Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Tolan

Location: San Francisco, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / AI Interaction Design

Date Posted: 2026-04-08

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end design process for new features within an embodied AI companion product, translating complex concepts into intuitive user experiences.

• Craft high-fidelity UI designs, interactive prototypes, and detailed user flows that define innovative interaction patterns for AI-driven relationships.

• Collaborate intensely with a small, experienced team of engineers and product leads to rapidly iterate on features and ship impactful product updates.

• Contribute to the evolution of Tolan's core product experience and distinct visual language, ensuring consistency and user delight.

• Leverage user behavior data and feedback loops to continuously refine designs and optimize the user journey in a fast-paced startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as an early-career Product Designer with 1-3 years of experience, but the AI-derived experience level is 2-5 years. This suggests the company may be flexible or looking for individuals who can demonstrate capabilities beyond their years of formal experience, especially given the "early-career" framing. The emphasis on "shipping features" and "building things on your own" implies a need for a proactive, hands-on individual.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization and design of new product features for Tolan, an embodied AI companion, from initial ideation through to final implementation.

• Develop comprehensive user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and pixel-perfect UI designs that clearly articulate product vision and user interaction.

• Partner closely with product managers and software engineers to ensure efficient development cycles, rapid iteration, and successful feature launches.

• Actively participate in user research and analysis of user behavior data to gather insights that inform design decisions and drive product improvements.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of Tolan's design system, ensuring a cohesive and scalable visual language across the product.

• Explore and define novel interaction paradigms for human-AI relationships, pushing the boundaries of current software design.

• Advocate for user needs and design best practices within a fast-paced, highly collaborative team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a broad scope for a "Product Designer," suggesting the candidate will be involved in both strategic product thinking and detailed UI execution. The emphasis on "exploring new interaction patterns" and "designing at the frontier of AI" is crucial for candidates to address in their applications and portfolios, showcasing their ability to think beyond conventional design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is typically expected for product design roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Approximately 1–3 years of professional product design experience, with a demonstrated ability to ship features or build and launch personal projects.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in end-to-end product design, from concept to launch.

• Strong proficiency in creating user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes using industry-standard design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

• Excellent visual design skills with a keen eye for typography, color, layout, and UI aesthetics.

• Solid understanding of user-centered design principles and methodologies.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including engineering and product management.

• Experience working in agile or fast-paced development environments, with a comfort for iteration and ambiguity.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for AI-driven products or novel interaction paradigms.

• Familiarity with design systems and their implementation.

• Experience conducting user research and synthesizing findings into actionable design insights.

• A portfolio showcasing a strong blend of product thinking and visual craft.

• Experience working in a startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "You Might Be a Fit If You" section strongly implies that candidates should highlight practical experience and a willingness to operate with incomplete information, a hallmark of early-stage startup environments. The emphasis on "product thinking and visual craft" indicates a need for a well-rounded designer who can balance strategic ideation with detailed execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase 2-3 significant product design projects that demonstrate end-to-end ownership, from problem definition to shipped product.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and contributions, the design process followed, key challenges encountered, and the impact of the final solution.

• Include examples of user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs.

• Demonstrate your ability to think critically about user problems and translate them into effective design solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to user research, user testing, and incorporating feedback into the design iteration cycle.

• Explain your methodology for collaborating with engineers and product managers to ensure design feasibility and efficient implementation.

• Illustrate how you have contributed to or maintained design systems and style guides.

• Showcase your ability to work with ambiguity and iterate rapidly in a fast-paced setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the early-stage nature of Tolan and the focus on innovation, a portfolio that clearly illustrates a candidate's ability to define problems, move quickly, and demonstrate tangible outcomes will be highly valued. The company is looking for designers who can not only execute visually but also think strategically about product development.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Product Designer with 1-3 years of experience in San Francisco, California, a competitive salary range would typically fall between $100,000 and $140,000 annually, depending on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and the company's compensation philosophy.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Stock options or equity, reflecting the early-stage startup environment.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development and learning, particularly in the AI and interaction design space.

• A highly collaborative and innovative work environment with a focus on craft and speed.

• Potential for significant impact and growth as an early member of the team.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week. However, given the startup environment and the emphasis on speed and ownership, flexibility and a willingness to put in extra effort when needed may be expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: As Tolan is an early-stage startup with investors from prominent tech companies, it's highly probable they offer competitive compensation, including equity, to attract top talent. The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Product Designers in San Francisco with 1-3 years of experience and assumes a standard full-time work week.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Consumer Software. Tolan is pioneering embodied AI, creating a unique product that blends AI capabilities with personalized companionship. This positions them at the forefront of a rapidly evolving technological landscape, requiring adaptability and innovation.

