Product Designer (Studio / Connect)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer (Studio / Connect) Company: ProtoPie Location: Seoul, South Korea Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design Date Posted: 2025-09-25 Experience Level: 6+ Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the end-to-end design lifecycle for ProtoPie Studio and Connect, from ideation and user research to final implementation and iterative improvements.
• Conduct user research, leveraging qualitative and quantitative data to uncover user needs and pain points within desktop applications and collaborative design environments.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, and QA, to define design objectives and deliver impactful solutions.
• Design and refine user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visuals, prioritizing exceptional visual craft and interaction design.
• Independently manage design projects, balancing user-centricity, technical feasibility, and business objectives to drive successful product outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a Product Designer role, the emphasis on "ProtoPie Studio and Connect," "desktop applications," and "creative workflows" suggests a strong need for understanding complex software interfaces and user interaction patterns, aligning with operational excellence in design execution. The requirement for experience with ProtoPie itself is a key technical skill.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the complete product design process for ProtoPie Studio and Connect, encompassing user research, problem definition, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, visual design, and user testing.
• Translate user insights and business requirements into intuitive and engaging user experiences for complex desktop software.
• Develop and maintain detailed design documentation, including user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups, ensuring alignment with product vision.
• Conduct user interviews, usability testing, and A/B testing to gather feedback and validate design decisions, driving continuous improvement.
• Champion user-centered design principles and best practices throughout the product development lifecycle, ensuring a consistent and high-quality user experience.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure accurate implementation of designs, providing clear specifications and design assets.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies (like AI and Spatial Computing), and competitor products to inform design strategies and identify opportunities for innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can not only create visually appealing interfaces but also deeply understand the underlying functionality and user workflows of a sophisticated design tool. This requires a systematic approach to design, akin to operations process optimization, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in the user journey.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: Minimum of 6 years of professional experience as a Product Designer, UX Designer, or UI Designer within software companies.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to drive the full product design lifecycle for complex software applications, from concept to launch.
• Strong portfolio showcasing exceptional visual craft, interaction design skills, and a deep understanding of user-centered design principles.
• Expertise in user research methodologies, including user interviews, usability testing, and heuristic evaluations.
• Proficiency in creating user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity visual designs.
• Experience with design and prototyping tools, with a strong preference for ProtoPie.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions effectively to cross-functional teams.
• Fluency in both English and Korean (written and spoken).
• Ability to travel abroad without restrictions.
• High attention to detail and a keen eye for composition, typography, and layout.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with advanced prototyping features such as Auto Layout, Variables, and Components.
• Background in design/development or experience building websites/apps.
• Familiarity with canvas-based interfaces or tools supporting creative workflows (e.g., creative suites, IDEs).
• Knowledge or experience with AI technologies and their application in design.
• Understanding of Spatial Computing (AR/VR/XR) concepts and design considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on ProtoPie as a preferred tool, alongside experience with complex creative tools, suggests an advanced technical requirement. The blend of design skills with an understanding of software development processes and emerging technologies (AI, Spatial Computing) is critical for this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating end-to-end product design experience for at least two complex software applications.
• Case studies should clearly articulate the design process, including research methodologies, problem definition, design iterations, user testing results, and final outcomes.
• Showcase a strong command of visual design principles, interaction design patterns, and prototyping capabilities, ideally using ProtoPie.
• Highlight projects that involved collaboration with cross-functional teams and demonstrate the ability to balance user needs with technical and business constraints.
• Include examples that illustrate problem-solving skills, adaptability, and a data-informed approach to design.

Process Documentation:

