Senior Product Designer
📍 Job Overview
Job Title: Senior Product Designer
Company: Blank Street
Location: New York City, NY, United States
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Product Design / User Experience
Date Posted: April 24, 2026
Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level
Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Role Summary
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Drive the end-to-end design process for Blank Street's consumer-facing mobile application and internal operational tools, ensuring intuitive and elegant user experiences.
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Conduct in-depth user research, translating insights into actionable design strategies that align user needs with critical business objectives.
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Collaborate closely with product management and engineering teams to shape product roadmaps, prioritize initiatives, and ensure design scalability across platforms.
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Serve as a key contributor to the evolution and maintenance of the company's design system, promoting consistency and quality.
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Integrate innovative technologies, including generative AI, to enhance product functionality and user engagement.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer, indicating a need for demonstrated leadership in complex digital product design and a strategic approach to problem-solving. The emphasis on both consumer apps and internal tools suggests a broad scope of responsibility, requiring adaptability and a comprehensive understanding of diverse user needs. The mention of generative AI points towards a forward-thinking product strategy and an expectation for designers to explore emerging technologies.
📈 Primary Responsibilities
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Lead the complete design lifecycle for the consumer app, from initial discovery and user research to concept development, high-fidelity design execution, and iterative post-launch improvements.
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Design holistic, scalable, and intuitive user experiences for both customer-facing applications and internal operational tools, focusing on reducing friction and enhancing daily workflows.
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Develop wireframes, detailed user flows, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and solutions to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
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Plan and execute qualitative and quantitative user research, including user interviews, usability testing, and journey mapping, to gather actionable insights that inform product strategy and design decisions.
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Synthesize research findings into clear product opportunities, frameworks, and design directions, advocating for a user-centered and data-informed design culture.
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Partner strategically with Product Managers and Engineers to define product roadmaps and prioritize features that deliver significant user and business impact.
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Actively contribute to and evolve the team's design system and design tokens, ensuring consistency, maintainability, and scalability across all digital touchpoints.
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Present and articulate complex design rationales, user insights, and strategic recommendations to diverse stakeholder groups, including executive leadership.
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Explore and propose innovative applications of generative AI and personalization technologies to enhance the consumer and internal user experience.
📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic product thinking and hands-on design execution. The onus is on the designer to not only create designs but also to deeply understand user needs through research and to influence product direction. The dual focus on consumer and internal tools implies a need for designing for different user personas and operational contexts.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education:
Experience:
- Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in product design, user experience (UX) design, or a closely related role.
Required Skills:
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Expertise in end-to-end product design, encompassing user research, information architecture, interaction design, and visual design.
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Strong proficiency in user research methodologies, including qualitative techniques (user interviews, usability testing, journey mapping) and quantitative analysis for synthesizing insights and informing product strategy.
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Advanced skills in design and prototyping tools, with a high level of proficiency in Figma.
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Experience in contributing to and evolving design systems and design tokens, ensuring consistency and scalability across digital products.
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Demonstrated ability to translate complex user needs and business requirements into intuitive, elegant, and scalable design solutions.
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Excellent storytelling capabilities with strong verbal, written, and visual communication skills, adept at presenting complex ideas to various stakeholders.
Preferred Skills:
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Experience working with generative AI, personalization systems, or recommendation engines.
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Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, Keynote, and Google Slides for presentation and supplementary design work.
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Experience in the food & beverage, hospitality, or fast-paced consumer brand industries.
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A strong portfolio showcasing leadership on complex digital products, detailing research, approach, design strategy, systems, and implementation.
📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 5-7 years, coupled with the expectation of leading "medium-scale projects," suggests a role requiring significant autonomy and a proven ability to drive projects independently. The multidisciplinary educational background preference indicates that Blank Street values diverse perspectives and analytical thinking beyond traditional design training.
📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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A robust portfolio is critical, showcasing leadership on complex digital products from concept to completion.
