Midweight Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Midweight Product Designer

Company: Explore Learning

Location: Remote (UK Based)

Job Type: Full-time, 6-Month Fixed-Term Contract (with potential for permanent)

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: September 22, 2026

Experience Level: Midweight (Equivalent to 2-5 years experience)

Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a critical opportunity to drive product design initiatives within a leading educational organization, focusing on digital transformation and new product development.

• You will be responsible for the end-to-end design process, from initial discovery and problem definition through to the delivery of production-ready assets for web, mobile apps, and learning platforms.

• A strong emphasis is placed on user-centric design, with a particular focus on designing for children, parents, teachers, and administrators, ensuring accessibility and inclusive practices.

• The position requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including product owners and front-end engineers, to ensure seamless implementation and to connect design decisions to tangible business and user outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Midweight Product Designer," the responsibilities and required skills indicate a role with significant ownership and a need for strong autonomy in managing design initiatives. The 6-month contract with potential for permanence suggests a need for immediate impact and a high degree of self-sufficiency. The focus on "shipping work" and "seeing what it changes" highlights a results-oriented environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete product design lifecycle for assigned initiatives, from initial user research and problem framing to the creation of detailed design specifications and assets for engineering teams.

• Conduct thorough user research, leverage data analytics, and analyze customer feedback to deeply understand user needs and validate design hypotheses before commencing the design phase.

• Design comprehensive, end-to-end user journeys, meticulously considering all states including error, empty, and edge cases to ensure a robust and intuitive user experience.

• Foster strong, collaborative partnerships with product owners, front-end engineers, and stakeholders across various departments to ensure design solutions are technically feasible and align with business objectives.

• Act as a champion for accessibility and inclusive design principles, ensuring all digital products are usable and equitable for a diverse user base, especially children.

• Clearly articulate and demonstrate the connection between design decisions and key performance indicators (KPIs) such as user adoption, engagement metrics, and ultimately, learner outcomes.

• Contribute to the evolution and maintenance of the company's design system, ensuring consistency and scalability across all digital products.

• Actively explore and integrate emerging technologies, such as AI, into the design process and product solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize ownership and end-to-end accountability, moving beyond just screen design to encompass the entire product development lifecycle. This aligns with a "product designer" role that is deeply integrated with engineering and product management, focusing on delivered value.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a background in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, is expected.

Experience: A minimum of 2-5 years of professional experience in product design, with a proven track record of delivering impactful digital products.

Required Skills:

• A strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design processes, including discovery, problem definition, interaction design, and demonstrated shipped outcomes.

• Proficient in Figma, with advanced skills in Auto Layout, components, and variables for efficient design system management and scalable design.

• Demonstrated expertise in interaction design and systems thinking, with the ability to handle genuine complexity and design coherent user flows.

• Proven experience collaborating directly with front-end engineers and product owners through the implementation phase, understanding technical constraints and trade-offs.

• Experience working within and contributing to established design systems.

• Strong understanding of user research methodologies and ability to translate findings into actionable design solutions.

• Commitment to accessibility and inclusive design principles. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for children or within the EdTech sector.

• Experience with consumer products frequently used by families.

• Expertise in accessibility standards such as WCAG.

• Experience designing for multi-persona environments or multi-sided platforms.

• Familiarity with AI technologies and their application in product design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "must-haves" strongly emphasize practical application and demonstrated outcomes over theoretical knowledge. The portfolio is paramount and should clearly articulate the "thinking, the discovery, and the shipped outcomes." The mention of "AI and already playing with it" suggests a forward-thinking organization that values proactive learning and experimentation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end product design projects, detailing the problem statement, research methodology, design process, key decisions, and quantifiable outcomes.

• Include examples of interaction design, user flows, and system thinking to illustrate the ability to design complex, cohesive experiences.

• Demonstrate proficiency with Figma, including the effective use of Auto Layout, components, and variables within a design system context.

• Highlight collaboration with engineers and product owners, explaining how design challenges were overcome during the production phase.

