Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer Company: Medal Location: New York City, NY, United States Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Design / UX/UI Date Posted: 2025-10-05 Experience Level: 4+ Years Remote Status: On-site (5 days/week)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design engaging and intuitive consumer-facing digital products, with a focus on social and creator-driven platforms.
• Translate complex user needs and gaming community dynamics into elegant, usable interface designs across desktop and mobile.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, research, and product teams to define and deliver innovative user experiences.
• Shape the future of how gamers connect, share, and discover content through a deep understanding of gaming culture and user behavior.
• Own core product surfaces, ensuring a seamless and delightful experience for millions of users worldwide.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end design process for core product features, from conceptualization and wireframing to high-fidelity prototyping and final asset delivery.
• Conduct user research and analysis to deeply understand gamer needs, motivations, and behaviors, informing design decisions.
• Develop and maintain design systems, style guides, and component libraries to ensure consistency and scalability across the platform.
• Create user flows, wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and user interactions.
• Partner closely with product managers to define product strategy, prioritize features, and translate business requirements into user-centered designs.
• Work hand-in-hand with engineers to ensure accurate implementation of designs, providing clear specifications and support throughout the development lifecycle.
• Advocate for design best practices, including accessibility standards and platform-specific UX patterns, across both desktop and mobile applications.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by participating in design reviews, providing constructive feedback, and iterating on designs based on user feedback and data.
• Leverage an understanding of gaming culture, terminology, and social dynamics to create experiences that resonate deeply with the target audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role emphasizes ownership of core surfaces and a deep understanding of gaming culture, indicating a need for a designer who can independently drive features and connect with the user base. The requirement for 5 days in-office suggests a highly collaborative environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for foundational understanding. Experience: 4+ years of professional experience in product design, UX/UI design, or a similar role, with a proven track record of designing successful consumer-facing digital products.

Required Skills:

• Product Design: Demonstrated experience in the full product design lifecycle, from ideation to implementation.
• Visual Design: Strong aesthetic sense and ability to create visually appealing and cohesive interfaces.
• Interaction Design: Expertise in designing intuitive and engaging user interactions and workflows.
• User Experience (UX) Design: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, usability, and information architecture.
• Gaming Culture Fluency: A genuine passion for and understanding of video games, gaming communities, their language, and social dynamics.
• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in Figma for interface design, prototyping, and collaboration.
• FigJam Proficiency: Competence in using FigJam for brainstorming, ideation, and collaborative design sessions.
• Prototyping Tools: Experience with prototyping tools such as Principle, Framer, or ProtoPie to create interactive and realistic user flows.
• Desktop & Mobile Design: Proven ability to design for both desktop and mobile platforms, understanding their unique UX patterns and constraints.
• User Behavior Analysis: Ability to interpret user data and research findings to inform design decisions.
• Social Systems Design: Understanding of how social dynamics function within digital platforms.

Preferred Skills:

• Community Design: Experience designing for online communities and fostering engagement.
• Content Creation Platforms: Familiarity with the design challenges and opportunities in content creation tools and platforms.
• Real-Time Interaction Design: Experience designing for products involving live, synchronous communication.
• Accessibility Best Practices: Knowledge of WCAG guidelines and experience designing inclusive products.
• Design Systems: Experience in building and maintaining scalable design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Gaming culture fluency" is a critical differentiator for this role, suggesting candidates who are active gamers and can speak authentically to game communities will be highly valued. Proficiency in Figma is non-negotiable.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase at least 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your product design process from problem identification to solution.
• Problem-Solution Framing: Clearly articulate the user problem or business challenge addressed by each design project.
• Design Process Documentation: Illustrate your approach, including user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and iteration.
• Visual & Interaction Design Examples: Provide high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes that highlight your visual polish and interaction design skills.
• Platform Specificity: Include examples of both desktop and mobile design work, showcasing your understanding of platform nuances.
• Impact Metrics: Quantify the success of your designs with relevant metrics (e.g., user engagement, conversion rates, task completion times, user satisfaction).

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate your ability to map out and optimize user workflows for clarity and efficiency.
• System Implementation: Showcase how your designs integrate with underlying technical systems and user data.
• Performance Analysis: Present examples of how you've used data and user feedback to analyze and improve product performance post-launch.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a portfolio that clearly demonstrates an understanding of social platforms, user engagement loops, and the specific nuances of gaming communities will be paramount. The ability to show how designs have directly impacted key metrics is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $180,000 - $220,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary: As indicated in the job posting.
• Equity Options: Opportunity to own a stake in Medal's growth and success.
• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401k: Retirement savings plan to support long-term financial well-being.
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for learning and growth.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected based on project needs. The role requires 5 days per week in the New York City office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is competitive for a Product Designer role with 4+ years of experience in New York City. The benefits package is standard for a well-funded tech startup. The explicit mention of 5 days in-office is a critical factor for candidates assessing work-life balance and commute.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Social Media, Gaming, Entertainment. Medal operates within the rapidly evolving landscape of digital content creation and social interaction, specifically targeting the massive and passionate gaming demographic. Company Size: While not explicitly stated, based on typical startup growth and the presence of a dedicated product team, Medal is likely a Series A/B funded startup, potentially ranging from 50-200 employees. This size suggests a dynamic, fast-paced environment with opportunities for significant impact. Founded: Medal was founded in 2019. This relatively recent founding indicates a company still in a growth and innovation phase, offering significant opportunities for early team members to shape its trajectory.

