Visual Designer, Design Systems

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Visual Designer, Design Systems

Company: KAYAK Software Corporation

Location: Berlin, Germany

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Design Systems & Visual Design

Date Posted: January 28, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the creation and systematization of visual foundations, including icons, illustrations, and motion elements, ensuring alignment with KAYAK's overarching design language and brand identity.

• Manage the structure and organization of design assets within the design system, defining naming conventions, variants, usage guidelines, and comprehensive documentation.

• Build and maintain robust Figma libraries leveraging best practices for components, properties, variables, and architecture, optimizing for scalability, adoption, and AI-assisted prototyping.

• Support the definition and ongoing management of design tokens for critical visual properties such as color, typography, spacing, and motion across multiple brands and platforms.

• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to ensure design foundations are implementation-ready, reducing drift between design specifications and production code, and maintaining brand consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on the foundational elements of a design system, emphasizing visual assets and their systematic management. The inclusion of AI tools and a hybrid work model are key differentiators for this position within the design operations landscape.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a consistent library of icons and spot illustrations that adhere to KAYAK's established visual style and brand guidelines.

• Structure and document design system assets within Figma, providing clear usage guidance, best practices, and version control for product teams and embedded designers.

• Implement and manage design tokens for color, typography, spacing, and motion, ensuring they are accurately translated from design specifications to code.

• Translate motion design principles into reusable patterns and guidelines, working with motion leadership to define interaction states and reduced-motion options.

• Partner with front-end engineers and design system leads to ensure the seamless integration of visual foundations into production code, utilizing tools like Storybook and GitHub for collaboration.

• Contribute to the evolution of the design system by gathering feedback from product teams and incorporating it into asset updates and documentation.

• Explore and integrate AI-assisted tools and workflows to enhance design efficiency, accelerate prototyping, and streamline the exploration of new visual concepts.

• Maintain a high level of organization and attention to detail in all aspects of design system management, ensuring standards are met and ongoing maintenance is effective.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on systematization, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration, which are critical for effective design operations and design system management. The integration of AI tools signifies a forward-looking approach to design workflows.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in product design, visual design, or dedicated design systems work.

Required Skills:

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in Figma, including deep understanding of components, properties, variables, instances, auto layout, libraries, and version control.

• Visual Design: Strong aesthetic sensibility with a proven ability to create visually appealing and brand-aligned icons, illustrations, and supporting visual assets.

• Design Systems: Experience in building, maintaining, and documenting design system components and guidelines.

• Design Tokens: Working knowledge of design tokens and their mapping to code and component APIs for cross-platform consistency.

• Motion Design Fundamentals: Experience or strong interest in motion design, including the ability to translate motion concepts into reusable patterns and reduced-motion guidance.

• Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with product designers, engineers, and product managers.

• Organization & Detail Orientation: Meticulous attention to detail and a highly organized approach to managing complex systems and documentation.

• AI Tool Familiarity: Keen interest and willingness to work with AI and AI-assisted tools and workflows in a design context.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with front-end development workflows and tools such as Storybook, GitHub, and component documentation platforms.

• Familiarity with various design system methodologies and best practices.

• Experience working within a hybrid work environment and collaborating remotely and in-office.

• Understanding of accessibility standards in design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize hands-on technical skills in Figma and design systems, alongside a strategic understanding of visual foundations and their implementation. The preference for AI tool familiarity and engineering collaboration points to a modern, integrated design operations approach.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 comprehensive case studies demonstrating your experience in designing and maintaining visual elements within a design system.

• Include examples of icon system design, highlighting scalability, consistency, and clear usage guidelines.

• Present examples of illustration work, demonstrating alignment with brand identity and application across different product contexts.

• Detail your process for building and managing Figma libraries, including component architecture, variants, properties, and variables.

• Demonstrate your understanding of design tokens and how they are applied and documented for developer handoff.

Process Documentation:

• Provide documentation examples that illustrate your approach to defining and maintaining asset structures, naming conventions, and usage guidance.

• Share examples of how you have documented components and their properties within Figma or a similar platform.

