UI Designer - Focus Design Ops & Brand

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Designer - Focus Design Ops & Brand Company: DEPT® Location: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands Job Type: Full-Time Category: Design Operations / Brand Design / UI Design Date Posted: 2025-08-08T14:34:29 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the translation of visual brand identities into consistent, high-quality digital user experiences across various platforms.
• Act as a central point for ensuring brand alignment and visual consistency within design output, collaborating closely with designers, developers, and brand stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of essential design operations assets, including digital guidelines, libraries, and documentation, to foster a scalable and cohesive design ecosystem.
• Drive clarity and structure in design conversations and processes, empowering teams to create confidently within a shared visual language and brand framework.
• Focus on enabling other designers and teams by creating and refining UI assets, templates, and best practices that streamline the design and development workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role blends traditional UI Design with a strong emphasis on Design Operations and Brand stewardship. The focus is on creating scalable, consistent digital experiences by managing and evolving visual standards, rather than solely on individual product feature design. Success will be measured by the consistency of brand application across multiple projects and teams, and the efficiency gained through well-defined design systems and processes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Translate and bring to life visual brand guidelines across diverse digital products, applications, and platforms, ensuring adherence to brand integrity.
• Conduct rigorous design reviews to assess brand alignment, providing constructive feedback to maintain visual consistency and quality across all teams and touchpoints.
• Actively contribute to the creation, refinement, and ongoing maintenance of digital style guides, component libraries, and comprehensive design documentation.
• Foster seamless collaboration and alignment between designers, developers, and brand stakeholders to ensure a unified understanding and execution of visual standards.
• Develop and iterate on UI assets, components, and templates that facilitate efficient and consistent design application for other team members.
• Establish and champion visual standards and repeatable design practices that effectively scale across different teams, tools, and client touchpoints.
• Inject inspiration, structure, and clarity into design discussions, empowering colleagues to adopt best practices and maintain a high standard of visual output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a proactive role in shaping and maintaining the design ecosystem. This involves not just execution but also strategic contribution to process improvement, documentation, and team enablement, which are core tenets of Design Operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Visual Communication, HCI, or a related field is preferred, but equivalent practical experience will be strongly considered.

Experience: 2-5 years of relevant experience in UI Design, Visual Design, or a similar role, ideally within a fast-paced agency, digital product studio, or brand-focused environment. Proven experience in contributing to or managing design systems and brand guidelines is crucial for success in this role.

Required Skills:

• UI Design Expertise: Proven ability to design intuitive and visually appealing user interfaces for digital products and platforms.
• Visual Design Acumen: A strong aesthetic sense with exceptional attention to detail regarding structure, typography, color theory, and overall visual consistency.
• Brand Guideline Application: Demonstrated experience in interpreting and applying brand guidelines to digital assets and user experiences.
• Figma Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in Figma for UI design, prototyping, and collaborative workflows.
• Design Systems Knowledge: Hands-on experience working with, contributing to, or maintaining design systems and component libraries.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication, with the ability to articulate design decisions clearly, provide constructive feedback, and advocate for design quality.
• Collaborative Mindset: A natural inclination to work effectively with cross-functional teams, fostering a shared understanding and collective ownership of the design vision.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to identify design challenges and propose clear, actionable solutions that align with brand and user experience objectives.
• English Fluency: Working proficiency in English for effective communication in a multinational environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Design Operations Principles: Understanding of Design Ops methodologies and their role in optimizing design workflows and team efficiency.
• Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with other prototyping or animation tools beyond Figma.
• UI Animation: Experience in designing micro-interactions and UI animations to enhance user experience.
• Client-Facing Experience: Experience presenting design solutions and collaborating directly with clients or brand stakeholders.
• Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with Agile development processes and how design integrates within them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma and design systems is critical. Candidates should highlight their experience in building, contributing to, or meticulously adhering to these frameworks, as this underpins the Design Ops aspect of the role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design System Contribution: Showcase examples of your contributions to design systems, including component creation, documentation, and version control.
• Brand Guideline Implementation: Demonstrate how you have translated brand identity into digital design assets, style guides, or comprehensive documentation for various touchpoints.
• UI Design Case Studies: Present detailed case studies of UI design projects, highlighting your process, problem-solving approach, and the final visual outcome.
• Consistency & Scalability: Provide evidence of your ability to maintain visual consistency and scalability across multiple projects or platforms through well-documented processes and reusable assets.
• Figma Workflow: Include examples that specifically showcase your proficiency in Figma, such as component states, auto-layout usage, and collaborative features.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Illustrate your approach to designing and optimizing design workflows, including how you identify bottlenecks and implement solutions.
• System Implementation: Detail your experience in implementing or contributing to design systems, focusing on the process of component creation, documentation, and adoption.
• Measurement & Analysis: Show how you measure the impact of design consistency and process improvements, potentially through metrics related to efficiency, brand adherence, or user satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is a critical component for this role, especially for demonstrating the "Design Ops & Brand" focus. Candidates should curate their portfolio to explicitly showcase their ability to manage, document, and scale visual brand language through design systems and robust processes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: While not explicitly stated, for a Mid-Level UI Designer with Design Ops & Brand focus in the Netherlands (Amsterdam/Rotterdam), a competitive annual salary would typically range from €45,000 to €65,000. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in the region, considering the agency environment and the specialized skill set.

