Brand & UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand & UI Designer

Company: Focus Lab

Location: United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Brand & UI Design / Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-03-31T20:55:46.499

Experience Level: 4+ Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the visual aspects of brand identity and UI design for B2B clients, ensuring strategic alignment and creative excellence.

• Develop and present comprehensive brand identity systems, UI kits, and visual storytelling assets that drive client objectives.

• Collaborate within a remote, international team of designers, strategists, and project managers to deliver impactful creative solutions.

• Champion the use of modern design tools, including AI, to enhance design systems and creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on Brand and UI Design, not UX Design, as stated in the job description. The emphasis is on visual identity, brand systems, and user interface design rather than user experience research and flows.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and execute branding and UI projects for a diverse range of B2B clients, from concept to final delivery.

• Develop and implement comprehensive brand identity systems, ensuring they are deeply rooted in client strategy and objectives.

• Design intuitive and visually compelling UI systems and UI kits for web and digital applications, adhering to brand guidelines.

• Create compelling visual storytelling assets that effectively communicate client value propositions and brand essence.

• Present and confidently defend design decisions to powerful client stakeholders, articulating strategic rationale and creative vision.

• Collaborate closely with project managers, strategists, and writers to ensure cohesive and impactful project outcomes.

• Actively participate in design critiques, team collaboration sessions, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to foster continuous improvement.

• Stay abreast of the latest brand design, UI trends, and AI design tools, integrating them into the creative process where appropriate.

• Contribute to the evolution of Focus Lab's culture, processes, and client experience through proactive engagement and feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a high degree of autonomy and client-facing leadership, typical of mid-to-senior level design roles within agencies. The emphasis on "owning the work" and "not being order-takers" suggests a proactive approach is highly valued.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: No specific degree is required; Focus Lab values creative visual thinking and communication skills demonstrated through a portfolio.

Experience: Minimum of 4 years of professional experience in brand and UI design, with proven experience in leading visual work for national-level clients.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in Brand Design, including the development of full brand identity systems beyond just logos.

• Proven experience in UI Design, including the creation of UI kits and design systems for large organizations.

• Proficiency in Figma for collaborative design and prototyping.

• Advanced skills in the Adobe Suite, specifically Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.

• Strong ability in Visual Storytelling and translating strategic concepts into compelling visual narratives.

• Experience in Client Engagement, including presenting and defending design decisions confidently.

• Excellent Collaboration skills for working effectively within cross-functional teams and with clients.

• Proficiency in giving and receiving Design Critique constructively.

• Demonstrated Empathy in understanding client needs and team dynamics.

• Strong Initiative and the ability to self-structure work and guide projects autonomously.

• Keen Detail Orientation in all aspects of design and project execution.

• High level of Curiosity to deeply understand client businesses and industries.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience using AI Design Tools for extending design systems, generating assets, and enhancing the design process.

• Experience in the B2B sector, understanding its unique design challenges and opportunities.

• Familiarity with web design principles and best practices.

• Experience in research, analysis, and synthesis for brand and visual language strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio showcasing "full brand identity systems (beyond logos) and UI design/UI kits for large organizations" is a critical differentiator for this role. Candidates must be able to prove end-to-end capability in brand creation and digital interface design. The inclusion of AI tools as a preferred skill indicates a forward-thinking approach to design technology.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of two to three relevant projects that demonstrate leadership in visual branding and UI design.

• Include examples of full brand identity systems, illustrating strategic thinking applied to visual elements beyond just logos (e.g., typography, color palettes, imagery, brand guidelines).

• Present comprehensive UI design projects, including detailed UI kits, design systems, or interface designs for large organizations or complex applications.

• Clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the strategic approach, and the visual solutions implemented for each project.

• Highlight projects where you drove client conversations and presented strategic rationale for design decisions.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate a structured approach to the design process, from discovery and strategy to execution and final delivery.

• Showcase how you translate client objectives and strategic insights into tangible brand and UI design deliverables.