• Include any examples of process flows for collaborating with engineering on design system implementation and maintenance.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role, as it serves as proof of practical application of design system principles. The emphasis should be on demonstrating systematic thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to create reusable, well-documented visual assets.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Generous Paid Time Off: 6 weeks of paid vacation, plus company-wide days off and paid volunteer time.

• Work Flexibility: Option to work remotely for up to 20 days per year, complementing the hybrid in-office requirement.

• Comprehensive Well-being Support: Company-paid therapy sessions (SpringHealth), HeadSpace subscription, and "No Meeting Fridays" to promote work-life balance.

• Family Support: Paid parental leave.

• Career Development: Dedicated "Development Dollars," leadership development programs, and access to extensive e-learning resources.

• Travel Perks: Significant travel discounts and opportunities.

• Office Amenities: Free lunch twice a week, monthly social events, and an awesome office environment in Friedrichshain, Berlin.

• Financial & Commuting Support: Pension plan contributions, public transportation subsidies, and a bike leasing program.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with flexibility offered through "No Meeting Fridays" and the option for remote work days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on market research for similar roles in Berlin, considering the specified experience level and the specialized nature of design systems work. The extensive benefits package highlights KAYAK's commitment to employee well-being and professional growth, which can be a significant draw for operations and design professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Online Travel & Technology. KAYAK operates in the highly competitive travel metasearch market, leveraging technology to aggregate travel options. They are also expanding into corporate travel solutions.

Company Size: KAYAK is part of Booking Holdings, a large, publicly traded company, but operates with the agility of a significant tech firm. KAYAK itself likely employs several hundred to over a thousand individuals globally.

Founded: KAYAK was founded in 2004, positioning it as an established player in the online travel industry with a history of innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Visual Designer will be part of the Design Language and Systems team, which is a specialized function within the broader Product Design organization.

• This team likely reports to a Design Systems Lead or Design Director, working closely with Product Designers embedded within various product pods.

Methodology:

• Data-Informed Design: While this role is visual, it's within a tech company that values data. Design decisions are likely informed by user research, A/B testing results, and analytics.

• Systematic Approach: The core of the role is building and maintaining a systematic approach to visual design through the design system, ensuring consistency and efficiency.

• Agile Development: KAYAK likely operates using agile methodologies, meaning the design system team will need to be adaptable and responsive to evolving product needs and iterative development cycles.

• AI Integration: A key methodology is the proactive adoption of AI tools to enhance design workflows, speed up processes, and free up designers for higher-level problem-solving.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding KAYAK's position as a leading travel tech company and its parent company (Booking Holdings) provides context for the scale and resources available. The emphasis on innovation, AI, and a systematic approach aligns well with the "operations" mindset required for design systems.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Visual Designer specializing in Design Systems. It requires a solid foundation in visual design principles and practical experience in system building and maintenance. It's a crucial role that bridges pure design and engineering implementation.

Reporting Structure: The Visual Designer will likely report to a Design Systems Lead or Manager, who in turn reports to a higher-level design leadership position (e.g., Director of Design or VP of Design). They will work collaboratively with product designers across different squads.

Operations Impact: The design system is a critical operational asset. By standardizing visual elements, this role directly impacts:

• Efficiency: Reduces redundant design work, speeds up prototyping and development cycles.

• Consistency: Ensures a unified brand experience across all KAYAK products and platforms, strengthening brand recognition and user trust.

• Scalability: Provides a framework for consistent growth and the introduction of new features or products without compromising design quality.

• Quality: Elevates the overall polish and professionalism of the product interface.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in design systems, becoming a go-to authority on visual foundations, token management, and system governance.

• Leadership: Progress to a Senior Visual Designer or Design Systems Lead role, taking on more responsibility for strategy, team management, and cross-functional influence.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Gain deeper insights into front-end development, AI tools, and product strategy through close collaboration.

• Broader Design Impact: Contribute to the overall design strategy and evolution of KAYAK's product portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is foundational to the operational efficiency of the design team. Growth opportunities are clearly defined, moving from execution to strategic contribution and potential leadership within the design systems discipline.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job description specifies a requirement to commute to the Berlin office three times a week, indicating a hybrid work model with a dedicated physical workspace. KAYAK's office is described as "awesome" and located in Friedrichshain, Berlin.

