Product Designer - Apps (f/m/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer - Apps (f/m/d)
Company: Zeal Network SE
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design
Date Posted: 2025-08-08
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the end-to-end design strategy and execution for both iOS and Android applications, ensuring a cohesive and engaging user experience across all touchpoints.
• Champion a user-centric approach by conducting in-depth user research, analyzing KPIs, and translating data-driven hypotheses into intuitive and impactful design solutions.
• Elevate the visual and interactive elements of the company's apps, focusing on platform-specific best practices for iOS and Android to enhance user engagement and conversion rates.
• Contribute significantly to the evolution of the company's UX strategy and design systems, fostering a culture of design excellence and continuous improvement within the product team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a seasoned Product Designer with a strong app-specific portfolio, emphasizing ownership of the entire design lifecycle from research to implementation. The focus is on enhancing existing app experiences while also contributing to the broader UX practice and design system.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and manage the complete product design lifecycle for the company's mobile applications, from initial concept and user research through wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and final implementation support.
• Conduct comprehensive user research, including qualitative and quantitative methods, to identify user needs, pain points, and opportunities for innovation within the app ecosystem.
• Translate user insights, business goals, and data-driven hypotheses into compelling design solutions that optimize user journeys, enhance engagement, and drive key performance indicators (KPIs) such as conversion rates and user retention.
• Develop and maintain high-fidelity UI designs and interactive prototypes for both iOS and Android platforms, ensuring adherence to platform-specific guidelines (Apple Human Interface Guidelines, Material Design) and a consistent, visually appealing brand experience.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers to define product roadmaps and feature specifications, and partner with Engineering teams to ensure accurate and efficient implementation of designs, providing clear design documentation and assets.
• Contribute to the enhancement and maintenance of the company's design system, ensuring scalability, consistency, and efficiency across all app features and updates.
• Optimize critical conversion flows within the apps, balancing user experience with business objectives to maintain trust, credibility, and drive measurable results.
• Champion a human-centric design philosophy across cross-functional teams, advocating for user needs and best practices in all product development discussions.
• Stay abreast of emerging design trends, industry best practices, and technological advancements in mobile app design, integrating relevant innovations to keep the company's offerings competitive and cutting-edge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic UX thinking and hands-on UI execution, with a strong emphasis on app-specific design principles and platform conventions. The role demands active collaboration and a proactive approach to driving design improvements and contributing to the overall UX practice.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in Product Design with a significant focus on mobile application design (iOS and Android).
• Proven track record of successfully launching and iterating on app products, demonstrating a deep understanding of the product development lifecycle.
• Experience in designing for e-commerce or user-facing digital platforms, with a focus on conversion optimization and user engagement.

Required Skills:

• UX Design Expertise: Deep understanding of user experience principles, user-centered design methodologies, and information architecture.
• UI Design Proficiency: Strong visual design skills, including layout, typography, color theory, and iconography, with a keen eye for detail and aesthetics.
• Figma Mastery: Advanced proficiency in Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration, including experience with component libraries and design system management.
• Prototyping Skills: Expertise in creating interactive prototypes using Figma or other rapid prototyping tools to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows.
• Design Systems: Experience in creating, maintaining, and scaling design systems to ensure visual consistency and design efficiency across multiple platforms.
• Platform Guidelines: Thorough knowledge of iOS Human Interface Guidelines and Android Material Design principles and patterns.
• User Research Collaboration: Experience in collaborating on and leveraging user research findings to inform design decisions and validate concepts.
• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and German, with the ability to articulate design decisions clearly and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with animation and micro-interaction design for mobile applications.
• Familiarity with A/B testing methodologies and data analysis to drive design iterations.
• Understanding of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to facilitate better collaboration with engineers.
• Experience working in an Agile/Scrum development environment.
• A strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of app design projects, emphasizing user-centric solutions and visual polish.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize practical, hands-on experience with industry-standard tools like Figma and a deep understanding of mobile platform conventions. A strong portfolio is implicitly required to demonstrate these skills and experience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• App-Centric Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies focused on mobile app design projects (iOS and Android), highlighting your end-to-end contribution from user research to final implementation.
• Process Documentation: Clearly articulate your design process for each case study, including problem definition, ideation, user flows, wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and user testing methodologies.
• Visual Design Excellence: Demonstrate strong UI design skills with polished, high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes that reflect a deep understanding of visual hierarchy, typography, and branding.
• Platform Specificity: Clearly differentiate between iOS and Android design solutions within your case studies, showcasing your understanding of platform-specific patterns and guidelines.
• Problem-Solving & Impact: Detail the challenges faced in each project and how your design solutions addressed them, quantifying the impact of your work on user experience and business metrics (e.g., conversion rates, engagement, user satisfaction).