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Demonstrations of your approach to research, strategy development, and system design for digital products.
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Evidence of ability to translate insights into actionable design strategies and scalable interfaces.
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Case studies detailing your involvement in evolving and maintaining design systems and tokens.
Process Documentation:
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Showcase your process for conducting user research, including methodologies used and how insights were synthesized.
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Illustrate your approach to designing end-to-end user flows and system architecture for both consumer and internal applications.
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Provide examples of how you've collaborated with engineering and product teams to bring designs to life and iterate based on feedback and data.
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Demonstrate your experience in advocating for user-centered design principles and data-informed decision-making.
📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio demonstrating leadership, strategic thinking, and end-to-end project ownership is paramount. Applicants should prepare to walk through their process, highlighting problem definition, research methodologies, design iterations, and the impact of their contributions, particularly concerning design systems and the integration of new technologies.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $140,000 - $160,000 annual base salary.
Benefits:
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Equity package
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15 days of paid annual leave (in addition to company-observed holidays and sick time)
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Three health plan options, with full coverage for two employee-only tiers
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Commuter benefits
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Parental leave
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Bereavement leave
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Exclusive "Regulars program" (free coffee, matcha, and more)
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Regular social outings with the team
Working Hours:
- Standard full-time position, likely aligning with typical 40-hour work weeks, with an on-site work arrangement.
📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range of $140,000 - $160,000 for a Senior Product Designer in New York City is competitive and reflects the experience level and responsibilities. The comprehensive benefits package, including equity and generous paid time off, underscores Blank Street's commitment to employee well-being and long-term engagement. The "Regulars program" is a unique perk tailored to the company's product offering.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Food & Beverage / Retail Technology. Blank Street operates within the rapidly evolving consumer food and beverage sector, leveraging technology to redefine the cafe experience. Their focus on thoughtful store design, elevated beverages, and hospitality-driven digital and physical experiences positions them as a modern brand catering to a new generation of consumers.
Company Size: Growing rapidly, with 100+ physical locations and a significant global roadmap, indicating a dynamic and scaling organization. This suggests opportunities for impact and growth, alongside potential for process evolution.
Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the rapid growth suggests a relatively young company that has achieved significant traction and is in an expansion phase.
Team Structure:
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The Product Design team likely includes other designers (potentially UX/UI designers, visual designers) and works closely with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and Operations teams.
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Reporting structure will likely be to a Head of Product Design or similar leadership role, with direct collaboration across product development functions.
Methodology:
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Data-informed and user-centered design approach is a core methodology, emphasizing research and analytics to guide decisions.
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Iterative design processes are expected, with a focus on continuous improvement post-launch.
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Collaboration and communication are key, with emphasis on presenting complex ideas and building consensus.
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Exploration of emerging technologies like AI is integrated into the product development lifecycle.
Company Website: blankstreet.com
📝 Enhancement Note: Blank Street presents itself as an innovative and fast-paced company. The emphasis on "elevated beverages, thoughtful store designs, and hospitality-driven experiences" suggests a strong brand identity and a commitment to quality across all touchpoints. The rapid growth implies a culture that embraces change and rewards initiative, making it an exciting environment for designers looking to make a significant impact.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is designated as "Senior Product Designer," indicating a level of expertise, autonomy, and leadership. It requires a candidate who can independently lead complex projects, mentor junior designers (potentially), and contribute strategically to product vision. This is a mid-to-senior level position within the design function.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Head of Product Design, or Director of Product. They will work in close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineering Leads, forming a core product triad for their assigned areas.
Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on both customer acquisition and retention through the consumer app, and on operational efficiency and employee satisfaction through internal tools. By designing intuitive and effective experiences, the Senior Product Designer contributes to revenue growth, cost savings, and overall brand perception.
Growth Opportunities:
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Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in specific areas such as consumer app design, operational tool design, or emerging technologies like AI-driven product features.