Benefits:

• Flexible Working Policy: Hybrid model with 2-3 days in the office, offering flexibility.
• Remote Work Abroad: Option to work from abroad for up to 13 weeks per year, providing significant international flexibility.
• Generous Vacation: 24 vacation days annually, with the ability to purchase additional days.
• Professional Development: Access to the DEPT®/YOU Learning Menu and Special Programs for tailored skill development.
• Health & Wellness: Contribution towards health via the OpenUp platform, gym and wellness discounts, and healthy on-site lunches.
• Commuting Benefits: Discount on lease bikes and an NS Business Card for hassle-free commutes.
• Company Recognition: Certified B Corp®, Great Place To Work certified, and recognized with prestigious industry awards (The Lovies, The Webby Awards).
• Client Exposure: Opportunity to work with a diverse portfolio of well-known clients.
• Comprehensive Employee Benefits: Access to a wide array of additional employee benefits as detailed on their website.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, with flexibility offered through the hybrid work policy and the ability to work remotely. The company culture emphasizes results and collaboration, allowing for adaptable schedules within team needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on common market rates for this level and specialization in the Netherlands. The benefits package is extensive, with a notable emphasis on flexibility (hybrid, work abroad) and professional development, which are key attractions for talent in the creative and tech industries.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Agency / Technology / Marketing Services. DEPT® operates at the intersection of technology and creativity, working with a wide array of clients to build digital experiences and solutions. Company Size: Large (DEPT® has a global presence with a significant number of employees across many countries), yet fosters a culture that feels smaller and more personal. This means access to global resources and opportunities, combined with localized team care and autonomy. Founded: DEPT® was founded in 2015, growing rapidly to become a leading digital agency. Its foundation in digital innovation sets the tone for its forward-thinking and dynamic culture.

Team Structure:

• Experience & Engineering Team: This role is part of the Experience & Engineering team, which combines technical development skills with design expertise.
• Client-Focused: The UI Designer will be embedded within a key client team, working closely with client-side brand and product representatives.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Expected to collaborate extensively with other designers (UX, Product), developers (front-end, back-end), project managers, and brand strategists.

Methodology:

• Agile & Iterative: DEPT® likely employs agile methodologies, emphasizing iterative development, continuous feedback, and adaptability.
• Data-Informed Design: While not explicitly stated, agencies of this caliber often leverage data analytics to inform design decisions and measure impact.
• Process Optimization: The "Design Ops & Brand" focus inherently points to a methodology that values process efficiency, standardization, and continuous improvement within the design lifecycle.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: DEPT®'s culture is characterized by a pioneering spirit, a commitment to innovation, and a global yet locally-focused approach. The emphasis on "curious, self-driven, talented people who never stop innovating" suggests a high-performance environment that values continuous learning and proactive contribution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is positioned as a Mid-Level UI Designer, likely requiring 2-5 years of experience. It offers a specialized track within design, focusing on the operational and branding aspects, which can be a stepping stone to more senior Design Ops roles or Brand Design leadership.

Reporting Structure: The UI Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Creative Director, or potentially a Head of Design within the Experience & Engineering team. They will collaborate closely with project managers and client leads.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is significant in ensuring brand consistency, which directly affects user perception, brand loyalty, and the overall effectiveness of digital products. By improving design processes and standards, this role contributes to increased efficiency for design and development teams, reducing time-to-market and improving the quality of deliverables.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Operations Specialization: Deepen expertise in Design Ops, potentially leading to roles like Senior Design Operations Manager or Lead.
• Brand Design Leadership: Progress into Brand Design Lead or Art Director roles, overseeing visual identity and its application.
• Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop broader skills in UX, product strategy, or even front-end development through exposure and collaboration.
• Client Management: Grow into roles with greater client responsibility and strategic input.
• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor more junior designers and contribute to talent development within DEPT®.