Team Structure:

• Product Team: The Product Designer will be part of a cross-functional product team, likely including Product Managers, Engineers (front-end, back-end, mobile), and potentially UX Researchers.
• Reporting: The designer will likely report to a Head of Product, Design Lead, or a Senior Product Manager, depending on the team's organizational structure.
• Collaboration: Expect close, daily collaboration with engineers and product managers, with regular interaction with other design team members and stakeholders across the company.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: Likely employs agile methodologies (e.g., Scrum, Kanban) for iterative product development.
• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using analytics and user feedback to inform design decisions and measure impact.
• User-Centric Approach: Prioritizes understanding and solving user problems through design.
• Iterative Design: Embraces a cycle of design, test, learn, and iterate to continuously improve the product.

Company Website: https://medal.tv/

📝 Enhancement Note: As a gaming-focused social platform, Medal's culture is likely energetic, creative, and deeply connected to its user base. The emphasis on shaping the future of gaming culture suggests a forward-thinking and ambitious environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Product Designer. It requires significant autonomy and the ability to own features, but also offers opportunities to learn from more senior designers and product leaders. The expectation is for the designer to contribute strategically to product direction. Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will report into a Product leadership role, working closely with engineering and product management counterparts. This structure allows for direct impact on product strategy and execution. Operations Impact: The Product Designer will have a direct and tangible impact on user acquisition, engagement, retention, and overall platform experience. Their work will directly influence how millions of gamers interact with Medal, shaping the company's success and its position within the gaming ecosystem.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in areas like community design, creator tools, or specific platform UX (e.g., advanced mobile interactions).
• Leadership Potential: With strong performance, there's a clear path towards Senior Product Designer, Lead Product Designer, or even Design Manager roles as the team scales.
• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gaining deeper insights into product management, engineering, and user research through close collaboration.
• Industry Influence: Contributing to a platform that is shaping the future of gaming culture provides a unique career growth trajectory.
• Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior designers as the team expands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a strong foundation for growth within the gaming and social tech space. Candidates should look for opportunities to expand their responsibilities and contribute to strategic product decisions as they gain experience at Medal.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Medal requires its Product Designers to work full-time from their New York City office. This indicates a preference for in-person collaboration, spontaneous ideation, and a strong team dynamic fostered through physical proximity. Office Location(s): New York City, NY. This vibrant tech hub offers access to a large talent pool, networking opportunities, and a dynamic urban environment. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is designed to foster collaboration, with shared workspaces, meeting rooms, and common areas for team interaction.
• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software and hardware, along with the necessary tools for effective remote and in-office collaboration.
• Team Interaction: Frequent face-to-face interaction with product managers, engineers, researchers, and other team members, facilitating rapid feedback loops and problem-solving.
• Gaming Culture Immersion: Being in an office surrounded by people passionate about gaming can foster a unique and motivating work environment.

