Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer Company: Whisk (Samsung Food) Location: Fully Remote (Global, with preference for GMT time-zone overlap) Job Type: CONTRACTOR Category: Product Design / User Experience Date Posted: August 19, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Level (3+ years) Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the design of engaging, user-centered experiences across Samsung Food's product ecosystem, focusing on care, health, nutrition, and food.
• Drive the end-to-end design process, from initial research and concept exploration through to detailed design, prototyping, and final delivery of intuitive and impactful solutions.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and researchers, to bring connected, proactive, and personalized user experiences to life for a global audience.
• Contribute to the strategic vision for product areas, ensuring designs align with user needs and business objectives, leveraging a deep understanding of user-centered design methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Designer," the responsibilities and required skills strongly indicate a focus on User Experience (UX) Design with a significant emphasis on the entire design lifecycle, from research to delivery. The role is also a contractor position, which is a key detail for applicants. The company's mission around sustainability, nutrition, and food waste provides a unique domain context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive user research and market analysis to identify user needs, inform product requirements, and define functional specifications and market positioning.
• Develop elegant and intuitive user experience (UX) solutions, defining information architecture, user flows, and interaction design to create meaningful value and achieve business goals.
• Manage and oversee the delivery of UX solutions from concept to completion, ensuring high-quality product outcomes within agreed timelines and resource constraints.
• Actively participate in iterative design cycles, utilizing rapid prototyping, usability testing, and evaluative research to continuously refine and enhance the user experience.
• Collaborate within cross-disciplinary teams, including facilitating design activities such as workshops, sprints, brainstorming sessions, and design reviews to foster innovation and alignment.
• Translate complex or ambiguous problems into practical, user-focused solutions by leveraging research, data, and a strong understanding of user-centered design principles.
• Communicate design rationale, decisions, and trade-offs effectively through clear storytelling and presentation to diverse cross-functional partners.
• Contribute to user research and usability testing activities, both participating in and occasionally leading these efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on research, information architecture, interaction design, and a full product lifecycle ownership. The role requires not just design execution but also strategic input and collaboration across multiple disciplines.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A degree in a design-related field (e.g., Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, UX Design) or equivalent practical experience is preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience designing for native mobile and web applications.
• Demonstrated experience applying user-centered design methods in close collaboration with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work through complex and sometimes ambiguous problems, using data and research to inform decisions and develop practical, user-focused solutions.
• Experience designing consumer software or applications within the health, nutrition, or related lifestyle domains is a significant plus.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio: A compelling portfolio showcasing a range of design work, including detailed processes such as user research, ideation, sketching, wireframing, prototyping, and Figma files.
• Design Tools: Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools, specifically Figma, Sketch, and After Effects.
• UX/UI Expertise: Solid understanding of the end-to-end design process, encompassing information architecture, interaction design, and visual design principles.
• User-Centered Design: Strong ability to apply user-centered design methods and principles throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Collaboration: Proven ability to collaborate effectively with product managers, engineers, researchers, and other cross-functional partners.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with strong storytelling abilities to articulate design decisions and rationale.
• Problem-Solving: Aptitude for tackling complex problems and developing practical, user-focused solutions supported by research and data.
• Flexibility: Comfort working flexibly across multiple time zones and thriving in a distributed, remote work environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Visual & Interaction Design: Strong visual and interaction design skills, demonstrated by a portfolio that showcases thoughtful design rationale and the delivery of polished, production-ready work.
• Research & Testing: Experience participating in and occasionally facilitating user research and usability testing sessions.
• Domain Passion: A demonstrable passion for food, cooking, health, and wellness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a detailed portfolio that includes process documentation (research, ideation, etc.) is critical. Proficiency in Figma is a must, with Sketch and After Effects being highly valued. The requirement for flexibility across time zones and a distributed environment points to a need for strong self-management and communication skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase end-to-end product design projects, detailing the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, and outcomes.
• Process Documentation: Include evidence of your design process, such as user research methodologies employed, ideation sketches, wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and visual design explorations.
• Tool Proficiency: Demonstrate expertise with design tools like Figma, Sketch, and prototyping software, reflecting a mastery of their features for efficient workflow.
• Impact & Rationale: Clearly articulate the rationale behind your design decisions and present how your work delivered tangible user value and achieved business objectives, ideally with quantifiable results.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Illustrate your ability to map out user journeys, define information architecture, and create clear, intuitive user flows.
• Iterative Improvement: Provide examples of how you have used feedback from usability testing and research to iterate on designs and improve user experience.
• Delivery Standards: Show examples of how you ensure the quality and consistency of your designs during the handoff to development, maintaining design integrity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the primary evaluation tool for this role. Candidates must be prepared to showcase not just final designs but the entire thought process and methodology behind them, demonstrating a structured approach to problem-solving and design execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• As this is a contractor role, compensation will likely be presented as an hourly rate in USD (Gross). Based on industry benchmarks for a Product Designer with 3+ years of experience in a fully remote, global setting, and considering the company's affiliation with Samsung, an estimated hourly rate could range from $40 to $70 USD Gross per hour.
• This estimate considers factors such as the required skill set, the scope of responsibilities, the demand for experienced remote designers, and the need for flexibility across time zones. Actual compensation will be determined by the candidate's experience, qualifications, and the specified hourly rate provided during application.

