High Craft UI Designer (AR/VR)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: High Craft UI Designer (AR/VR)

Company: TEKsystems

Location: San Francisco, California, United States

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Art & Design / UI/UX Design

Date Posted: September 1, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (4+ years implied)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Design high-fidelity, production-ready user interfaces specifically for VR and wearable device experiences, demanding a strong emphasis on visual craft and detailed execution.

• Develop end-to-end user flows, encompassing information architecture, wireframing, and final visual design, to create intuitive and engaging digital interactions.

• Collaborate closely with product, engineering, and design teams to ensure seamless integration of UI designs into cutting-edge technology platforms.

• Contribute to and maintain scalable design systems, ensuring visual consistency and efficient design iteration across multiple product initiatives.

• Translate complex product requirements into elegant, user-friendly interface solutions that meet high standards of usability and visual excellence.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core focus is UI design craft, the role's emphasis on VR/AR/wearable technology suggests a need for understanding spatial design principles and 3D interaction paradigms, even if not explicitly stated as a prerequisite. The "High Craft" designation implies a significant focus on aesthetic quality and attention to detail beyond standard UI practices.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce high-fidelity, production-ready user interfaces tailored for Virtual Reality (VR) and wearable device experiences.

• Architect and visualize complete user flows, from initial information architecture and wireframing stages through to final visual design specifications.

• Translate abstract product requirements and user needs into concrete, intuitive, and visually compelling interface solutions.

• Engage in close collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders, including Product Managers, Software Engineers, and fellow Designers, to ensure cohesive product development.

• Uphold and advance visual consistency across diverse user experiences, contributing actively to the evolution and maintenance of scalable design systems.

• Iterate rapidly on design concepts based on feedback, effectively managing multiple projects and shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Proactively adapt to evolving business needs and provide design support for a variety of product initiatives, demonstrating flexibility and a broad understanding of product lifecycle.

• Deliver polished, high-quality design assets that adhere to stringent standards for usability, functional excellence, and exceptional visual craftsmanship.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "translate complex requirements into elegant, user-friendly experiences" highlights the need for strong problem-solving skills and the ability to simplify intricate functionalities into intuitive interfaces, particularly within the novel contexts of VR/AR.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is typically expected for mid-level design roles and would be beneficial.

Experience: 4+ years of dedicated experience in UI, visual, or product design, with a proven track record of delivering polished digital products.

Required Skills:

• A robust portfolio showcasing exceptional visual design craft, attention to detail, and a strong command of UI execution.

• Expert-level understanding of fundamental design principles, including typography, color theory, layout composition, spacing, iconography, and grid systems.

• Advanced proficiency in Figma and other modern, industry-standard design and prototyping tools.

• Demonstrated experience in designing end-to-end user experiences and interface flows for digital products.

• Proven ability to manage multiple complex workstreams concurrently and adapt to rapidly changing priorities.

• Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring the highest quality and craftsmanship in all deliverables.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, coupled with effective collaboration abilities across diverse teams. Preferred Skills:

• Direct experience designing user interfaces for VR, AR, XR, wearable technology, or other emerging device platforms.

• A background in designing for device UIs, operating systems, platform experiences, or hardware-adjacent products.

• Experience with motion design principles or practical motion design skills.

• Experience contributing to or actively maintaining established design systems.

• Experience working within large-scale consumer product environments, understanding the complexities of widespread adoption.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "NYC-based candidates strongly preferred" note, despite the role being remote, suggests a potential preference for candidates familiar with a specific design culture or client base often associated with that region, or it could indicate a historical preference that hasn't been fully updated for the remote nature of the role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 4+ years of UI, visual, or product design work, emphasizing high-fidelity mockups and production-ready assets.

• Include case studies that clearly articulate your design process, from initial problem definition and user research (if applicable) through to final visual execution and rationale.

• Demonstrate mastery of design fundamentals: typography, color, layout, spacing, and iconography, with examples that highlight exceptional craftsmanship.

• Feature projects that illustrate your ability to design end-to-end user flows and information architecture for digital products.