• Illustrate your methods for self-structuring work, managing timelines, and ensuring consistent quality and punctuality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "process-driven intentionality" and "owning the work" in the company description implies that the portfolio should not just showcase final outputs but also the thought process and methodologies behind them. Transparency regarding AI tool usage is explicitly requested.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this role is for a remote position within the United States and potentially for international contractors, a precise salary range is not provided. However, based on industry standards for a Brand & UI Designer with 4+ years of experience in the US, a competitive annual salary would typically range from $80,000 to $120,000 USD. For international contractors, compensation would be benchmarked against similar roles in their respective regions, aiming for parity with US-based professionals when considering cost of living and market rates.

Benefits:

• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO): Encouraged to take a minimum of 20 days annually, in addition to holidays and sick time.

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Medical covered at 100% for the employee and 50% for dependents; Dental and Vision covered at 50% for employees and dependents. Benefits begin the first of the month following hire.

• Life, Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, and Cancer Insurance Plans: Comprehensive coverage for peace of mind.

• Retirement Plan: Available starting at the one-year anniversary of employment.

• Paid Parental, Adoption/Caregiver Leave: Support for significant life events.

• Holiday Rest: Two weeks paid holiday rest at the end of the year.

Note for International Contractors: Independent contractors outside the U.S. are not eligible for traditional employee benefits like health insurance or retirement plans. They are responsible for managing their own taxes and benefits. However, Focus Lab offers competitive compensation and may provide project performance-based perks or bonuses. While formal PTO is not included, flexible scheduling is encouraged to support work-life balance.

Working Hours: Candidates must be able to work within 9AM-5PM Eastern Time Zone (EST), requiring a minimum of a 6-hour overlap for international contractors. A standard full-time workweek is assumed to be 40 hours, with flexibility for remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on industry benchmarks for a remote designer in the US with 4+ years of experience. The benefits package for US employees is robust, while international contractors receive competitive pay and flexibility but without traditional employee benefits. The EST overlap requirement is crucial for remote collaboration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Strategic Brand Agency, specializing in B2B branding and digital solutions. Focus Lab partners with good companies to unlock their potential through thoughtful, creative, and process-driven work.

Company Size: The description implies a medium-sized, international, and fully remote workforce, fostering a close-knit community.

Founded: Founded with a mission to partner with good companies, leveraging craft and care to unlock potential. The company emphasizes a process-driven approach and a supportive community culture.

Team Structure:

• The Design team is described as "tight-knit, supportive community" with regular collaboration sessions and design critiques.

• This role will report into a Design leadership figure and collaborate extensively with Project Managers, Strategists, and Writers.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: Focus Lab uses a process-driven intentionality, suggesting a methodical approach to understanding client challenges and informing solutions.

• Strategic Foundations: Brand and UI systems are developed "rooted in strategy," indicating a strong emphasis on strategic thinking preceding creative execution.

• AI Integration: The company actively embraces AI tools as part of modern design practice, encouraging their use for ideation, research, process, and output.

Company Website: focuslab.agency

📝 Enhancement Note: Focus Lab’s culture is built around specific values: Strive for Excellence, Empathy in Action, Lead with Courage, Assume the Best, and All Over Ego. This informs their approach to client work and internal collaboration. The remote, international nature of the team necessitates strong communication and self-management.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Brand & UI Designer. It requires significant experience (4+ years) and the ability to lead projects independently, present to executive-level stakeholders, and guide clients. The expectation is to operate with autonomy and initiative, going beyond simply executing tasks.

Reporting Structure: The designer will be part of the Design team and will likely report to a Creative Director or Head of Design. They will also report project progress and client interactions to Project Managers.

Operations Impact: As a Brand & UI Designer, the impact is directly tied to shaping the visual identity and user interface of client brands. This influences brand perception, user engagement, and ultimately, the client's business objectives and market positioning. Successful visual branding and UI design are critical for B2B companies to build trust, convey professionalism, and differentiate themselves.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in brand identity systems, UI design, and AI-driven design workflows.

• Leadership Development: Potential to take on more complex client leadership roles, mentor junior designers, and contribute to evolving agency processes and best practices.

• Specialization: The role's focus on B2B and strategic branding offers a path to becoming a specialist in that niche.

• Industry Exposure: Working with a variety of B2B clients provides broad exposure to different industries and business challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role implies a career path towards senior or lead designer positions within an agency setting. The emphasis on client leadership and strategic contribution suggests opportunities for growth into roles that involve more strategic oversight and team management.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company operates as an all-remote organization. This means there is no traditional physical office space that employees are required to attend.

