Lead Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Graphic Designer

Company: Bjak

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Visual Design / UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-24

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the visual design and development of a cutting-edge AI-native application, focusing on user comprehension of complex, dynamic content and system behavior.

• Define and implement the visual language, design system, and UI components across web and mobile platforms to enhance user trust and clarity in AI interactions.

• Translate interaction flows into polished, accessible visual designs, ensuring a seamless user experience that communicates AI system states and confidence levels effectively.

• Collaborate closely with product and UX designers to create intuitive interfaces that manage information density and hierarchy within AI-driven workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "Lead Graphic Designer" combined with the responsibilities strongly suggests a role focused on UI/Visual Design for digital products, particularly in the AI/tech space, rather than traditional graphic design. The emphasis on AI interfaces, dynamic content, and system behavior points towards a specialized UI designer role. The remote status and US location are key for candidate targeting.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and evolve the visual language, design system, and UI components for A1's AI-native product suite across web and mobile applications.

• Develop innovative visual patterns and cues that enable users to easily interpret AI-generated content, understand system states, and gauge confidence and reliability signals.

• Strategize and execute designs that optimize for information density and hierarchy within AI interfaces, where content is inherently dynamic, variable, and can be uncertain.

• Partner with Product Managers and UX Designers to translate complex interaction flows and user journeys into refined, accessible, and visually compelling designs.

• Build, maintain, and evangelize a comprehensive design system to ensure speed, consistency, and clarity across all product touchpoints.

• Establish clear visual standards for critical UI states, including error states, empty states, loading indicators, task progress, and AI-generated output presentation.

• Produce detailed visual assets and precise design specifications for engineering teams to ensure accurate implementation and fidelity.

• Craft AI-heavy interfaces that feel intuitive, structured, and trustworthy without overwhelming the end-user.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are heavily weighted towards UI/Visual Design for a complex software product, especially one involving AI. This implies a need for designers who can think systematically about interface elements and their communicative power, not just aesthetic appeal. The "lead" aspect might imply ownership and direction within the design function for this product.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: 2-5 years of experience as a Visual Designer, UI Designer, or Product Designer, with a proven track record of designing user interfaces for web and mobile products.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in visual design principles, including typography, color theory, layout composition, and visual hierarchy.

• High proficiency in design and prototyping tools, with a strong emphasis on Figma.

• Proven experience in building, contributing to, or maintaining robust design systems.

• Ability to design for dynamic and variable content, understanding how to present AI output that can differ in length, format, tone, and reliability.

• Solid understanding of web and mobile design principles, including responsiveness and platform-specific conventions.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and experience designing for legibility, contrast, and inclusive user experiences.

• Comfort and adaptability in designing within ambiguous environments with evolving product requirements and AI capabilities.

• Experience collaborating effectively within fast-paced, cross-functional teams alongside product managers and UX designers.

• Awareness of how visual cues can effectively communicate AI system behavior, build user trust, and indicate confidence levels. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in designing interfaces for AI-powered products or complex data visualization.

• Familiarity with HCI principles and how they inform visual design decisions.

• Experience with user research methodologies and translating user feedback into design improvements.

• Basic understanding of front-end development principles to facilitate better collaboration with engineers.

• Ability to create animations or micro-interactions to enhance user experience and communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI-specific design challenges (dynamic content, trust signals) suggests that candidates with experience in complex software, data visualization, or AI products will be highly valued. The "lead" in the title suggests a need for strong ownership and self-direction.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a minimum of 2-3 distinct projects demonstrating expertise in visual and UI design for web and mobile applications.

• Projects should highlight your ability to develop a cohesive visual language and design system.

• Include case studies that clearly articulate the design problem, your process, your specific contributions, and the impact of your design solutions.

• Showcase your proficiency in Figma, including examples of complex component creation, system building, and interactive prototyping.

• Demonstrate your approach to designing for dynamic content and communicating complex information clearly. Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio project, clearly outline your design process:

  • Discovery & Research: How you understood user needs and product requirements.
  • Ideation & Concepting: How you explored different visual directions.
  • Prototyping & Iteration: How you tested and refined designs.
  • System Design: How you contributed to or built design system components.
  • Collaboration: How you worked with cross-functional teams.
  • Implementation Handoff: How you provided assets and specs to engineers.

• Emphasize how your design decisions addressed specific challenges related to information density, AI behavior communication, and user trust.

📝 Enhancement Note: For UI/Visual Design roles, a strong portfolio is paramount. The emphasis on AI interfaces means candidates should highlight projects where they had to solve complex communication challenges through design, not just create aesthetically pleasing interfaces. Demonstrating design system contributions is also critical.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Lead Graphic Designer with 2-5 years of experience in New York City, the estimated annual salary range is typically between $90,000 - $130,000. This range can vary based on specific skills, portfolio strength, and interview performance.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Potential for stock options or equity in a fast-growing startup.

• Professional development budget for conferences, courses, and learning resources.

• Home office stipend or equipment allowance for remote setup.

• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement within a cutting-edge AI company.

• 401(k) or equivalent retirement savings plan.

Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered for remote work. Core collaboration hours will likely be established to facilitate team communication across time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on industry benchmarks for mid-level to lead UI/Visual Designers in New York City, considering the remote work arrangement. Benefits are standard for tech companies, with a focus on professional development and remote work support. The "lead" title suggests a salary towards the higher end of the mid-level range or entry into a more senior compensation band.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Artificial Intelligence / Software Development. Bjak is operating in the rapidly evolving AI sector, aiming to integrate AI into everyday applications for enhanced productivity and user experience.

Company Size: The description mentions "small, world-class teams" and "high talent density," suggesting a startup or early-stage growth company environment, likely with fewer than 100 employees. This implies a lean, agile, and hands-on operational model.

Founded: While the founding date of "Bjak" is not provided, the description of their mission to build proactive smart assistants for everyday users suggests a company focused on innovation and the practical application of AI.

Team Structure:

• The design team is likely small and integrated within product development squads.

• Designers work closely with Product Managers, UX Designers, and Software Engineers.

• Emphasis on collective decision-making, rapid iteration, and high-quality execution.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone of their methodology. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decisions: While not explicitly stated for design, the company's mission implies an approach that values user data and iterative improvement.

• Agile Development: "Move at rapid speed" and "shipping high quality work" are hallmarks of agile methodologies.

• User-Centric Design: The focus on user experience and bringing "intelligence to conversations, errands, organising and workflows" indicates a user-centric approach.

• Independent Execution: Expectation for individuals to "bring structure, exercise judgment, and execute independently."

Company Website: https://bjak.my/en/about-us

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as high-performance, collaborative, and fast-paced, typical of a tech startup focused on AI innovation. The "lead" title implies a significant level of autonomy and potential for influencing design direction.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Lead Graphic Designer," indicating a mid-level to early senior position. It requires strong individual contribution skills with the potential for leading specific design initiatives or mentoring junior designers. The focus is on shaping the visual identity and core UI of a critical product.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Head of Design, Design Lead, or Head of Product, and will work very closely with Product Managers and UX Designers.

Operations Impact: The visual design directly impacts user adoption, engagement, and trust in the AI product. Clear, intuitive, and reliable visual interfaces are critical for making AI accessible and useful, directly contributing to the company's mission of reducing user time and enhancing daily tasks. Strong visual design can differentiate the product in a competitive AI market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Opportunity to grow into a Senior Designer or Design Lead role, managing more complex projects or a small team.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI interface design, HCI, and design systems.

• Product Influence: Play a key role in defining the visual identity and user experience of a product with significant global potential.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning in emerging AI technologies and their impact on UI/UX.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working across product, engineering, and research teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title suggests a growth trajectory beyond individual contributor, possibly into team leadership or strategic design ownership. The company's focus on AI offers a unique opportunity for specialized career development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "TELECOMMUTE," indicating a fully remote work environment.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the specified location is New York, United States. This often means candidates are expected to be based within or able to work within the US time zones for collaboration purposes.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: Expect extensive use of digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Figma, Miro) for communication and design reviews.

• Independent Work: A high degree of autonomy and self-discipline is required to manage tasks and deadlines effectively from a remote setting.

• Technology Stack: Access to industry-standard design software and collaborative platforms will be provided.

• Team Interaction: Regular virtual meetings, design critiques, and project syncs with the design, product, and engineering teams.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) are expected, with flexibility for remote work. A focus on asynchronous communication and defined core collaboration hours will likely be implemented to accommodate team members in different locations or time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature of the role is a key aspect, requiring candidates to be comfortable with remote collaboration tools and self-management. The New York location context suggests a need for alignment with US Eastern Time Zone working hours.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit resume and a portfolio showcasing relevant visual and UI design work.

• Initial Screening: A review of applications and portfolios by the hiring team.

• Round 1 Interview: Likely a virtual meeting with a hiring manager or senior designer to discuss experience, portfolio, and initial fit.

• Design Assessment: A practical design exercise or take-home challenge to evaluate design skills, problem-solving abilities, and approach to AI interface challenges.

• Round 2 Interview: May involve a deeper dive into the design assessment, discussions with cross-functional team members (Product, UX), and cultural fit evaluation.

• Final Decision: Prompt decision based on demonstrated skills, portfolio, and interview performance.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your ability to design for complex, dynamic interfaces, especially those involving AI or data. Highlight your problem-solving process.

• Showcase Design Systems: Include examples of your contributions to or creation of design systems, demonstrating your understanding of scalability and consistency.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your design process, the challenges you faced, your solutions, and the outcome or impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Figma Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates your mastery of Figma, including complex component libraries, auto-layout, and interactive prototyping.

• Accessibility Focus: Highlight instances where you considered and implemented accessibility best practices.

• AI Interface Examples: If possible, include projects that show an understanding of how to build trust and clarity in AI-driven interactions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read and understand the requirements of any design assessment.

• Embrace AI Nuances: Focus on how your design addresses the unique challenges of AI interfaces: dynamic content, uncertainty, trust, and information density.

• Process Over Perfection: Demonstrate a clear, logical design process, even if the final output isn't pixel-perfect within the time constraints.

