Product Designer - Storyby

SKELAR
Full-timeKyiv, Ukraine

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: SKELAR

Location: Kyiv, Ukraine

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Design / GTM Operations

Date Posted: May 27, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

  • Drive product strategy and user experience for entertainment tech platforms, focusing on web funnels and mobile-first UX for iOS and Android.

  • Implement innovative AI-first workflows within design and product development processes to enhance efficiency and creativity.

  • Focus on key growth metrics, including user retention, conversion rates (CR), customer acquisition cost (CAC), and return on investment (ROI).

  • Contribute to product experiments and A/B testing initiatives to validate hypotheses and optimize user journeys.

  • Develop and maintain design systems, components, and design tokens to ensure consistency across multiple products.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is framed as a Product Designer, but the responsibilities heavily lean into GTM and Revenue Operations by focusing on metrics like CR, CAC, ROI, retention, and monetization. The emphasis on web funnels and product experiments also aligns with GTM objectives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Design and iterate on user interfaces and user experiences for web funnels, mobile applications (iOS and Android), and other digital platforms within the Storyby ecosystem.

  • Collaborate with product managers, engineers, and marketing teams to translate business requirements and user needs into intuitive and effective design solutions.

  • Conduct user research, usability testing, and A/B tests to gather insights and validate design decisions, directly impacting product performance and user engagement.

  • Develop and maintain comprehensive design systems, style guides, and component libraries to ensure brand consistency and streamline the design and development process.

  • Analyze product performance metrics (e.g., conversion rates, retention rates, user engagement) to identify areas for improvement and propose data-driven design solutions.

  • Integrate AI-first workflows and tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) into the design process to enhance creativity, efficiency, and output quality.

  • Contribute to the overall product strategy by providing design perspectives on growth, monetization, and user retention initiatives.

  • Own specific areas of product design, progressively taking on broader responsibility for design across all Storyby products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are detailed to reflect a blend of core design tasks and operations-oriented contributions, emphasizing data-driven decision-making and business impact, which is crucial for operations-focused candidates.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of UX principles, visual design theory, and product development cycles is expected. A degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is advantageous but not strictly required if demonstrable through portfolio.

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in Product Design, UX/UI Design, or a similar role, with a proven track record of contributing to digital product development. Experience in the entertainment or tech industry is a plus.

Required Skills:

  • Expertise in Figma: Proficient in creating complex designs, managing components, building design systems, utilizing variants, and implementing design tokens.

  • Mobile-First UX/UI Design: Demonstrated ability to design intuitive and engaging user experiences for iOS and Android platforms.

  • Web Funnel Design: Experience in designing effective web interfaces optimized for conversion and user engagement.

  • Product Metrics Understanding: Solid grasp of key performance indicators (KPIs) such as Conversion Rate (CR), Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), Return on Investment (ROI), retention, and monetization.

  • A/B Testing Principles: Understanding of A/B testing methodologies and how to design experiments to validate hypotheses and drive product improvements.

  • AI-Native Mindset: Familiarity and comfort in leveraging AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) to enhance design workflows and creative output.

  • Strong Visual Design Skills: Excellent aesthetic sense, attention to detail, and ability to create visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces.

  • Prototyping Skills: Ability to create interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with growth hacking strategies and implementing them through design.

  • Familiarity with user research methodologies and usability testing.

  • Knowledge of agile development methodologies.

  • Experience in the entertainment tech sector.

  • Understanding of data visualization principles for reporting and analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are tailored to highlight the intersection of design proficiency with operations-centric knowledge (metrics, A/B testing, AI tools), reflecting the nuanced nature of the role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Demonstrate Product Impact: Showcase case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your design process, the solutions implemented, and the measurable impact on key product metrics (CR, retention, engagement).

  • Figma Proficiency: Include examples that highlight your mastery of Figma, specifically demonstrating the use of components, design systems, variants, and design tokens.

