Junior Product Designer - 12 Month FTC.

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior Product Designer - 12 Month Fixed-Term Contract

Company: abrdn

Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time, Temporary

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: March 30, 2026

Experience Level: Junior (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a crucial entry point into product design within a large financial services organization, focusing on the user experience of wealth and investment platforms.

• The Junior Product Designer will actively contribute to the full design lifecycle, from discovery and user research to the creation of tangible design outputs like wireframes and interface designs.

• A key aspect of this position is collaborating closely with experienced designers and cross-functional teams, fostering a steep learning curve and immediate impact.

• The role emphasizes a strong understanding of design principles, accessibility standards, and the ability to translate user needs and business goals into effective design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Junior Product Designer," the detailed responsibilities suggest a comprehensive introduction to product design within a structured environment, not merely an administrative support role. The 12-month FTC structure implies a need for immediate contribution and rapid skill development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Engage in user research activities, including participating in customer interviews, usability testing sessions, and synthesizing findings to inform design decisions.

• Apply established design principles and visual identity guidelines to create clear and functional design deliverables, such as user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity interface designs.

• Support the creation and analysis of customer journey maps to identify pain points, opportunities for improvement, and inconsistencies in the user experience.

• Actively participate in backlog refinement sessions, assisting in clarifying user stories and understanding the connection between design outcomes and defined business objectives.

• Document and share insights derived from user research and design processes to build a shared understanding within the product team and across stakeholders.

• Contribute to design critiques and workshops, providing constructive feedback and iterating on designs based on input from peers, senior designers, and product managers.

• Learn and apply a balanced approach to solution design, considering feasibility, usability, and the overall value proposition for both customers and the business.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are structured to provide a junior designer with exposure to core product design functions. The emphasis on participation and support indicates a learning-oriented environment where the candidate will be guided by senior team members.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Graphic Design, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 0-2 years of experience in product design, UX/UI design, or a closely related field, demonstrated through a portfolio.

Required Skills:

• Foundational proficiency in design tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar.

• Ability to create clear user flows, wireframes, and basic interface designs.

• Understanding of core design principles and user-centered design methodologies.

• Basic knowledge of accessibility principles and their importance in digital product design.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within a team environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with user research methodologies (e.g., interviews, usability testing).

• Familiarity with customer journey mapping techniques.

• Exposure to Agile development methodologies.

• Experience in the financial services or wealth management industry.

• Understanding of design systems and their application.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications are geared towards an entry-level candidate with strong foundational skills and a demonstrable design process. The emphasis on a portfolio that shows how a candidate thinks, rather than just finished products, is critical for assessing their problem-solving abilities and potential for growth.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A portfolio showcasing a minimum of 2-3 well-documented design projects that demonstrate a clear understanding of the design process from problem identification to solution.

• Projects should illustrate the candidate's thought process, including user research insights, ideation stages, wireframing, user flow diagrams, and final UI designs.

• Evidence of how user feedback and iteration were incorporated into the design process.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, the candidate's role, the design decisions made, and the outcomes or learnings.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal design workflow, including how they approach initial problem definition, research, ideation, prototyping, and testing.

• Ability to articulate how they manage design tasks, prioritize work, and collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., developers, product managers).

• Examples of how they have documented design decisions and communicated them to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a junior role, the portfolio is paramount. It serves as the primary evidence of a candidate's potential and understanding of design principles and processes. The ability to articulate this process verbally during interviews is equally important.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Junior Product Designers in Edinburgh, UK, with 0-2 years of experience, a salary range of £28,000 - £38,000 per annum is estimated. This range accounts for the fixed-term nature of the contract and the specific skills required.

Benefits:

• Generous Annual Leave: 40 days per year, providing excellent work-life balance.

• Employer Pension Contribution: A significant 16% employer contribution to the pension scheme.

• Discretionary Performance Bonus: Potential for a bonus based on individual and company performance.

• Private Healthcare: Comprehensive private medical insurance coverage.

• Flexible Benefits: Access to a range of benefits including:

  • Gym discounts

  • Season ticket loans for commuting

  • An employee discount portal offering savings on various goods and services. Working Hours: The role is based on a standard 40-hour work week, with a blended working approach that combines office-based collaboration with remote flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on publicly available data for similar roles in Edinburgh and the UK, considering the junior experience level and the 12-month fixed-term contract. The comprehensive benefits package offered by abrdn is a significant draw for candidates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services, Wealth Management, and Investments. abrdn operates within a highly regulated and competitive sector, focusing on providing robust financial solutions and investment opportunities to individuals and institutions.