• Provide evidence of designing for different user personas or multi-sided platforms if applicable. Process Documentation:

• Clearly document the discovery and problem definition phases, outlining research methods used and insights gained.

• Illustrate the iterative design process, including wireframing, prototyping, and user testing cycles.

• Detail the implementation handover process, including specifications and collaboration with engineering teams.

• Showcase how accessibility and inclusive design principles were integrated throughout the design workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are explicitly focused on demonstrating a holistic product design capability, emphasizing the journey from problem identification to shipped product and measured impact. The emphasis is on "thinking, discovery, and shipped outcomes," indicating a need to go beyond mere visual polish.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £45,000 per annum (pro-rata for the 6-month contract).

Benefits:

• Contract Duration: 6-month fixed-term contract with the strong potential for permanency, offering a pathway to long-term engagement.

• Remote Work: Full remote working flexibility within the UK.

• Travel Expenses: All travel expenses for user testing and team meetings will be covered.

• Professional Development: Opportunity to work on significant digital transformation initiatives and potentially gain permanent employment in a growing EdTech company.

• Impactful Work: The chance to design products that directly contribute to the learning and development of thousands of children.

• Collaborative Environment: Work within a small, focused team where your contributions are visible and directly impact outcomes.

Working Hours: Full-time (assumed 40 hours per week, standard for UK full-time roles). While remote, occasional travel may be required for user testing and team collaboration, which will be expensed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is fixed at £45,000, which is pro-rata for the 6-month contract. For a midweight designer in the UK, this is a competitive rate for a fixed-term role, especially considering the remote flexibility and potential for permanency. The benefits highlight the opportunity for significant impact and career growth within a mission-driven organization.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education Technology (EdTech) / Educational Services. Explore Learning is a well-established leader in the tuition market, now undergoing significant digital transformation.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of a "network of learning centres across the country" and a "small team" suggests a medium to large organization with a dedicated digital product and design function.

Founded: 25 years ago, indicating a stable and experienced organization that is actively investing in its future through digital innovation.

Team Structure:

• You will be one of two designers, reporting directly to the Head of Product Design.

• You will work within a small team structure focused on driving new digital products and enhancing existing platforms.

• Close collaboration is expected with product owners and front-end engineers across web and mobile development. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making, incorporating user research, customer feedback, and analytics.

• Agile product development, with a focus on iterative design and rapid deployment.

• Emphasis on end-to-end ownership and measuring the impact of design decisions on user adoption, engagement, and learner outcomes.

• A forward-thinking approach, embracing new technologies like AI and investing in design systems.

Company Website: www.explorelearning.co.uk

📝 Enhancement Note: The company is undergoing a significant digital overhaul, positioning itself as a leader in the EdTech space. This implies a culture that values innovation, agility, and a strong user focus. The emphasis on "reshaping what Explore Learning is" signifies a period of exciting change and opportunity for impactful contributions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Midweight Product Designer," indicating a level of autonomy where you are expected to manage your own initiatives effectively but may not be solely responsible for the most complex strategic decisions. It's a crucial stepping stone for designers looking to deepen their expertise in end-to-end product design and potentially move into senior or lead roles.

Reporting Structure: You will report directly to the Head of Product Design, providing a clear line of mentorship and guidance. This structure allows for direct access to leadership and strategic direction.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the company's digital transformation and its ability to serve learners, parents, and educators effectively. By improving the user experience across websites, apps, and learning platforms, you will contribute to increased user adoption, engagement, and ultimately, improved learner outcomes, which are central to the company's mission.

Growth Opportunities:

• Permanent Role Potential: The most significant growth opportunity is the potential for the 6-month contract to transition into a permanent Midweight or Senior Product Designer role, offering job security and continued involvement in the company's digital evolution.

• Skill Deepening: Intensive experience in end-to-end product design, user research, interaction design, systems thinking, and Figma within a dynamic EdTech environment.

• AI Integration: Opportunity to gain practical experience integrating AI into product design and workflows, a highly valuable skill in today's market.