Company Size: Small, experienced team. The description mentions a "small, experienced team that has worked together for years," implying a close-knit group with a proven track record (e.g., founding Even, acquired for $300M). This suggests a culture of high trust, autonomy, and direct collaboration.

Founded: The company was founded by individuals who previously founded Even, which was acquired in 2022. This background indicates a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a deep understanding of building and scaling products. The investors are also notable (founders behind Instagram, Notion, etc.), suggesting a strong network and support system.

Team Structure:

• A lean, cross-functional team where designers, engineers, and product leaders work in close proximity.

• Emphasis on direct communication and collaboration, with a flat hierarchy likely in place due to the small team size.

Methodology:

• Focus on high ownership, speed, and craft in product development.

• Iterative design approach, learning from real user behavior and feedback to continuously improve the product.

• Exploration of new interaction patterns and defining the user experience for AI companions.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is defined by its experienced founding team, high-speed execution, and a focus on craft. For a Product Designer, this means an environment where their contributions can have a significant and immediate impact, but also one that demands rapid learning, strong communication, and a proactive attitude.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an "early-career Product Designer," implying a foundational level within the design discipline. However, given the startup context and the "frontier of AI" nature of the product, there's significant opportunity for rapid growth and increased responsibility. The designer will likely be shaping foundational aspects of the product experience.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will report to a design lead or directly to one of the founders, given the small team size. Collaboration will be very direct with engineering and product management.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer will have a profound impact on the core user experience of Tolan. Their work will directly shape how users perceive and interact with the AI companion, influencing user adoption, engagement, and the overall success of the product. The ability to define new interaction paradigms for AI relationships means the designer can significantly influence the future of this technology.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Expansion: Opportunity to gain deep expertise in designing for AI, embodied interfaces, and long-term relationship building within software. This includes learning cutting-edge interaction patterns and user research methodologies specific to AI.

• Product Ownership: As the team grows, there will be opportunities to take on more ownership of specific product areas or features, potentially leading design initiatives.

• Leadership Potential: In a growing startup, individuals who demonstrate strong leadership, initiative, and impact often have pathways to senior design roles or even design leadership positions over time.

• Industry Recognition: Contributing to a groundbreaking product like Tolan could lead to industry recognition and a strong portfolio for future career opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "early-career" label should be viewed as an entry point into a high-impact role. The growth potential is significant due to the company's stage and the innovative nature of its product. Candidates should highlight their eagerness to learn, adapt, and take on increasing responsibility.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: In-person, collaborative office environment located in downtown San Francisco. The emphasis on working "in person" suggests a preference for spontaneous collaboration, whiteboard sessions, and a strong team dynamic.

Office Location(s): Downtown San Francisco, California. This central location offers accessibility and places the team within a vibrant tech hub.

Workspace Context:

• A highly collaborative setting where designers, engineers, and product leads work closely together.

• Expect a fast-paced environment with a focus on rapid prototyping, iteration, and shipping.

• Access to tools and technology necessary for product design, with an expectation of self-sufficiency and initiative.

• The workspace will foster a culture of shared learning and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with an on-site work arrangement. While a standard work week is expected, the startup culture may necessitate flexibility to meet project deadlines and deliver high-quality work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement to work "in person" is a key differentiator. Candidates must be comfortable and enthusiastic about working from a physical office daily. This environment fosters a specific type of teamwork and rapid problem-solving that the company values.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call to assess general fit, experience, and interest in the role and company.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing 1-2 key projects in detail. Expect questions about your design process, decision-making, and problem-solving approach.

• Design Challenge/Collaboration Session: This may involve a short design exercise, a collaborative whiteboarding session with the team, or a discussion about how you would approach a specific product challenge for Tolan.

• Founder/Team Interviews: Meetings with the founding team and other key members to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and alignment with the company's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the problem you solved, your unique contributions, and the measurable outcomes or impact of your designs. Use data and user feedback where possible.

• Storytelling: Present your projects as narratives. Explain the context, the challenges, your thought process, and how you navigated trade-offs.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Include visuals of your work (flows, wireframes, UI, prototypes). Be prepared to walk through interactive prototypes.

• Address AI/Innovation: If you have experience or a strong interest in AI interactions, highlight this. Be ready to discuss your thoughts on the future of AI companionship and how design plays a role.

