UI Designer (all genders)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Designer (all genders) Company: JAKALA Germany GmbH Location: Hamburg, Germany Job Type: Full-time, Part-time Category: User Interface / User Experience Operations Date Posted: July 21, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop creative digital products for web and mobile platforms, focusing on user-centric interface concepts and overall digital aesthetics.
• Define and implement design patterns, UI design guidelines, style guides, or comprehensive design systems to ensure product consistency and quality.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including UX Design, Front-End/Back-End Development, and Project Management to deliver optimized customer products.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of customer products within the tourism sector, enhancing the visual user experience and driving engagement.
• Support usability testing initiatives and leverage insights to proactively refine interface concepts and user journeys, ensuring a high-quality user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary focus is UI Design, the emphasis on optimizing customer products, user experience, and cross-functional collaboration positions this role within the broader Operations umbrella, specifically impacting the user-facing aspects of product development and client service delivery. The mention of optimizing customer products in the tourism sector suggests a B2C or B2B2C context where user experience directly translates to business success.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Creatively design digital products across various platforms, including web and mobile applications, ensuring a visually appealing and intuitive user interface.
• Develop and proactively evolve exceptional interface concepts for clients, aligning with project goals and user needs.
• Define, document, and maintain design patterns, UI design guidelines, and style guides to ensure brand consistency and efficient design workflows.
• Implement or contribute to the development of a comprehensive design system to standardize UI elements and streamline the design and development process.
• Integrate user experience (UX) principles into all design activities, contributing to a seamless and engaging user journey.
• Actively participate in and analyze the results of usability tests to gather user feedback and inform design iterations.
• Foster strong interdisciplinary collaboration, working effectively with UX designers, front-end and back-end developers, and project managers to achieve project objectives.
• Contribute to the optimization of client products within the tourism sector, focusing on enhancing user satisfaction and achieving business goals through design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative design execution and strategic operational input. The emphasis on defining guidelines, design systems, and collaborating with development teams indicates a role that bridges creative output with operational efficiency and product lifecycle management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred, but not explicitly stated. A strong portfolio demonstrating relevant skills and experience will likely be prioritized over formal education. Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience in UI Design, with a preference for candidates who have worked in an agency setting or a product-focused company.

Required Skills:

• Proven UI Design expertise with a strong portfolio showcasing digital products and user-centered interface concepts.
• Proficiency in Figma and its associated plugins.
• Experience with Design Systems, including their creation or utilization.
• Familiarity with Design Sprints and Design Thinking methodologies.
• Meticulous attention to detail, balanced with an understanding of the broader product vision and design consistency.
• Excellent communication skills in both German (fluent) and English (good proficiency).
• Ability to collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary teams, including UX Design, Front-End/Back-End Development, and Project Management.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the tourism industry or with digital products in this sector.
• Prior experience in an agency or product company environment.
• Experience in defining and maintaining UI Design Guidelines and Styleguides.
• Knowledge of A/B testing and iterative design processes for optimization.
• Familiarity with front-end development principles (HTML, CSS) to understand implementation constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a strong portfolio and practical tool proficiency (Figma, Design Systems) suggests a hands-on role where demonstrable skill and practical application are key. The emphasis on both German and English communication indicates a need for effective cross-cultural and cross-functional interaction.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio that clearly demonstrates at least 2 years of professional UI Design work.
• Showcase a range of digital products designed for both web and mobile platforms.
• Highlight user-centered interface concepts, emphasizing problem-solving and user needs.
• Include examples of how design decisions were made, linking them to business objectives or user experience improvements.
• Demonstrate proficiency with Figma, including complex layouts, prototyping, and component-based design.
• Provide examples of contributions to or creation of Design Systems, Style Guides, or Design Patterns.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate understanding of the design process from ideation to implementation, including stages like user research, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing.
• Show experience in defining and adhering to Design Sprints and Design Thinking frameworks.
• Illustrate how you collaborate with development teams and integrate feedback into the design process.
• Evidence of how you ensure design consistency and quality through established guidelines or design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, serving as the primary evidence of skills and experience. It should not only display visual output but also the thought process, collaboration methods, and adherence to design systems and agile methodologies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry averages for a UI Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Hamburg, Germany, the estimated annual gross salary range is likely between €45,000 and €60,000. This can vary based on the specific scope of responsibilities, the company's compensation philosophy, and the candidate's negotiation.