• Highlight experience with Figma or similar modern design tools, showcasing complex interface designs and system components. Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio project, detail the problem statement, your role and responsibilities, the design process undertaken, key decisions made, and the final outcomes or impact.

• Clearly illustrate how you translated product requirements into intuitive and visually engaging interface solutions, explaining your design rationale.

• Showcase examples of maintaining visual consistency and contributing to design systems, if applicable.

• Provide evidence of iterative design based on feedback and your ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "High Craft" emphasis, the portfolio should strongly feature visually stunning and meticulously executed interfaces, not just functional ones. The ability to articulate the why behind design choices, especially concerning visual appeal and user engagement in immersive environments, will be critical.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $90.00 - $110.00 per hour. This range is competitive for experienced UI Designers in the current contract market, especially for specialized roles in emerging technologies.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.

• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital insurance options.

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with pre-tax and Roth post-tax contribution options.

• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents).

• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.

• Health Spending Account (HSA).

• Transportation benefits.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation, or Sick Leave) as per policy.

Working Hours: The role implies a standard 40-hour work week, typical for contract positions. Flexibility may exist given the remote nature, but consistent availability for collaboration during core business hours is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range of $90-$110/hr is substantial and reflects the specialized nature of AR/VR UI design and the "High Craft" requirement, positioning it as a senior-level contract role. The benefits package is comprehensive for a contract position, indicating TEKsystems' commitment to supporting their contractors.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Services and Staffing (TEKsystems is a major player in IT staffing and services). The specific project is within the cutting-edge realm of immersive technology (VR/AR/wearable devices), likely for a client within the tech, gaming, or advanced R&D sectors.

Company Size: TEKsystems is part of Allegis Group, a global leader in talent solutions, with 80,000 employees worldwide and serving over 6,000 clients. This indicates a large, established organization providing robust support and resources.

Founded: TEKsystems was founded in 1983, with a long history in the IT staffing and services industry. This longevity suggests stability and deep industry expertise.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of a project team likely embedded within a client's organization, focusing on AR/VR and immersive technology development.

• The UI Designer will report to a Design Lead or Project Manager within the client's product development or engineering department, with close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers.

• Cross-functional collaboration is central, involving close partnerships with engineering teams for implementation feasibility and product teams for requirement alignment. Methodology:

• Design projects will likely follow agile or iterative development methodologies, requiring rapid prototyping and frequent feedback loops.

• Emphasis on data-informed design and user feedback to refine interfaces, especially within the experimental nature of AR/VR.

• Collaboration will be facilitated through digital tools, with a focus on clear communication and shared understanding of design goals and technical constraints.

Company Website: https://careers.teksystems.com/us/en

📝 Enhancement Note: TEKsystems acts as an intermediary, placing talent within client organizations. While TEKsystems has its own culture, the day-to-day experience will be heavily influenced by the client's culture and the specific project team. The "About TEKsystems" sections highlight their scale, partnership approach, and commitment to transformation, suggesting a professional and results-oriented environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is classified as a High Craft UI Designer, implying a mid-to-senior level of experience (4+ years). It focuses on specialized, high-quality execution within a niche area of design (AR/VR).

Reporting Structure: As a contract role, the designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Project Lead within the client organization. Direct day-to-day supervision will focus on project deliverables and adherence to design specifications.

Operations Impact: The UI Designer's work directly impacts the user experience of next-generation immersive technology. Success means creating intuitive, visually appealing interfaces that enhance user engagement, drive adoption of new devices, and contribute to the client's competitive advantage in the AR/VR market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AR/VR UI design, spatial computing interfaces, and potentially motion design within immersive environments.

• Portfolio Expansion: Build a strong portfolio with cutting-edge projects in a high-demand field, attracting future opportunities in immersive technology.

• Cross-Functional Learning: Gain exposure to engineering challenges and product strategy in the development of new hardware and software platforms.

