience, and fit for a founding role. May include initial questions about your design philosophy.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a take-home assignment or present a case study from your portfolio that demonstrates your problem-solving skills, design process, and ability to meet the brand's aesthetic requirements.

• Founder Interviews: In-depth discussions with the founding team to assess your strategic thinking, collaboration style, cultural fit, and vision for the brand's design.

• Final Round: Potentially a discussion about equity, role expectations, and final alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Ruthlessly: Select only your strongest, most relevant work. For this role, prioritize projects showcasing premium consumer aesthetics, mobile UI/UX, and brand identity.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, your design decisions, and the outcome or impact. Use visuals effectively to guide the viewer.

• Highlight Figma Mastery: If applicable, showcase your Figma skills, design systems, or complex prototypes.

• Demonstrate Brand Sensibility: Explicitly show how you approach building and maintaining a premium brand's visual language.

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Have detailed talking points ready for every project in your portfolio, especially regarding your design rationale and problem-solving approach.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Thoroughly research Clera, its mission, the product, and its target audience. Understand what "premium AI-powered wearable" means visually and experientially.

• Focus on Problem-Solving: If given a challenge, focus on understanding the core problem before jumping to solutions. Show your thought process.

• Emphasize Efficiency & Impact: Demonstrate how your design solutions are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional, user-friendly, and contribute to business goals.

• Practice Presentation: Be prepared to articulate your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when presenting your portfolio or design challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes the portfolio. Candidates should prepare to walk through their projects in detail, explaining their design decisions and demonstrating their strategic thinking. The focus will be on assessing not just technical skill but also cultural fit and the ability to operate autonomously in a founding capacity.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI/UX design, prototyping, and design system management. Advanced proficiency is expected.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects (or similar motion design tools) for graphic design, image editing, and potentially animation/motion graphics.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma has robust prototyping capabilities, familiarity with dedicated tools like ProtoPie or Principle might be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a design tool, understanding how design impacts user behavior metrics (e.g., engagement, retention, conversion) is crucial. Familiarity with analytics platforms like Google Analytics, Amplitude, or Mixpanel could be advantageous for understanding user interaction with the app and website. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the designer's core role, but awareness of how design assets are used in marketing automation platforms (e.g., for email campaigns) could be helpful.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma is key. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate deep expertise in this tool. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is also standard for graphic design roles. While direct experience with analytics tools isn't required, an understanding of how design influences user behavior metrics is a valuable asset for a founding designer.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Design Excellence: A commitment to creating visually stunning, intuitive, and high-quality user experiences that define a premium brand.

• User-Centricity: Designing with the end-user's needs, emotions, and journey at the forefront.

• Innovation: Pushing the boundaries of design and technology in the wearable and AI space.

• Collaboration & Ownership: Working effectively with the founding team, taking initiative, and owning design outcomes.

• Data-Informed Design: Using insights and feedback to iterate and improve designs.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with founders and future team members.

• Open communication and constructive feedback are expected.

• Cross-functional teamwork between design, product, and engineering is essential.

• A proactive approach to problem-solving and contributing to the overall vision of the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values likely revolve around innovation, user focus, and a strong commitment to design quality, aligning with the premium nature of their product. The collaborative, ownership-driven culture is typical of early-stage startups, requiring designers to be adaptable and proactive.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Defining a New Category: Being the first to establish the visual language and user experience for a novel AI-powered emotional intelligence wearable.

• Balancing Polish with Speed: Delivering high-quality, premium designs in a fast-paced startup environment with rapid iteration cycles.

• Broad Design Scope: Owning UI/UX for an app, web design, and extensive marketing collateral simultaneously.

• Scaling Design: Building the design function from scratch and potentially leading a team as the company grows.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Wearable Tech & AI: Gain specialized knowledge in designing for cutting-edge hardware and AI applications.

• Brand Building from Scratch: Develop extensive experience in shaping a brand's identity and visual strategy from its inception.

• Leadership Experience: Opportunity to build and manage a design team, hone leadership skills, and influence company strategy.

• Industry Exposure: Connect with the Y Combinator network and other industry leaders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to a founding role in an innovative startup. The growth opportunities are significant, focusing on leadership, specialized industry knowledge, and the chance to build something impactful from the ground up.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach defining the visual identity for a premium AI-powered wearable focused on emotional intelligence?" (Prepare to discuss brand archetypes, color palettes, typography, and overall aesthetic direction.)

• "Walk us through your process for designing a new feature in the Clera iOS app, from concept to final UI." (Focus on user-centered design, iteration, and collaboration.)

• "Describe a time you had to balance aesthetic quality with rapid development timelines. How did you ensure both were met?" (Highlight your prioritization and problem-solving skills.)

• "How do you ensure design consistency across multiple platforms like mobile apps, websites, and marketing materials?" (Discuss your approach to design systems, style guides, and asset management.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Clera's mission and the product we're building?" (Show genuine interest and understanding of the company's vision.)

• "How do you see your role evolving as Clera grows and scales?" (Demonstrate ambition and a long-term perspective.)

• "Describe your ideal collaboration style with founders and engineers." (Emphasize open communication, feedback, and a proactive approach.)

• "What does 'premium' mean to you in the context of consumer hardware design?" (Articulate your aesthetic values and understanding of luxury/high-end products.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly state the problem, your specific contribution, the solution, and the outcome or impact. Quantify results where possible.

• Showcase Your Process: Don't just show final screens; explain your thought process, sketches, wireframes, and iterations.

• Highlight Brand Sensibility: Emphasize projects where you've developed or applied a strong brand identity, especially for premium consumer products.

• Demonstrate Figma Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your Figma workflow, any design systems you've built, and how you leverage its features for efficiency.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Practice your narrative to keep interviewers engaged and ensure you cover the key points efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, an understanding of premium branding, and the ability to execute a broad range of design tasks within a startup context. The portfolio is the primary tool for this, so practicing how to present it effectively is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this founding designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Ensure they highlight your UI/UX for mobile apps, graphic design, and brand identity skills, with a clear emphasis on premium consumer aesthetics.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience relevant to startups, consumer hardware, UI/UX for mobile, and graphic design. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design philosophy, your process, and why you are a great fit for a founding role at Clera. Practice walking through your portfolio projects.

• Research Clera: Understand their mission, product, target audience, and the Y Combinator ecosystem. Be prepared to discuss your vision for the brand's design.

⚠️ 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.