Office Location(s): While the job posting specifies "Remote, USA" for candidates and mentions international contractors, there isn't a central physical office listed. Focus Lab is an international team.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Despite being remote, Focus Lab fosters a strong sense of community and collaboration through regular video calls, design critiques, and team sessions.

• Technology Enabled: The remote setup relies heavily on digital tools like Figma, Adobe Suite, and AI productivity tools for seamless collaboration and deliverable creation.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for interaction occur through scheduled meetings, project-specific calls, and informal Slack channels, creating a virtual workspace.

Work Schedule: The primary requirement is to maintain a 6-hour overlap within the 9AM-5PM EST time zone. This allows for synchronous communication and collaboration with colleagues and clients. Outside of this overlap, the work schedule is flexible, allowing individuals to structure their week to meet deliverables, which is characteristic of remote work environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first nature of Focus Lab requires strong self-discipline, excellent time management, and proactive communication. While there's flexibility, the EST overlap is a critical component for team cohesion and client service.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Video Interview: A brief screening to discuss your interest in the role, the company, and to address any initial questions you might have. Prepare to articulate your excitement for the role and Focus Lab.

• Culture & Experience Interview: A video call focused on discussing your professional experience in brand and UI design and assessing your cultural fit with Focus Lab's values (Excellence, Empathy, Courage, Assume the Best, All Over Ego).

• Portfolio & Collaboration Interview: A more in-depth video interview to review your portfolio, discuss specific projects, and explore how you collaborate within a team and with clients. Be ready to walk through your case studies and explain your design process.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your leadership in brand identity systems and UI design for large organizations. Ensure they align with the B2B focus and strategic approach.

• Storytelling is Key: For each project, clearly articulate the client's problem, your role, the strategic thinking, the creative process, and the impactful results. Use visuals effectively to tell this story.

• Highlight AI Usage: If AI tools were part of your process, be transparent about their role and impact. Explain how they contributed to efficiency, creativity, or scalability.

• Demonstrate Client Leadership: Include examples where you confidently presented to stakeholders and guided them through the design process.

• Showcase Full Systems: Emphasize projects that demonstrate a comprehensive approach to branding (beyond just logos) and robust UI design.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you approach a new client challenge with curiosity and a "listen-first" mindset.

• Think about how you would articulate strategic rationale for design decisions, especially when facing pushback or differing opinions.

• Consider how you embody Focus Lab's values in your work and interactions.

• Prepare specific examples of how you "own the work" and take initiative.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only design skills but also cultural fit and collaborative capabilities. The portfolio review is a central component, requiring candidates to demonstrate strategic thinking, execution excellence, and transparency regarding modern design tools like AI.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for collaborative UI design, prototyping, and creating design systems. Proficiency is expected for efficient workflow and team contribution.

• Adobe Suite: Including Illustrator (for vector graphics and logo design), InDesign (for layout and brand guideline creation), and Photoshop (for image editing and mockups).

• AI Design & Productivity Tools: Increasingly important for ideation, asset generation, workflow optimization, and extending design systems. Familiarity and willingness to integrate these tools are highly valued.

Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly mentioned for this design role, understanding how design impacts key metrics (e.g., user engagement, conversion rates) is beneficial. Designers may interact with analytics dashboards or reports to understand user behavior and design effectiveness.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the designer's core responsibilities, but awareness of how branding and UI contribute to the overall customer journey managed through CRM systems is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite is a baseline requirement. The explicit mention and preference for AI design tools suggest that candidates who can leverage these technologies effectively will have a significant advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values: Focus Lab operates under five core values that guide their work and interactions:

• Strive for Excellence: A commitment to creating industry-leading creative work and delivering tangible, impactful ideas. This means pushing boundaries and aiming for the highest quality in all deliverables.

• Empathy in Action: Building rapport with clients and team members, fostering understanding, and ensuring solutions are user-centered and client-aligned. This involves active listening and genuine care.

• Lead with Courage: Presenting design decisions with confidence, defending strategic rationale directly to stakeholders, and driving conversations. It also means taking initiative and guiding clients towards the best solutions.

• Assume the Best: Approaching new challenges, feedback, and interactions with curiosity and a positive, collaborative mindset. This fosters trust and open communication.

