Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: In The Pocket

Location: Belgium

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: August 20, 2026

Experience Level: Senior (5+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role requires end-to-end ownership of the product design lifecycle, from initial discovery and user research through to the delivery of polished, developer-ready UI.

• Collaboration is key, involving close partnership with strategists, engineers, and clients to ensure seamless integration of design into product execution.

• The position emphasizes connecting product strategy with tangible product outcomes, driven by a deep understanding of user needs and business objectives.

• As a senior member, you will mentor junior designers, contribute to the growth of the design practice, and act as a trusted design partner to clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Product Designer," the responsibilities and experience requirements (5+ years, leading design decisions, mentoring) strongly indicate a Senior Product Designer or Lead Product Designer level. The company operates as a digital product studio, implying a consultative approach where design directly influences client business strategy and product success.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the entire product design process, including discovery, user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and final UI design for digital products, platforms, and services.

• Translate complex business objectives and user needs into intuitive, elegant, and effective user experiences and interfaces.

• Develop and present compelling design deliverables, such as wireframes, interactive prototypes, and strategic concept presentations, to clients and internal teams.

• Employ analytical thinking and critical evaluation to validate design decisions through user testing and data analysis, ensuring user-centered solutions.

• Create and maintain detailed interaction models, UI specifications, and visual language documentation to ensure design consistency and quality across projects.

• Contribute to the strategic direction of product development by bringing a design perspective to business decisions and product strategy discussions.

• Act as a primary advocate for end-users, championing product quality and exceptional user experience throughout the development lifecycle.

• Proactively manage multiple design projects, coordinate collaborative efforts within project teams, and ensure the precise translation of designs into final products.

• Actively participate in the continuous improvement of the company's design practice by identifying and sharing insights on industry evolutions, including AI and emerging technologies.

• Foster and maintain strong client relationships, establishing trust and acting as a reliable design partner.

• Mentor junior designers, share expertise, and contribute to shaping the company's design culture, processes, and standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on strategic thinking, client interaction, and team leadership, which are critical for a senior role within a digital product studio environment. The mention of "4 eye principle" and "working in pairs" suggests a collaborative approach to design quality assurance and knowledge transfer.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience is paramount. A background in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is often beneficial.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in Digital Product Design, UX/UI Design, or a closely related field, with a proven history of successfully delivering impactful digital products.

Required Skills:

• End-to-End Product Design: Proven ability to manage the full design lifecycle from discovery and research to high-fidelity UI delivery.

• User Experience (UX) Design: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, usability heuristics, and information architecture.

• User Interface (UI) Design: Expertise in creating visually appealing, intuitive, and consistent user interfaces.

• User Research & Discovery: Solid experience with various research methodologies (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing) and the ability to translate findings into actionable design insights.

• Prototyping: Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes using tools like Principle, ProtoPie, or Framer to validate user flows and design concepts.

• Wireframing: Skill in developing low-fidelity wireframes to map out user journeys and content structure.

• Design Systems & Atomic Design: Strong experience working with and contributing to scalable design systems and understanding atomic design principles for maintaining consistency.

• Proficiency in Design Tools: Expert-level command of industry-standard design software such as Figma and Sketch.

• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both Dutch and English, with the ability to confidently present design concepts and rationale to diverse stakeholders.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to connect design decisions to business objectives, user needs, and overall product strategy.

• Agile Methodologies: Good working knowledge of Agile development processes (Scrum, Kanban, Lean UX) and how design integrates within these frameworks.

• Accessibility & Inclusion: Demonstrated experience in designing for accessibility (WCAG standards) and understanding of inclusive design principles.

Preferred Skills:

• Service Design & Business Design: Affinity with and experience in applying service design and business design principles to product development.

• Platform Thinking: Understanding of how to design for interconnected products and systems.

• Frontend Technologies: Familiarity with HTML, CSS, React, and React Native to facilitate effective collaboration with engineers and understand technical constraints.

• Brand Strategy & Visual Identity: Experience in developing or working with brand strategy and visual identity systems.

• AI & Emerging Technologies: Interest or experience in leveraging AI and other emerging technologies to enhance product design and user experiences.