• Leadership Exposure: Working closely with the Head of Product Design provides exposure to design leadership, strategy, and team management.

• Diverse Persona Design: Gaining experience designing for multiple user types (children, parents, teachers, administrators) enhances versatility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are strongly tied to the potential for permanency and the depth of experience gained in a period of significant digital change. The role offers a chance to be at the forefront of EdTech innovation.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily remote, offering significant flexibility. However, occasional travel is expected for user testing and team collaboration, with all expenses covered. This suggests a hybrid approach where remote is the default, but in-person interaction is valued for specific purposes.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote within the UK, the company has a national presence with learning centres. Occasional team meet-ups might occur at a central office or designated location.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Flexibility: The primary work environment is home-based, promoting work-life balance and autonomy.

• Collaborative Tools: Expect to utilize digital collaboration tools for design, communication, and project management.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with the Head of Product Design, fellow designer, product owners, and engineers through virtual meetings and potentially in-person sessions.

• Focus on Impact: The environment is geared towards delivering tangible results and seeing the direct impact of design work.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with the expectation of standard working hours (e.g., 40 hours per week). The remote nature allows for some flexibility in structuring the workday, but collaboration with team members across different time zones (within the UK) will require coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The environment is designed to be flexible and outcome-oriented. The remote setup is complemented by opportunities for in-person collaboration, fostering a balanced approach to team dynamics and individual work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review focusing on CV and portfolio.

• Portfolio Presentation: A key stage will likely involve presenting your portfolio, walking through 1-2 key projects, detailing your process, decisions, and outcomes. Be prepared to discuss challenges and how you overcame them.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: Potential for a design exercise or a discussion focused on Figma proficiency, design systems, interaction design, and accessibility principles.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with the Head of Product Design, potentially product owners, and engineers to assess collaborative skills, communication, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Discussion with senior leadership to confirm fit and align on expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio clearly, with each project having a distinct narrative: problem, your role, process, solution, and results.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, user flows) to illustrate your design thinking.

• Highlight Outcomes: Quantify the impact of your designs wherever possible (e.g., increased conversion, improved engagement, reduced errors).

• Emphasize Process: Clearly articulate your thought process, the rationale behind your design decisions, and how you incorporated user feedback and data.

• Figma Mastery: Be ready to discuss your use of Figma features like Auto Layout, components, and variables, and how you've worked with or built design systems.

• Collaboration Evidence: Include examples or discussions of how you've worked with engineers and product owners.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: If a design challenge is provided, focus on understanding the brief thoroughly. Prioritize user needs and business goals. Document your process and assumptions clearly.

• Problem-Solving: Be ready to discuss how you approach complex problems, break them down, and arrive at user-centered solutions.

• Accessibility Focus: Prepare to discuss how you ensure designs are accessible and inclusive, referencing specific guidelines or practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes the portfolio and practical application of design skills. Candidates should be prepared to deeply articulate their design process and demonstrate how their work has led to tangible business and user improvements.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for all design work, including wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and collaboration. Proficiency in Auto Layout, components, and variables is critical.

• Design Systems: Experience working with, contributing to, or building design systems is a significant requirement.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to understand user behavior and measure design impact.

• Ability to interpret data and customer feedback to inform design decisions. CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how product design impacts user journeys within a CRM context or other customer-facing systems may be beneficial.

• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello) for workflow management and collaboration with engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly named as a core tool. The emphasis on design systems suggests the company has or is building a robust design infrastructure. Understanding how design impacts user acquisition and retention metrics will be key, implying a need for familiarity with analytics tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of learners, parents, and educators.

• Impact-Driven: Focus on delivering measurable outcomes and contributing directly to the company's mission and business goals.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and cross-functional partnerships.

• Innovation: Encouragement to explore new ideas, technologies (like AI), and methodologies to drive digital transformation.

• Detail-Oriented: A culture that values meticulous attention to detail in design and implementation.