Process Documentation:

• User Research Integration: Evidence of how user research informed your design process, including user personas, journey maps, usability testing reports, and feedback synthesis.
• Design System Contribution: Examples of your work with design systems, whether contributing to an existing one or building components from scratch, demonstrating consistency and scalability.
• Prototyping & Interaction Design: Showcase interactive prototypes that effectively communicate user flows and key interactions, demonstrating your ability to create engaging and intuitive experiences.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Illustrate how you collaborated with Product Managers and Engineers, including artifact sharing, feedback loops, and implementation review processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio should serve as a tangible demonstration of the candidate's ability to execute the primary responsibilities, particularly in app design, user research, UI execution, and cross-functional collaboration. Emphasis is placed on showcasing a structured design process and measurable outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the experience level (5-10 years), location (Hamburg, Germany), and the nature of the role within a publicly listed company (Zeal Network SE), the estimated annual salary range for a Product Designer - Apps would typically fall between €60,000 to €85,000 gross per year.

Benefits:

• Unlimited Vacation Days & 30-Day Allowance: Generous time off policy for work-life balance and well-being.
• Annual Development Budget: €1,500 per year to invest in professional growth, training, certifications, or conferences.
• Flexible Work Options: Hybrid work setup with a focus on results, allowing for flexible working locations and times.
• Workations Abroad: Opportunity to work remotely from abroad using the WorkFlex tool.
• Monthly Mobility Allowance: €30 per month for chosen mobility options, such as the Deutschlandticket.
• Company Bike Leasing Program: Access to a program for leasing company bicycles.
• Company Pension Scheme: Provided in partnership with Degura, offering financial security for the future.
• Subsidized EGYM WELLPASS Membership: Access to a wide range of gyms and sports facilities across Germany for a nominal monthly contribution (€25).
• Quarterly Company Events & Team Activities: Regular opportunities for team building, social interaction, and celebrating company successes.
• Healthy Tuesday Lunches & Pizza Thursdays: In-office perks fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.

Working Hours:

• The role is typically based on a standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility offered through the hybrid work model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for experienced Product Designers in Germany, specifically in Hamburg, considering the company's size and industry. The benefits package is comprehensive, emphasizing professional development, work-life balance, and employee well-being.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce / Online Lotteries & Gaming. Zeal Network SE operates in the highly regulated but growing online lottery and gaming sector, focusing on creating engaging digital experiences. Company Size: 300+ employees. This indicates a mid-sized organization with established processes but still retaining agility and a collaborative spirit. Founded: Over 20 years ago. The company has a long history and significant market presence, suggesting stability and a mature understanding of its industry.

Team Structure:

• Product & Design Team: The Product Designer will likely be part of a product team that includes Product Managers, other Designers (potentially UX Researchers, UI Designers), and Engineers. This structure promotes cross-functional collaboration.
• Reporting Structure: Typically, a Product Designer would report to a Head of Product, Design Lead, or a Senior Product Manager, overseeing a specific product area or set of features.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Expect close collaboration with Product Management for strategy and requirements, Engineering for implementation, Marketing for user acquisition/engagement insights, and potentially Data Analysis for performance metrics.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Approach: The company emphasizes using KPIs and data-driven hypotheses to guide decisions and identify opportunities.
• Agile/Iterative Development: Common in tech companies, likely employing agile methodologies for product development, which involves iterative cycles of design, development, and feedback.
• Human-Centric Design: A core tenet mentioned in the role description, ensuring that user needs are at the forefront of all design and product decisions.