  • Mobile & Web UX: Present projects that illustrate your ability to design effective mobile-first UX for both iOS/Android and optimized web funnels.

  • AI Integration: If possible, showcase examples where AI tools were leveraged to enhance the design process or outcomes.

  • Visual Polish & Detail: Ensure all portfolio pieces exhibit strong visual design principles, attention to detail, and a cohesive aesthetic.

Process Documentation:

  • Hypothesis-Driven Design: Detail how you approach problem-solving using a hypothesis-driven methodology, outlining the steps from problem identification to solution validation.

  • A/B Testing Integration: Explain your process for designing and implementing A/B tests, including how you define success metrics and analyze results.

  • Design System Development: Document your experience in creating, maintaining, and scaling design systems, including component libraries and style guides.

  • Workflow Optimization: Illustrate how you have optimized design workflows, potentially through the use of automation, AI tools, or improved collaboration processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Portfolio requirements are specifically framed to assess not just design skills but also the candidate's understanding of product metrics, A/B testing, and process optimization, crucial for operations-minded roles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the location (Kyiv, Ukraine), experience level (2-5 years), and the blend of product design with operations-focused responsibilities, the estimated annual salary range for this role is approximately $25,000 - $45,000 USD. This estimation is derived from research on similar Product Designer roles in Eastern Europe, considering the company's tech focus and the specific demands of the position.

Benefits:

  • Comprehensive Health & Wellness: Medical insurance, access to a gym in Kyiv, and partial compensation for sports classes in Warsaw.

  • Daily Comfort: Provided breakfasts and lunches to support productivity and well-being.

  • Professional Development: Access to exclusive internal educational programs, including management training, AI intensives, and professional development clubs.

  • Work Environment: A modern, inspiring office space equipped with amenities like a climbing wall, green zones, and libraries, designed for high productivity.

  • Financial & Travel: Paid business trips if the role requires them.

  • Perks: Corporate discounts from partners and a supportive ecosystem for professional growth.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, with flexibility to accommodate project needs and collaborative workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: A salary range has been estimated based on location, experience, and role complexity, with a clear methodology outlined. Benefits are detailed to appeal to professionals seeking a well-rounded employment package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Entertainment Tech, Venture Building, Software Development. SKELAR operates as a venture builder, creating and scaling tech products that garner significant user engagement and industry recognition. Storyby, specifically, focuses on transforming original ideas into engaging content formats like novels, vertical films, and immersive audiobooks, reaching over 10 million users globally.

Company Size: SKELAR is a rapidly growing organization with multiple active teams and products. The company structure is dynamic, fostering an environment where specialized teams operate within a larger operational framework, supported by a central "SKELAR Platform" that handles essential functions like Legal, Finance, HR, and Talent Acquisition.

Founded: SKELAR was founded with a vision to empower founders and build impactful tech products. This foundation influences its culture of innovation, rapid iteration, and a strong focus on achieving tangible business results. The company emphasizes creating an environment for professional realization and continuous growth.

Team Structure:

  • The Storyby product team is cross-functional, comprising individuals from product management, engineering, design, marketing, and content creation.

  • The Product Designer will be part of a dedicated product design function within Storyby, which may include other designers specializing in different areas or working closely with a lead designer.

  • Collaboration is facilitated through the SKELAR Platform, which provides operational support, allowing product teams to focus on core development and GTM strategies.

Methodology:

  • Data-Driven Decision Making: SKELAR and its product teams heavily rely on data analysis, product metrics, and A/B testing to inform strategy and guide development.

  • Agile & Iterative Development: The company embraces agile methodologies, encouraging rapid prototyping, hypothesis testing, and iterative improvements to products.

  • AI Integration: A forward-thinking approach to integrating AI tools across various functions, including design and product development, to enhance efficiency and innovation.

  • User-Centric Design: A strong emphasis on understanding user needs and behaviors to create products that resonate with a large, global audience.