Office Location(s): Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany. This is a vibrant and well-connected district in Berlin, likely offering a modern and collaborative workspace.

Workspace Context:

• Hybrid Collaboration: The environment supports both focused individual work and collaborative sessions, whether in person or remotely. The 3-day in-office requirement suggests a focus on in-person team interaction, idea generation, and design critiques.

• Tooling & Technology: Expect access to standard design software (Figma), collaboration tools, and potentially specialized AI design tools. The role will involve close interaction with engineering workflows and tools (Storybook, GitHub).

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with the Design Systems team, product designers, and engineering teams, fostering a culture of shared learning and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week). The "No Meeting Fridays" policy is a significant perk that allows for focused work and better work-life balance, which is highly valued in operations-oriented roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is clearly defined, with an emphasis on leveraging the Berlin office for collaborative activities while allowing for remote flexibility. This balance is common in modern tech environments and appeals to professionals seeking both structure and autonomy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review: Presentation of your portfolio to the hiring manager and potentially other design system team members. This is where you'll showcase your relevant case studies.

• Technical Interview/Design Challenge: This might involve a practical exercise related to creating or refining design system components, icons, or illustrating a specific concept, or a deep dive into your portfolio work with technical questions.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Discussions with product designers and engineers to assess collaboration skills, understanding of implementation, and ability to integrate into team workflows.

• Final Interview: A conversation with senior design leadership to discuss strategic thinking, career aspirations, and overall fit with KAYAK's culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Systematization: Highlight projects where you built or contributed to a design system. Emphasize your process for creating reusable components, defining standards, and documenting usage.

• Showcase Visual Foundations: Clearly present your icon systems, illustration examples, and any work related to motion or token definition. Explain the rationale behind your design choices and how they align with brand and scalability.

• Demonstrate Figma Mastery: Be prepared to discuss your Figma workflow, including advanced features like components, variants, properties, variables, and library management.

• Explain Your Process: For each case study, articulate the problem, your approach, the tools you used (especially Figma and any AI tools), the challenges you faced, and the impact of your work.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If you can, mention how your design system contributions led to increased efficiency, faster development cycles, or improved brand consistency.

Challenge Preparation:

• Figma Drills: Practice creating complex components, utilizing auto layout, defining variants, and setting up variables in Figma.

• Iconography Practice: Sketch and digitize icons, focusing on consistency in stroke weight, style, and visual weight.

• Token Mapping: Understand how visual properties translate into design tokens and be ready to discuss their implementation.

• AI Tool Exploration: Familiarize yourself with common AI design tools and be ready to discuss how they could be applied to design system tasks.

• Engineering Collaboration Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would work with engineers to ensure accurate implementation and resolve discrepancies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on demonstrating practical design system skills and the ability to communicate complex design concepts clearly. The portfolio is the primary tool for showcasing these capabilities, so meticulous preparation is key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The central tool for design, component building, library management, prototyping, and documentation. Advanced proficiency is a must.

• Design System Platforms: Experience with tools that support design system documentation and component libraries (e.g., Zeroheight, Storybook).

• Illustration Software: Adobe Illustrator or similar vector graphics editors for creating icons and illustrations.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

AI & Emerging Tools:

• AI Design Assistants: Tools like Midjourney, DALL-E, or specialized AI plugins for Figma that can assist in generating visual concepts, icons, or illustrations.

• AI for Documentation: Potential use of AI to help draft or refine documentation.

• AI for Prototyping: Exploring AI tools that can accelerate the prototyping process based on design system components.

Collaboration & Version Control:

• Storybook: For documenting and showcasing UI components in a development-ready format.

• GitHub: For version control and collaboration with engineering teams on code and component libraries.

• Jira/Confluence: Standard project management and documentation tools likely used for workflow tracking and internal documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the core tool. The emphasis on AI tools and collaboration platforms like Storybook and GitHub indicates a modern, integrated workflow between design and engineering, which is crucial for efficient design operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Consistency & Standardization: A core value is ensuring visual consistency and adherence to established standards across all products.

• Efficiency & Scalability: The team likely values processes that enable rapid design and development, supporting the company's growth.

