IFEC Visual Experience Design Manager | Product Development & Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: IFEC Visual Experience Design Manager | Product Development & Design

Company: Qatar Airways

Location: Doha, Qatar

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Development & Design / Visual Experience

Date Posted: 2026-08-23

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the visual and motion design strategy for the In-Flight Entertainment & Connectivity (IFEC) platform, focusing on creating immersive and engaging passenger experiences.

• Drive the end-to-end production lifecycle of motion graphics, animated GUI assets, and dynamic visual content, ensuring alignment with Qatar Airways' premium brand identity.

• Collaborate closely with UX/UI designers, technical teams, and operational stakeholders to optimize motion design for technical parameters and user engagement.

• Develop and maintain a consistent visual motion language and design system that elevates the onboard entertainment system from functional to exceptional.

• Manage external agencies and motion design suppliers through clear creative briefs and rigorous quality standards to ensure high-impact visual output.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role title is "Manager," the core responsibilities and experience requirements suggest a senior individual contributor or lead role focused on hands-on design and production rather than direct people management. The emphasis is on leading the visual experience design and production processes. This role is crucial for enhancing the passenger journey through cutting-edge visual design within the IFEC system, a key differentiator for a premium airline.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the motion design and animation of all GUI elements across the IFEC platform, ensuring a premium, immersive visual experience for millions of passengers.

• Design and produce dynamic visual assets, including animated menus, transitions, promotional banners, trailers, and interactive interface elements that enhance content discovery and passenger engagement.

• Develop and meticulously maintain a consistent visual motion language and design system that strictly aligns with Qatar Airways' established brand identity and overall design ethos.

• Foster robust collaboration with UX/UI designers, product managers, and technical engineering teams to ensure motion design is fully optimized for the IFEC platform's specific technical parameters and performance requirements.

• Oversee the complete end-to-end production lifecycle of all motion and GUI assets, from concept to final delivery and deployment within the IFEC system.

• Support the broader immersive editorial experience by producing visually compelling assets that significantly enhance content discovery and overall passenger interaction with the IFEC system.

• Effectively liaise with external creative agencies and specialized motion design suppliers by crafting clear, concise creative briefs and enforcing stringent quality standards for all outsourced work.

• Guarantee that all visual output rigorously complies with Qatar Airways' brand guidelines, cultural sensitivities, and the IFEC platform's specific technical requirements.

• Continuously monitor the visual performance of GUI elements and iterate designs based on passenger feedback, engagement data, and key performance indicators (KPIs).

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a deep focus on the entire lifecycle of visual asset creation and implementation within a complex digital product. The emphasis on "end-to-end production lifecycle," "technical parameters," and "passenger feedback" suggests a need for strong project management skills alongside creative expertise. The role requires bridging creative vision with technical feasibility and business objectives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Motion Design, Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a closely related field. Equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in motion graphics, GUI design, or visual production, with a significant portion focused on interactive digital platforms.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in Adobe After Effects for advanced motion graphics and animation creation.

• Strong working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator) for asset creation and manipulation.

• Proven experience with Figma for UI/UX design and motion prototyping, enabling seamless integration of motion into user interfaces.

• Familiarity with Lottie, ProtoPie, or equivalent animation delivery and prototyping tools for interactive and web-based animations.

• Deep understanding of GUI design principles and extensive experience designing for interactive digital platforms.

• Demonstrated track record of delivering high-quality motion graphics and animated assets within creative agency, broadcast, entertainment, or premium digital brand environments.

• Proven experience working on visually ambitious, high-profile projects where motion design and immersive UI/UX are critical to the product's success.

• Experience designing for large-scale interactive platforms (e.g., gaming, streaming, luxury retail, automotive, consumer technology).

• Familiarity with UX/UI workflows and the ability to collaborate effectively with interface design and technical teams.

• A strong portfolio showcasing immersive motion design, GUI animation, and exceptional visual storytelling at a premium level. Preferred Skills:

• Working knowledge of 3D software such as Cinema 4D or equivalent for advanced visual effects and animation.

• Experience in developing and maintaining design systems, particularly those incorporating motion and animation.

• Understanding of accessibility standards in digital design and how they apply to motion and animation.

• Experience in managing external vendors and providing constructive feedback on creative deliverables.

• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies and cross-functional team collaboration within a product development context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "About you" section strongly emphasizes hands-on technical proficiency and a robust portfolio. The requirement for "expert proficiency" in specific software like After Effects and "strong working knowledge" of others like Figma, Lottie, and ProtoPie indicates a need for candidates who are not just conceptual but also highly skilled practitioners. The mention of Cinema 4D as advantageous suggests a potential for more complex 3D integrations in the future.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio that prominently features immersive motion design, sophisticated GUI animation, and compelling visual storytelling across various digital platforms.