• Communicate Rationale: Be prepared to articulate the "why" behind your design decisions.

• Time Management: Practice time management to complete the assessment within the given timeframe.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes portfolio strength and a practical design assessment, typical for design roles. Candidates should prepare to discuss their process, rationale, and specifically how they approach the unique challenges of designing for AI.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for design, prototyping, and collaboration. Deep proficiency is essential.

• Design System Tools: Familiarity with tools and methodologies for building and maintaining design systems (e.g., Storybook, Zeroheight, or Figma's own capabilities).

• Prototyping Tools: Figma's built-in prototyping or other tools for creating interactive mockups.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct requirement for this role, an understanding of how design impacts user analytics (e.g., engagement metrics, conversion rates) is beneficial. Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Amplitude, or Mixpanel from a user behavior perspective is a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design responsibilities of this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly mentioned as a required skill, making it the central tool in the technology stack for this position. Understanding design system implementation is also key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Vision: Driven by a mission to bring AI to billions, valuing forward-thinking solutions and impactful technology.

• Excellence & Quality: Commitment to building "truly magical products" and shipping "high quality work."

• Collaboration & Collective Decision-Making: Emphasis on working together, sharing ideas, and making decisions as a team.

• Speed & Agility: Operating at "rapid speed" and valuing efficiency in execution.

• User-Centricity: Focus on creating products that solve real user problems and provide practical benefits.

• Ownership & Autonomy: Expectation for individuals to take initiative, exercise judgment, and execute independently.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close partnerships with Product Management and UX Design are fundamental.

• Iterative Feedback: A culture that encourages continuous feedback and rapid iteration on designs.

• Knowledge Sharing: Likely an environment where team members share learnings, best practices, and insights.

• Hands-on Approach: Expectation for all team members to be actively involved and contribute directly to product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values high performance, innovation, and teamwork. Designers are expected to be proactive, collaborative, and dedicated to creating impactful AI products.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for AI Uncertainty: Translating abstract AI concepts, dynamic content, and varying reliability signals into clear, trustworthy visual interfaces.

• Information Density Management: Creating visually organized interfaces that present a lot of information without overwhelming users, particularly in AI-driven workflows.

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Maintaining high design standards while working in a fast-paced startup environment with rapid iteration cycles.

• Evolving Product Requirements: Adapting designs to the rapidly changing landscape of AI technology and product features.

• Remote Collaboration Nuances: Ensuring effective communication and design alignment across a distributed team.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Cutting-Edge AI Design: Gain deep expertise in the emerging field of AI interface design and HCI.

• Design System Mastery: Develop advanced skills in building and scaling design systems for complex applications.

• Product Strategy Influence: Contribute to the strategic direction of a product with significant market potential.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Work closely with AI researchers, product managers, and engineers to understand the technical underpinnings of the product.

• Professional Development: Access to resources for continued learning in design, AI, and related fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the innovative nature of AI product development, offering significant learning opportunities for ambitious designers.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a visual interface that clearly communicates the confidence level of an AI-generated response?" (Focus on visual cues, typography, hierarchy, and user trust.)

• "Describe your process for designing a UI component that needs to adapt to varying lengths and formats of dynamic content." (Highlight flexibility, responsiveness, and information hierarchy.)

• "How do you balance the need for aesthetic polish with the practical requirements of accessibility and usability in a fast-paced environment?" (Discuss your process, trade-offs, and prioritization.)

• "Walk us through a project where you contributed to or built a design system. What were the key principles and challenges?" (Focus on scalability, consistency, and collaboration.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about designing for AI products, and what do you see as the biggest challenges?" (Show genuine interest and informed perspective on AI design.)

• "How do you handle feedback on your designs, especially when working with diverse stakeholders?" (Demonstrate collaboration and receptiveness to input.)

• "Describe a time you had to work with ambiguous requirements. How did you proceed?" (Highlight your ability to bring structure and make progress.)

• "What does 'high talent density' mean to you, and how do you thrive in such an environment?" (Align with the company's description of its team culture.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with Impact: Begin with your strongest projects that align most closely with the role's requirements (AI, complex interfaces, design systems).

• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate your design thinking, problem-solving approach, and iterative steps for each project.

• Highlight AI Solutions: Specifically call out how your design decisions addressed challenges related to AI, dynamic content, and user trust.

• Showcase Figma Skills: Demonstrate your mastery of Figma, including interactive prototypes and well-structured component libraries.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If you have metrics on how your designs improved user engagement or task completion, present them.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design rationale, trade-offs, and how you would approach specific design challenges for their product.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on understanding the unique design challenges of AI products and demonstrating strong UI/visual design skills within a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application via the provided link, ensuring your resume and portfolio are attached.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating UI/Visual Design expertise for web/mobile, particularly those involving complex interfaces, design systems, or dynamic content. Emphasize your Figma proficiency.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience with visual design, UI design, design systems, and your ability to design for AI-driven applications. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and solutions to common interview questions, especially those related to AI interface design challenges. Prepare to present your portfolio effectively.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Bjak's mission and the "A1" product concept. Understand their focus on AI-native applications and user-centric design principles.

⚠️ 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.