Lead UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead UX Designer

Company: Cricut

Location: South Jordan, Utah, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: UI/UX Design

Date Posted: 2025-06-04

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3-4 days per week in the office)

🎨 Design Role Summary

• Lead the design work for software applications across desktop and mobile platforms
• Conduct user research and A/B testing to continuously improve designs
• Collaborate with product managers and developers to drive solutions through to completion
• Evolve the design language and processes to meet the needs of a growing organization
• Mentor and manage other designers on the UX team

🖼️ Primary Design Responsibilities

• Lead the design work for software applications across desktop and mobile platforms
• Conduct user research and A/B testing to continuously improve designs
• Collaborate with product managers and developers to drive solutions through to completion
• Evolve the design language and processes to meet the needs of a growing organization
• Mentor and manage other designers on the UX team
• Capture ideas and solutions in varying levels of fidelity, from whiteboard sketches to interactive prototypes
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines

🎓 Design Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Computer Interaction (HCI), interaction design, graphic design, industrial design, information science, computer science, or a related field. Graduate degree is a plus.

Experience: 5+ years of work experience designing web and mobile applications and applying user-centered techniques. Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring, and inspiring other product designers in their craft.

Required Design Skills:

• Proven track record of successful product releases in which you guided a team through a user-centered product design process
• Ability to grasp product requirements and scope design work accordingly, with careful attention to detail
• Strong ability to collaborate with teams across varying disciplines (hardware engineering, software development, marketing, etc.) to create a holistic product experience
• Passion for innovation and a “can do” attitude
• Keen attention to detail and systems thinking
• Thoughtful and well-presented portfolio of UX design solutions
• Ability to interpret and act on design feedback from both collaborators and stakeholders
• Excellent presentation and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly and concisely articulate solutions, design rationale, and process to colleagues in different disciplines, stakeholders, and executives
• Ability to discuss high-level concepts and detailed design with equal fluency
• Well-versed in applying quantitative data and a wide range of qualitative user insight techniques to drive prototypes and decision making
• Demonstrated eye for visual design
• A strong grasp of current UI/UX trends and platforms (e.g., iOS and Material Design guidelines)

Preferred Design Skills:

• Experience designing for combined hardware and software interaction, community features, and/or data-driven experiences
• Crafting experience not necessary

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor other designers through case studies showcasing your process, decisions, and outcomes
• Include examples of your user research and A/B testing skills, highlighting how you've used data to inform your design decisions
• Showcase your ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams by including examples of your work with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders
• Demonstrate your understanding of current UI/UX trends and platforms by including examples of your work that align with industry best practices

Design Process Documentation:

• Include detailed process documentation for at least one project, highlighting your approach to user research, ideation, prototyping, and testing
• Explain how you've evolved your design language and processes to meet the needs of a growing organization
• Demonstrate your ability to mentor and manage other designers by including examples of your work guiding and supporting team members

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year (based on experience and location)

Benefits:

• Competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 401(k) match
• Generous PTO
• Tuition reimbursement
• Yearly lifestyle stipend to support your wellness and passions
• Exclusive employee discounts
• IVF contribution
• Pet insurance
• Life insurance
• Incentive programs
• Work-life balance

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week) with a hybrid work arrangement (3-4 days per week in the office)

🎯 Design Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Software Development

Company Size: 501-1,000 employees

Founded: 1969

Design Team Structure:

• The UX team at Cricut is responsible for user research, interaction design, and visual design of software applications across desktop and mobile platforms
• The team is uniquely positioned with direct connections to the executive team and CEO, collaborating across the organization to ensure hardware, content, materials, and software all work together to deliver awesome experiences
• The UX team members come from varied backgrounds and experience, all drawn to the mission of empowering every person to be creative

Design Methodology:

• The UX team at Cricut follows a user-centered design process, focusing on user research, A/B testing, and continuous improvement
• The team collaborates with product managers and developers to drive solutions through to completion, ensuring a holistic product experience
• The design language and processes are evolved to meet the needs of a growing organization, with a focus on efficiency and scalability

Company Website: Cricut

📈 Design Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: Lead UX Designer

Reporting Structure: The Lead UX Designer reports directly to the Head of Design, with a dotted-line reporting structure to the UX team members they mentor and manage.

Design Impact: The Lead UX Designer has a significant impact on the design of Cricut's software applications, contributing to the company's mission of empowering every person to be creative.

Growth Opportunities:

• As Cricut continues to grow, there are opportunities for the Lead UX Designer to take on more strategic responsibilities, such as leading a team of UX designers or driving the design vision for a new product or feature
• The Lead UX Designer can also grow their skills and advance their career by taking on more complex design challenges, mentoring other designers, and contributing to the evolution of Cricut's design processes and methodologies

🌐 Design Work Environment

Studio Type: Cricut's design team works in a collaborative, open-plan office environment, with dedicated design spaces and access to the latest design tools and software.

Office Location(s): South Jordan, Utah, United States

Design Workspace Context:

• The design workspace at Cricut is designed to foster collaboration and creativity, with dedicated spaces for user research, ideation, and prototyping
• The team has access to a wide range of design tools and software, as well as hardware and materials for testing and prototyping
• The design team works closely with other departments, such as product management, software development, and marketing, to ensure a holistic product experience

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week) with a hybrid work arrangement (3-4 days per week in the office), allowing for flexibility and work-life balance.