• Portfolio submissions should detail the design process employed for each project, emphasizing how user research and data were integrated into design decisions.
• Demonstrate a structured approach to prototyping, including the use of advanced features if applicable, to effectively communicate design intent.
• Provide insights into how designs were tested with users and how feedback was incorporated to refine the user experience.
• Show evidence of close collaboration with engineering and product teams, including how design challenges were resolved during implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is explicitly requested and is a critical component of the application. It should not only showcase design output but also the underlying design process, methodology, and user-centric decision-making, reflecting an operational rigor in design execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the 6+ years of experience requirement, location in Seoul, South Korea, and the specialized nature of the role, a competitive salary is expected. For a Senior Product Designer in Seoul with this experience level, typical annual salaries can range from ₩70,000,000 to ₩120,000,000 (approximately $52,000 - $90,000 USD), depending on the specific company, candidate's portfolio, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Welcome Awards: KRW 1,000,000 (approx. USD 830) for new joiners to purchase personal peripherals and items for improved work efficiency (e.g., desk, chair, tablet PC, mobile, smartwatch).
• Education Benefits: Support for purchasing books and enrolling in classes (language, instruments, or any desired learning) to foster personal and professional growth.
• Healthcare Benefits: Comprehensive support including medical check-ups, gym memberships, physical activity support, vision care, and medical treatment (including for pets).
• Internet & Communication Benefits: Reimbursement for internet and mobile expenses to enhance the working environment.
• Congratulations & Condolences: Support for significant life events, both joyous and challenging.
• Probation Period: 3 months with 100% salary.

Working Hours: 10 AM to 7 PM KST (Korean Standard Time) at the HQ. This is a standard 8-hour workday with a 1-hour break, totaling 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation estimate is based on industry benchmarks for experienced product designers in major tech hubs and specifically for Seoul, South Korea. The benefits package appears robust, focusing on employee well-being, professional development, and work environment enhancement, which are crucial for retaining talent in competitive tech roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software Development, Design Tools, User Experience. ProtoPie operates in the competitive space of prototyping and design tools, aiming to empower designers and developers with powerful yet accessible solutions. Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of multiple product lines (Studio, Connect) and a structured hiring process suggests a growing company with established teams, likely falling into the small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) category or a rapidly scaling startup. Founded: ProtoPie was founded in 2011, indicating a decade+ of experience in the market, building a solid foundation and product evolution.

Team Structure:

• The Product Designer will be part of the Design Team, working closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and QA within agile development teams.
• This structure implies a collaborative, cross-functional environment where designers are integrated into the product development process from the outset.
• Reporting lines are not specified but typically would be to a Design Lead or Head of Product Design.

Methodology:

• ProtoPie utilizes agile methodologies, emphasizing iterative development, close collaboration, and responsiveness to user feedback.
• The design team is expected to employ user-centered design practices, leveraging research and data to inform design decisions.
• A focus on "exceptional visual craft and interaction design" suggests a commitment to high-quality output and attention to detail in execution.