Benefits:

• Contract-Based Engagement: Full-time contractor role (40 hours/week, with potential workload variations) offering a long-term commitment.
• 100% Remote Work: Flexibility to work from anywhere globally, promoting work-life balance and autonomy.
• Supportive Team Culture: Opportunity to join a globally distributed, supportive, and dynamic team recognized as a "Most Loved Workplace®" in 2024.
• Global Collaboration: Work with a diverse, international team, fostering a rich collaborative environment and exposure to different perspectives.

Working Hours:

• The role is structured as a full-time position, typically requiring 40 hours per week. However, flexibility in scheduling is expected, particularly to accommodate overlap with GMT time zones, suggesting a need for adaptability in working hours to facilitate team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Applicants are required to provide their expected hourly rate in USD Gross. The benefits are typical for a contractor role, emphasizing flexibility and remote work. The "Most Loved Workplace®" recognition speaks to the company's positive team culture.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Software & Hardware Integration), Health & Wellness, Food Technology Company Size: Over 100+ employees (globally distributed) Founded: Samsung Food was acquired by Samsung in 2019, building upon established app experiences. Company Mission: To build a more sustainable future by inspiring home cooks through holistic health, nutrition, and food waste reduction, leveraging Samsung's global resources and hardware ecosystem.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team is part of a larger, cross-disciplinary group within Samsung Food, working collaboratively with Product Management, Engineering, and Research.
• The team operates in a fully distributed model, with members located across the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia, fostering a global perspective.
• Reporting structures likely involve design leads or product managers who oversee specific product areas.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Approach: A strong emphasis on understanding user needs through research and data to inform design decisions.
• Iterative Design: Continuous improvement through rapid prototyping, usability testing, and feedback loops.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Close partnership with product, engineering, and research to ensure cohesive product development.
• Data-Informed Design: Utilizing insights from user behavior, market trends, and performance metrics to guide design strategies.

Company Website: [Samsung Food Website - likely integrated or referenced within Samsung ecosystem]

📝 Enhancement Note: Samsung Food's mission is a key differentiator, appealing to candidates passionate about health, sustainability, and food. The "remote-first" culture and global distribution mean that collaboration and communication tools are paramount.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Designer Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Design Lead or Product Manager within a specific product vertical. Collaboration is expected across product, engineering, and research teams. Operations Impact: Product Designers at Samsung Food have a direct impact on user engagement, product adoption, and the company's mission to promote healthier, more sustainable lifestyles. Their work influences how millions of users interact with Samsung devices and services related to food and wellness.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/UI design, research methodologies, or interaction design within the health and nutrition domain.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Potential to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, and influence product strategy through strong collaboration and communication.
• Industry Exposure: Gain experience within a large, established technology conglomerate (Samsung) while working in a nimble, startup-like environment within Samsung Food, offering a unique career trajectory.
• Product Impact: Contribute to products that have a significant reach and potential to positively impact users' daily lives and global sustainability efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contractor role, the experience gained will be substantial, offering opportunities to work on a large scale and within a mission-driven company. Career growth might be more focused on skill development and project leadership within the contract period, rather than traditional full-time progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: 100% Remote Office Location(s): Not applicable, as the role is fully remote. The team is globally distributed.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Tools: Expect heavy reliance on digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Miro, Figma) to facilitate communication and teamwork across time zones.
• Independent Work: A high degree of autonomy and self-discipline is required to manage workload and deliver results effectively in a remote setting.
• Team Interaction: Regular virtual team meetings, design reviews, and brainstorming sessions to foster connection and shared understanding.

Work Schedule:

• The role is 40 hours per week, with flexibility. However, candidates should be prepared to align their working hours to ensure meaningful overlap with team members in GMT time zones, facilitating real-time collaboration and communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: Successful candidates will be comfortable with a fully remote setup, possess strong self-management skills, and be adept at using digital tools for collaboration and communication. Time zone flexibility is a key aspect of the work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, focusing on your resume and portfolio to assess experience and fit with the role's requirements.
• Portfolio Review & Discussion: You will likely be asked to walk through your portfolio, discussing your design process, problem-solving approach, and specific project details. This is a critical stage to demonstrate your skills and rationale.
• Skills-Based Interview: Expect questions related to your experience with specific design tools, user research methodologies, interaction design principles, and collaboration strategies.
• Cross-Functional Interview: You may meet with a product manager or engineer to assess your ability to collaborate and communicate effectively within a product team.
• Final Interview: Potentially a discussion with a design lead or hiring manager to assess overall fit, cultural alignment, and strategic thinking.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 of your strongest projects that best showcase your skills relevant to this role (mobile/web app design, user-centered processes, research integration).
• Highlight Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your specific contributions, the design process followed (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), key decisions made, and the final outcome or impact. Use visuals like sketches, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.
• Showcase Figma: Explicitly demonstrate your proficiency with Figma, perhaps by sharing a link to a Figma prototype or detailing how you use its features.
• Tell a Story: Frame your projects as compelling narratives that highlight your problem-solving abilities and design thinking. Focus on why you made certain decisions.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or user feedback that demonstrate the success of your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential design challenges or case studies that assess your ability to quickly understand a problem, ideate solutions, and articulate your design thinking. Practice thinking aloud and explaining your process clearly.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process in detail, demonstrating a strong understanding of user-centered design and problem-solving. Being able to discuss rationale and impact is key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (essential), Sketch (highly valued), Prototyping tools (e.g., InVision, Principle, Figma's native prototyping).
• Visual Design & Motion: After Effects (for motion graphics and advanced prototyping).
• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Zoom, Miro (or similar whiteboarding tools), Google Workspace/Microsoft 365.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a primary requirement for the designer, an understanding of how to interpret user analytics and A/B testing results to inform design decisions is beneficial. Familiarity with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics would be advantageous.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the Product Designer role's core responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is non-negotiable. Experience with other design and prototyping tools, as well as motion design software like After Effects, will strengthen an application. Understanding how design impacts user behavior tracked by analytics tools is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the user's needs through thoughtful design.
• Sustainability & Health: A passion for the company's mission to promote healthier living and reduce food waste.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and teamwork across all functions and geographies.
• Innovation & Iteration: A culture that encourages experimentation, learning from failures, and continuous improvement.
• Impact-Driven: Focus on creating designs that deliver meaningful value to users and contribute to business success.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work closely with Product Managers to define product strategy and Engineers to ensure feasibility and quality implementation.
• Feedback-Oriented: A culture of constructive feedback through design reviews and collaborative sessions.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, learnings, and insights within the design team and across the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission and its "Most Loved Workplace®" recognition suggest a positive and collaborative team environment. Candidates who are passionate about the company's mission and can demonstrate strong collaboration skills will likely be a good fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Time Zone Management: Effectively collaborating and maintaining communication across a globally distributed team with varying time zones requires strong organizational and communication skills.
• Balancing User Needs and Business Goals: Navigating the complexities of designing for a large user base while aligning with business objectives and technical constraints.
• Integration with Hardware Ecosystem: Designing experiences that seamlessly integrate with Samsung's broader hardware ecosystem (TVs, wearables, appliances) presents unique challenges and opportunities.
• Rapidly Evolving Domain: The health, nutrition, and sustainability space is dynamic, requiring designers to stay abreast of trends and evolving user expectations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Domain Expertise: Deepen knowledge in health, nutrition, and food technology through project work and company initiatives.
• Large-Scale Design: Gain experience designing for millions of users across diverse platforms and devices within a major technology company.
• Remote Work Best Practices: Hone skills in remote collaboration, asynchronous communication, and self-management.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Work closely with product managers, engineers, and researchers, expanding understanding of the broader product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working in a global, remote, and mission-driven tech company. The growth opportunities are substantial, particularly for designers looking to build scalable products in a meaningful domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Rationale: Be prepared to walk through a project from your portfolio, explaining your entire design process, the specific problems you solved, the research conducted, your design decisions (and why), and the impact of your work.
• Collaboration & Communication: How do you collaborate with product managers and engineers? How do you handle disagreements or conflicting feedback? How do you communicate complex design ideas to non-designers?
• Problem-Solving: Describe a time you faced a complex design challenge or ambiguous requirements. How did you approach it? What was the outcome?
• Tool Proficiency: Expect questions about your experience with Figma, Sketch, and prototyping tools. Be ready to discuss specific features you utilize.
• User-Centered Design: How do you incorporate user research and feedback into your design process? What are your preferred methods for usability testing?

Company & Culture Questions:

• Mission Alignment: Why are you interested in Samsung Food's mission related to health, nutrition, and sustainability?
• Remote Work Suitability: How do you stay productive and engaged in a fully remote environment? How do you manage collaboration across different time zones?
• Team Fit: How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative team culture?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Conciseness: Focus on the most relevant projects and key takeaways.
• Visuals: Use clear, high-quality visuals (sketches, wireframes, mockups, prototypes).
• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
• Interactivity: If possible, showcase interactive prototypes to demonstrate user flows and interactions.
• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your process, decisions, and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare thoroughly for the portfolio review. Be ready to articulate your design thinking, process, and the "why" behind your choices. Demonstrate enthusiasm for the company's mission and your ability to thrive in a remote, collaborative environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (e.g., a live website link) and clearly showcases projects demonstrating your mobile and web app design experience, user research integration, and proficiency with Figma. Tailor your project selection to highlight relevant skills.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly highlight your 3+ years of experience, specific design tools used (Figma, Sketch), and achievements related to user experience, interaction design, and cross-functional collaboration. Quantify achievements where possible.
• Hourly Rate Specification: Clearly state your expected hourly rate in USD Gross, as requested in the job posting. Research industry standards to ensure your rate is competitive and reflects your experience.
• Time Zone Preparedness: Be ready to discuss your flexibility regarding working hours and your ability to collaborate effectively across different time zones, particularly with teams in GMT regions.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Samsung Food's mission, products, and the broader Samsung ecosystem to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding during the interview process.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding salary estimates and specific interview processes, should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.