📄 Design Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• The design interview process at Cricut typically includes a phone or video screening, a design challenge or case study presentation, and an on-site or virtual final interview with the design team and stakeholders
• The design challenge or case study presentation is a critical part of the interview process, allowing candidates to showcase their design process, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
• The final interview focuses on cultural fit, design leadership, and the candidate's ability to drive solutions and improve design efficiency within the UX team

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight your ability to lead and mentor other designers by including examples of your work guiding and supporting team members
• Showcase your user research and A/B testing skills by including examples of your work that demonstrates your ability to use data to inform your design decisions
• Demonstrate your understanding of current UI/UX trends and platforms by including examples of your work that align with industry best practices
• Include examples of your work that showcase your ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, highlighting your communication and collaboration skills

Design Challenge Preparation:

• Prepare for a design challenge or case study presentation by selecting a project that demonstrates your ability to lead and mentor other designers, with a focus on user research, A/B testing, and collaboration with cross-functional teams
• Practice presenting your design process, decisions, and outcomes to a group, focusing on your ability to articulate your design rationale and process clearly and concisely
• Research Cricut's design team, culture, and values to ensure your design challenge or case study presentation aligns with the company's design vision and goals

Design ATS Keywords:

• Design Skills: User research, A/B testing, user-centered design, design leadership, mentoring, collaboration, design process, design thinking, UI/UX trends, design tools, design software
• Tools: Sketch, Figma, Adobe XD, InVision, Zeplin, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.
• Methodologies: Agile, Scrum, Kanban, Lean UX, Design Thinking, Double Diamond, etc.
• Soft Skills: Communication, collaboration, problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, adaptability, leadership, mentoring, etc.
• Industry Terms: User experience, user interface, interaction design, visual design, product design, design systems, design tokens, design patterns, etc.

🛠 Design Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Sketch: For quick sketching and ideation
• Figma: For design systems, components, and prototyping
• Adobe XD: For UI/UX design and prototyping
• InVision: For user testing and usability testing
• Zeplin: For design handoff and collaboration with developers

Design Collaboration & Handoff:

• Zeplin: For design handoff and collaboration with developers
• InVision: For user testing and usability testing
• Figma: For design systems, components, and collaboration with other designers

Design Research & Testing:

• InVision: For user testing and usability testing
• UserTesting.com: For remote user testing and feedback collection
• Google Analytics: For design performance measurement and optimization insights

👥 Design Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• User-centered: Focus on user needs, preferences, and behaviors to inform design decisions
• Collaborative: Work closely with cross-functional teams to create holistic product experiences
• Innovative: Continuously explore new design trends, tools, and methodologies to improve design efficiency and effectiveness
• Mentoring: Foster a culture of learning and growth by supporting and guiding other designers

Design Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional: Work closely with product managers, developers, and other stakeholders to create a holistic product experience
• Design critique: Foster a culture of open and constructive feedback to improve design quality and consistency
• Design system: Contribute to and maintain a design system that ensures visual consistency and scalability across platforms and products

⚡ Design Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Scaling design processes and methodologies to meet the needs of a growing organization
• Managing and mentoring a team of designers with varying levels of experience and expertise
• Balancing the need for innovation and experimentation with the requirement for design consistency and scalability
• Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams to create a holistic product experience

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Attend industry conferences and workshops to stay up-to-date with the latest design trends, tools, and methodologies
• Participate in design mentorship programs to develop your leadership and coaching skills
• Contribute to the evolution of Cricut's design processes and methodologies to drive design efficiency and effectiveness

💡 Design Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Describe your design process and how you've adapted it to meet the needs of different projects or teams
• How do you approach user research and how do you use the insights gathered to inform your design decisions?
• Can you walk us through your design process for a recent project, highlighting your problem-solving skills and design rationale?

Company & Design Culture Questions:

• How do you see yourself contributing to Cricut's design culture and helping to shape the future of our design team?
• How do you approach collaboration with cross-functional teams, and how do you ensure that design is integrated into the broader product development process?
• How do you stay up-to-date with design trends and industry best practices, and how do you incorporate that knowledge into your design work?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Highlight your ability to lead and mentor other designers by including examples of your work guiding and supporting team members
• Showcase your user research and A/B testing skills by including examples of your work that demonstrate your ability to use data to inform your design decisions
• Demonstrate your understanding of current UI/UX trends and platforms by including examples of your work that align with industry best practices
• Include examples of your work that showcase your ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, highlighting your communication and collaboration skills

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Customize your resume and portfolio to highlight your design leadership, mentoring, and collaboration skills, with a focus on user research, A/B testing, and cross-functional teamwork
• Prepare for the design challenge or case study presentation by selecting a project that demonstrates your ability to lead and mentor other designers, with a focus on user research, A/B testing, and collaboration with cross-functional teams
• Research Cricut's design team, culture, and values to ensure your design challenge or case study presentation aligns with the company's design vision and goals
• Practice presenting your design process, decisions, and outcomes to a group, focusing on your ability to articulate your design rationale and process clearly and concisely