• Tailor to Tolan: Research Tolan thoroughly. Understand their product, mission, and values. Draw parallels between your experience and what they are building.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Familiarize yourself with Tolan's current offering and its unique value proposition.

• Think About AI Interactions: Consider the challenges and opportunities in designing for AI companions. How do you build trust, personality, and evolving relationships?

• Practice Articulation: Be prepared to clearly articulate your design rationale and defend your decisions, especially in a collaborative setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be rigorous, focusing on both design craft and strategic thinking. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just their design skills but also their ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, innovative startup environment. The portfolio is paramount and should showcase problem-solving capabilities and tangible results.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Proficiency in modern design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD is essential for UI design, wireframing, and prototyping.

• Prototyping Tools: Experience with tools like Figma, InVision, or similar for creating interactive prototypes to test user flows and interactions.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the Product Designer role, but awareness of how user data is managed within a CRM (like Salesforce) or marketing automation platforms could provide context for user journeys.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core tools will be design and prototyping software. Candidates should be ready to discuss their preferred tools and workflows. While direct analytics tool experience might not be mandatory, understanding how design impacts analytics and vice-versa is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• High Ownership: Team members are expected to take full responsibility for their work, from conception to completion, and to drive initiatives forward proactively.

• Speed: The team values rapid execution and iteration, moving quickly to test ideas and deliver value to users.

• Craft: There is a strong emphasis on the quality and polish of the final product, ensuring a delightful and professional user experience.

• Collaboration: Close teamwork and open communication are vital, with an expectation of actively contributing to and benefiting from the collective expertise of the team.

• Curiosity: A deep interest in AI, new interaction paradigms, and understanding user behavior is essential for innovation.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative and hands-on, with designers, engineers, and product working in close proximity.

• Expect frequent brainstorming sessions, design reviews, and pair design/engineering discussions.

• Open feedback culture, encouraging constructive criticism to improve designs and processes.

• Cross-functional alignment is key, ensuring everyone is working towards shared product goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is built around a core set of values that emphasize proactivity, quality, and teamwork. A Product Designer joining Tolan should be prepared to thrive in an environment where they are empowered to make significant contributions and are expected to collaborate closely with their colleagues.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Defining Novel Interactions: Designing for embodied AI and long-term relationships presents unique challenges in creating intuitive and engaging experiences that go beyond traditional UI paradigms.

• Rapid Iteration Cycles: The fast-paced environment requires designers to adapt quickly, make decisions with incomplete information, and iterate efficiently without sacrificing quality.

• Balancing Craft and Speed: The tension between delivering high-quality, polished designs and meeting rapid development timelines will be a constant consideration.

• Evolving AI Landscape: Staying abreast of rapid advancements in AI technology and understanding how they can be integrated into the product safely and effectively.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized AI Design Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge and practical experience in designing for AI, conversational interfaces, and emergent AI behaviors.

• Product Strategy Contribution: Opportunity to influence product direction and strategy as an early member of a growing team.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Learning from experienced engineers and product leaders, broadening understanding of the entire product development lifecycle.

• Mentorship: Potentially receiving mentorship from experienced founders and investors in the tech industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the innovative nature of the product and the startup environment. These challenges also represent significant growth opportunities for a designer eager to learn and push boundaries in the field of AI interaction design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing an interface for an AI companion that aims to build a long-term, evolving relationship with a user?"

• "Describe a time you had to make a significant design decision with limited data or under tight deadlines. How did you proceed, and what was the outcome?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Tolan's mission and the future of embodied AI?"

• "How do you typically collaborate with engineers and product managers? Can you provide an example of a successful cross-functional collaboration?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• "Walk us through a project where you took ownership from concept to launch. What was the problem, your solution, and the impact?"

• "How do you incorporate user feedback and data into your design process? Can you show an example of an iteration based on feedback?"

• "Discuss your approach to visual design and maintaining a consistent brand experience. How would you contribute to or evolve a design system for Tolan?"

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, practical design execution, and a strong cultural fit for a fast-paced startup. Be ready to articulate your thought process and showcase tangible results from your past work.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience relevant to product design, AI, interaction design, and fast-paced environments. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that showcase end-to-end design ownership, problem-solving, and visual craft. Ensure it clearly communicates your role and the impact of your work.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design process, decision-making rationale, and contributions clearly and concisely during portfolio reviews and interviews.

• Research Tolan: Understand their product, mission, and the innovative space they operate in. Prepare thoughtful questions about the product, the team, and the company's vision.

⚠️ 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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