UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Designer

Company: VML

Location: Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: 2026-04-23

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the creation of distinctive and innovative visual languages for digital experiences across various channels, pushing creative boundaries.

• Translate complex brand and product strategies into unique visual solutions with meticulous attention to detail and technical excellence.

• Foster cross-functional collaboration with strategy, development, content, and product teams to ensure visual decisions align with business objectives.

• Lead art direction for multiple projects from conception to delivery, ensuring visual and narrative consistency across all touchpoints, leveraging AI for efficient visual asset creation.

• Mentor and manage junior to mid-level designers, guiding their career development within the Visual Experience discipline.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior UI Designer with significant art direction and team leadership responsibilities, operating within a creative consultancy context that emphasizes the integration of business strategy, technology, and human behavior through design. The emphasis on AI tools and international projects suggests a forward-thinking and globally-minded approach.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop unique visual languages that challenge conventional design approaches and resonate with brand identities across digital platforms.

• Conceptualize and execute visual designs that effectively communicate brand messaging and product value propositions, from initial ideation through final implementation.

• Collaborate closely with strategy, technology, marketing, and creative teams to ensure holistic alignment of design solutions with overarching business goals.

• Oversee the art direction for diverse projects, maintaining visual coherence and narrative integrity across all user touchpoints and digital media.

• Present and articulate design concepts and strategic decisions to clients at all organizational levels, building strong client relationships through compelling design rationale.

• Actively mentor and guide junior and mid-level designers, providing regular feedback, performance evaluations, and career development support.

• Contribute to internal initiatives aimed at advancing the Visual Experience discipline and establishing new visual standards within the agency.

• Utilize AI tools to enhance the efficiency of visual asset creation and explore novel design possibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design execution, strategic thinking, client-facing communication, and team leadership, typical of a senior creative role within an agency environment. The explicit mention of AI tools suggests a need for candidates to be comfortable with emerging technologies in the design workflow.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Interaction Design, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role.

Experience: A minimum of 7 years of proven experience in creating and expanding visual languages for brands across multiple media and channels is required.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in developing distinctive visual identities and translating them into engaging digital experiences.

• Strong portfolio demonstrating proficiency in brand identity, digital experiences, art direction, and UI design.

• Advanced proficiency in design software, including Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator).

• Experience with motion design tools such as After Effects.

• Familiarity with 3D design tools and AI tools for visual creation.

• Proven ability to lead art direction and conceptualize creative visual territories.

• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken, for international project collaboration.

• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing environments and navigate uncertainty.

• Experience in team management and development, coupled with a willingness to engage in hands-on design work.

• Strong conceptual thinking and the ability to contribute to strategic project development.

• A curious mindset with a drive for continuous learning and professional excellence.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with emerging AI design tools and workflows.

• Knowledge of UI/UX principles and best practices.

• Experience in international project environments.

• Familiarity with advanced 3D rendering or animation techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "+7 years" suggests a senior-level position. The emphasis on a strong portfolio and specific software proficiencies points towards a practical, skill-based evaluation. The mention of "international projects" and "English proficiency" indicates a global scope for the role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong track record in developing and expanding visual languages for brands across diverse media and channels.

• Demonstrated ability to translate brand identity into compelling digital experiences, including examples of art direction and UI design.

• Case studies that illustrate the strategic thinking behind visual decisions and their impact on brand objectives.

• Examples of conceptualization and execution of visual solutions for complex digital projects.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated, candidates are expected to articulate their design process, including:

  • Conceptualization and ideation methodologies.

  • Workflow for translating strategy into visual design.

  • Collaboration processes with multidisciplinary teams.

  • Approach to art direction and maintaining visual consistency.

  • Integration of AI tools into the design workflow.

  • Methods for presenting and defending design decisions to clients.

  • Mentorship strategies for junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is crucial for this role, serving as the primary evidence of a candidate's capabilities in visual identity, art direction, and UI design. The expectation is to see not just finished work but also the strategic thinking and process behind it, especially concerning brand translation and digital experience creation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the experience level (7+ years), location (Madrid, Spain), and the nature of the role within a global creative agency, a competitive salary range for a UI Designer with art direction and team leadership responsibilities would typically fall between €45,000 - €65,000 per year. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in major European cities and considering the agency's affiliation with WPP.