Benefits:

• Flexible Employment: Option for full-time or part-time employment, catering to individual needs.
• Hybrid Work Model: Combines remote work flexibility with in-office collaboration, offering a balance between personal and professional life.
• Flexible Working Hours: Accommodates different work schedules to support work-life integration.
• Open and Team-Oriented Culture: Encourages collaboration, idea sharing, and a supportive work environment.
• Idea Appreciation: Your contributions and innovative ideas are valued and encouraged.
• Mobility Support:
  • Public Transport Subsidy: Financial assistance for commuting via public transportation.
  • Mobility Budget: A flexible budget that can be used for various transportation needs.
  • Bike Leasing Option: Opportunity to lease a bicycle, promoting sustainable commuting.
• Urban Sports Club Membership: Access to a wide range of sports and fitness facilities.
• Social Engagement: Weekly communal breakfast or lunch to foster team cohesion and networking.
• Unique Perks: Opportunity to join the company's Hamburg band, fostering a creative and social outlet.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are assumed to be 40 per week for full-time, with flexibility on start and end times due to the hybrid and flexible working hours policy. Part-time arrangements will be pro-rated.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is comprehensive, emphasizing work-life balance, employee well-being, and fostering a strong team culture. The mobility benefits are particularly noteworthy, aligning with modern employee expectations and potential corporate social responsibility initiatives.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The company is involved in the digital consulting and services sector, with a specific focus on optimizing customer products within the tourism industry. This implies a dynamic environment that leverages technology and design to enhance client offerings. Company Size: JAKALA Germany GmbH is part of a larger organization, suggesting a balance between the agility of a smaller team and the resources of a larger corporation. The specific size of the German operations or the design team isn't detailed but is likely part of a significant European presence. Founded: JAKALA was founded in 2016, indicating a relatively young and growth-oriented company with a modern approach to business and technology. The company's commitment to becoming a Benefit Corporation in 2021 underscores a strong focus on sustainability, ethics, and quality.

Team Structure:

• The UI Designer will be part of a cross-functional team, working closely with UX Designers, Front-End/Back-End Developers, and Project Managers.
• This collaborative structure suggests a project-based or agile team dynamic where individuals contribute their specialized skills to common goals.
• Reporting lines are not explicitly detailed, but the collaborative nature implies a flat hierarchy within project teams, with potential for formal reporting to a Design Lead or Project Manager.

Methodology:

• The team likely employs agile methodologies such as Design Sprints and Design Thinking to rapidly prototype, test, and iterate on solutions.
• Data-driven decision-making is implied through the support of usability tests and the focus on optimizing customer products.
• Emphasis on creating and utilizing Design Systems and UI Guidelines points to a structured approach to design operations and scalability.

Company Website: https://jakala.com/de/

📝 Enhancement Note: JAKALA's identity as a Benefit Corporation is a significant cultural indicator, suggesting a company that prioritizes social and environmental impact alongside business objectives. This can attract candidates who value purpose-driven work and ethical business practices.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Level, requiring at least 2 years of professional experience. It offers the opportunity to deepen expertise in UI Design, contribute to significant product development cycles, and potentially take on more complex design challenges. Reporting Structure: The UI Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, a Head of Design, or a Project Manager within a cross-functional team structure. Collaboration with various stakeholders, including clients, is expected. Operations Impact: As a UI Designer, the impact is directly tied to enhancing the user experience of digital products. Successful UI design can lead to increased user engagement, higher conversion rates, improved customer satisfaction, and ultimately, greater revenue and brand loyalty for clients within the tourism sector. The role contributes to the operational efficiency of product development through well-defined design systems and clear interface concepts.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Develop advanced skills in Figma, design systems, and specific UI design techniques.
• Leadership Potential: Progress to a Senior UI Designer role, lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, or transition into a UX Lead or Design Manager position.
• Cross-functional Development: Gain experience in UX research, front-end development principles, and project management through close collaboration.
• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge within the tourism sector, understanding its unique user needs and market dynamics.
• Benefit Corporation Focus: Opportunity to contribute to projects and initiatives that align with the company's commitment to sustainability and ethical practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within UI Design, with potential for broader UX or management responsibilities. The company's Benefit Corporation status also presents unique opportunities for professional development related to impact-driven work.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers a hybrid work model, meaning employees will split their time between remote work and working from the office. This blend aims to provide flexibility while fostering in-person collaboration and team building. Office Location(s): The position is based in Hamburg, Germany, with potential flexibility to work from Berlin, Germany, or Vienna, Austria, under hybrid or remote arrangements. The Hamburg office setting is likely modern and collaborative, designed to support creative and technical teams.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment is expected to feature collaborative spaces, meeting rooms, and potentially quiet zones to support diverse work styles.
• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma) and potentially other collaboration and project management tools.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with design colleagues, developers, and project managers, facilitating knowledge sharing and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The work schedule is flexible, allowing employees to manage their working hours effectively. This flexibility supports the integration of work with personal life and is conducive to focused work periods, crucial for design tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and flexible hours are key features of the work environment, catering to modern employee preferences and promoting autonomy. The specific office culture in Hamburg is described as "open and team-oriented."