• Case studies demonstrating the successful application of motion design principles to enhance user interface (UI) interactions and overall user experience (UX) on interactive platforms.

• Examples of dynamic visual assets (e.g., animated menus, transitions, promotional content) specifically designed for large-scale digital environments, showcasing adaptability to technical constraints.

• Evidence of designing for premium brands or high-profile projects where visual quality and brand alignment were paramount.

• Demonstrations of how motion design was integrated into UI/UX workflows, including prototypes or interactive elements. Process Documentation:

• Showcase a clear understanding of the motion design production lifecycle, from concept development and storyboarding to animation, asset creation, and final delivery.

• Provide examples of how you've translated creative briefs into actionable design plans and managed the execution of motion graphics projects.

• Illustrate your approach to collaborating with technical teams to ensure motion assets are optimized for platform performance and integration.

• Include examples of how you've iterated on designs based on user feedback, data analysis, or technical limitations, demonstrating a results-oriented approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strong portfolio demonstrating immersive motion design, GUI animation, and visual storytelling at a premium level" is critical. Candidates must be prepared to showcase projects that highlight not just aesthetic appeal but also functional application within interactive systems, and how their work contributed to a superior user experience and brand perception.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior Visual Experience Designer/Manager with 10+ years of experience in a major international airline hub like Doha, Qatar, the estimated annual salary range is likely between QAR 250,000 - QAR 400,000 (approximately USD 68,500 - USD 109,700). This estimation considers the specialized skill set, the seniority of the role, the high cost of living in Doha, and Qatar Airways' position as a premium global employer.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.

• Generous annual leave entitlement.

• Flight privileges and discounts for employees and their families on Qatar Airways network.

• Relocation assistance package for expatriate hires.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and international certifications.

• Pension or end-of-service benefits as per Qatar labor law.

• Access to state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant, multicultural work environment.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses. Working Hours:

The standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, distributed over five days. While a structured work week is expected, flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines and manage the end-to-end production lifecycle of assets, especially during critical launch phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary information is not provided in the raw job description. The estimate is based on research for similar senior design roles in the aviation industry in Doha, Qatar, considering the cost of living and typical compensation packages for multinational corporations. Benefits are standard for large international airlines and are inferred to attract top talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Aviation / Travel & Tourism. Qatar Airways operates as a global leader in air transport, renowned for its premium service, extensive network, and commitment to innovation. This context means the company values excellence, customer experience, and operational efficiency.

Company Size: Qatar Airways Group is a large, multinational conglomerate with over 50,000 employees globally, operating across multiple business units beyond just the airline, including aviation services, travel, and cargo. This scale implies structured processes, significant resources, and opportunities for cross-divisional collaboration.

Founded: Qatar Airways was founded in 1993. It has rapidly grown to become one of the world's fastest-growing and most highly-rated airlines, symbolizing ambition, continuous improvement, and a forward-thinking approach.

Team Structure:

• The IFEC team operates within the broader Product Development and Design (PDD) division, suggesting a dedicated focus on creating and enhancing digital products.

• This role likely reports to a Head of IFEC Design or a Director within PDD, overseeing visual experience and motion design.

• Collaboration is expected with UX/UI designers, product managers, content strategists, software engineers, and potentially marketing and brand teams to ensure a cohesive passenger experience. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is implied, with responsibilities including monitoring visual performance and iterating based on passenger feedback and engagement data.

• A strong emphasis on design systems and brand consistency suggests a structured approach to product development and visual asset management.

• Agile methodologies are likely employed for iterative development and rapid deployment of features and content updates within the IFEC platform.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture at Qatar Airways is described as ambitious, innovative, and focused on delivering excellence. For a visual designer, this means being part of a fast-paced environment that values creativity and is willing to invest in cutting-edge passenger experiences. The "extraordinary story" and "impossible is only a challenge" rhetoric suggests a culture that encourages pushing boundaries.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level individual contributor position within the specialized field of visual experience design, specifically focused on interactive entertainment systems. It demands a high degree of technical expertise, creative leadership, and experience in managing complex design projects from conception to deployment. It's a role that leads by example and expertise, shaping the visual direction of a critical passenger touchpoint.

Reporting Structure: The IFEC Visual Experience Design Manager likely reports to a Director or Senior Manager within the Product Development & Design division, focusing on the IFEC product. This position will collaborate extensively with UX/UI designers, product managers, and technical teams, but the primary leadership responsibility is in the domain of visual and motion design for the IFEC platform.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is direct and significant. By creating immersive and visually compelling interfaces and animations for the IFEC system, the designer directly influences passenger satisfaction, engagement duration, and the overall perception of Qatar Airways' premium service. High-quality visual experiences can lead to increased content consumption, positive passenger feedback, and stronger brand loyalty, all of which contribute to revenue and competitive advantage.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Advancement: Deepen expertise in advanced motion graphics, real-time animation, or interactive visual design for IFEC and potentially other digital products within the Qatar Airways Group.

