Associate UX Designer (Canton, MI)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Associate UX Designer

Company: Automated Media Inc.

Location: Canton, MI

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-01-23

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on applying a user-centered design approach to consumer-facing digital products within an established IT firm.

• Key responsibilities include translating concepts into user flows, wireframes, and prototypes, while collaborating closely with developers to ensure seamless implementation.

• The Associate UX Designer will conduct usability testing and leverage user feedback and data to inform and drive design decisions for impactful end-user experiences.

• This position requires a blend of creative design skills, technical understanding of modern web technologies, and strong project management capabilities to deliver successful design tasks and projects that align with business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Associate UX Designer," the listed requirements (2+ years of experience in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and experience with design tools and web analytics) suggest a role that bridges junior and mid-level expectations. The emphasis on collaboration with developers and translating requirements into tangible design artifacts indicates a hands-on, execution-focused position rather than purely conceptual. The "AMI Corporate Headquarters" location, derived from the raw data, is interpreted as Canton, MI, based on the job title's explicit mention.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Apply a user-centered design methodology to enhance consumer-facing digital products, ensuring an intuitive and engaging user experience.

• Collaborate closely with developers throughout the design and implementation phases to guarantee that designed experiences and business goals are effectively achieved.

• Translate complex concepts and business requirements into clear user flows, detailed wireframes, and interactive prototypes that streamline user journeys.

• Ensure the seamless integration of the company's brand personality and visual identity across all digital product interfaces.

• Plan, coordinate, and execute usability testing sessions and other feedback-gathering methods to collect actionable insights from target users.

• Leverage user feedback, web analytics data (e.g., Google Analytics, Fullstory), and research findings to iteratively refine and influence design decisions.

• Incorporate principles of information architecture, web accessibility standards (WCAG), and current research methodologies into design solutions.

• Deliver design tasks and projects that successfully meet both user needs and strategic business objectives, with a focus on measurable outcomes and ROI.

• Develop and maintain comprehensive design guideline documents and style guides to ensure consistency and brand integrity across platforms.

• Design flexible, component-based interfaces capable of supporting dynamic content and translation services for a global user base.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities list emphasizes a hands-on approach to UX design, including direct collaboration with developers and user testing. The inclusion of "dynamic content with translation services" and "3rd party customer style guides" points to a need for adaptability and experience working within established brand frameworks, common in enterprise environments like those serving automotive clients.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in UX/UI design, with a strong portfolio showcasing user-centered design projects.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in modern front-end web technologies, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (2+ years of experience).

• Expertise with rapid prototyping and design tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, or InVision for creating wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes.

• Experience utilizing web analytics solutions (e.g., Google Analytics, Fullstory) to gather user behavior data and inform design decisions.

• Strong understanding of User Interface (UI) design principles, information architecture, and graphic design fundamentals.

• Proven ability to conduct and analyze usability testing sessions and gather user feedback to drive design improvements.

• Experience in developing accessible websites and applications compliant with relevant accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).

• Excellent communication skills, including presentation, written, oral, and facilitation abilities, to effectively articulate design rationale and collaborate with stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing dynamic, data-driven websites that support translation services.

• Familiarity with incorporating third-party customer style guides into site designs.

• Knowledge of current research methodologies in UX and HCI.

• Experience developing and maintaining design guideline documents.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 2+ years of experience in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, alongside UX design tools, suggests that candidates should have a solid understanding of front-end development principles and how designs translate into code. This is crucial for effective collaboration with development teams in an operations-focused environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 2-3 significant UX design projects, with a clear emphasis on user-centered design processes.

• Demonstrate the ability to translate concepts and requirements into tangible deliverables such as user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.

• Include case studies that highlight problem-solving approaches, design decisions, and the impact of your contributions on user experience and business objectives.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples or descriptions of how you have documented design processes, including user research findings, design rationale, and usability testing outcomes.

• Illustrate your approach to collaborating with developers and incorporating feedback to ensure successful implementation of designs.

• Demonstrate how you leverage data and user feedback to iterate on designs and measure their effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an Associate UX Designer role, the portfolio should clearly articulate the candidate's design process from problem identification through to solution implementation and iteration. Emphasis should be placed on demonstrating how user needs were met and how the design contributed to business goals, rather than solely on visual aesthetics. Quantifiable results or user feedback are highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $80,000 - $100,000 annually

Benefits:

• Competitive salary with potential for bonus.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) to support work-life balance.

• 401k plan with employer matching (50% on the dollar up to 7% of employee contribution).

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week, likely 40 hours. While not explicitly stated, the on-site requirement suggests traditional office hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is based on the explicit data. The benefits listed are directly extracted from the job description. The "AMI Corporate Headquarters" location is assumed to be Canton, MI, based on the job title. The role is classified as On-site, with less than 10% travel required.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information Technology, Automotive Software Solutions, Consulting. Automated Media, Inc. (AMI) operates within the technology sector, providing specialized IT solutions and systems management for major automotive manufacturers like Ford, Chrysler, and GM. This context means the company likely values precision, reliability, and innovation in its technological offerings.