Company Website: https://www.zealnetwork.de/

📝 Enhancement Note: Zeal Network SE presents itself as an innovative and ambitious company within the online lottery space, valuing team spirit, empowerment, and a visionary outlook. The culture is geared towards creating exciting digital experiences, with a strong emphasis on data and user-centricity.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level Product Designer, focusing specifically on app experiences. It implies a significant level of autonomy and ownership over design decisions within the app domain. Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead or Head of Product, working within a cross-functional product team. This structure provides opportunities for mentorship and exposure to broader product strategy. Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on user acquisition, engagement, and conversion rates for Zeal Network's lottery products. By optimizing the app experience, the designer contributes significantly to revenue generation and customer satisfaction, directly influencing business outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in mobile app design, UX strategy, and potentially lead specific app features or product areas.
• Leadership: Progress to a Senior Product Designer role, mentoring junior designers, or moving into a Design Lead or Product Management position.
• Skill Development: Utilize the annual €1,500 development budget for courses, conferences (e.g., UX, mobile design, product strategy), or certifications to enhance skills in areas like user research, Figma mastery, or design system management.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain experience working across different product verticals or even exploring opportunities within ZEAL Ventures.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within a dynamic company. The emphasis on app design provides a specialization opportunity, while the company culture and development budget support broader career advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers a hybrid work setup, indicating a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility. This suggests modern office facilities designed to support collaborative work. Office Location(s): The primary location is Hamburg, Germany. This vibrant city offers a strong tech ecosystem and a high quality of life. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on team spirit and collaboration suggests an office space designed to facilitate interaction, with meeting rooms, common areas, and potentially open-plan workspaces.
• Tools & Technology: Employees will have access to industry-standard design and collaboration tools, including Figma, prototyping software, and communication platforms.
• Team Interaction: Regular team activities, company events, and informal gatherings like Pizza Thursdays and Healthy Tuesdays foster strong team cohesion and facilitate informal knowledge sharing among designers and other team members. Work Schedule: While a 40-hour work week is standard, the hybrid model and focus on results offer flexibility in how and where work is done, allowing designers to manage their time effectively to meet project deadlines and personal productivity needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model and strong emphasis on team activities suggest a supportive and engaging work environment that balances flexibility with the need for in-person collaboration and team bonding.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit resume/CV and a portfolio link via Ashby.
• Portfolio Review: Initial screening will focus on your portfolio, assessing your app design skills, process, and impact. Prepare to articulate your design choices and rationale.
• Initial Call/Screening: A brief conversation with a recruiter or hiring manager to discuss your background, motivations, and fit for the role.
• Design Challenge/Case Study Presentation: You may be asked to present a case study from your portfolio in detail or complete a take-home design challenge focused on app design problems. Focus on your process, user-centricity, and how you'd approach a similar task at Zeal.
• Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other designers to assess your collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to integrate into the team.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Product, CTO) to discuss your strategic thinking and long-term fit within the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Relevance: Select app-focused projects that best demonstrate your skills in UX/UI, user research, and platform-specific design for iOS and Android.
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process you followed, the challenges you overcame, your design solutions, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Use visuals effectively.
• Highlight Process: Emphasize your user-centric methodologies, how you used data and research, and your iterative design approach.
• Showcase Figma Mastery: Include examples of your Figma work, such as component libraries, complex prototypes, or how you've managed design systems.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics (e.g., conversion lift, engagement increase, task success rate) to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Business: Research Zeal Network's products (LOTTO24, Tipp24) and target audience. Understand the competitive landscape of online lotteries.
• Practice Articulation: Be prepared to clearly explain your design decisions, justify your choices with user research or data, and articulate your thought process.
• Focus on App Nuances: If given a challenge, pay close attention to mobile-specific constraints, user behaviors, and platform conventions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to evaluate not only design skills but also the candidate's ability to collaborate, problem-solve, and demonstrate impact within a business context. A well-prepared portfolio and clear communication are critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and design system management. Proficiency here is essential.
• Prototyping Tools: While Figma's prototyping capabilities are robust, familiarity with other tools like InVision or Adobe XD might be beneficial for specific workflows or older projects.
• User Research Platforms: Experience with tools for surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform), user interviews (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet), and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze) is valuable.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude to understand user behavior, track conversion funnels, and measure the impact of design changes.
• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau or Power BI could be helpful for analyzing user data and presenting insights, though not explicitly required.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's tool, understanding how CRM systems (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms integrate with user journeys can provide valuable context for designing seamless experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technology stack for this role revolves heavily around Figma for design execution and prototyping, with an understanding of analytics tools being crucial for data-informed design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Team Spirit & Empowerment: The company fosters a collaborative environment where individuals are trusted and empowered to take ownership of their work and contribute ideas.