• User Testing Tools: Experience with tools such as Useberry, Maze, or UserTesting for validating designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on both "soft skills" (communication, strategy, mentorship) and "hard skills" (tool proficiency, design methodologies) is crucial. The requirement for Dutch and English fluency is a practical consideration for a European digital product studio. The preference for AI/emerging tech experience aligns with the company's stated capabilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5 years of impactful digital product design work, demonstrating end-to-end project ownership.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the "Why" behind each project, including business objectives, user needs, and strategic rationale.

• Detailed examples of problem-solving through thoughtful and elegant user experience design.

• Visual representations of user journeys, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and polished UI designs.

• Documentation of how user research and analytical thinking were used to inform and validate design decisions.

• Examples of contributions to or creation of scalable design systems and adherence to atomic design principles.

• Demonstrations of effective collaboration with engineers and other cross-functional team members.

• Evidence of designing for accessibility and inclusion. Process Documentation:

• Case studies should detail the design process followed for each project, highlighting phases such as discovery, research, ideation, validation, and iteration.

• Showcase the methods used for translating strategic visions into tangible design artifacts.

• Illustrate how design consistency was maintained across multiple products or platforms, potentially through design system documentation.

• Evidence of how user feedback and testing were integrated into the design process for continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior product designer role in a studio environment, the portfolio is paramount. It must not only showcase visual design skills but also strategic thinking, process methodology, and the ability to drive product success from a user-centric perspective. The emphasis on "Why" and "how" is critical for demonstrating impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers in Belgium with 5+ years of experience, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between €60,000 and €85,000 annually, depending on specific experience, skills, and the client project's scope.

Benefits:

• Permanent contract with immediate responsibility and impact.

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and value.

• Comprehensive health coverage: Hospitalisation insurance and Group insurance.

• Daily convenience: Meal vouchers and a phone subscription.

• Mobility: A flexible mobility budget to suit individual commuting preferences.

• Professional development: A dedicated learning and development budget (after six months) for continuous skill enhancement and exploration of new technologies.

• Work-life balance and team engagement: Regular team events to foster connection and enjoyment.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are typically around 40 hours per week, aligning with full-time employment expectations. While the role is on-site, the company culture may allow for some flexibility in daily scheduling, facilitated by strong project management and client communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on general Belgian market data for senior tech roles. Actual compensation will vary. The benefits listed are directly from the job description and are a strong selling point for candidates seeking comprehensive support and professional growth. The "mobility budget" is a notable perk in Belgium.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Product Studio / Technology Consulting. In The Pocket operates within the tech sector, focusing on creating market-defining digital products, strategies, and software for enterprise and government clients across Europe. They leverage AI capabilities to deliver innovative solutions.

Company Size: Approximately 200 employees. This size suggests a balance between having established processes and resources while maintaining agility and a close-knit feel, allowing for significant individual impact.

Founded: The founding date is not explicitly stated, but the description implies a mature, independent European digital product studio with a strong track record.

Team Structure:

• Client project teams are typically small and autonomous, fostering direct collaboration and clear ownership.

• The design function is a distinct practice area, with a growing team where senior members mentor junior colleagues.

• A "4 eye principle" is mentioned, indicating a collaborative review process within design pairs, often with one taking the lead.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, with designers working closely alongside strategists and engineers. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on analytical mindset, critical thinking, and user research to validate designs and drive user-centered solutions.

• Strategic Integration: Connecting product strategy to product execution, with design playing a key role in shaping business decisions.

• Agile Development: Working within Agile frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, and Lean UX.

• User-Centricity: A relentless focus on the end-user as the determinant of success.

• Continuous Improvement: Encouraging sharing of expertise and exploration of new technologies (like AI) to enhance projects and practices.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company positions itself as a premium digital product studio, suggesting a focus on high-quality output and strategic client partnerships rather than high-volume, low-touch projects. The "independent European" aspect implies a pan-European reach and diverse client base.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer. It involves significant autonomy, end-to-end project ownership, strategic contribution, and the responsibility of mentoring junior team members. This level requires not only advanced design skills but also leadership qualities and the ability to influence client and internal stakeholders.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly detailed, senior designers typically report to a Design Lead, Head of Design, or a Studio Director. Within client projects, they will work closely with Project Managers, Strategists, and Engineering Leads, often taking a lead design role within these project teams.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is measured by the success of the digital products designed, directly influencing client business outcomes, user satisfaction, and market competitiveness. Senior designers are expected to connect design decisions to tangible business value and ROI.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into a Lead Product Designer, Design Manager, or specialized roles (e.g., Head of UX, Design Strategist).