• Creative Leadership: Transition into a lead design role with broader oversight of the IFEC visual strategy, potentially managing a small team of designers or external agencies more formally.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Move into product management or UX strategy roles, leveraging a strong understanding of user experience and visual design to influence product roadmaps.

• Industry Exposure: Gain invaluable experience in the aviation and digital entertainment sectors, working on a global scale with cutting-edge technology.

• Professional Development: Access training, workshops, and conferences focused on motion design, UI/UX, and emerging visual technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Be part of an extraordinary story" and "infinite opportunities to grow" messaging indicates a company that invests in employee development and offers clear pathways for career progression, especially for individuals who contribute significantly to strategic initiatives like enhancing the passenger experience.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role located in Doha, Qatar, within Qatar Airways' corporate offices. The environment is expected to be professional, corporate, and collaborative, housing various departments involved in product development, design, and operations.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Doha, Qatar. This implies working within a modern, well-equipped corporate campus or office building typical of a major international airline headquarters.

Workspace Context:

• Expect a collaborative workspace designed to foster interaction between design, product, and technical teams. This may include open-plan areas, dedicated project rooms, and meeting spaces equipped with advanced presentation technology.

• Access to industry-standard design software and hardware, including powerful workstations and potentially specialized display equipment, will be provided.

• Opportunities for informal and formal collaboration will be abundant, given the cross-functional nature of IFEC development.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with standard office hours. However, given the nature of project-based work in design and product development, there may be occasional requirements for flexible hours or overtime to meet critical deadlines, especially around new feature launches or system updates.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Doha suggests a commitment to in-person collaboration and immersion in the company's operational hub. This environment is ideal for roles that require deep integration with various departments and hands-on work with specialized equipment and teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or a recruitment specialist will review applications and CVs for minimum qualifications and relevant experience.

• Technical Assessment / Portfolio Review: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, their role, design process, technical challenges overcome, and the impact of their work. This stage is crucial for evaluating motion design skills, GUI animation expertise, and visual storytelling capabilities.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager focusing on leadership in visual experience design, strategic thinking, collaboration style, and alignment with the team's goals.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders, such as UX/UI leads, product managers, or technical leads, to assess collaboration skills and understanding of the broader product development lifecycle.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader in Product Development & Design for a final assessment of fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize those showcasing immersive motion design, GUI animation for interactive platforms, and visual storytelling.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly define your specific contributions, responsibilities, and the technical tools you utilized for each project.

• Showcase Process: Walk through your design process, from initial concept and wireframing/storyboarding to animation execution and final integration. Explain your rationale behind design decisions.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use data or metrics (e.g., increased engagement, positive feedback, improved task completion) to demonstrate the impact of your visual design work.

• Demonstrate Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your mastery of tools like Adobe After Effects, Figma, and animation delivery platforms. Explain how you optimized assets for performance.

• Brand Alignment: Show examples of how you've worked within or adapted to brand guidelines, and how your designs align with premium aesthetics.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design challenge or case study, which might involve creating a short animation sequence, designing an interactive UI element, or providing feedback on existing IFEC interface designs.

• Focus on demonstrating your problem-solving approach, creative thinking, and ability to work within constraints (technical, brand, time).

• Practice articulating your design choices clearly and concisely, explaining the "why" behind your solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strong portfolio demonstrating immersive motion design, GUI animation, and visual storytelling at a premium level" means candidates must be prepared to present detailed case studies that not only showcase aesthetic quality but also the strategic thinking and technical execution behind their work. The interview process will likely be rigorous, testing both creative and technical capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe After Effects: Essential for advanced motion graphics and animation. Expect questions about complex animation techniques, expressions, and workflow efficiency.

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator): Fundamental for asset creation, editing, and preparing graphics for animation.

• Figma: Critical for UI/UX design and motion prototyping. Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes and integrating motion design within Figma is expected.

• Lottie / ProtoPie (or equivalent): Tools for delivering animations on web/mobile platforms or for advanced interactive prototyping. Familiarity with these indicates an understanding of modern animation workflows.

• Cinema 4D (or equivalent 3D software): Advantageous, suggesting potential use for 3D elements, rendering, or complex visual effects within the IFEC platform.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a primary tool for this role, understanding how to interpret passenger feedback and engagement data (from systems like user analytics platforms) will be crucial for iterating on designs. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but understanding the broader product development lifecycle and how design integrates with backend systems is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on industry-standard motion graphics and UI/UX design tools. The explicit mention of After Effects, Figma, and animation delivery tools like Lottie/ProtoPie signals the core technical competencies required. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience and proficiency with these tools in detail.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence and Premium Quality: A commitment to delivering the highest standards in design and passenger experience, reflecting Qatar Airways' brand.