• Visionary Thinking & High Ambition: Employees are encouraged to think ahead, push boundaries, and strive for excellence in their roles.
• Customer Focus: A strong emphasis on creating engaging and enjoyable experiences for users, driven by understanding their needs and motivations.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing data and KPIs to inform strategies, measure success, and identify areas for improvement.
• Innovation: A commitment to staying at the forefront of the e-commerce and lottery industry through continuous improvement and embracing new technologies.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers work closely with Product Managers and Engineers, fostering a collaborative ecosystem where diverse perspectives inform product development.
• Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue, feedback exchange, and knowledge sharing to drive collective learning and problem-solving.
• Agile & Iterative: The team likely operates with an agile mindset, embracing iterative design processes and continuous feedback loops to adapt and improve quickly.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values proactivity, collaboration, and a results-oriented mindset, with a clear focus on user experience and data-informed decision-making.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing App vs. Web Experience: Ensuring distinct yet complementary experiences between the company's web and app platforms requires careful design consideration and user journey mapping.
• Conversion Optimization in a Regulated Industry: Designing for conversion in the lottery space involves navigating regulatory requirements and building trust, which can present unique design challenges.
• Maintaining Design System Scalability: As the app grows and evolves, ensuring the design system remains robust, scalable, and easy to maintain requires ongoing effort and strategic thinking.
• Staying Ahead of Mobile Trends: The mobile landscape is constantly changing; keeping up with new OS features, design patterns, and user expectations requires continuous learning.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized App Design Training: Utilize the development budget for courses or workshops focused on advanced iOS/Android design patterns, mobile UX research, or specific animation techniques.
• Design System Workshops: Participate in or lead initiatives to further develop and document the company's design system, enhancing skills in design governance and scalability.
• Industry Conferences: Attend relevant UX and product design conferences to gain insights into emerging trends, network with peers, and bring innovative ideas back to the team.
• Mentorship: Benefit from working within a team of experienced professionals, gaining mentorship from senior designers and product leaders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents opportunities to tackle complex design challenges in a growing industry, with significant scope for personal and professional development through structured learning and hands-on experience.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• App Experience Ownership: "Describe your process for taking ownership of an app's end-to-end design. How do you balance user needs with business goals and technical constraints?" (Preparation: Prepare a case study that clearly illustrates your ownership and process.)
• Platform Specificity: "How do you approach designing for both iOS and Android simultaneously? Can you provide examples of how you've adapted designs to platform-specific conventions?" (Preparation: Be ready to discuss specific examples from your portfolio where you highlighted platform differences.)
• Conversion Optimization: "Walk us through a time you significantly improved a conversion flow in an app. What was your hypothesis, what did you design, and what were the results?" (Preparation: Quantify the impact of your design on conversion metrics.)
• Design System Contribution: "What is your experience with design systems? How do you ensure consistency and scalability when contributing to or building one?" (Preparation: Discuss your experience with Figma components, style guides, and the benefits of a well-maintained design system.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Zeal Network and our mission to encourage people to dream?" (Preparation: Research the company's mission, brands, and recent news.)
• "How do you approach collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers?" (Preparation: Provide examples of successful cross-functional collaboration and how you handle disagreements.)
• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and incorporate them into your work?" (Preparation: Mention specific resources, conferences, or communities you follow.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a high-level overview of the project, then dive into the problem, your role, research, ideation, key design decisions, prototypes, and finally, the outcomes and learnings.
• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups and interactive prototypes. Explain why you made certain visual or interaction design choices.
• Narrative: Tell a compelling story about the user and the problem you solved. Connect your design decisions back to user needs and business objectives.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Focus on the most impactful aspects of your work and be prepared to answer questions in more detail.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of mobile app design principles, a robust and user-centric design process, strong collaboration skills, and the ability to articulate the business impact of design decisions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer - Apps position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.ashbyhq.com.
• Tailor your Resume/CV: Highlight your experience in app design (iOS/Android), UX/UI expertise, proficiency with Figma, and any experience with conversion optimization and design systems. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features 2-3 strong case studies focused on mobile app design. Clearly articulate your design process, the challenges you faced, your solutions, and the measurable impact, differentiating between iOS and Android where applicable.
• Prepare for the Portfolio Review: Be ready to walk through your selected case studies, explaining your design rationale, user research integration, and collaboration process. Practice articulating the "why" behind your design decisions.
• Research Zeal Network: Familiarize yourself with Zeal Network, LOTTO24, and Tipp24. Understand their market position, user base, and company mission to demonstrate genuine interest during interviews.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions to provide a comprehensive overview. All details, especially regarding specific interview stages or exact responsibilities, should be verified directly with the hiring organization during the application process.