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Leadership: Advancement to Lead Product Designer, Design Manager, or Head of Product Design roles, involving greater strategic oversight and team management.
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Cross-functional Impact: Opportunity to influence product strategy across the organization and gain exposure to business operations and market expansion.
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Skill Development: Continuous learning and application of new design techniques, research methods, and emerging technologies through project work and potential training opportunities.
📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a clear path for growth into leadership roles or specialized senior individual contributor tracks. The dual focus on consumer and internal tools offers a broad learning experience that can enhance a designer's versatility and strategic understanding of a business's entire operational ecosystem.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: The role is on-site in New York City, suggesting a collaborative office environment designed to foster teamwork and innovation. Given Blank Street's brand, the office space is likely to be thoughtfully designed and reflect the company's aesthetic.
Office Location(s): New York City, NY, United States. This provides access to a vibrant talent pool and a dynamic urban setting.
Workspace Context:
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Expect a collaborative workspace where designers, product managers, and engineers work closely together, facilitating rapid iteration and problem-solving.
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Access to necessary design tools and technology will be provided, including Figma and potentially other software suites.
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Opportunities for direct interaction with internal teams (store staff, operations) to understand their workflows and challenges firsthand.
Work Schedule: A typical full-time schedule is expected, likely Monday through Friday, with an emphasis on in-office presence to maximize collaboration and team synergy. Flexibility may be available, but the core requirement is on-site work.
📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement underscores Blank Street's emphasis on in-person collaboration, which is often crucial for complex design challenges and fostering a strong team culture. This environment is ideal for designers who thrive on direct interaction and rapid feedback loops.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with role requirements.
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Design Challenge/Case Study: Candidates will likely be asked to present a case study from their portfolio, detailing a complex product design project from start to finish. This will focus on their research methodology, design process, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
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Team Interviews: Interviews with product managers, engineers, and potentially other designers to evaluate collaboration style, technical understanding, and cultural fit.
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Hiring Manager/Leadership Interview: Final discussion focusing on strategic vision, leadership potential, and alignment with company values.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your role, the process you followed, and the measurable impact of your design solutions (e.g., user engagement, conversion rates, operational efficiency).
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Showcase Strategy: Demonstrate how you used research and data to inform your design decisions and how your designs aligned with business goals.
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Highlight Process: Walk through your design process step-by-step, explaining your rationale at each stage, including wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and iteration.
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Design Systems & AI: If applicable, include examples of your work on design systems and any experience with generative AI or personalization features.
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Tailor to Role: Emphasize projects relevant to consumer apps, internal tools, and ideally, experience in fast-paced consumer brands.
Challenge Preparation:
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Be prepared to discuss your design philosophy and how you approach complex design problems.
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Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, justifying them with research and strategic reasoning.
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Understand Blank Street's brand, mission, and target audience to contextualize your answers.
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Think about potential design challenges for a coffee brand's app or internal store operations.
📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential design challenge indicates that Blank Street places a high value on practical design skills and the ability to articulate one's process and impact. Candidates should meticulously prepare their portfolio to highlight leadership, strategic thinking, and a user-centered approach.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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Figma: Essential for wireframing, UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. High proficiency is required.
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Adobe Creative Suite: Likely used for supplementary design tasks, asset creation, or presentations.
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Keynote / Google Slides: For preparing and delivering presentations to stakeholders.
Analytics & Reporting:
CRM & Automation:
- Experience with CRM systems is not directly mentioned but understanding how design impacts user journeys within CRM contexts can be advantageous.
📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a non-negotiable requirement, indicating it's the primary tool for design collaboration and execution. Familiarity with presentation tools is also key for stakeholder communication. Understanding how design integrates with analytics and CRM systems will provide a broader perspective on the product's performance and user lifecycle.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user's needs in all design decisions.
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Craftsmanship & Quality: A dedication to producing polished, intuitive, and aesthetically pleasing designs.
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Collaboration: A belief in working closely with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals and build better products.