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas like AI-driven design, service design, business design, or accessibility, supported by the learning and development budget.

• Mentorship & Practice Growth: Play a key role in shaping the company's design culture, processes, and standards, and developing leadership in mentoring junior talent.

• Client Relationship Management: Evolve into a trusted strategic design partner for key clients.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain deeper insights into business strategy and software engineering through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's structure as a digital product studio inherently offers diverse project experiences, which is a significant growth driver. The emphasis on mentorship and practice growth indicates a commitment to developing internal talent and leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is primarily on-site, indicating a physical office presence in Belgium. This suggests a collaborative workspace designed for team interaction and client meetings.

Office Location(s): The job explicitly states "Belgium." While specific city details are not provided, candidates should expect a professional office environment conducive to focused work and team collaboration. The company also has offices in other European countries, suggesting potential for cross-office interaction or projects.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on teamwork, the "4 eye principle," and close collaboration with strategists and engineers points to an open and interactive workspace.

• Tooling & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools (Figma, Sketch) and prototyping tools is expected. The company's focus on AI and emerging technologies may also mean exposure to cutting-edge tools and platforms.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with design peers, strategists, engineers, and clients, both formally in meetings and informally.

Work Schedule: The standard work week is approximately 40 hours. While on-site, there may be a degree of flexibility in daily start/end times, managed through effective communication and project delivery, which is common in design and consulting roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests that In The Pocket values in-person collaboration for ideation, problem-solving, and client interactions, which are critical in a product studio setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A key stage will involve presenting selected case studies from your portfolio, discussing your design process, strategic thinking, and impact. Be prepared to articulate the "Why" and "How" of your design decisions.

• Skills Assessment: Potential for a practical design exercise or a more in-depth discussion on specific design challenges, problem-solving approaches, and technical proficiencies (e.g., Figma, prototyping).

• Team & Culture Fit: Interviews with potential team members (designers, strategists, engineers) to assess collaboration style, communication, and cultural alignment with In The Pocket's values.

• Final Interview: Discussion with senior leadership to confirm overall fit, strategic alignment, and career aspirations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that demonstrate end-to-end ownership, strategic thinking, and significant impact. Prioritize projects that showcase your ability to solve complex problems.

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study with a clear narrative: the problem/challenge, your role and process, the solutions you designed, the rationale behind your decisions (especially "Why"), and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Include high-quality visuals: user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes (links are ideal), final UI mockups, and any research artifacts that support your process.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction scores, reduced task completion times).

• Highlight Collaboration: Explicitly mention how you collaborated with strategists, engineers, and clients, and how you navigated feedback.

• Address AI/Emerging Tech: If you have relevant experience or insights into AI-driven design or emerging technologies, integrate this into your case studies or be prepared to discuss it.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Thinking Practice: Revisit your problem-solving frameworks and be ready to walk through how you would approach a new, complex digital product challenge.

• Strategic Articulation: Practice explaining the business value and user impact of your design decisions concisely and persuasively.

• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to demonstrate familiarity with key design and prototyping tools, potentially in a live exercise.

• Mentorship Examples: Prepare to discuss how you've mentored junior designers or contributed to team knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on presenting "concepts in a compelling strategic narrative" and connecting design to "business objectives and user needs" is critical for this role. A strong portfolio that showcases this strategic depth will be a significant advantage.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency expected at an expert level.

• Sketch: Another widely used design tool, familiarity is highly valued for compatibility with existing projects or client preferences.

• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency in tools such as Principle, ProtoPie, or Framer for creating interactive prototypes to test user flows and validate design concepts.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Testing Tools: Experience with platforms like Useberry, Maze, or UserTesting.com for gathering user feedback and validating designs.

• Analytics Platforms (Indirect): While not a direct requirement, understanding how to interpret data from platforms like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude is beneficial for user-centered decision-making.

CRM & Automation:

• Design Systems: Experience working with and contributing to scalable design systems and atomic design principles is crucial for maintaining consistency.