• Contract-to-Hire Potential: While not explicitly stated, successful contract engagements can sometimes lead to full-time opportunities with the client.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contractor role, "growth" is often measured by the acquisition of new skills, project experience, and expanding one's professional network, which can lead to more lucrative or interesting future engagements. The "High Craft" aspect suggests an opportunity to elevate one's design portfolio significantly.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is advertised as "fully remote." This indicates that the designer will work from their own home office or a co-working space.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the preferred location is San Francisco, California, and NYC-based candidates are also mentioned. This might suggest that some client meetings or team syncs could occur in these locations if needed, or it's a preference for time zone alignment with teams based there.

Workspace Context:

• The remote nature requires self-discipline, excellent time management, and proactive communication.

• Access to reliable internet, a suitable workspace, and necessary personal hardware/software (beyond what the client provides) is essential.

• Collaboration will primarily occur via video conferencing, instant messaging, and collaborative design platforms.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is implied. While remote work offers flexibility, availability during core business hours for team syncs, stand-ups, and collaborative design sessions is crucial for effective team integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "fully remote" status is a significant draw for many candidates, offering flexibility. However, for specialized roles like AR/VR design, strong remote collaboration skills and the ability to convey design intent effectively through digital means are paramount.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a recruiter screen with TEKsystems to assess basic qualifications, experience, and alignment with contract terms.

• Portfolio Review: A critical stage where candidates present their portfolio to the client's design team. This will focus on "high craft," visual execution, and design process for AR/VR or related projects. Be prepared to discuss your design rationale in depth.

• Technical/Skills Interview: May involve design exercises or challenges to assess proficiency in Figma, understanding of AR/VR design principles, and problem-solving abilities.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Discussions with Product Managers and Engineers to gauge collaboration style, communication effectiveness, and ability to integrate designs into development workflows.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior design leader or hiring manager to confirm cultural fit and overall suitability.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for "High Craft": Select projects that best demonstrate exceptional visual polish, attention to detail, and sophisticated aesthetic execution. Prioritize quality over quantity.

• Highlight AR/VR Relevance: If you have AR/VR, wearable tech, or spatial computing projects, feature them prominently. If not, draw parallels from complex UI/UX projects that showcase transferable skills in user flow, information architecture, and visual system design.

• Showcase Process: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, and outcomes. Explain why you made specific design choices, especially concerning visual elements and user interaction.

• Figma Mastery: Be ready to discuss your Figma workflow, component usage, and any advanced techniques you employ.

• Conciseness and Clarity: Present your work clearly and concisely, focusing on the most impactful aspects of each project.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Expect a timed design challenge, potentially involving creating a UI element for a VR environment or solving a specific UX problem related to immersive interfaces. Focus on your process, visual execution, and ability to articulate your solution.

• Problem-Solving: Prepare to discuss how you would approach ambiguous design problems within the AR/VR space, emphasizing your structured approach and ability to innovate.

• Collaboration Scenarios: Be ready to answer questions about how you collaborate with engineers and product managers, especially in a remote setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "High Craft" and "exceptional visual design craft" means the portfolio review will likely be highly aesthetic-focused. Candidates should be prepared to defend their design choices based on visual principles and user experience goals, rather than just functional requirements.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Advanced proficiency is required.

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator): Often used for asset creation, image manipulation, and vector graphics.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma has strong prototyping capabilities, experience with other tools like Adobe XD, Principle, or After Effects for motion might be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary responsibility for this role, understanding how design impacts user behavior and metrics is valuable. Familiarity with tools used for A/B testing or user analytics might be a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to this design role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for "Advanced proficiency in Figma" is a strong indicator of the primary toolset. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate their expertise in Figma's features for complex UI design and system creation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• High Craftsmanship: A core value, emphasizing meticulous attention to detail, aesthetic excellence, and a commitment to producing polished, high-quality work.

• User-Centricity: Designing with the end-user's experience at the forefront, ensuring interfaces are intuitive, engaging, and solve real problems.

• Collaboration & Communication: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and the ability to work effectively with diverse cross-functional teams.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new technologies (like AR/VR) and adapting to evolving project requirements and business needs.