• All Over Ego: Giving and receiving constructive critique with humility, focusing on collective success over individual recognition. This promotes a supportive and learning-oriented environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Remote & Collaborative: Focus Lab cultivates a strong sense of community and collaboration despite being a remote team. This is achieved through structured meetings, design critiques, and open communication channels.

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with strategists, writers, and project managers, contributing to all phases of a project from research to synthesis and visual execution.

• Feedback-Driven: The culture encourages giving and receiving constructive feedback, enabling continuous improvement for both individuals and the team's output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's explicit values are crucial for understanding the expected behavior and mindset of team members. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how they embody these values in their work and interactions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Remote Collaboration Complexity: Effectively collaborating and maintaining strong relationships within a fully remote, international team requires proactive communication and strong digital collaboration skills.

• Client Stakeholder Management: Presenting and defending design decisions to powerful clients, potentially with differing opinions or expectations, requires confidence, strategic articulation, and strong interpersonal skills.

• Balancing Autonomy and Teamwork: Self-structuring work and taking initiative while also being an integral part of a collaborative team requires excellent time management and communication.

• Keeping Pace with AI: Continuously learning and integrating emerging AI design tools and methodologies into a design process that is still evolving.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to hone expertise in strategic brand development, complex UI systems, and cutting-edge design trends.

• AI Tool Mastery: Gaining hands-on experience and developing best practices for leveraging AI in creative workflows.

• Client Leadership: Developing skills in client management, presentation, and strategic advisory through direct client interaction.

• Mentorship and Peer Learning: Engaging with experienced designers and strategists within the Focus Lab community for knowledge sharing and skill development.

• Process Improvement: Contributing to the evolution of Focus Lab's methodologies and client experience, offering a chance to shape how the agency operates.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to senior roles in remote agencies and the rapidly evolving design landscape. The growth opportunities are significant for individuals seeking to advance their design expertise, leadership capabilities, and adapt to technological advancements.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a branding project from strategy through to execution. What was your process, and how did you ensure the visual identity aligned with the client's strategic goals?" (Focus on process, strategy articulation, and end-to-end ownership.)

• "How do you approach presenting and defending your design decisions to senior client stakeholders, especially when there's disagreement?" (Prepare specific examples of navigating feedback and articulating strategic rationale with courage.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you embody Focus Lab's value of 'All Over Ego' in your design practice and team interactions?" (Prepare examples of collaboration, constructive critique, and humility.)

• "Describe a situation where you had to 'Assume the Best' about a challenging client or team member. What was the outcome?" (Showcase your approach to positive collaboration and curiosity.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your portfolio walkthrough as a compelling story for each project, highlighting the challenge, your strategic approach, your creative solutions, and the measurable impact.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your visuals are high-quality and clearly demonstrate the breadth of your skills (e.g., showing mood boards, style guides, UI mockups, and final applications).

• AI Transparency: Be ready to articulate exactly where and how AI was used, its benefits, and any limitations encountered. This demonstrates a modern, adaptable approach.

• Interactive Elements: If possible, be prepared to briefly demonstrate interactive elements within Figma or discuss prototyping approaches.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify results where possible, or qualitatively explain the business impact of your design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on aligning your experience and approach with Focus Lab's core values and their specific needs for a strategic Brand & UI Designer. Demonstrating your ability to lead, collaborate, and innovate, particularly with AI, will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand & UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Craft a concise summary: In the designated summary section, clearly articulate what excites you about this role and Focus Lab, highlight two to three relevant projects, and briefly outline your future career aspirations with the company.

• Optimize your resume: Ensure your resume clearly lists your 4+ years of experience in brand and UI design, highlighting your proficiency with Figma, Adobe Suite, and any experience with AI design tools. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare your portfolio: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature full brand identity systems and UI design/UI kits for large organizations. Be ready to discuss your process, strategic thinking, and client leadership. Explicitly note any use of AI in your projects.

• Research Focus Lab: Familiarize yourself with their work, their client roster, and their core values. Understand their "process-driven intentionality" and how they aim to "unlock potential."

• Include the keyword: As requested, subtly include the word "Applebees" somewhere in your application materials (e.g., cover letter, summary) for bonus points.

⚠️ 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.