Company Website: protopie.io

📝 Enhancement Note: ProtoPie's focus on empowering designers with advanced prototyping capabilities suggests a company culture that values innovation, user empathy, and technical excellence. The company's longevity indicates stability and a proven product-market fit, which can be attractive to experienced professionals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, indicated by the 6+ years of experience requirement and the expectation to "drive the entire design process" and "independently lead projects." This level typically involves significant autonomy, strategic input, and mentorship potential. Reporting Structure: The designer will report into a Design Team hierarchy, likely to a Design Lead or Manager. They will work within cross-functional agile teams, collaborating closely with Product Managers and Engineers, providing input on product strategy and execution from a design perspective. Operations Impact: As a Product Designer, the impact is directly on the usability, intuitiveness, and overall user experience of ProtoPie's core products (Studio and Connect). This directly influences user adoption, satisfaction, retention, and ultimately, revenue. A well-designed product reduces friction for users, potentially leading to increased efficiency in their workflows and greater engagement with the ProtoPie ecosystem.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas such as interaction design for complex desktop applications, user research for creative tools, or emerging technologies like AI and Spatial Computing integration.
• Leadership Development: Potential to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives for new features or products, and influence the overall design strategy and team processes.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain experience working across different product areas and collaborating with various stakeholders, broadening understanding of the business and product development lifecycle.
• Industry Recognition: Contributing to a leading design tool like ProtoPie can enhance professional reputation and open doors to future opportunities in the UX/UI design field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" designation implies a level of responsibility that extends beyond task execution, requiring strategic thinking about user problems and product direction, aligning with operations' focus on efficiency and effectiveness. Growth opportunities are tied to deepening specialized design skills and potentially moving into leadership roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at the company's HQ in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea, indicating an on-site work environment. This setup is typical for fostering close collaboration, team cohesion, and rapid iteration. Office Location(s): Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea. This is a prominent business district in Seoul, known for its vibrant atmosphere and accessibility.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on cross-functional teams and agile methodologies suggests a dynamic and interactive workspace where designers work closely with product managers and engineers daily.
• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software and potentially ProtoPie's own tools for design and prototyping. The "Welcome Awards" benefit also indicates support for personal work setup.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for daily interaction with peers in design, product, and engineering, facilitating knowledge sharing, feedback, and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are 10 AM to 7 PM KST, Monday to Friday. This provides a structured workday common in tech companies, with a clear delineation between work and personal time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a major business district like Gangnam suggests a professional and potentially fast-paced work environment. The collaborative nature of the workspace is key for effective design execution and problem-solving, mirroring the operational need for efficient communication and teamwork.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit resume with portfolio link.
• 1st Interview: In-person interview, likely to assess foundational design skills, experience, and cultural fit.
• 2nd Interview: In-person interview, preceded by an assignment. This stage will likely dive deeper into problem-solving abilities, design process, and technical skills, with the assignment testing practical application.
• Reference Check: Specter (likely a background check or reference verification service).
• 3rd Interview: Video-call interview, possibly with senior leadership or a broader team, focusing on strategic thinking and final fit.
• Decision and Negotiation: Offer extended and terms discussed.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is easy to navigate and clearly presents your best work. Use a website link as requested.
• Process Over Polish: While visual polish is important, the interviewers will be looking for a deep understanding of your design process, problem-solving approach, and how you iterate based on feedback and data.
• ProtoPie Focus: If you have experience with ProtoPie, highlight it prominently in your case studies. If not, demonstrate your ability to quickly learn and master new tools by showcasing complex prototypes created with other software.
• Impact and Results: Quantify the impact of your designs whenever possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced user errors, increased task completion time).
• Tailor to ProtoPie: Showcase projects that demonstrate your ability to design for complex desktop applications, creative tools, or collaborative workflows.

Challenge Preparation:

• Assignment: Be prepared for a design assignment that likely involves problem-solving for a specific feature or user flow within ProtoPie Studio or Connect. Focus on demonstrating your research, ideation, and prototyping skills.
• Presentation: Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, explaining the "why" behind your choices, especially during the second and third interviews. Be ready to walk through your portfolio and the assignment solution.
• Technical Depth: Brush up on design principles for desktop applications, interaction design patterns, and potentially AI/Spatial Computing concepts if relevant to your experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The multi-stage interview process, including an assignment and multiple in-person stages, indicates a thorough evaluation of candidates. The explicit emphasis on the portfolio and its link for submission is crucial. Preparation should focus on demonstrating a robust design process and strategic thinking, not just visual output.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• ProtoPie: Essential for prototyping and interaction design within the company. Proficiency is highly preferred.
• Figma / Sketch / Adobe XD: Standard industry tools for UI design, wireframing, and visual design. Proficiency in at least one is expected.
• User Research Tools: Tools for conducting user interviews, usability testing, and surveys (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, SurveyMonkey).
• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with Agile project management tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for collaboration and task tracking.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Experience with product analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to understand user behavior and measure design impact.
• Data Visualization Tools: Ability to interpret data and present insights, potentially using tools like Tableau or Looker, though not explicitly required.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design role, but awareness of how design integrates with CRM and marketing automation systems could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is proficiency in ProtoPie. Beyond that, standard UX/UI design tools and user research methodologies are critical. An understanding of analytics can help designers demonstrate the impact of their work, aligning with an operations-focused approach to design effectiveness.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Autonomy & Responsibility: Expectation of self-direction and accountability for one's work and decisions, fostering a responsible and proactive approach to design challenges.
• Communication & Trust: Emphasis on transparent information sharing and building trust with colleagues, crucial for effective collaboration in cross-functional teams.
• Integrity: Maintaining high professional standards and a clear separation between personal and professional life, reflecting a commitment to ethical conduct.
• Global Citizenship: Respect for diverse cultural traits and an awareness of the global market, aligning with ProtoPie's international user base and team.
• Team Player: Collaboration, mutual support, and respect for colleagues' professionalism and authority are key to success within ProtoPie's integrated teams.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are embedded within agile teams, working closely with Product Managers and Engineers daily to ensure design alignment and feasibility.
• Process Improvement Focus: The company's values encourage a proactive approach to work, suggesting a culture where designers are expected to contribute to process improvements and efficiency within the design workflow.
• Feedback Exchange: An environment that likely encourages open feedback loops between designers, PMs, and engineers to refine designs and product direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: ProtoPie's values emphasize a mature, collaborative, and globally minded work environment. For a designer, this means being proactive, communicative, and willing to contribute to team success and process optimization, mirroring operational best practices.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: ProtoPie Studio and Connect are sophisticated tools with intricate interfaces and workflows, requiring designers to develop a deep understanding of user needs and technical constraints.
• Balancing Innovation and Usability: Integrating new features, especially those related to AI or Spatial Computing, while maintaining a seamless and intuitive user experience for existing users is a significant challenge.
• Cross-Cultural Communication: Effectively communicating and collaborating with a global team, especially given the bilingual requirement, can present challenges requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Rapid Development Cycles: Working within an agile framework means adapting to fast-paced development cycles and iterating quickly on designs based on feedback.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into ProtoPie: Becoming a true expert in the capabilities and potential applications of ProtoPie, including its advanced features and future roadmap.
• Emerging Technologies: Gaining hands-on experience with AI and Spatial Computing from a design perspective, which are high-demand skill areas.
• Mentorship: Opportunity to learn from experienced product managers, engineers, and potentially senior designers within the company.
• Industry Best Practices: Staying at the forefront of design trends and best practices for complex desktop applications and creative tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for a designer who is not only skilled but also adaptable, analytical, and eager to learn. Growth opportunities are significant, particularly in specialized design areas and emerging technologies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Methodology: Be ready to discuss your end-to-end design process, how you incorporate user research and data, and how you handle trade-offs between user needs, technical constraints, and business goals. Prepare specific examples from your portfolio.
• ProtoPie & Design Tools: Understand ProtoPie's core functionality. If you have ProtoPie experience, be prepared to discuss specific use cases or complex interactions you've designed. If not, be ready to demonstrate your ability to learn new tools quickly by showcasing your most complex prototypes.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: Discuss how you collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers. Prepare examples of resolving design disagreements or influencing product direction through design.
• Problem Solving: Be prepared for case studies or questions that require you to think critically about user problems within a complex software context. Focus on your thought process and how you arrive at solutions.

Company & Culture Questions:

• ProtoPie's Mission: Research ProtoPie's mission, values, and target audience. Understand their position in the market and what makes their product unique.
• Team Fit: Reflect on ProtoPie's company values (Autonomy, Communication, Integrity, Global Citizenship, Team Player) and consider how your own values and work style align with them. Be ready to provide examples.
• Motivation: Clearly articulate why you are interested in ProtoPie and this specific role, connecting your skills and career aspirations to the company's goals.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio to highlight your most relevant work first. For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the impact.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals, interactive prototypes (if possible via links), and concise descriptions to showcase your design thinking and execution.
• Focus on Process: Emphasize the "how" and "why" behind your design decisions. Explain your research methods, user testing findings, and iteration process.
• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success and impact of your designs.
• Practice Your Narrative: Be ready to present your portfolio and assignment solution confidently, explaining your thought process and key takeaways.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is rigorous, requiring a strong portfolio, a demonstrable design process, and alignment with company values. Candidates should prepare to articulate their contributions strategically and showcase their ability to solve complex design problems within a collaborative, agile environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your resume and portfolio link through the ProtoPie careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases your experience with complex desktop applications, your design process, and any ProtoPie experience. Tailor your case studies to highlight skills relevant to ProtoPie Studio and Connect.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize your 6+ years of experience, key skills in product design, user research, prototyping, and collaboration. Use keywords from the job description and highlight quantifiable achievements.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research ProtoPie, its products, mission, and company values. Understand their market position and the importance of design in their ecosystem.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approaches, and collaboration experiences. Be ready to present your portfolio and complete a design assignment effectively. Prepare to discuss your understanding of ProtoPie's products and how your skills can contribute.

⚠️ 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.