• Efficiency & Iteration: A willingness to iterate quickly based on feedback, balancing speed with quality to achieve optimal results.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive and communicative, especially in a remote setting.

• Open to constructive feedback and willing to engage in design critiques.

• Collaborative approach to problem-solving, working alongside product and engineering to find the best solutions.

• Focused on delivering shared project goals and contributing positively to the team dynamic.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "High Craft" value is paramount and should permeate all aspects of the designer's approach, from pixel-perfect execution to thoughtful aesthetic choices.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Novel Interfaces: AR/VR and wearables present unique interaction paradigms and user experience challenges compared to traditional 2D interfaces. Designing intuitive and effective UIs in these nascent spaces can be complex.

• Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality: Achieving "high craft" while ensuring interfaces are highly functional, accessible, and performant on specific hardware.

• Remote Collaboration: Effectively conveying nuanced design details and collaborating closely with geographically dispersed teams without the benefit of in-person interaction.

• Rapid Iteration in Emerging Tech: The fast-paced nature of AR/VR development requires quick adaptation and iteration, which can be demanding.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Immersive Design Expertise: Gaining deep experience in the specialized field of AR/VR UI/UX design, a rapidly growing area.

• Cutting-Edge Technology Exposure: Working with state-of-the-art hardware and software platforms.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Creating a portfolio with highly desirable and visually impressive projects that can lead to future high-profile opportunities.

• Design System Contribution: Potentially contributing to or expanding design systems for emerging platforms, offering significant professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary growth opportunity lies in becoming a specialist in a high-demand, future-forward design field. The challenges are inherent to working at the forefront of technology.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a complex technical requirement into a simple, elegant UI. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process, user empathy, and visual execution).

• "How do you balance the pursuit of 'high craft' with the need for rapid iteration and delivery in a fast-paced project?" (Highlight your process for maintaining quality under pressure).

• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio that you feel best demonstrates your visual design skills and attention to detail. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Be ready for deep dives into your design rationale and execution).

• "How do you approach designing for emerging platforms like VR/AR, where established user patterns may not exist?" (Discuss your research methods, iterative process, and ability to innovate). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you specifically about designing for AR/VR and wearable technology?" (Show genuine passion for the domain).

• "How do you typically collaborate with engineers and product managers, especially in a remote setting?" (Emphasize clear communication, proactive engagement, and problem-solving).

• "What are your thoughts on design systems, and how do you ensure consistency in your work?" (Connect to the role's requirement for maintaining visual consistency).

• "TEKsystems is a large organization, and you'll be working with a client. How do you adapt to different team dynamics and company cultures?" (Demonstrate flexibility and professionalism). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, frame it as a narrative: the problem, your role, the journey, the solution, and the impact.

• Focus on Visuals: Let your high-craft designs speak for themselves. Use high-fidelity mockups and clear annotations.

• Explain Your "Why": Be prepared to articulate the reasoning behind every design decision, especially regarding visual elements, color choices, typography, and interaction patterns.

• Demonstrate Process: Show sketches, wireframes, and iterations to illustrate your design thinking and problem-solving approach.

• Highlight Figma Proficiency: Be ready to briefly showcase specific Figma features or workflows that enabled your design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh the candidate's ability to demonstrate "high craft" visually and articulate their design process, particularly in the context of emerging technologies.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this High Craft UI Designer (AR/VR) position:

• Submit your application through the TEKsystems careers portal link provided.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects demonstrating exceptional visual design craft, attention to detail, and ideally, experience with VR/AR or complex digital interfaces. Tailor your case studies to highlight your process and rationale.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly state your years of experience in UI/Visual/Product design, highlight proficiency in Figma, and list relevant skills such as typography, layout, user flows, and any AR/VR experience. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and rationale for key portfolio pieces. Prepare for a potential design challenge and be ready to discuss your approach to designing for immersive technologies and collaborating remotely.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with TEKsystems as a company and understand their role in talent solutions. Research the AR/VR market and companies that might be clients for such a role to better understand the potential project context.

⚠️ 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.