Freelance Senior UX/UI Designer (m/w/d) - deutschsprachig

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Freelance Senior UX/UI Designer (m/w/d) - deutschsprachig
Company: B-works
Location: Switzerland
Job Type: Full-time (Contractor)
Category: UX/UI Design, Digital Design, Web Development
Date Posted: January 23, 2026
Experience Level: Senior (5+ years)
Remote Status: Hybrid (Remote with required presence in Switzerland)

🚀 Role Summary

• This is a full-time freelance contract role for a Senior UX/UI Designer, requiring strong expertise in user-centered design principles and a deep understanding of web technologies.
• The primary focus is on the comprehensive relaunch of a public sector website, demanding a high degree of user-friendliness, accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA), and modern design aesthetics.
• The role necessitates end-to-end design responsibility, from initial discovery and user research to detailed UI design, component system creation, and usability testing.
• Candidates must possess a proven track record in designing complex web projects, particularly within the Swiss public sector or similar institutional environments, and demonstrate proficiency in collaborating with development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title and description indicate a senior-level freelance position focused on a significant web redesign. The "Hybrid" work arrangement, as per the description, implies remote work is the primary mode, but with mandatory on-site presence in Switzerland for specific meetings or project milestones. The compensation is expected to be fair based on experience and qualification, typical for a freelance contractor.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive user research, including analysis of user groups, needs, and the development of detailed user journeys and personas.
• Define and conceptualize the website's information architecture, navigation structure, and advanced search functionality (with auto-completion and relevance sorting).
• Create detailed wireframes and interactive prototypes to visualize user flows and design concepts.
• Design a modular component system suitable for Drupal integration, ensuring consistency and reusability.
• Develop the user interface for three complex online calculators, including intricate form logic and user interaction design.
• Implement responsive design principles to ensure optimal user experience across all devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops).
• Ensure all designs adhere strictly to WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards.
• Maintain consistency with an existing Corporate Design Manual, including color palettes, typography, and icon styles.
• Plan and execute usability testing sessions with real users, gathering feedback for iterative design improvements.
• Prepare detailed design specifications and assets for seamless handover to the development team.
• Engage in direct client consultation and present new projects, concepts, and design solutions effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a full-cycle UX/UI design process, emphasizing the need for strategic thinking in information architecture and user journeys, alongside detailed execution in wireframing, prototyping, and visual design. The mention of Drupal and a modular component system points towards a need for practical understanding of CMS-driven web development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: No specific degree is mandated, but a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and expertise in UX/UI design is essential.
Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience as a UX/UI Designer, specifically within a leading Swiss digital agency, with a proven history of leading significant web projects.

Required Skills:

• Fluency in Swiss German or German at C2 level (native or near-native).
• Proven experience in independent project management and client consultation, including presenting concepts.
• Demonstrated experience with projects within the public sector or Swiss institutions.
• Expertise in User Experience (UX) research, user journey mapping, and persona development.
• Proficiency in creating wireframes and interactive prototypes.
• Deep understanding of and practical experience with accessibility standards, specifically WCAG 2.1 AA.
• Strong knowledge of responsive design principles and mobile-first approaches.
• Competence with design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD.
• Experience in designing for Content Management Systems (CMS), with a preference for Drupal or TYPO3.
• Familiarity with design systems and component-based design.
• Experience conducting usability testing and incorporating user feedback.
• Ability to work directly with development teams, providing clear specifications.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Swiss social security systems, public administration, or similar government bodies.
• Knowledge of Swiss Data Protection Law (DSG) in the context of web applications.
• Existing references from Swiss social security institutions (e.g., Ausgleichskassen, SVA).
• Experience with complex form logic and interactive online calculators.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on C2 German proficiency and Swiss public sector experience is critical. The "leading Swiss digital agency" requirement suggests a need for candidates familiar with high standards and potentially fast-paced environments common in such firms.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a range of UX/UI design projects. This can be submitted as a PDF or a link.
• Projects should highlight your ability to conduct user research, develop information architecture, create wireframes and prototypes, and deliver polished UI designs.
• Demonstrations of your experience with responsive design, accessibility compliance (WCAG 2.1 AA), and working within established design systems are crucial.
• Include examples of projects relevant to the public sector or complex web applications, ideally with a focus on user-friendliness and institutional requirements.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase your process for user needs analysis, including how you gather and interpret user feedback.
• Detail your methodology for information architecture and navigation design.
• Provide examples of your wireframing and prototyping workflow, detailing the tools used and the iterative process.
• Illustrate how you approach designing modular components for CMS integration (e.g., Drupal).
• Document your approach to ensuring accessibility and responsive design implementation.
• Explain your process for conducting usability testing and how user feedback informs design iterations.
• Present your method for collaborating with and handing over designs to development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process explicitly requires a mock-up of the homepage as part of the offer phase. This indicates that beyond a general portfolio, candidates will need to demonstrate their ability to quickly grasp project requirements and translate them into a visual concept for this specific project.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a freelance contract position, compensation will be based on a fair hourly rate or project price, determined by the candidate's experience, qualifications, and the estimated effort. Based on typical freelance senior UX/UI designer rates in Switzerland, a range of CHF 90-130+ per hour can be anticipated for highly qualified candidates. This range is an estimate and subject to negotiation.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to work on a challenging and socially relevant project within the public sector.
• Professional environment collaborating with an experienced project team.
• Flexible working arrangements with remote work possibilities.
• Fair remuneration aligned with your experience and qualifications.
• Potential for long-term collaboration upon successful project completion.
• Direct communication channels, avoiding intermediaries.