📝 Enhancement Note: The unique blend of UI Design with Design Ops and Brand focus provides a distinct career path. Candidates should see this as an opportunity to build a niche expertise that is increasingly valuable in the digital agency landscape.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: DEPT® operates modern office spaces designed to foster collaboration and creativity. The hybrid policy suggests a blend of focused individual work and team interaction. Office Location(s): The role is based in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, Netherlands, with hybrid work expectations. This means employees are expected to be present in the office for a portion of the week, facilitating in-person collaboration and team building.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices are likely equipped with meeting rooms, brainstorming areas, and open-plan workspaces to encourage teamwork.
• Technology & Tools: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma), collaboration platforms, and potentially advanced hardware.
• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for informal and formal interaction with design, engineering, and project teams, fostering a strong sense of community and shared purpose.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, the emphasis on flexibility suggests that occasional adjustments may be possible, provided project deadlines and team needs are met. The hybrid model supports a balance between focused work and collaborative engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role, combined with the specific office locations, means candidates should consider their commute and preference for office-based collaboration versus remote work. The emphasis on talent development and a strong company culture suggests a supportive and engaging work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely review applications and portfolios to assess basic qualifications and fit.
• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, discussing key projects, their design process, and how they've handled brand consistency and design operations aspects. Be prepared to articulate your role and contributions specifically.
• Skills Assessment/Case Study: A practical exercise or case study might be given, focusing on translating brand guidelines, refining UI assets, or proposing improvements to a design process.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential colleagues (designers, developers) and possibly client stakeholders to assess collaboration skills, communication, and cultural fit.
• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and alignment with DEPT®'s vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Design Ops: Explicitly showcase projects where you've contributed to design systems, style guides, or process improvements. Use clear labels and descriptions.
• Brand Consistency Examples: Feature work that demonstrates your ability to apply brand guidelines consistently across different digital touchpoints.
• Figma Mastery: Ensure your Figma proficiency is evident through well-organized files, component usage, and potentially interactive prototypes.
• Process & Rationale: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your process, your specific contributions, the tools used, and the outcomes or lessons learned.
• Conciseness & Clarity: Present your strongest, most relevant work. Aim for clarity in communication and visuals.

Challenge Preparation:

• Brand Translation: Practice taking a set of brand guidelines and applying them to a sample UI element or screen.
• Design System Thinking: Be ready to discuss how you would approach building or contributing to a design system, including considerations for scalability and documentation.
• Feedback & Collaboration: Prepare examples of how you give and receive constructive feedback on design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely place a strong emphasis on demonstrating practical skills, a structured approach to design operations, and a deep understanding of brand stewardship. A well-curated portfolio that speaks directly to these requirements is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and design system management. Expect advanced usage scenarios.
• Design Systems: Experience with established design systems (e.g., Material Design, Carbon Design) or building custom ones.
• Brand Guideline Software: Familiarity with tools or platforms used for housing and distributing brand guidelines.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Exposure to tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar for understanding user behavior.
• Data Visualization Tools: Proficiency in tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Figma's analytics plugins for reporting on design performance or consistency metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, Trello for managing design workflows and tasks.
• Collaboration Platforms: Tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams for team communication and collaboration.
• Digital Asset Management (DAM): Potential exposure to DAM systems for managing brand assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and a strong understanding of design systems are non-negotiable. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these tools in detail, including how they leverage them for efficiency and consistency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Pioneering Spirit: A drive for innovation and creating what's next, encouraging experimentation and forward-thinking.
• Curiosity & Self-Drive: Valuing individuals who are eager to learn, explore new solutions, and take initiative.
• Collaboration & Care: A culture that balances global scale with a personal touch, emphasizing teamwork and mutual support.
• Clarity & Empowerment: Providing structure and guidance not through control, but by enabling others to perform at their best.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing insights to inform design choices and measure impact.
• Efficiency & Scalability: A commitment to optimizing processes and systems to ensure they can grow and adapt.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Strong emphasis on working seamlessly with diverse teams (design, engineering, brand) to achieve shared goals.
• Constructive Feedback: An environment where open, honest, and constructive feedback is welcomed and actively given to foster continuous improvement.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, insights, and learnings across the team and organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: DEPT®'s culture appears to be a significant asset, focusing on innovation, employee growth, and a supportive, collaborative environment. Demonstrating alignment with these values, particularly the balance of autonomy and collaboration, will be key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maintaining Consistency Across Diverse Projects: Ensuring brand integrity and UI consistency across numerous clients, platforms, and evolving project requirements.
• Balancing Brand Standards with Project Needs: Navigating situations where brand guidelines might need adaptation or interpretation for specific project contexts.
• Scaling Design Processes: Developing and implementing design operations processes that effectively scale with the agency's growth and client demands.
• Keeping Pace with Technology: Staying current with evolving design tools, methodologies, and digital trends to maintain a competitive edge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design Operations Specialization: Opportunities to take on more responsibility in defining and managing design systems, processes, and best practices.
• Client Exposure: Working with a wide range of high-profile clients offers broad industry experience and exposure to different business challenges.
• Skill Development Programs: Access to DEPT®'s learning resources for continuous upskilling in design, technology, and project management.
• Global Collaboration: Working with international teams provides exposure to diverse perspectives and global best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a dynamic agency environment focused on Design Operations and Brand. These challenges also represent significant opportunities for professional growth and skill development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Operations Philosophy: "How do you define Design Operations, and what role does it play in a successful digital agency?" Prepare to discuss your approach to building and maintaining design systems, ensuring brand consistency, and optimizing design workflows.
• Brand Guideline Implementation: "Describe a time you had to translate complex brand guidelines into a digital product. What were the key challenges, and how did you ensure consistency?" Be ready with a specific example from your portfolio.
• Figma & Design Systems: "How do you leverage Figma's capabilities to create scalable and consistent UI components? What are your best practices for managing a design system within Figma?" Discuss your experience with component libraries, variants, auto-layout, and collaboration features.
• Collaboration & Feedback: "How do you approach giving and receiving feedback on UI designs, especially when brand alignment is critical?" Prepare examples of constructive feedback you've provided or received.
• Problem Solving: "Imagine a scenario where a client's brand guidelines are ambiguous for a new digital product feature. How would you approach resolving this ambiguity and ensuring a consistent outcome?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• DEPT®'s Approach: "What attracts you to DEPT®'s pioneering spirit and hybrid agency model?" Research DEPT®'s values and recent work to show genuine interest.
• Team Dynamics: "How do you contribute to a positive and productive team environment, especially in a hybrid setting?" Discuss your collaborative style and how you foster connection.
• Impact Measurement: "How would you measure the success of your contributions to brand consistency and design operations within a client project?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Structure: For each project, tell a story: the client's challenge, your role and approach, the design process (especially regarding brand and operations), the solutions implemented, and the results or learnings.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively. Highlight specific Figma components, style guide examples, or process diagrams.
• Focus on Impact: Quantify your contributions where possible (e.g., "reduced design iteration time by X%", "ensured Y% adherence to brand guidelines").
• Address Design Ops & Brand: Explicitly call out how your work supports design operations and brand stewardship. Use terms like "design system," "component library," "style guide," "brand consistency," and "workflow optimization."
• Concise & Engaging: Keep your presentation focused and engaging, respecting the interviewer's time.

Challenge Preparation:

• Brand Application Exercise: Be ready to quickly apply brand elements (logo, color palette, typography) to a mock UI screen and explain your choices.
• Design System Component Design: Practice designing a new component within a given design system framework, considering its properties, states, and documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on showcasing not just design skill, but also a structured, process-oriented, and brand-conscious approach. Demonstrating an understanding of Design Operations principles will be a key differentiator.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Designer - Focus Design Ops & Brand position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature your experience with Figma, design systems, and brand guideline implementation. Select 2-3 key projects that best exemplify your Design Ops and brand stewardship capabilities.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to highlight keywords relevant to UI Design, Design Operations, Brand Design, Figma, Design Systems, and collaboration. Quantify achievements where possible to showcase impact.
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on the narrative structure and clearly articulating your process, contributions, and the operational aspects of your work. Prepare answers for common Design Ops and brand-related interview questions.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with DEPT®'s recent projects, client work, and company culture. Understand their approach to innovation and digital transformation to demonstrate genuine interest and alignment.

⚠️ 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.