• Frontend Technologies (Familiarity): Understanding of HTML, CSS, React, and React Native enables better collaboration with engineering teams and informs design feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core tools are Figma/Sketch and prototyping software. The mention of user testing tools and familiarity with frontend technologies indicates a practical, execution-oriented approach to design, bridging the gap between design and development.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value, with a deep commitment to understanding and serving the end-user's needs. Designs are judged by their success with the user.

• Excellence & Quality: A drive to deliver "best-in-class" product design, focusing on both aesthetic appeal and functional effectiveness.

• Strategic Impact: Connecting design work directly to business objectives and client success, viewing design as a strategic partner.

• Collaboration & Ownership: A culture of shared responsibility, working in pairs, and taking high degrees of ownership for project outcomes.

• Continuous Learning & Innovation: Encouraging exploration of new technologies (AI, emerging tech) and fostering a desire to constantly develop skills.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers, strategists, and engineers work closely together in small, autonomous teams.

• Iterative & Empirically Driven: Design processes are informed by research, testing, and data, leading to iterative improvements.

• Open Communication: Emphasis on clear communication of ideas, opinions, and design decisions, fostering a transparent environment.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: A culture where experienced designers actively mentor peers and contribute to the collective growth of the design practice.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values emphasize a blend of user advocacy, strategic business alignment, and collaborative execution, which are hallmarks of successful digital product studios.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Navigating the inherent tension between delivering optimal user experiences and meeting client business objectives and technical constraints.

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively communicating design rationale and managing feedback from diverse stakeholders with varying priorities.

• Driving Design Adoption in Uncertain Environments: Thriving in ambiguity by designing processes or workshops to bring clarity and ensure design quality is maintained throughout development.

• Keeping Pace with Technological Advancements: Continuously learning and integrating new technologies like AI into design workflows and client solutions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized areas through the dedicated learning budget.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to work on diverse projects for leading European enterprises and governments, offering broad industry exposure.

• Leadership Development: Mentoring junior colleagues provides practical leadership experience and refines communication and guidance skills.

• AI & Emerging Tech Integration: Direct involvement in applying cutting-edge technologies to product design challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior design role in a consulting or studio environment, requiring strong problem-solving and communication skills. The growth opportunities are well-defined, particularly around leadership and specialization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you connected product strategy to product execution. What was your role, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on demonstrating your strategic thinking and impact.)

• "How do you approach understanding and prioritizing user needs versus business objectives in a client project?" (Prepare to discuss your framework for balancing these.)

• "Walk me through how you would design a process or workshop to bring clarity to an ambiguous project." (Showcase your ability to structure and lead in uncertainty.)

• "How do you ensure design consistency and quality when working with multiple products or platforms?" (Discuss your experience with design systems and atomic design.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about In The Pocket's work, particularly our focus on AI and enterprise solutions?" (Research specific projects or areas of their work.)

• "How do you contribute to shaping design culture and mentoring junior colleagues?" (Be ready with specific examples of your mentorship or knowledge-sharing initiatives.)

• "Describe your experience working in Agile development environments. How do you ensure design is well-integrated?" (Highlight your understanding of Agile principles and collaboration.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• The Narrative Arc: For each case study, frame it as a story: the challenge, your approach (research, ideation, design), the solution, and the impact.

• Focus on the 'Why': Clearly articulate the rationale behind your design decisions, linking them to user needs and business goals.

• Demonstrate Process: Show, don't just tell. Include wireframes, prototypes, and visual design examples, and explain the steps you took to arrive at them.

• Quantify Results: Use metrics to demonstrate the success of your work wherever possible.

• Client Collaboration: Be prepared to discuss how you managed client relationships and incorporated their feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to think strategically, communicate effectively, and demonstrate a proven track record of delivering impactful design solutions within a collaborative, client-facing environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight 3-5 projects that best demonstrate your end-to-end design process, strategic thinking, and impact on business outcomes and user experience. Ensure case studies clearly explain the "Why" and "How."

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 5+ years of experience in product design, UX/UI, research, and your proficiency with key tools like Figma and Sketch. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, articulating your strategic rationale, and discussing your collaborative approach. Be ready to discuss your experience with AI and emerging technologies.

• Research In The Pocket: Understand their company values, mission, and the types of projects they undertake. Prepare thoughtful questions about their design practice, culture, and client work.

⚠️ 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.