UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Designer Company: Verndale Location: Quito, Ecuador Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Digital Design / User Interface Design Date Posted: 2025-09-12 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-4 years) Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the visual design and user interface for digital products and eCommerce platforms, focusing on creating engaging and effective user experiences.
• Collaborate closely with senior designers, Creative Directors, and development teams to translate strategic objectives and user needs into polished, launch-ready designs.
• Develop and maintain design systems, mood boards, and style guides to ensure brand consistency and efficient design execution across multiple projects.
• Manage the end-to-end design process for various projects simultaneously, ensuring high-quality output from concept through to developer hand-off.
• Apply a meticulous eye for detail in typography, layout, spacing, and interaction design to elevate the overall user interface and brand perception.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the original title is "UI Designer," the responsibilities heavily emphasize digital product and eCommerce design, suggesting a focus on the visual and interactive aspects of user interfaces within these specific domains. The role requires a blend of creative execution and practical application in a client-facing agency environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design user-centered digital products and eCommerce websites that effectively balance usability with strong brand impact and conversion optimization.
• Develop comprehensive mood boards, define distinct style directions, and establish robust design systems to ensure strategic coherence and scalability in design execution.
• Support and manage multiple concurrent projects by executing organized, hands-on design work with a keen attention to detail.
• Collaborate closely with front-end developers to facilitate seamless design hand-offs and ensure the accurate implementation of visual designs and interactive elements.
• Prepare clean, well-organized, and developer-friendly design files, detailed specifications, and necessary assets for efficient build processes.
• Apply a sharp, discerning eye for detail across all design elements, including typography, layout, spacing, color palettes, and interactive states.
• Clearly present design work to internal teams and clients, actively solicit and incorporate feedback, and contribute constructively to team critiques and design reviews.
• Proactively stay current with emerging design trends, innovative tools, and evolving best practices in digital product and eCommerce design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on design role with significant client and cross-functional team interaction. The emphasis on "user-centered," "brand impact," and "conversion optimization" indicates a focus on design that drives business results, typical in agency settings. The need to manage multiple projects simultaneously suggests strong organizational and time-management skills are crucial.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is often preferred, though a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent skills and experience will be considered.

Experience:

• 2-4 years of professional experience in digital design, with a significant portion dedicated to websites, mobile applications, or eCommerce platforms.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional visual design skills and a strong portfolio showcasing a detail-oriented approach to digital product and eCommerce design.
• Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma and familiarity with others.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and applying design systems, ensuring consistency and scalability across digital products.
• Solid understanding of responsive design principles and best practices for various screen sizes and devices.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with development teams, including preparing and executing design hand-offs.
• Strong user experience (UX) design principles and the ability to apply them to create intuitive and engaging interfaces.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and receive feedback constructively.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• A curious and positive attitude with a demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and professional development in design.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within an agency or studio environment, delivering digital solutions for diverse clients.
• Familiarity with designing and implementing solutions on platforms such as Sitecore, Shopify, or Optimizely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level (2-4 years) suggests an intermediate designer capable of independent work but still benefiting from senior guidance. The emphasis on Figma and design systems points to the need for modern, efficient design workflows. Agency experience and familiarity with specific eCommerce platforms are noted as advantageous, indicating a preference for candidates with practical, client-driven project exposure.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 distinct digital product or eCommerce design projects that highlight your visual design craft, user-centered approach, and problem-solving abilities.
• Each project should demonstrate a clear understanding of the design process, from initial concept and user research (or hypothesis) through wireframing, prototyping, visual design, and final implementation considerations.
• Include examples of mood boards, style guides, or design system components to illustrate your ability to create cohesive and scalable design solutions.
• Present clear evidence of your attention to detail in typography, layout, spacing, color application, and interaction states.
• If applicable, include case studies that detail specific challenges, your design process, and the measurable impact of your work on user experience or business goals.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design process in detail, including how you approach user research, information architecture, wireframing, prototyping, and visual design.
• Demonstrate familiarity with agile development methodologies and how design integrates within these workflows.
• Show an understanding of design hand-off procedures, including the creation of specifications, asset preparation, and collaboration with developers to ensure design fidelity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is a critical component for this role, serving as the primary evaluation tool. The emphasis is on demonstrating not just aesthetic skill but also a structured design process, understanding of user needs, and the ability to deliver practical, implementable design solutions. Experience with design systems and developer hand-offs is particularly important given the agency context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a UI Designer with 2-4 years of experience in Quito, Ecuador, the estimated annual salary range is approximately $18,000 - $28,000 USD. This estimate considers the cost of living in Quito and the typical compensation for digital design roles in the region.