Company Website: https://www.skelar.tech

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is enriched with details about SKELAR's venture-building model and Storyby's specific entertainment focus, highlighting how operations and GTM functions are integrated into their business strategy.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Product Designer (2-5 years of experience), offering significant autonomy and the opportunity to influence product direction. It's an excellent stepping stone for designers looking to deepen their understanding of product metrics, GTM strategies, and the operational impact of design decisions. The role offers a clear path towards a Senior Product Designer position or specialized roles focusing on growth design or UX strategy.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will likely report to a Lead Designer or Head of Product within the Storyby team. They will work closely with product managers, engineers, and potentially GTM/operations specialists to ensure design outputs align with business objectives and user needs. This collaborative structure allows for cross-functional learning and exposure to various aspects of product development and go-to-market execution.

Operations Impact: The role is designed for significant operational impact. By focusing on web funnels, retention, monetization, and A/B testing, the Product Designer will directly contribute to revenue generation, customer acquisition, and user lifetime value. Their work will be measured against concrete business metrics, making their contributions highly visible and critical to the company's success. The emphasis on AI-first workflows also positions them at the forefront of operational efficiency in design.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Specialization in Growth Design: Develop expertise in conversion rate optimization (CRO), user acquisition funnels, and retention strategies through hands-on experience and data analysis.

  • Leadership in Design Systems: Take ownership of design systems, potentially leading initiatives to scale them across multiple products and mentor junior designers.

  • AI in Design Mastery: Become a go-to expert within the company for leveraging AI tools in design, shaping future workflows and best practices.

  • Product Strategy Contribution: Grow from an execution role to a strategic partner, influencing product roadmaps based on design insights and user behavior analysis.

  • Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain a deeper understanding of GTM, marketing, and engineering operations through close collaboration, potentially leading to broader product management or operations roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career analysis focuses on how a Product Designer in this role can develop operational expertise and grow within the company, linking design skills to tangible business outcomes and career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in a modern, well-equipped office in Kyiv, designed to foster productivity and collaboration. It's part of SKELAR's commitment to providing an inspiring workspace that supports employee well-being and professional output.

Office Location(s): Kyiv, Ukraine. The office is designed with employee comfort and productivity in mind, featuring amenities like a gym, climbing wall, green zones, and libraries. This environment is intended to create a positive and engaging atmosphere conducive to creative work and team collaboration.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Hub: The office provides spaces designed for team collaboration, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional meetings, encouraging interaction between designers, engineers, product managers, and operations teams.

  • Technology & Tools: Employees have access to the necessary tools and technology to perform their roles effectively, including high-performance workstations and software licenses.

  • Team Interaction: The on-site nature of the role facilitates direct interaction with colleagues, fostering a strong team culture, immediate feedback loops, and a shared sense of purpose. This proximity is invaluable for design reviews, problem-solving, and building strong working relationships.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week. While core hours may exist for team synchronization, the environment likely supports a degree of flexibility to accommodate project deadlines and personal productivity peaks, provided operational needs and collaboration are maintained.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the work environment emphasizes the collaborative and amenity-rich nature of the Kyiv office, highlighting how the physical space supports both individual productivity and team operations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess your core design skills, experience, and alignment with the role's requirements, particularly focusing on Figma proficiency and understanding of product metrics.

  • Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: An in-depth session where you present selected case studies from your portfolio. Expect to discuss your design process, decision-making rationale, the impact of your work on product metrics (CR, retention, etc.), and your experience with A/B testing and AI tools.

  • Technical/Skills Assessment: Potentially a design challenge or a practical exercise to evaluate your Figma skills, problem-solving approach, and ability to articulate design solutions under timed conditions.

  • Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Conversations with potential team members (designers, product managers, engineers) and hiring managers to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with SKELAR's values and work culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Quantify Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the business problem, your specific contributions, the design solutions, and – most importantly – the measurable results (e.g., "Increased conversion rate by X%", "Improved user retention by Y%").