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review your application, focusing on your CV and portfolio.
• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Expect an interview where you present your portfolio, discuss your design process, highlight key projects, and explain your contributions. Be prepared to articulate your decision-making rationale and the impact of your designs.
• Skills Assessment/Case Study: You may be given a design challenge or a case study to complete, either as a take-home assignment or during the interview process, to assess your practical skills and problem-solving abilities. This could involve designing a specific UI element or flow.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential team members (UX designers, developers) and key stakeholders (Project Managers, client representatives) to evaluate collaboration skills and cultural fit.
• Final Interview: Potentially a final interview with a senior leader to discuss overall fit and career aspirations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Select Projects: Focus on 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your UI design skills, problem-solving approach, and impact.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process you followed, the tools you used, the challenges you faced, and the results or impact achieved. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., "improved conversion by X%").
• Showcase Figma Proficiency: Include examples of well-structured Figma files, component libraries, and prototypes.
• Demonstrate Design Systems: If you've worked with or created design systems, showcase this experience, explaining its benefits and how you applied it.
• Explain Your Rationale: Be prepared to articulate why you made certain design choices, linking them to user needs, business goals, and design principles.
• Highlight Collaboration: Mention how you collaborated with developers, UX designers, and other stakeholders.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read and understand any design challenge or case study prompt.
• Prioritize: Focus on the core requirements of the challenge. If time is limited, prioritize delivering a strong conceptual solution over an overly polished final output.
• Document Your Process: Even for a short exercise, jot down your thought process, assumptions, and decisions. This is often as important as the final design.
• Consider Edge Cases: Think about potential user scenarios and edge cases relevant to the task.
• Presentation: Practice presenting your solution concisely, covering your approach, key design decisions, and rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes the portfolio. Candidates should prepare to not only show their work but also to critically discuss their design process, rationale, and the business impact of their contributions. Understanding the company's Benefit Corporation status and focus on the tourism sector will be advantageous.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency with its features, including auto layout, components, variants, and prototyping capabilities, is critical.
• Design Systems: Experience working with or contributing to design systems is a key requirement. This involves understanding component-based design and style guide implementation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Usability Testing Tools: Familiarity with tools used for conducting and analyzing usability tests (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback) is beneficial for supporting the UX team.
• Analytics Platforms: While not a primary responsibility, understanding how UI designs impact user behavior tracked in platforms like Google Analytics or similar web analytics tools is advantageous.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar for managing tasks and collaborating within project teams.
• Collaboration Platforms: Tools such as Slack or Microsoft Teams for day-to-day team communication.
• Design Collaboration Tools: Potentially tools like Miro or Mural for brainstorming and collaborative design sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly named as a core tool. The emphasis on design systems suggests a need for understanding structured design workflows and component-based architecture, which is a key aspect of efficient design operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and meeting user needs through thoughtful design.
• Collaboration: Encouraging teamwork and open communication across disciplines to achieve shared goals.
• Innovation & Creativity: Valuing new ideas and approaches to problem-solving in digital product design.
• Quality & Precision: Maintaining high standards for design execution, detail, and consistency.
• Impact & Sustainability: Contributing to meaningful projects that create positive value, aligning with the company's Benefit Corporation status.
• Efficiency: Utilizing design systems and streamlined processes to enhance productivity.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with UX designers, developers, and project managers, fostering a cohesive team environment.
• Open Communication: Encouraging feedback exchange, constructive criticism, and transparent dialogue.
• Agile Mindset: Adapting to project changes, embracing iterative design processes, and working efficiently within sprints.
• Client-Focused: Understanding client needs and presenting design solutions effectively to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's "open and team-oriented" culture, coupled with its Benefit Corporation status, suggests a workplace that values both individual contribution and collective well-being, with a strong ethical compass guiding its operations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Client Needs with User Experience: Effectively translating client requirements into user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing interfaces while advocating for the user.