Benefits:

• 🧐 Flexible working hours

• ✈️ 25 days of vacation per year, plus Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve off if they fall on weekdays

• 💻 Hybrid work model (office presence expected ~4 days/week in Barcelona, though the role is based in Madrid, this may indicate flexibility or a typo in the original JD)

• 🎓 Personalized career plan and continuous training opportunities

• 👩 🏫 English language classes to improve proficiency

• 🙌 No dress code policy

• 🛍️ Exclusive discounts and time allocated for personal growth

• 💳 Access to Cobee, a flexible compensation system

• 🤱 Maternity support initiatives

• Policies promoting equality and diversity

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexible working hours offered.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is a broad range and actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and negotiation. The benefits package is quite comprehensive, emphasizing work-life balance, professional development, and employee well-being. The mention of "Barcelona" for the hybrid model while the role is "Madrid" might be an oversight or indicate flexibility in office location.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing & Advertising / Creative Services / Digital Transformation Consultancy. VML is part of WPP, a global leader in marketing communications. The "The Cocktail" division specifically focuses on design-led transformation, integrating business, technology, and human behavior.

Company Size: VML is a large global agency, part of WPP, with over 26,000 employees worldwide. "The Cocktail" is a division within VML, implying a substantial organizational structure with specialized teams.

Founded: VML was founded in 2008 (merger of VML and Y&R), and WPP itself has a long history. "The Cocktail" likely has its own operational history within VML.

Team Structure:

• The Design team is described as a core area within VML The Cocktail, working closely with strategy, development, content, and product.

• This role involves mentoring and managing junior to mid-level designers, indicating a hierarchical structure within the design department.

Methodology:

• Design-led transformation, focusing on the intersection of business, strategy, technology, and human behavior.

• Emphasis on creating connected brands through customer experience and commerce.

• Embracing AI and new technologies in the design process.

• A human-first approach, valuing curiosity, critical thinking, and continuous learning.

• Agile methodologies are likely employed given the fast-paced agency environment and multidisciplinary teams.

Company Website: https://www.vml.com/ (VML Global), https://www.vml.com/careers/job/8320996002?gh_jid=8320996002 (Job Link)

📝 Enhancement Note: VML positions itself as a modern, innovative agency that leverages design and technology to drive business transformation. The "The Cocktail" division specifically highlights a deep integration of design thinking with business strategy and technological advancements, including AI. The culture appears to value expertise, collaboration, and a proactive approach to change.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior UI Designer with Art Direction and Team Lead responsibilities. It signifies a move beyond individual contributor tasks to include strategic oversight, creative leadership, and people management within the design discipline. It's a stepping stone towards potential roles like Design Lead, Creative Director, or Head of Design within specialized units like VML The Cocktail.

Reporting Structure: The UI Designer will likely report to a Design Director or Creative Director. They will, in turn, manage and mentor junior and mid-level designers. Collaboration will be extensive with leads from Strategy, Technology, Content, and Product teams.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is significant as it shapes the visual identity and digital experiences of client brands, directly influencing brand perception, user engagement, and ultimately, business outcomes. By leading art direction and mentoring teams, this role contributes to the agency's overall creative output quality and the professional development of its design talent.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as AI-driven design, motion graphics, or complex digital ecosystem design.

• Leadership: Progress into roles like Design Lead, Art Director, or Creative Director, managing larger teams and more significant client accounts.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop a broader understanding of strategy, technology, and business consulting through close collaboration with other departments.

• International Exposure: Gain experience working on global projects and with diverse international clients.

• Continuous Learning: Benefit from personalized career plans and ongoing training, including English classes, to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for career advancement within VML, moving from senior individual contributor to a leadership position. The emphasis on continuous learning, international projects, and cross-disciplinary collaboration provides a rich environment for professional growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company operates a hybrid model, requiring approximately 4 days per week in the office. While the job posting lists Madrid as the location, one benefit mentions a hybrid model "in Barcelona." This suggests either flexibility in office location for the team, or that the team might be based in Barcelona and the role is hybrid within that context, with the candidate needing to be in Madrid. This needs clarification. The office environment is likely collaborative, modern, and designed to foster creativity and teamwork.

Office Location(s): Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain. (Potential for Barcelona connection as noted above).

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model necessitates active in-office collaboration, likely in open-plan spaces or dedicated project rooms designed for teamwork.

• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, Adobe Suite), AI tools, and potentially 3D/motion graphics hardware and software.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with design peers, strategists, developers, content creators, and product managers. Opportunities for informal knowledge sharing and mentorship.

Work Schedule: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexible working hours. This allows for a degree of autonomy in managing the workday, balancing office presence with personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model implies a need for self-discipline and strong communication skills to maintain productivity and collaboration. The mention of "no dress code" suggests a relaxed yet professional office atmosphere. Clarification on the Madrid/Barcelona office discrepancy is advisable for candidates.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit CV and portfolio through the provided link.

• Initial Screening: People team reviews CVs to assess alignment with requirements.

• First Call: A call with the People team to discuss the role further and get to know the candidate.

• Design Assessment: Likely involves a portfolio review and potentially a design challenge or case study presentation to evaluate creative skills, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

• Team/Client Interviews: Interviews with design leads, cross-functional team members, and potentially clients to assess fit, collaboration style, and leadership potential.

• Final Evaluation: Assessment of overall suitability for the role and company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Showcase projects that best demonstrate your expertise in visual identity, art direction, UI design, and brand translation across digital channels.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the challenge, your role, your strategic approach, the design process, and the final outcome/impact.

• Highlight Process: Include mood boards, sketches, wireframes, and iterations to show your thinking process. Emphasize how you leveraged AI tools.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Showcase a range of work that highlights your ability to create distinct visual languages for different brands and contexts.

• Present Client-Facing Skills: Include examples of how you presented and defended your design decisions.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, provide metrics or qualitative results that demonstrate the success of your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Agency's Philosophy: Familiarize yourself with VML's approach to design-led transformation and The Cocktail's specific focus.

• Prepare for Strategy Discussions: Be ready to discuss how design aligns with business objectives and how you approach strategic problem-solving.

• Articulate Your Process: Clearly explain your design methodology, including how you collaborate, iterate, and utilize tools like Figma, Adobe Suite, and AI.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and any potential case studies smoothly and confidently, focusing on clear communication and rationale.

• Teamwork Simulation: Be prepared for exercises that test your ability to collaborate with diverse teams and provide constructive feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes both creative and strategic capabilities, as well as collaborative and leadership potential. The portfolio is the central piece of evidence, requiring thoughtful curation and compelling storytelling. The advice to "just be yourself" suggests a focus on authentic connection and cultural fit.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaborative workflows.

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and asset creation.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logo design, and icon creation.
  • After Effects: For motion design, animation, and creating dynamic visual elements.

• 3D Tools: Experience with 3D software is required, likely for asset creation or visualization. Specific software not mentioned but could include Blender, Cinema 4D, or similar.

• AI Tools for Visual Creation: Proficiency or familiarity with AI-powered tools for generating images, assets, or design concepts. Examples could include Midjourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, or AI plugins within design software.

Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly listed as a direct responsibility for this UI Designer role, an understanding of how design impacts user behavior and performance metrics (e.g., conversion rates, engagement) would be beneficial. Awareness of tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or data visualization platforms could be advantageous.

CRM & Automation: Generally not a primary focus for a UI Designer, but understanding how designs translate into user journeys within CRM or marketing automation platforms could be relevant for broader strategic input.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required toolset is standard for a senior UI Designer but with a specific emphasis on motion graphics, 3D, and emerging AI visual creation tools. Proficiency in Figma and the Adobe Suite is non-negotiable. The integration of AI tools suggests a need for candidates to be adaptable and forward-thinking in their technical approach.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Ambition: A drive for high-quality work, pushing creative boundaries, and achieving the best possible outcomes for clients.

• Curiosity & Continuous Learning: A commitment to staying updated with industry trends, new technologies (like AI), and evolving design practices.

• Human-Centricity & Empathy: Designing with a deep understanding of user needs, behaviors, and emotions, ensuring solutions are relevant and meaningful.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Valuing diverse perspectives and working effectively in multidisciplinary teams to achieve shared goals.

• Strategic Thinking: Applying design to solve business challenges and contribute to strategic decision-making.

• Adaptability: Comfort and resilience in navigating ambiguity and changing project demands.

Collaboration Style:

• Transversal & Multidisciplinary: Working seamlessly with individuals from strategy, technology, content, and product teams.

• Mentorship-Driven: A culture that encourages senior members to guide and develop junior talent, fostering knowledge sharing.

• Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue, constructive feedback, and active participation in team discussions.

• Client-Focused: A collaborative approach that prioritizes understanding and meeting client needs through strong design rationale and partnership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes innovation, human-centricity, and a strong collaborative spirit. The values align with a forward-thinking agency that tackles complex challenges through integrated design thinking and technological adoption. The "no dress code" policy suggests a relaxed yet performance-oriented environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working in a fast-paced consultancy environment with evolving client needs and project scopes requires adaptability and resilience.

• Pushing Creative Boundaries: Consistently delivering innovative and distinctive visual languages that avoid clichés and meet unique brand requirements.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Staying ahead of AI in design and leveraging it strategically without compromising creative integrity or quality.

• Cross-Disciplinary Alignment: Ensuring visual design decisions are holistically aligned with business, technical, and strategic objectives across diverse teams.

• Client Management: Effectively presenting and defending creative concepts to diverse client stakeholders, managing expectations, and building trust.

• Mentoring and Team Development: Balancing hands-on design work with the responsibilities of guiding and developing junior designers.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to hone skills in motion graphics, 3D, and AI-driven design through project work and training.

• Strategic Acumen: Developing a deeper understanding of business strategy, client business challenges, and how design contributes to overall growth.

• Leadership Development: Gaining experience in managing teams, mentoring talent, and taking on greater leadership responsibilities.

• Global Project Exposure: Working on international campaigns and collaborating with a global network of talent.

• Industry Trends: Access to continuous training, workshops, and potentially industry conferences to stay abreast of the latest in design, technology, and marketing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior creative role in a top-tier agency, focusing on innovation, strategic integration, and leadership. The growth opportunities are robust, offering a clear development path for ambitious designers.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to create a visual language for a brand that was completely new or lacked a strong identity. What was your process, and how did you ensure it was distinctive and aligned with strategic goals?"

  • Preparation: Focus on your process for brand discovery, conceptualization, and how you translated strategic insights into visual elements. Emphasize differentiation and strategic alignment.

• "How do you balance client expectations with your own creative vision, especially when they differ?"

  • Preparation: Prepare examples of client management, negotiation, and how you use rationale to guide clients towards impactful design solutions.

• "How do you envision AI tools changing the role of a UI Designer and Art Director in the next few years? Provide an example of how you've used AI in your work."

  • Preparation: Demonstrate your understanding of AI's potential and limitations in design. Highlight specific tools or workflows you've explored.

• "Walk us through a complex digital experience you've designed the visual language for. What were the key challenges, and how did your design address them?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on what you know about VML and The Cocktail, how do you see yourself contributing to our design-led transformation approach?"

  • Preparation: Research VML's work, values, and their emphasis on integrating business, technology, and human behavior. Connect your experience to their mission.

• "How do you approach mentoring junior designers and fostering a collaborative team environment?"

  • Preparation: Discuss your leadership style, experience in giving feedback, and how you promote growth and teamwork.

• "Describe a time you had to adapt your design approach due to changing project requirements or unexpected challenges."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: Organize your portfolio by project, clearly outlining the brief, your role, the challenge, your solution, and the outcome.

• Focus on Impact: Don't just show pretty pictures; explain the strategic thinking and business impact behind your design decisions.

• Showcase Process: Include sketches, mood boards, wireframes, and iterations to illustrate your design journey. Highlight your use of specific tools, including AI.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, technical execution, and your rationale.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it's concise, engaging, and within the allocated time. Be ready to discuss your work passionately and confidently.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions will likely probe your understanding of design strategy, your technical proficiency, your leadership capabilities, and your cultural fit. A strong portfolio presentation is critical, demonstrating not just skill but also strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Designer position:

• Submit your application, including your CV and a compelling portfolio, through the VML careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating expertise in visual identity, art direction, and digital experiences, clearly showcasing your process and the impact of your designs, especially those involving AI tools.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 7+ years of experience, relevant skills (Figma, Adobe Suite, motion, AI tools), and leadership/mentorship experience using keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, strategic thinking, and client management skills. Prepare specific examples for potential interview questions, especially those related to innovation, AI, and leadership.

• Company Research: Deeply research VML and the "The Cocktail" division's philosophy, recent work, and client portfolio to understand their approach to design-led transformation and how your skills align with their values and objectives.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details, particularly regarding the office location for the hybrid model and specific salary ranges, should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.