Company Size: Large enterprise, with a significant global presence. This scale offers opportunities for exposure to complex projects and diverse stakeholder groups.

Founded: abrdn was formed in 2019 through the merger of Standard Life Aberdeen and is a prominent name in the UK financial landscape, with a history rooted in established financial institutions.

Team Structure:

• The design team is likely integrated within product development squads, working closely with product managers, engineers, researchers, and other designers.

• This role operates within a "blended working" model, suggesting a hybrid team structure that values both in-person collaboration and remote flexibility.

Methodology:

• abrdn emphasizes a client-centric approach, aiming to deliver value through innovative digital platforms and expert financial advice.

• The company likely adopts agile methodologies for product development, with design processes integrated into sprints and iterative development cycles.

• A focus on data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement is expected, driven by user feedback and market analysis.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: abrdn's position as a leading UK wealth and investments group means this role offers exposure to significant industry challenges and opportunities. The company's emphasis on talent development and a positive culture is a key differentiator.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level, Junior Product Designer position, serving as a foundational step in a career within product design, UX/UI, or related digital product roles.

Reporting Structure: The Junior Product Designer will report to a Senior Product Designer or Design Lead, who will provide direct mentorship and guidance. They will also work within cross-functional product teams.

Operations Impact: While direct revenue impact is indirect, the Junior Product Designer's work on user experience directly influences customer engagement, satisfaction, retention, and the adoption of abrdn's digital platforms. Effective design contributes to the success of direct-to-consumer and adviser-focused wealth management solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Extensive opportunities to develop skills in Figma, user research, UX/UI design, accessibility, and design systems under the guidance of experienced professionals.

• Career Progression: Potential to transition into a fully-fledged Product Designer role after the 12-month contract, based on performance and business needs. Further progression could lead to Senior Product Designer, UX Lead, or Product Manager roles.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining valuable experience within the financial services sector, a complex and rewarding industry for designers.

• Mentorship: Direct mentorship from senior designers and access to a supportive team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The 12-month FTC is an excellent opportunity for a junior designer to gain hands-on experience in a structured corporate environment, building a strong foundation for future roles in product design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: abrdn operates a "blended working" model, integrating office-based collaboration with remote work. The Edinburgh office is a modern, professional environment designed to facilitate teamwork and innovation.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is Edinburgh, United Kingdom. This location is a major financial hub, offering excellent connectivity and amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office likely features open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and dedicated project spaces to foster collaboration among design, product, and engineering teams.

• Technology Access: Employees will have access to industry-standard design software and hardware, along with robust IT infrastructure supporting both in-office and remote work.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for informal and formal interactions with colleagues, including design critiques, team stand-ups, and cross-functional project meetings.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with flexibility offered through the blended working model, allowing for a balance between in-office presence and remote work, tailored to team and project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The blended working model is a key characteristic of abrdn's work environment, promoting flexibility while ensuring essential in-person collaboration for design and product development.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications and relevance.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their portfolio, discussing their process, design decisions, and learnings from specific projects. This is a critical stage for assessing design thinking.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: This may involve a small design exercise or a more in-depth discussion of design tools and methodologies, potentially including case study elements relevant to abrdn's products.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with senior designers, product managers, and potentially other team members to evaluate collaboration skills, cultural fit, and understanding of business objectives.

• Final Interview: A concluding discussion with a hiring manager or senior leader to confirm overall fit and address any final questions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate your design journey for each project, highlighting problem identification, research methods, ideation, user testing, and iteration.

• Showcase Problem-Solving: Demonstrate how you approached challenges and made design decisions to solve user problems and meet business goals.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): Where applicable, include metrics or outcomes that demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs.

• Tailor to the Role: Highlight projects that best align with the responsibilities of a product designer in a financial services context, showing an understanding of user needs in this domain.

• Be Concise and Clear: Present your work in a structured, easy-to-follow manner, ensuring all key information is readily accessible.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your understanding of user research, usability testing, and accessibility in the context of financial products.

• Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely, anticipating questions about your decision-making process.

• Research abrdn's existing platforms (e.g., interactive investor) to understand their current user experience and identify potential areas for improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily emphasize the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their design thinking and process. Demonstrating a proactive and curious mindset will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expected to be the primary tool for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency and willingness to deepen expertise are key.