• Innovation and Creativity: Encouraging new ideas and pushing creative boundaries to create unique and engaging visual experiences.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Working effectively with diverse teams (design, tech, product) to achieve shared goals.

• Data-Driven Iteration: Utilizing passenger feedback and engagement data to continuously improve and refine visual designs.

• Efficiency and Optimization: Ensuring motion designs are not only visually stunning but also technically optimized for performance and platform compatibility.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Active participation in cross-functional team meetings, design reviews, and product development sprints, ensuring visual design is integrated seamlessly from concept to launch.

• Constructive Feedback: Openness to providing and receiving constructive feedback on creative work, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share expertise, best practices, and insights on motion design and visual trends with colleagues.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication with all stakeholders regarding project progress, challenges, and deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on "extraordinary story," "infinite opportunities," and "daring to achieve what's never been done before" suggests a culture that values ambition, innovation, and a high level of performance. For a designer, this means being part of a team that is passionate about creating impactful experiences and is willing to explore new creative territories.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Technical Constraints: Ensuring highly creative and immersive motion designs are technically feasible and performant on the IFEC platform, which has specific hardware and software limitations.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Diverse Content: Developing a unified visual motion language that applies effectively to a wide range of content types (movies, news, games, destination guides) while adhering to strict brand guidelines.

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Aligning the creative vision with the expectations of various stakeholders, including product, marketing, and technical teams, while advocating for best-in-class visual design.

• Adapting to Evolving Technology: Staying abreast of rapid advancements in motion graphics, animation software, and IFEC platform capabilities to continuously innovate and improve the visual experience.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Motion Graphics & Animation Training: Access to specialized courses and workshops to hone skills in areas like 3D animation, real-time rendering, or procedural animation.

• Industry Conferences & Events: Opportunities to attend leading design and technology conferences (e.g., Adobe MAX, SIGGRAPH) to gain insights into the latest trends and network with industry professionals.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Engaging with UX/UI, product management, and engineering teams to broaden understanding of the full product development lifecycle and user-centered design principles.

• Mentorship Programs: Potential for mentorship from senior design leaders within Qatar Airways or access to leadership development programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for a designer who is not only creatively talented but also technically adept and possesses strong problem-solving and communication skills. The growth opportunities underscore Qatar Airways' commitment to employee development, particularly in specialized fields like visual design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance a highly creative motion design vision with significant technical constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on problem-solving, technical understanding, and compromise.)

• "How would you develop and maintain a consistent visual motion language for an IFEC platform that serves diverse content and passenger demographics?" (Focus on strategy, design systems, and brand alignment.)

• "Walk us through your process for creating an animated menu transition for a premium digital product. What software did you use, and what were the key considerations?" (Focus on practical application, tool proficiency, and design rationale.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What aspects of Qatar Airways' brand and passenger experience appeal to you, and how would you translate that into visual design for IFEC?" (Focus on brand understanding and passion for the industry.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with UX/UI designers and technical engineers when your motion design ideas need to be integrated into their workflows?" (Focus on teamwork, communication, and integration.)

• "How do you ensure your visual output aligns with cultural sensitivities and brand guidelines, especially for a global airline?" (Focus on awareness, responsibility, and adherence to standards.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the problem, your role, the solution (your design and process), and the results/impact.

• Highlight Motion: Emphasize the motion aspect – how animation enhances usability, engagement, or brand perception. Use clear demonstrations (videos, interactive prototypes).

• Showcase Technical Skills: Be ready to discuss the specific tools and techniques you used and why they were appropriate. Mention optimization strategies.

• Connect to Qatar Airways: Whenever possible, draw parallels between your past work and the requirements of this role and Qatar Airways' brand.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Present your work with enthusiasm and clarity, allowing ample time for Q&A.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just creative talent but also strategic thinking, technical expertise, and an understanding of how visual design contributes to business objectives and the overall passenger experience in the aviation industry.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this IFEC Visual Experience Design Manager position:

• Complete the online application form thoroughly via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature projects demonstrating expertise in motion design, GUI animation for interactive platforms, and visual storytelling relevant to premium digital experiences. Prioritize examples that align with the aviation or luxury consumer technology sectors.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 10+ years of experience, expert proficiency in Adobe After Effects, Figma, and other relevant animation/prototyping tools, and successful project outcomes. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, technical skills, and how your work has driven engagement and enhanced user experiences. Prepare to discuss case studies in detail and how you would approach challenges specific to an airline IFEC system.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Qatar Airways' brand, its current IFEC offerings (if publicly available), and its commitment to passenger experience and innovation. Understand the company's values and how they translate into the design culture.

⚠️ 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.