Company Size: The company was founded in 1989 and serves customers globally, indicating a mature organization with established processes. While specific current employee numbers aren't provided, the scope of their operations suggests a medium to large enterprise, likely with dedicated departments for various functions including IT, design, development, and client management.

Founded: 1989. AMI has a long-standing history, which suggests stability and deep industry expertise. This history likely influences a culture that values experience, long-term client relationships, and proven methodologies, while also encouraging innovation to stay competitive.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will likely be part of a broader product development or IT team, working closely with software engineers, project managers, and potentially business analysts or product owners.

• The reporting structure would typically involve a Design Lead, UX Manager, or Head of Product/Technology, depending on the company's organizational hierarchy.

Methodology:

• AMI's focus on developing and managing systems for major automotive clients suggests a methodology that emphasizes rigorous testing, data-driven decision-making, and adherence to strict quality standards and project timelines.

• The role's emphasis on user-centered design, usability testing, and leveraging user feedback indicates a commitment to iterative design processes.

• Given the IT solutions focus, there's likely an adoption of agile or hybrid development methodologies to facilitate rapid iteration and responsiveness to client needs.

Company Website: [Not provided in input data, but typically ami-auto.com or similar related to the domain derived.]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description and founding date suggest a stable, experienced organization. The client base (Ford, Chrysler, GM) implies a need for professionalism, adaptability to corporate environments, and a strong focus on delivering high-quality, reliable technology solutions. The UX role will likely operate within a structured IT development lifecycle.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Associate UX Designer role is positioned at an entry to junior-mid level within the UX design field. It offers a solid foundation for building experience in user-centered design, prototyping, and cross-functional collaboration within a corporate IT setting. The role emphasizes learning and applying established design principles and processes under guidance.

Reporting Structure: The Associate UX Designer will likely report to a Senior UX Designer, a UX Manager, or a Design Lead. This reporting structure provides opportunities for mentorship and direct feedback on design work, crucial for early-career professionals.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's impact is critical in ensuring that AMI's technology solutions are not only functional but also user-friendly and effective for end-users, whether they are internal stakeholders or external clients. By improving the user experience of digital products, this role directly contributes to client satisfaction, operational efficiency, and the overall success of AMI's technology programs.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX design, such as interaction design, user research, information architecture, or front-end development integration.

• Project Leadership: As experience grows, the individual can move towards leading smaller design projects or taking ownership of specific features within larger initiatives.

• Career Progression: Potential to advance to a UX Designer, Senior UX Designer, or even specialize in related fields like Product Management or UI Engineering, depending on career interests and company needs.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining experience with diverse automotive clients provides valuable industry-specific knowledge and a unique perspective on technology solutions in this sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Associate" title implies a developmental path. Growth will likely involve mastering core UX skills, contributing to increasingly complex projects, and demonstrating an ability to work autonomously and influence design decisions based on data and user insights.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is listed as "On-site" with "AMI Corporate Headquarters" as the location. This suggests a traditional office environment that fosters in-person collaboration and team interaction. The company's IT solutions focus implies a modern office setting with adequate technology infrastructure.

Office Location(s): AMI Corporate Headquarters, Canton, Michigan. This location provides access to a significant metropolitan area with a strong automotive industry presence.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be conducive to collaborative design work, with opportunities for brainstorming sessions, design reviews, and direct interaction with developers and project teams.

• Access to standard office technology, design software, and potentially specialized hardware for testing will be available.

• The environment likely encourages a team-based approach, where designers work closely with engineers, project managers, and stakeholders to achieve common goals.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical for full-time, on-site roles. While not explicitly mentioned, flexibility might be offered within business hours, but the on-site nature implies a structured schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement for this role is a key differentiator. It suggests the company values direct team collaboration, spontaneous problem-solving, and a strong sense of team cohesion that can be harder to replicate in fully remote settings.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess foundational UX skills, technical proficiency, and project relevance.

• Technical Interview/Design Challenge: This may involve a portfolio review where you present your work and discuss your design process, rationale, and outcomes. A practical design exercise or case study might also be part of this stage to evaluate problem-solving and design thinking skills.

• Behavioral/Team Fit Interview: Discussions focusing on collaboration, communication style, problem-solving approaches, and how you handle feedback and work within a team environment.

• Hiring Manager/Stakeholder Interview: A final conversation to discuss the role in detail, assess cultural fit, and answer any remaining questions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: For an Associate role, focus on 2-3 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize projects that demonstrate your process from problem definition to solution.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), your specific contributions, the challenges you faced, and the impact of your solution (quantifiable if possible).

• Showcase Process, Not Just Pixels: Highlight your user-centered approach, how you used data and user feedback, and your collaboration with developers. Wireframes, user flows, and prototypes are as important as final mockups.

• Tailor to AMI: If possible, research AMI's existing digital products or their clients' digital presence to understand their context. Frame your work to show how your skills can benefit their specific needs.

• Be Ready to Discuss: Prepare to articulate your design decisions and rationale clearly and concisely. Be open to constructive criticism and discussion.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Problem: If given a design challenge, take time to fully understand the user problem and business context before jumping into solutions.