Working Hours: The role requires approximately 40-60% of a full-time capacity during the design phase. This translates to roughly 24-36 hours per week. The specific schedule can be flexible, accommodating remote work, but may require availability for key meetings and deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on Swiss freelance market rates for senior UX/UI designers with specialized experience. The "40-60%" indicates a significant commitment, aligning with a full-time contractual engagement for the specified project duration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Agency, Web Development, Technology Consulting. B-works specializes in custom web solutions using Drupal and TYPO3, serving demanding clients in both the public and private sectors.
Company Size: B-works is a Swiss digital agency, likely a medium-sized firm given its specialization and focus on complex projects. Size implications for operations professionals: expect a potentially flatter hierarchy, direct access to stakeholders, and a hands-on approach where individual contributions are highly visible.
Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company's focus on modern web solutions suggests a contemporary operational approach.

Team Structure:

• The project team will include experienced professionals from B-works, likely comprising project managers, developers (Drupal/TYPO3 specialists), and potentially other designers or QA specialists.
• The Senior UX/UI Designer will report to a Project Manager or a Lead Designer within the B-works structure.
• Cross-functional collaboration will be essential, particularly with the development team for seamless implementation and with client representatives for feedback and approvals.

Methodology:

• B-works emphasizes tailored web solutions, suggesting a consultative approach to understand client needs deeply.
• Their use of Drupal and TYPO3 implies a strong technical foundation and an understanding of scalable, robust web platforms.
• The focus on user-friendliness and accessibility in this project indicates a commitment to quality and user-centric design practices.

Company Website: https://b-works.io

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's specialization in Drupal and TYPO3 and its focus on custom solutions highlight a technical and client-centric approach. For a freelance designer, this suggests the need to integrate within an existing technical framework and collaborate closely with a development-oriented team.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Senior level, demanding a high degree of autonomy, strategic input, and expertise. As a freelance Senior UX/UI Designer, the focus is on delivering expert design solutions for a specific, high-profile project rather than climbing a traditional corporate ladder within B-works.
Reporting Structure: The Senior UX/UI Designer will work within a project team structure, likely reporting to a Project Manager. Direct communication with the client is also expected for specific project phases.
Operations Impact: The UX/UI Designer's impact is critical to the success of the website relaunch. By ensuring user-friendliness, accessibility, and a modern design, they directly influence user engagement, satisfaction, and the effectiveness of the public service website. Their work will be instrumental in achieving the project's goals for user adoption and communication.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in accessibility design (WCAG 2.1 AA), complex form logic, and CMS-integrated design systems (Drupal components).
• Project Diversity: Successfully completing this public sector project can open doors to future engagements with B-works or similar agencies on projects with societal impact.
• Client Relationship Building: Developing strong relationships with B-works and potentially the client organization can lead to repeat freelance opportunities or recommendations.
• Technical Acumen: Enhance understanding of how design systems integrate with specific CMS platforms like Drupal.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a freelance role, successful execution can lead to further opportunities. The growth is less about internal promotion and more about expanding a professional network and portfolio with high-impact projects.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. The role is primarily remote, but requires physical presence in Switzerland for specific meetings and project milestones. This suggests a need for local presence or willingness to travel within Switzerland for required on-site engagements.
Office Location(s): The specific office locations for mandatory presence are not detailed, but it is stated to be within Switzerland. Candidates should be prepared for potential travel within the country.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: Expect to utilize digital collaboration tools for communication, file sharing, and virtual meetings with the B-works team and the client.
• Design Tools: Access to and proficiency with industry-standard design tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD is paramount.
• Team Interaction: While remote, there will be opportunities for direct interaction with project managers and developers through scheduled meetings and collaborative sessions. The presence requirement ensures face-to-face collaboration for critical project phases.