• Sketch/Adobe XD: Familiarity with these tools may be beneficial as alternative design platforms.

• Prototyping Tools: In-depth knowledge of Figma's prototyping capabilities or other dedicated prototyping tools (e.g., InVision) for creating interactive mockups.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel): While not a primary design tool, understanding how to interpret user data and analytics to inform design decisions is valuable.

• Customer Feedback Tools: Familiarity with platforms for collecting and analyzing user feedback.

CRM & Automation:

• Jira/Confluence: Likely used for project management, backlog tracking, and documentation within Agile teams.

• Collaboration Platforms: Tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams for team communication and asynchronous collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong foundation in Figma is essential. Exposure to user analytics and project management tools will further enhance a candidate's suitability.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client Focus: A core value of abrdn is putting clients and customers at the heart of everything they do, driving design decisions towards creating exceptional user experiences.

• Integrity & Accountability: Operating in financial services demands a high level of integrity, and team members are expected to take ownership of their work and decisions.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: The blended working model and cross-functional team structure highlight the importance of effective collaboration and mutual support.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: abrdn aims to be a leader in its field, encouraging a culture of seeking new solutions, embracing technology, and constantly refining processes and products.

• Inclusivity: abrdn actively promotes an inclusive culture where diverse perspectives are valued and contribute to better outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional: Designers work closely with product managers, engineers, researchers, and business stakeholders, requiring strong communication and the ability to translate design concepts for different audiences.

• Iterative & Feedback-Driven: A culture of design critiques and regular feedback loops is encouraged to refine designs and ensure alignment.

• Blended Working Integration: While maintaining flexibility, the team fosters strong connections through a mix of in-person meetings and effective virtual communication tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on client-centricity, integrity, and inclusivity are key cultural pillars that will influence how design work is approached and executed within abrdn.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating a Large Organization: Understanding the complex structure and stakeholder landscape of a large financial institution.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Constraints: Effectively advocating for user experience while considering technical feasibility, regulatory requirements, and business objectives.

• Rapid Learning Curve: Adapting quickly to new tools, processes, and the specific domain of wealth management within a 12-month contract.

• Remote Collaboration: Effectively contributing and collaborating within a blended working environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Structured Mentorship: Direct guidance from senior designers on design craft, process, and career development.

• Access to Industry Expertise: Learning about the nuances of financial product design, user needs in wealth management, and regulatory considerations.

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to deepen proficiency in design software, user research techniques, and accessibility best practices.

• Portfolio Building: The contract provides a substantial opportunity to build a robust portfolio with real-world projects for future career advancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a junior role in a large enterprise and are framed as opportunities for growth and skill development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a project from your portfolio where you had to balance competing user needs or business requirements. How did you approach it?"

• "How do you incorporate accessibility principles into your design process, even at a foundational level?"

• "Walk us through your typical design process from receiving a project brief to delivering final assets."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working in the financial services industry, specifically in wealth management?"

• "How do you approach collaborating with non-designers, such as engineers or product managers?"

• "Our company values client focus and integrity. How do you see these values reflected in good product design?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your background and a summary of the projects you'll present. For each project, clearly state the problem, your role, the process, your solutions, and the outcomes/learnings.

• Visuals: Use clear, high-quality visuals (wireframes, user flows, UI mockups) to illustrate your points. Ensure they are easy to read and understand.

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as narratives, guiding the interviewer through your thought process and design journey.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Focus on the most impactful aspects of each project and be prepared to go deeper if asked.

• Engagement: Be ready to answer questions about your decisions, challenges, and what you learned. Show enthusiasm and a genuine interest in the role and company.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process and decisions with clarity, demonstrating an understanding of user-centered design and a proactive approach to learning and collaboration.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Junior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the abrdn careers portal, ensuring your CV is up-to-date and highlights relevant skills and experience.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature 2-3 projects that best demonstrate your design process, problem-solving skills, and foundational UI/UX capabilities. Tailor your project descriptions to align with the responsibilities outlined in this job description.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your foundational design tool proficiencies (especially Figma), any relevant education or coursework, and any prior design experience or personal projects. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on articulating your design process and decision-making. Prepare to discuss your understanding of user research, accessibility, and collaboration.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research abrdn, its business lines (interactive investor, Investments, Adviser), and its current digital offerings. Understand their mission, values, and target audience to inform your interview responses.

⚠️ 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.