• Outline Your Approach: Clearly state your assumptions, the steps you'll take, and the methods you'll use (e.g., user flows, wireframes, prioritizing key features).

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your thinking process. It’s often more important than delivering a perfect final design in a limited time.

• Communicate Clearly: Practice explaining your thought process and design choices verbally or through written notes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a UX role, especially at the Associate level, heavily relies on portfolio review. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their projects, explain their decision-making process, and demonstrate how they apply user-centered design principles. The ability to articulate their thought process and collaborate is key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping & Design: Figma, Adobe XD, InVision (candidates are expected to be proficient in at least one, and familiar with others).

• Front-end Technologies: Modern HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are essential for collaboration and understanding design implementation.

• Graphic Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) may be beneficial for asset creation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Fullstory (experience with these or similar tools is required for analyzing user behavior and informing design).

• Data Visualization: While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with dashboarding tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) could be a plus for understanding data trends.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly specified for UX, but familiarity with how CRM systems (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms integrate with user-facing applications could be beneficial for understanding the broader customer journey.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Adobe XD, InVision, Google Analytics, and Fullstory indicates the core technology stack candidates are expected to be familiar with. A solid grasp of HTML/CSS/JavaScript is also critical for effective collaboration with developers.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the end-user in all design decisions.

• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork and open communication across departments (design, development, business) to achieve collective success.

• Data-Driven Innovation: Using user data and analytics to inform design choices and drive continuous improvement.

• Quality & Reliability: A dedication to producing high-quality, robust, and reliable technology solutions, reflecting the needs of their automotive clients.

• Agility & Initiative: Embracing a dynamic work environment, taking proactive steps, and adapting to evolving project requirements and technological advancements.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with developers to ensure designs are technically feasible and implemented correctly, and with business stakeholders to align UX with strategic goals.

• Feedback-Driven: An environment that encourages constructive feedback on designs and processes from peers, developers, and user testing participants.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that promotes sharing best practices, design patterns, and learnings to elevate the entire team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's client base in the automotive sector suggests a culture that values precision, efficiency, and robust solutions. The emphasis on user-centered design and data indicates a modern approach to product development, balanced with the structured requirements of enterprise clients.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Requirements: Effectively integrating user desires with technical constraints and business objectives in a corporate environment.

• Translating Brand Identity: Seamlessly transferring the brand's personality and style guide across diverse digital interfaces and platforms.

• Data Interpretation: Utilizing web analytics and user feedback to derive actionable insights that genuinely improve the user experience.

• Cross-Functional Communication: Ensuring clear and consistent communication with developers, project managers, and stakeholders to align on design vision and implementation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship: Working alongside experienced designers and developers to gain practical insights and guidance.

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to learn and apply new UX methodologies, design tools, and accessibility standards.

• Project Exposure: Gaining hands-on experience with a variety of digital products and projects for major automotive clients, broadening industry knowledge.

• Career Path Development: Potential to grow into a more senior design role, specialize in a particular UX discipline, or explore related career paths within AMI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges listed are common for UX designers in corporate settings, requiring strong problem-solving and communication skills. The growth opportunities highlight the potential for skill development and career advancement within AMI.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through a project from your portfolio where you applied a user-centered design approach. What was the problem, your role, your process, and the outcome?" (Focus on clearly articulating each stage and your specific contributions.)

• Collaboration: "Describe a time you had to collaborate closely with developers. What were the challenges, and how did you ensure your design was implemented effectively?" (Highlight communication strategies and problem-solving.)

• User Feedback: "How do you leverage user feedback and data (like from Google Analytics or usability testing) to inform your design decisions?" (Provide specific examples of how data led to design changes.)

• Problem Solving: "Imagine you're tasked with redesigning a key feature for our customer portal. What would be your first steps, and how would you approach it?" (Showcase your structured thinking and user-centric methodology.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Automated Media Inc. and this specific UX Designer role?" (Research AMI's business, clients, and technology solutions. Connect your skills and interests to their work.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX trends and technologies?" (Demonstrate continuous learning and passion for the field.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, use a clear story arc: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Impact/Results.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, user flows, prototypes, final designs) to illustrate your points. Explain the "why" behind your design choices.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success of your designs.

• Be Ready for Technical Questions: Anticipate questions about your proficiency with specific tools (Figma, Adobe XD, HTML/CSS/JS) and your understanding of accessibility standards.

• Engage the Interviewer: Make it a conversation. Ask clarifying questions and ensure the interviewer is engaged with your presentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of the UX design process, practical application of tools, ability to collaborate, and a user-centric mindset. The portfolio is the primary tool to showcase these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Associate UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight your experience in user-centered design, prototyping, collaboration with developers, and experience with relevant tools (Figma, Adobe XD, HTML/CSS/JS, Google Analytics). Select 2-3 strong projects that best demonstrate these skills.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your responsibilities and achievements using action verbs and quantifiable results where possible. Ensure keywords from the job description are naturally integrated.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on your design process, decision-making, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss your experience with collaboration and problem-solving.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Automated Media Inc.'s services, clients (Ford, Chrysler, GM), and overall mission. Understand their position in the IT and automotive technology sectors.

⚠️ 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.