Work Schedule: The role requires approximately 40-60% of a full-time workload (approx. 24-36 hours per week) during the design phase. Flexibility is offered, but availability for key meetings and deadlines is essential. This allows for a balance between project work and other commitments, typical for freelance engagements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Hybrid" aspect is key – it's not fully remote. Candidates must be comfortable with occasional travel within Switzerland. The flexibility in hours is a common benefit of freelance work but requires strong self-management.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Step 1: Application Submission: Submit CV, portfolio (PDF or link), a brief profile with availability, and 2-3 relevant references.
• Step 2: Shortlist & RFP: Selected candidates will receive a detailed Request for Proposal (RFP) document.
• Step 3: Offer Phase & Mock-up: Submit your proposal, including an estimated cost/rate, and critically, a mock-up of the homepage by February 2, 2026.
• Step 4: Interview & Presentation: A conversation with the project team, where you will present your solution approach and mock-up.
• Step 5: Contract & Start: If successful, contract signing followed by project commencement in March 2026.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Public Sector/Institutional Experience: Prioritize projects that demonstrate your understanding of the unique requirements, compliance needs, and user bases of public sector or institutional clients.
• Showcase Accessibility Expertise: Clearly articulate your process and achievements in designing according to WCAG 2.1 AA standards. Provide specific examples of how you implemented accessible features.
• Demonstrate Process & Problem-Solving: For each project, explain your design process from discovery to final design. Detail how you approached complex challenges like form logic or information architecture.
• Include Design System/Component Work: If applicable, show examples of how you've designed modular components or contributed to design systems, especially if for a CMS like Drupal.
• Quality over Quantity: Select your strongest, most relevant projects. A focused portfolio is more impactful than a broad, shallow one.

Challenge Preparation:

• Homepage Mock-up: This is a critical component. Focus on capturing the essence of a public sector website, user needs, and the requirement for clear information hierarchy and accessibility. Consider the target audience of Swiss social insurance.
• Solution Approach Presentation: Be prepared to articulate your design strategy, how you interpreted the RFP, and how your proposed homepage addresses key project goals.
• Usability & Accessibility: Anticipate questions about how you ensure usability and accessibility throughout the design process, beyond just the mock-up.
• Collaboration & Communication: Prepare to discuss how you collaborate with development teams and communicate design decisions to clients and stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mock-up requirement is a significant part of the selection process. Candidates should allocate sufficient time and effort to this task, treating it as a mini-project demonstration.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD (proficiency required).
• CMS Experience: Drupal or TYPO3 (strong understanding of their capabilities and design integration is essential).
• Collaboration: Tools for virtual meetings, file sharing, and project management (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence – though specific tools are not listed, familiarity with such platforms is expected).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a UX/UI design tool, an understanding of how design choices impact analytics (e.g., user flow, conversion rates) is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics platforms like Google Analytics or similar is a plus.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core UX/UI design responsibilities for this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Drupal and TYPO3 indicates a need for designers who understand how their work integrates with these specific CMS platforms, particularly regarding component-based design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A strong commitment to understanding and serving user needs, especially within the public sector context.
• Quality & Excellence: High standards in design, accessibility, and usability, reflecting the demands of public service.
• Collaboration: Working effectively within a project team, fostering open communication with developers and clients.
• Efficiency: Designing solutions that are not only user-friendly but also technically feasible and maintainable within a CMS framework.
• Professionalism: Maintaining high standards of conduct, communication, and delivery as a freelance professional.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional integration: Close collaboration with B-works' development team to ensure designs are technically sound and implementable.
• Client Partnership: Open communication and responsiveness to client feedback and strategic direction.
• Iterative Design: A willingness to engage in feedback loops, conduct usability testing, and refine designs based on input.
• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to the project team's understanding of UX/UI best practices, particularly concerning accessibility and user experience for public services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on the public sector and social relevance suggests a culture that values impact and responsibility in addition to design quality.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Designing for a public sector website requires meeting diverse user needs while adhering to strict accessibility guidelines and potentially complex technical specifications of Drupal.
• Integrating with Existing Corporate Design: Adhering to an existing Corporate Design Manual while bringing a fresh, modern design can be a creative challenge.
• Designing Complex Forms/Calculators: The requirement for three online calculators with complex form logic presents a significant UX challenge that demands meticulous planning and execution.
• Remote Collaboration for Critical Phases: Ensuring effective collaboration and design alignment across remote and on-site team members, especially during key decision-making moments.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Drupal Design Systems: Gaining practical experience in designing for Drupal's component architecture.
• Advanced Accessibility Implementation: Further honing skills in WCAG 2.1 AA compliance for complex web applications.
• Public Sector UX Expertise: Developing a niche in designing for government and public service organizations, understanding their unique user bases and regulatory environments.
• Client Relationship Management: Enhancing skills in presenting complex design solutions and managing client expectations in a project-based environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly linked to the project's scope and the specific context of a public sector website, offering significant learning opportunities for a designer focused on impact and compliance.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach the discovery phase for a public sector website relaunch, considering diverse user groups and accessibility requirements?" (Prepare to discuss user research methods, stakeholder interviews, and accessibility audits.)
• "Describe your process for designing a modular component system for a CMS like Drupal. How do you ensure reusability and maintainability?" (Focus on design systems, component libraries, and collaboration with developers.)
• "Walk us through your strategy for designing a complex online form or calculator. What are the key UX considerations?" (Prepare to discuss form field design, validation, error handling, and user flow optimization.)
• "How do you ensure designs are compliant with WCAG 2.1 AA standards throughout the design process?" (Detail specific techniques, tools, and testing methods.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about this project and working with B-works specifically?" (Research B-works' portfolio and mission; highlight your interest in public sector impact or their technical expertise.)
• "How do you typically collaborate with development teams when working on a CMS-based project?" (Emphasize communication, documentation, and understanding of development constraints.)
• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting stakeholder requirements or user needs. How did you resolve it?" (Focus on your problem-solving skills and ability to mediate.)
• "What are your expectations regarding client communication and feedback for a freelance project?" (Show professionalism and a proactive approach.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Homepage Mock-up: Be ready to present your mock-up confidently, explaining your design decisions, rationale, and how it addresses the project's core requirements (user-friendliness, accessibility, modern design, public sector context).
• Case Study Structure: For other portfolio pieces, use a clear structure: Problem, Your Role, Solution (process and design), and Results/Impact.
• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out projects that demonstrate your experience with accessibility, responsive design, complex forms, and working with CMS platforms.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the success of your designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview will likely involve a technical discussion about UX/UI principles, a review of your portfolio and mock-up, and an assessment of your fit with the project team and B-works' working style.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this freelance operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link, including your CV, portfolio (PDF or link), and a brief profile detailing your availability.
• Prepare for the RFP: Once shortlisted, carefully review the detailed Request for Proposal (RFP) document to fully understand the project scope and requirements.
• Develop Your Homepage Mock-up: Create a compelling mock-up of the homepage by the deadline of February 2, 2026. This is a critical component of your offer.
• Craft Your Offer: Submit your proposal, which should include your estimated cost/price framework and your rates, alongside the homepage mock-up.
• Research B-works: Familiarize yourself with B-works' website, client projects, and any information available about their approach to design and development.

⚠️ 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.

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