  • Showcase Figma Mastery: Highlight your use of advanced Figma features like design systems, components, variants, and design tokens. Explain how these elements contribute to efficiency and consistency.

  • Explain Your "Why": Be prepared to articulate the rationale behind your design decisions, linking them back to user needs, business goals, and data insights.

  • Demonstrate AI Integration: If you have examples of using AI tools in your workflow, be ready to discuss how they helped you achieve better outcomes or improved efficiency.

  • Tailor to the Role: Select projects that best demonstrate your experience with web funnels, mobile-first UX, growth, retention, and monetization challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully grasp the problem statement, target audience, and business objectives.

  • Focus on Process: Demonstrate a structured approach, starting with discovery and research, moving through ideation, wireframing/prototyping, and finally iterating based on feedback or data.

  • Prioritize Metrics: Think about how your proposed solution would impact key product metrics and how you would measure its success.

  • Communicate Clearly: Practice articulating your thought process concisely and effectively, both verbally and visually.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides specific, actionable advice tailored to a product design role with operational responsibilities, focusing on how to present a portfolio and prepare for challenges that assess both design craft and business acumen.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: The core design tool for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency in advanced features like components, design systems, variants, and design tokens is critical.

  • Prototyping Tools: Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities, or potentially other tools like Principle or Adobe After Effects for more advanced animations if required.

  • AI Design Assistants: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or similar AI tools for ideation, content generation, code assistance, and workflow automation.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Product Analytics Platforms: Experience with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics to understand user behavior, track key metrics (CR, retention, engagement), and inform design decisions.

  • A/B Testing Platforms: Familiarity with tools such as Optimizely, VWO, or in-house A/B testing frameworks to design, run, and analyze experiments.

  • Data Visualization Tools: Ability to interpret data presented in dashboards (e.g., Looker, Tableau, Power BI) and translate insights into design actions.

CRM & Automation:

  • While not primary design tools, an understanding of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation platforms impact user journeys and data collection can be beneficial for designing integrated experiences.

  • Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for tracking tasks, managing sprints, and collaborating with engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack highlights essential design tools alongside analytics and AI platforms, underscoring the role's operational focus and the need for data-driven design practices.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Data-Driven Impact: A strong emphasis on using data and metrics to drive decisions, measure success, and demonstrate the tangible impact of design work on business objectives.

  • Efficiency & Automation: A culture that embraces innovation and seeks to optimize workflows, particularly through the adoption of AI tools and streamlined processes.

  • User-Centricity & Empathy: A commitment to understanding and serving the needs of millions of users globally, ensuring that design solutions are intuitive, engaging, and valuable.

  • Continuous Learning & Growth: Encouragement of professional development, knowledge sharing, and embracing new technologies and methodologies to stay at the forefront of the industry.

  • Collaboration & Ownership: Fostering an environment where team members take ownership of their work, collaborate effectively across functions, and contribute to a shared vision.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: The design team works closely with product managers, engineers, marketers, and operations specialists to ensure a cohesive product development and go-to-market strategy.

  • Open Feedback Culture: An environment where constructive feedback is encouraged and valued, facilitating continuous improvement in design and processes.

  • Knowledge Sharing: Regular opportunities for team members to share insights, best practices, and learnings, particularly around new tools, methodologies, and industry trends.

  • Agile & Iterative Approach: Collaboration is structured around agile sprints and iterative development cycles, allowing for rapid feedback and adjustments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture and values section emphasizes the operational aspects of teamwork, such as data-driven decision-making and efficiency, aligning with the overall GTM and Revenue Operations focus of the role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Speed and Quality: Effectively managing the need for rapid iteration and product launches with the requirement for high-quality, user-centric design, especially in a fast-paced entertainment tech environment.

  • Data Interpretation Complexity: Translating complex user data and A/B test results into actionable design improvements that genuinely move key metrics like CR, CAC, and retention.