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Innovation: An openness to exploring new technologies and approaches to enhance user experiences and drive business growth.
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Efficiency: A focus on creating streamlined workflows and intuitive tools that improve productivity for both customers and internal teams.
Collaboration Style:
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Highly collaborative, with designers working hand-in-hand with Product Managers and Engineers.
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Emphasis on open communication, constructive feedback, and shared ownership of product outcomes.
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Cross-functional partnerships are essential for aligning design efforts with business objectives and operational realities.
📝 Enhancement Note: Blank Street's culture appears to value a blend of creative excellence and practical, data-driven execution. The emphasis on collaboration and user-centricity suggests an environment where designers are empowered to contribute strategically and work effectively within a team structure.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Balancing Consumer and Internal Tools: Designing for distinct user groups with different needs and priorities within the same organization.
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Rapid Growth Environment: Adapting to fast-paced changes, evolving priorities, and scaling design systems and processes alongside the company.
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Integrating New Technologies: Effectively incorporating generative AI and other emerging technologies into user experiences in a meaningful and user-friendly way.
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Data-Informed Decision Making: Ensuring design decisions are consistently backed by robust research and analytics, especially in a rapidly evolving market.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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AI & Emerging Tech: Hands-on experience integrating cutting-edge technologies like generative AI into product design.
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Design System Leadership: Opportunity to significantly influence and grow a mature design system.
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Cross-Functional Exposure: Deep understanding of product management, engineering, and operational workflows within a high-growth consumer brand.
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Strategic Influence: Chance to shape product roadmaps and contribute to the strategic direction of Blank Street's digital offerings.
📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of high-growth tech companies and offer significant opportunities for professional development. The chance to work with generative AI and influence strategic product direction is particularly compelling for ambitious designers.
💡 Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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"Describe a complex product you designed from concept to launch. What was your process, what challenges did you face, and what was the impact?" (Focus on your role, research, strategic decisions, and quantifiable results.)
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"How would you approach designing a new feature for our consumer app that leverages generative AI? What research would you conduct, and what potential pitfalls would you anticipate?" (Demonstrate your understanding of AI integration, user needs, and risk mitigation.)
Company & Culture Questions:
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"What excites you about Blank Street's mission and brand?" (Show you've researched the company and understand its value proposition.)
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"How do you contribute to a collaborative design culture?" (Provide examples of your teamwork and communication style.)
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Structure: Organize your portfolio presentations logically: Problem -> Research -> Solution -> Impact.
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Storytelling: Craft a compelling narrative for each project, emphasizing your personal contributions and the "why" behind your design decisions.
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Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, prototypes, and user flow diagrams to illustrate your work.
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Metrics: Quantify the impact of your work whenever possible. If direct metrics aren't available, discuss projected impact or qualitative feedback.
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AI/Generative AI Focus: If you have relevant experience, be prepared to showcase it and discuss your approach to using these technologies responsibly and effectively.
📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, strong research capabilities, and the ability to articulate design decisions with clarity and impact. Candidates should be ready to showcase their portfolio as a testament to their skills and leadership potential.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:
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Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.
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Curate your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating leadership in complex digital product design, end-to-end ownership, and strategic thinking. Prioritize examples related to consumer apps, internal tools, and ideally, design system contributions or AI integration.
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Tailor your resume to emphasize your 5-7 years of experience, specific design methodologies, proficiency in Figma, and achievements in user research and product strategy.
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Prepare your portfolio presentation with clear case studies, focusing on your process, rationale, and the measurable impact of your designs. Practice articulating your contributions and strategic thinking.
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Research Blank Street thoroughly, understanding their brand, mission, target audience, and any recent product launches or news to inform your responses during interviews.
⚠️ 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.
Application Requirements
Requires 5-7 years of experience in product design or UX with a strong portfolio demonstrating leadership on complex digital products. Proficiency in design tools like Figma and a solid foundation in research methodologies are essential.