• Collaboration & Communication: Strong emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams (design, engineering, product) to ensure seamless integration and adoption.

• Data-Driven Decisions: While visual, design system choices are informed by user data, A/B testing, and performance metrics.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: A commitment to exploring new tools (like AI) and methodologies to enhance the design system and design workflows.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Works closely with product designers to understand their needs and provide them with robust, easy-to-use system assets.

• Engineering-Focused: Maintains a strong connection with engineering to ensure designs are implementable and code is aligned with design specifications.

• Feedback-Driven: Actively seeks and incorporates feedback from users of the design system to iterate and improve.

• Knowledge Sharing: Likely fosters an environment where best practices, new techniques, and system updates are shared openly within the design and engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values align with typical design systems and operations teams: rigor, efficiency, collaboration, and a forward-thinking approach to technology. Understanding these values will help candidates tailor their application and interview responses.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Consistency with Flexibility: Ensuring visual consistency across diverse product needs while allowing for necessary product-specific variations can be challenging.

• Adoption and Governance: Encouraging widespread adoption of the design system by product teams and maintaining governance to prevent drift requires strong communication and advocacy.

• Keeping Pace with Technology: Integrating new tools, especially rapidly evolving AI technologies, into established workflows requires continuous learning and adaptation.

• Cross-Platform Synchronization: Maintaining consistency across web, iOS, and Android platforms, each with its own design nuances and technical constraints.

• Documentation Maintenance: Keeping extensive documentation up-to-date and accessible as the system evolves.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Design Systems Expertise: Become a recognized expert in design system strategy, implementation, and governance.

• AI Tool Mastery: Develop advanced skills in leveraging AI for design tasks, potentially becoming an internal champion for AI adoption.

• Cross-Functional Skill Enhancement: Gain deeper insights into front-end development, accessibility standards, and product strategy.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers or contribute to design system training for other teams.

• Industry Trends: Stay at the forefront of design system best practices, emerging technologies, and visual design trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for design systems roles, emphasizing the need for strong problem-solving, communication, and adaptability. The growth opportunities are substantial, allowing for deep specialization or broader impact within the organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach creating a new icon system from scratch for a company like KAYAK, considering scalability and brand alignment?" (Focus on process, research, iterative design, and documentation).

• "Describe a time you had to convince a product team to adopt a new design system component or guideline. What was your strategy?" (Focus on communication, advocacy, demonstrating value, and addressing concerns).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about KAYAK and its mission to make travel search easier?" (Connect your passion for design systems to improving user experience in travel).

• "How do you see AI tools impacting the future of design systems, and how would you integrate them into KAYAK's workflow?" (Showcase your forward-thinking approach and understanding of AI's potential).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio around 2-3 strong case studies that directly address the requirements of this role (visual foundations, Figma, documentation, collaboration).

• Narrative: For each case study, tell a story: the problem, your role and process, the solutions you implemented (showing specific visual examples), and the impact or outcome.

• Highlight Systemic Thinking: Emphasize how your work contributes to a larger system, focusing on reusability, scalability, and consistency.

• Demonstrate Technical Skills: Be ready to walk through your Figma files, explaining your component structure, variables, and properties.

• Address AI Integration: If you used AI tools, clearly explain how and why, showcasing the benefits.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, technical implementation, and how you handle feedback and challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating both strong visual design skills and a robust, systematic approach to design operations within a design systems context. Highlighting experience with Figma, AI tools, and cross-functional collaboration will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.ashbyhq.com.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your experience in visual design, design systems, Figma proficiency, icon/illustration system design, and any experience with AI tools or design tokens. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Contributed to a design system that reduced UI development time by 15%").

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best showcase your ability to create and manage visual foundations for a design system. Ensure these examples clearly demonstrate your Figma skills, understanding of scalability, and documentation practices. Prepare to present these in detail.

• Prepare for Technical Questions: Brush up on Figma's advanced features (variables, components, properties, auto layout), design token concepts, and best practices for icon and illustration systems. Be ready to discuss your experience with AI design tools.

• Research KAYAK: Familiarize yourself with KAYAK's products, brand, and mission. Understand their position in the travel industry and any recent news or initiatives, particularly regarding technology and AI. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.

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