• Maintaining Design Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive look and feel across diverse platforms and features, especially as products evolve.
• Rapid Iteration Cycles: Adapting to fast-paced project timelines and iterative design processes common in digital product development.
• Cross-Disciplinary Communication: Clearly articulating design decisions and rationale to non-design stakeholders and developers.
• Staying Current: Keeping abreast of the latest UI design trends, tools, and best practices in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UI/UX Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized areas of UI design, interaction design, or user research.
• Design System Mastery: Gaining in-depth experience in building, managing, and scaling design systems.
• Industry Exposure: Working on projects within the dynamic tourism sector, understanding its specific user behaviors and market trends.
• Mentorship: Learning from experienced designers and collaborating with a diverse team of professionals.
• Benefit Corporation Initiatives: Engaging with projects that have a positive social or environmental impact, aligning personal values with professional work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for mid-level designers in dynamic digital environments, offering ample opportunities for skill development and professional growth by tackling these complexities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a project in your portfolio where you significantly improved the user experience through your UI design. What was the challenge, your approach, and the outcome?"
  • Preparation: Select a project that clearly demonstrates user-centric problem-solving. Quantify the impact if possible. Articulate your design process, including research, ideation, prototyping, and testing.
• "How do you approach creating or working with a design system? What are the key benefits?"
  • Preparation: Be ready to discuss your experience with component libraries, style guides, and the principles behind design systems. Explain how they contribute to efficiency, consistency, and scalability in design operations.
• "Describe a time you had to collaborate with developers or project managers who had different priorities or perspectives. How did you navigate that and reach a successful outcome?"
  • Preparation: Prepare an example that showcases your communication, negotiation, and teamwork skills. Focus on finding common ground and achieving project goals collaboratively.
• "How do you stay updated on the latest UI design trends and technologies?"
  • Preparation: Mention specific blogs, publications, conferences, or online communities you follow. Highlight your commitment to continuous learning.
• "What interests you about JAKALA and our work in the tourism sector?"
  • Preparation: Research JAKALA's Benefit Corporation status, their client portfolio, and recent projects. Connect your skills and interests to their mission and the industry.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you see your design philosophy aligning with JAKALA's values as a Benefit Corporation?"
  • Preparation: Reflect on how your personal values and design ethics align with sustainability, social responsibility, and quality.
• "What are your expectations for team collaboration within a hybrid work environment?"
  • Preparation: Discuss your preference for communication tools, meeting etiquette, and maintaining team connection in a hybrid setup.
• "How do you handle constructive criticism on your designs?"
  • Preparation: Emphasize your openness to feedback and your process for incorporating it effectively.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with an Overview: Briefly introduce yourself and the projects you'll be presenting.
• Context is Key: For each project, clearly state the client (if permissible), the problem statement, your specific role, and the project goals.
• Walk Through Your Process: Detail your design journey – research, sketching, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and final UI design. Explain why you made certain decisions.
• Showcase Figma Skills: Demonstrate interactive prototypes and well-organized Figma files if possible. Highlight your use of components and design systems.
• Focus on Impact: Quantify the results of your designs whenever possible (e.g., user satisfaction scores, conversion rates, task completion times).
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to ensure it's engaging and efficient.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges, and how you collaborate.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate not just what they designed, but why, and how their work contributes to business objectives and user satisfaction. Demonstrating an understanding of design systems and agile methodologies will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on join.com.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight UI design projects relevant to web and mobile applications, emphasizing user-centered concepts and your proficiency with Figma. Showcase any experience with design systems or style guides.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your 2+ years of UI design experience, specific skills (Figma, Design Systems, Design Sprints), and achievements. Use keywords from the job description such as "UI Design," "Interface Concepts," "Design System," and "User Experience."
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on explaining your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Prepare answers to common UI design and behavioral questions, particularly those related to collaboration and problem-solving.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with JAKALA's mission, its work in the tourism sector, and its commitment as a Benefit Corporation. Understand how your design skills can contribute to their goals and values.

⚠️ 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.