Benefits:

• Ample company-paid holidays and personal time off to support work-life balance.
• Potential for remote work, offering flexibility in work location.
• A fun, diverse, and respectful company environment.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility depending on project needs and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on general market data for mid-level UI Designers in Ecuador. The listed benefits focus on work-life balance and flexibility, which are attractive perks for design professionals. The "Remote Work Possibility" is a significant benefit, aligning with modern work trends.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Experience Agency / Technology Consulting Company Size: Verndale is a mid-sized agency with a global presence, suggesting a dynamic environment with opportunities for diverse project exposure and potential for cross-team collaboration. The company has offices across the Americas, including Boston, Montreal, Los Angeles, and Quito, indicating a distributed team structure. Founded: Verndale was founded in 1999, providing over two decades of experience in the digital space, implying a stable yet evolving company with a deep understanding of digital transformation and customer experience.

Team Structure:

• The UI Designer will likely be part of a broader Design or Creative team, working under the guidance of Senior Designers and Creative Directors.
• Collaboration is expected with cross-functional teams, including UX designers, developers, project managers, strategists, and client account teams.
• The agency structure fosters a collaborative environment where team members share expertise and contribute to client success.

Methodology:

• Verndale emphasizes a data-driven approach to digital experience, integrating strategy, design, development, personalization, SEO, and analytics.
• The agency focuses on creating personalized web, mobile, and eCommerce solutions that elevate customer experiences, suggesting a process that is user-centric and business-outcome oriented.
• Innovation and collaboration are core tenets, influencing how projects are approached and executed.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Verndale positions itself as a digital experience agency focused on growth and human connection. The company culture values collaboration, innovation, diversity, and inclusion. The global presence and distributed team structure suggest an environment that embraces remote work and diverse perspectives. The integration of various digital services indicates a holistic approach to client solutions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level UI Designer, suitable for individuals with 2-4 years of dedicated digital design experience. It involves hands-on design execution and collaboration with senior team members, offering a solid foundation for further specialization. Reporting Structure: The UI Designer will likely report to a Senior UI Designer, Lead Designer, or Creative Director, depending on the project team structure and the specific office. Operations Impact: The UI Designer plays a crucial role in shaping the digital presence and user experience of client brands. Their work directly impacts user engagement, brand perception, and ultimately, client business objectives such as conversion rates and customer satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in UI design, interaction design, design systems, or specialize in specific platforms like eCommerce.
• Leadership Development: Progress to Senior UI Designer roles, potentially leading design initiatives for key clients or specific project streams.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain experience in UX research, front-end development principles, and digital strategy through close collaboration with other disciplines.
• Client Relationship Management: Develop client-facing communication and presentation skills, becoming a trusted design advisor.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a digital agency setting. The emphasis on collaboration and diverse project exposure provides ample opportunities for skill development and career advancement into more senior or specialized design roles. The agency environment is conducive to learning from experienced professionals across various digital disciplines.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While the company has physical offices, the "Remote OK" designation suggests a hybrid or fully remote work possibility for this role. The agency environment is generally collaborative and fast-paced. Office Location(s): Verndale has offices in Boston, Montreal, Los Angeles, and Quito. The specific team structure might involve remote employees collaborating with individuals in these physical locations.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is likely to be dynamic and project-driven, with a focus on teamwork and knowledge sharing.
• Designers will have access to industry-standard design software and tools, and potentially collaborative platforms for remote team interaction.
• Opportunities for direct interaction with senior designers and creative leadership will be available, fostering mentorship and skill enhancement.

Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is typical for full-time employees.
• While core hours may apply for team collaboration and client meetings, there is likely flexibility in daily scheduling to accommodate different time zones and personal needs, especially for remote employees.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Remote OK" status is a key differentiator, offering flexibility. The agency environment implies a professional yet dynamic setting where collaboration is encouraged. The global office presence means potential for interaction with diverse teams and perspectives, even in a remote capacity.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess your qualifications and design experience.
• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: An opportunity to present your portfolio, discuss your design process, and answer questions about your past projects. Expect to elaborate on your approach to user-centered design, visual execution, and problem-solving.
• Technical/Skills Assessment: Potentially a small design exercise or a discussion focused on specific design tools (e.g., Figma) and methodologies (e.g., design systems, responsive design).
• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Meeting with team members or hiring managers to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with Verndale's culture and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 of your strongest projects that best showcase your skills relevant to digital product and eCommerce design.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the challenges faced, your solutions, and the outcomes or impact.
• Highlight Visual Craft: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates your attention to detail in typography, layout, color, and interaction design.
• Showcase Process: Include wireframes, user flows, mood boards, or design system elements to illustrate your thought process.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, your collaboration with developers, and how you handle feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is provided, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly.
• Apply your user-centered design process and demonstrate your ability to think critically and creatively within given constraints.
• Be mindful of time management and present your solution clearly and concisely, highlighting key design choices and rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is expected to be thorough, with a strong emphasis on evaluating the candidate's portfolio and design process. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their contributions, design rationale, and ability to collaborate effectively within an agency setting. The portfolio is the primary tool for demonstrating these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for design and prototyping; proficiency is a must.
• Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with other common tools like Adobe XD, Sketch (though Figma is preferred).
• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator for asset creation and manipulation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with web analytics concepts (e.g., Google Analytics) and how design impacts key metrics (e.g., conversion rates, bounce rates) is beneficial.
• Understanding of A/B testing principles and how design variations are tested.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for a UI Designer, understanding how user interfaces integrate with CRM systems (like Salesforce) or marketing automation platforms is a plus.
• Familiarity with platforms like Sitecore, Shopify, or Optimizely for eCommerce design is highly desirable.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly mentioned as a core requirement. Proficiency in other design and prototyping tools is valuable. While direct experience with analytics or CRM isn't listed as mandatory, understanding how design influences business metrics and integrates with these systems is advantageous, especially in an agency focused on driving growth. Experience with specific eCommerce platforms is a strong "nice to have."

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working together across disciplines to achieve client goals.
• Innovation: Encouraging new ideas and approaches to digital problem-solving.
• Client Focus: Dedication to delivering high-quality solutions that meet client needs and drive business growth.
• Detail Orientation: A commitment to meticulous execution in design and development.
• Continuous Learning: Valuing personal and professional growth in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Collaboration Style:

• Verndale fosters an open and communicative environment where cross-functional teams work closely together.
• Designers are encouraged to share their perspectives, provide constructive feedback, and actively participate in team critiques.
• The agency structure supports a team-oriented approach to project delivery, where shared ownership and collective problem-solving are key.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values revolve around collaboration, innovation, and client success. This suggests a team that is both supportive and results-driven. The emphasis on continuous learning is crucial in the fast-paced digital industry.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing multiple client demands: Effectively managing priorities and delivering high-quality work for diverse clients simultaneously.
• Adapting to client brand guidelines: Translating varied brand identities into cohesive and effective digital experiences.
• Staying ahead of evolving design trends and technologies: Continuously updating skills to remain competitive and innovative.
• Ensuring seamless integration with development: Maintaining design fidelity through effective hand-offs and collaboration with engineering teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced Senior Designers and Creative Directors.
• Skill Enhancement: Access to training and resources to deepen expertise in UI design, UX, and related digital disciplines.
• Industry Exposure: Working on a variety of client projects exposes designers to different industries, challenges, and best practices.
• Potential for Specialization: Growing into specialized roles within the agency, such as Lead UI Designer or Design Systems Specialist.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for an agency environment, emphasizing the need for strong project management and adaptability. The growth opportunities are significant, providing a clear career trajectory within the digital design field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to user-centered design for digital products and eCommerce sites, citing specific examples from your portfolio.
• How do you ensure brand consistency and visual appeal while adhering to client brand guidelines?
• Describe your process for collaborating with developers and ensuring accurate design implementation. What tools or methods do you use for design hand-offs?
• How do you prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively when working on multiple projects with competing deadlines?

Company & Culture Questions:

• What interests you about Verndale and its work in the digital experience space?
• How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment?
• Describe a time you received constructive criticism on your design work. How did you respond, and what did you learn?
• How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and technologies?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio presentation logically, perhaps project by project, or by skill demonstration.
• Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your design process, key decisions, and the outcome. Use "I" when describing your personal contributions.
• Visuals: Ensure your visuals are high-quality and clearly illustrate your design decisions, especially details like typography, spacing, and interaction.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time, presenting the most impactful information efficiently.
• Engagement: Be ready to answer questions and engage in a discussion about your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong design process, excellent communication skills, and a good cultural fit. Candidates should be ready to articulate their design choices and quantify their impact where possible. The portfolio is the central piece of evidence for these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Designer position:

• Submit your CV and a link to your online portfolio through the provided application link. Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and showcases your best work relevant to digital product and eCommerce design.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio presentation to highlight projects that demonstrate your visual craft, user-centered approach, experience with design systems, and ability to work with eCommerce platforms if applicable.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 2-4 years of experience, specific skills (especially Figma, design systems, responsive design), and any agency or client-specific project highlights. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, presenting your portfolio effectively, and answering behavioral questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and feedback.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Verndale's client work, company values, and approach to digital experiences. Understand their focus on growth and human connection in the digital world.

⚠️ 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.