• Curiosity: A genuine interest in learning, problem-solving, and staying abreast of industry trends.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership: Close working relationships with Product Owners and Front-End Engineers are essential, moving beyond a traditional "handoff" to integrated collaboration.

• Constructive Dialogue: Openness to questioning assumptions and engaging in constructive feedback to improve designs and processes.

• Shared Ownership: A culture where team members feel ownership over outcomes, not just their specific deliverables.

• Transparency: Open communication regarding design decisions, challenges, and progress.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a blend of mission-driven purpose and modern, agile product development practices. The emphasis on user needs, collaboration, and tangible impact suggests a dynamic and rewarding work environment for designers.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Digital Transformation Pace: Contributing effectively to a significant digital overhaul within a 6-month timeframe requires rapid understanding and impactful contributions.

• Multi-Persona Design: Designing for diverse user groups (children, parents, educators) with potentially conflicting needs requires careful balancing and user research.

• Balancing Design Vision with Technical Constraints: Collaborating closely with engineers to implement designs while respecting technical limitations and timelines.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective communication in a fully remote setting.

• EdTech Specifics: Adapting design thinking to the unique considerations of educational products, including child safety and learning efficacy.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into EdTech: Gaining specialized knowledge and experience within the educational technology sector.

• AI Integration Practice: Hands-on experience applying AI in product design and development workflows.

• Design System Maturity: Contributing to or leveraging a growing design system, enhancing skills in scalable design.

• End-to-End Ownership: Developing a comprehensive understanding of the product lifecycle from conception to post-launch analysis.

• Mentorship from Head of Design: Direct guidance and learning opportunities from experienced design leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly linked to the company's current phase of growth and digital evolution. The opportunities focus on acquiring specialized skills and gaining broad experience in a critical period for the organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex product you designed end-to-end. What was the problem, your approach, and the outcome? How did you measure success?" (Focus on portfolio project, quantifying impact, and detailing process).

• "How do you approach designing for diverse user groups with potentially conflicting needs, such as children and parents?" (Discuss persona development, user research methods, and balancing requirements).

• "Walk us through your Figma workflow, particularly your use of Auto Layout, components, and variables. How do you maintain consistency within a design system?" (Be ready for a live demo or detailed explanation).

• "How do you collaborate with front-end engineers and product owners to ensure a smooth implementation process and manage compromises?" (Highlight communication strategies, understanding technical constraints, and iterative feedback). Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Explore Learning and the EdTech sector specifically?" (Research company mission, values, and recent news. Connect your passion for education/tech).

• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and inclusive, especially when designing for children?" (Reference WCAG, specific user testing methods, and your personal commitment).

• "Describe a time you had to prioritize between user needs and business goals. How did you resolve it?" (Demonstrate balanced decision-making and negotiation skills).

• "How do you stay curious and current with new technologies like AI?" (Share personal projects, articles you read, or experiments you've conducted). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

• Focus on "Why": Explain the rationale behind your design decisions at every stage.

• Visual Clarity: Use high-quality visuals but ensure they support your narrative rather than replacing it.

• Interactive Elements: If possible, use interactive prototypes to showcase user flows and interactions.

• Quantify Impact: Prepare specific metrics and data points to demonstrate the success of your designs.

• Honesty about Limitations: Be upfront about what you learned, what you would do differently, and areas where you sought input or guidance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily lean on the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their design process, decision-making, and impact. Demonstrating an understanding of the EdTech landscape and a proactive approach to learning will be key differentiators.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Midweight Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Explore Learning careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight 1-2 key projects that best demonstrate end-to-end product design, interaction design, and shipped outcomes. Ensure these projects align with the responsibilities outlined, especially regarding user journeys and cross-functional collaboration.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your experience with Figma, design systems, user research, and collaboration with engineering teams. Quantify achievements and responsibilities using action verbs and relevant metrics.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on your thought process, decision-making, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss your experience with accessibility and inclusive design.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Explore Learning's mission, values, current digital offerings, and the EdTech landscape. Understand their commitment to safeguarding children and how design plays a role in that.

⚠️ 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.