Work Schedule: A typical 40-hour work week is expected, with the understanding that occasional extended hours may be necessary to meet project deadlines or launch critical features. The 5-day on-site requirement emphasizes a structured and integrated daily work routine.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit 5-day on-site requirement is a key differentiator. Candidates must be comfortable with and committed to working from the NYC office to be considered. This setup is designed to maximize team synergy and accelerate product development through direct collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit your resume and a link to your online portfolio through the Ashby application portal.
• Recruiter Screen: An initial conversation with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and understanding of the role.
• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A deep dive into your portfolio, focusing on case studies, design process, and problem-solving skills. This may include a take-home design challenge or a live presentation of your work.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager (likely Head of Product or Design Lead) to assess strategic thinking, collaboration skills, and alignment with team goals.
• Team Interviews: Meetings with engineers, product managers, and potentially other designers to evaluate collaboration style, technical understanding, and team fit.
• Final Interview: Potentially a final conversation with a company leader to discuss vision and long-term impact.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your skills in consumer-facing products, social platforms, and ideally, gaming-related experiences.
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, your process, the challenges you faced, your solutions, and the impact of your work. Use visuals effectively.
• Highlight Gaming Fluency: If possible, include projects that demonstrate your understanding of gaming culture, player motivations, or community dynamics. This is a key requirement.
• Showcase Process: Detail your thought process, including user research, wireframing, prototyping, and iteration. Show how you arrive at your solutions.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, provide metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Problem: If given a design challenge, take time to fully understand the prompt and identify the core user needs and business objectives.
• Structure Your Approach: Outline your design process, from initial research and ideation to wireframing and final mockups.
• Focus on Gaming Context: Apply your knowledge of gaming culture and user behavior to your solutions.
• Present Clearly: Be prepared to articulate your design decisions and rationale concisely and confidently.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on gaming culture fluency means candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal gaming experiences and how they inform their design perspective during interviews. The portfolio must actively demonstrate this expertise.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Mastery is essential.
• FigJam: For brainstorming, ideation, and collaborative whiteboarding.
• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency in tools like Principle, Framer, or ProtoPie for creating interactive prototypes.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Tools: Familiarity with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics to understand user behavior and measure design impact.
• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools that help visualize data to inform design decisions and present findings.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing design tasks and workflows.
• Design Handoff Tools: Familiarity with tools like Zeplin or the built-in handoff features in Figma for communicating designs to engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mastery of Figma is paramount for this role. Familiarity with product analytics tools is also highly beneficial for demonstrating the impact of design decisions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ownership: Taking responsibility for designs and driving them to completion with a focus on impact.
• Creativity: Fostering innovative solutions that delight users and push the boundaries of gaming experiences.
• Experimentation: Willingness to try new approaches, learn from failures, and iterate rapidly.
• Collaboration: Working effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.
• User Empathy: Deeply understanding and advocating for the needs of gamers.
• Passion for Gaming: A genuine enthusiasm for the product and the gaming community it serves.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Strong emphasis on working closely with product managers and engineers throughout the product development cycle.
• Open Communication: Encouraging candid feedback and transparent discussions to ensure alignment and problem-solving.
• Iterative Feedback Loops: Regular design critiques and reviews to continuously refine designs.
• Shared Vision: Working together to build a cohesive and compelling product experience that resonates with gamers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Medal's values likely reflect a fast-paced, startup environment that prioritizes user delight and innovation within the gaming space. A candidate who can thrive in a collaborative, iterative culture and demonstrate a passion for gaming will be a strong fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Growth Environment: Adapting to a fast-paced startup environment with evolving priorities and rapid scaling.
• Balancing User Needs and Business Goals: Designing solutions that are both user-centric and align with business objectives within the competitive gaming market.
• Designing for Diverse Gaming Audiences: Catering to a wide range of gamers, from casual to hardcore, with varying preferences and expectations.
• Keeping Pace with Gaming Trends: Staying ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving industry with new games, platforms, and community dynamics emerging constantly.
• Cross-Platform Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive and high-quality experience across desktop and mobile applications.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Gaming Ecosystem: Gain unparalleled insights into the dynamics of gaming communities, content creation, and player engagement.
• Product Strategy Contribution: Opportunity to influence product roadmaps and strategic direction.
• Mentorship: Learn from experienced product leaders and engineers within a growth-stage company.
• Industry Exposure: Work on a product with millions of users, gaining experience that is highly valuable in the tech and gaming industries.
• Skill Expansion: Develop expertise in designing for creator economies, social networks, and real-time interaction platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of a high-growth startup in the gaming sector. These challenges also represent significant opportunities for professional development and impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a passionate and vocal user community. How did you balance their needs with business objectives?"
• "How would you approach designing a new feature for Medal that encourages more user-generated content creation?"
• "Walk us through your process for translating complex user behavior data into actionable design improvements."
• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and inclusive for all users, particularly within the gaming context?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What are your favorite gaming communities and why? How would you apply insights from these communities to Medal's platform?"
• "What do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges for social platforms in the gaming space today?"
• "How do you stay updated on gaming trends and incorporate them into your design thinking?"
• "Describe your ideal collaborative environment when working with engineering and product teams."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with Impact: Begin each case study by stating the problem and the positive impact your design solution achieved.
• Focus on Your Role: Clearly define your contributions, especially if it was a collaborative project.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes) to illustrate your points.
• Articulate Your Rationale: Be prepared to explain why you made specific design decisions, referencing user research, best practices, and your understanding of the gaming audience.
• Be Concise: Respect the interviewer's time; get to the core of your story efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to demonstrate your "Gaming Culture Fluency" not just by stating it, but by weaving it into your answers and portfolio examples. Showing genuine enthusiasm and understanding of the gaming world is critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your resume and a link to your online portfolio via the Ashby application portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features case studies demonstrating consumer-facing product design, ideally with social or gaming elements. Highlight your process and quantifiable impact.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight 4+ years of relevant experience, proficiency in Figma, and any experience with social, creator, or gaming platforms. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving skills, and your understanding of gaming culture. Prepare to present your portfolio effectively.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Medal's product, mission, and recent developments. Understand their competitive landscape and target audience.

⚠️ 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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