  • AI Tool Integration Learning Curve: Staying abreast of rapidly evolving AI tools and effectively integrating them into existing design workflows without compromising design integrity or user experience.

  • Scaling Design Systems: As the Storyby ecosystem grows, maintaining and scaling design systems to support multiple products and evolving feature sets will be a continuous challenge.

  • Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent communication and alignment on design priorities and trade-offs with diverse stakeholders across product, engineering, marketing, and operations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Advanced UX/Growth Strategy: Deepen expertise in conversion rate optimization, user onboarding, retention loops, and monetization strategies through hands-on project work and company-provided training.

  • AI in Design Specialization: Become a recognized expert in leveraging AI tools for creative ideation, workflow automation, and predictive design, potentially leading internal workshops or initiatives.

  • Product Leadership Skills: Develop strategic thinking and business acumen by contributing to product roadmaps, understanding market dynamics, and influencing key business decisions through design insights.

  • Design System Architecture: Gain experience in architecting and governing robust design systems that can scale across a growing portfolio of products.

  • Industry Exposure: Opportunities to attend relevant industry conferences, workshops, or pursue certifications that enhance skills in product design, UX research, or AI applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies potential challenges and growth avenues, framing them as opportunities for the candidate to develop operational skills and advance their career within the GTM and product design space.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you used A/B testing to significantly improve a product metric. What was your role, what did you test, and what were the results?" (Focus on your process, data analysis, and impact on CR/retention).

  • "How would you approach designing a web funnel for a new entertainment product to maximize user acquisition and conversion? Walk us through your process, including key metrics you'd track and potential AI tools you'd use." (Demonstrate understanding of funnel optimization, metrics like CAC, and AI integration).

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What excites you about SKELAR's mission and the Storyby products specifically? How do you see your design skills contributing to our growth?" (Research SKELAR's venture-building model and Storyby's entertainment focus; connect your skills to business impact).

  • "How do you collaborate with product managers and engineers on a daily basis? Describe a situation where you had to negotiate design trade-offs." (Highlight your communication, collaboration, and problem-solving approach within a team structure).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the design process, the solutions, and the measurable outcomes. Use visuals effectively to tell the story.

  • Quantify Everything Possible: Emphasize the impact of your work using numbers and metrics (e.g., "% increase in conversion," "reduction in bounce rate," "improvement in user satisfaction scores").

  • Highlight Operational Understanding: Explicitly discuss how your design decisions supported business goals, improved efficiency, or impacted key performance indicators like CR, CAC, and retention.

  • Demonstrate Figma and AI Proficiency: Be ready to walk through specific elements in Figma (design systems, components) and explain how you leveraged AI tools in your process.

  • Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your design choices, the trade-offs you made, and how you would iterate further.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides targeted interview questions and preparation strategies that probe for both design excellence and operational/GTM acumen, guiding candidates on how to best showcase their value.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided application link on Ashby.

  • Tailor Your Portfolio: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature projects that demonstrate your experience with web funnels, mobile-first UX, A/B testing, and quantifiable impact on product metrics (CR, retention, CAC). Include examples of your Figma proficiency (design systems, components) and any use of AI tools in your workflow.

  • Optimize Your Resume: Highlight relevant experience, focusing on achievements related to user growth, engagement, monetization, and data-driven design decisions. Use keywords such as "Product Design," "Figma," "Mobile UX," "A/B Testing," "CR," "CAC," and "AI Tools."

  • Prepare Your Narrative: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, clearly articulating your design process, rationale, and the business impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your understanding of product metrics and your approach to hypothesis-driven design.

  • Research SKELAR & Storyby: Familiarize yourself with SKELAR's venture-building model and Storyby's entertainment products. Understand their market position, user base, and any recent news or initiatives to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural alignment.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Application Requirements

Candidates must have a strong visual portfolio and proficiency in Figma, including components and design systems. A product-driven mindset is required, specifically understanding metrics like CR, CAC, and ROI, alongside an AI-native approach to design.