Senior Product Designer - Digital Relive

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer - Digital Relive

Company: Polarsteps

Location: Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlands

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design (with GTM implications)

Date Posted: 2026-09-03

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design vision and execution for the "Digital Relive" product pillar, focusing on enhancing user trip documentation and sharing experiences.

• Drive the full product lifecycle from concept ideation through prototyping, user testing, and iterative refinement based on data and design reviews.

• Develop and evolve visual and motion language for shareable digital artifacts like Trip Reels and Map Video, ensuring brand consistency and innovation.

• Foster a collaborative design environment, actively seeking and providing feedback to ensure high-quality, user-centric design outcomes.

• Translate complex design concepts into clear, actionable technical requirements for developers, ensuring precise implementation of visual and motion elements.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Product Designer," its focus on shareable trip formats and integration with social platforms implies a strong connection to Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies. The success of these features directly impacts user acquisition, engagement, and organic growth through social sharing, making this a hybrid design and GTM-influencing role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the design strategy for the "Digital Relive" team, conceptualizing and developing innovative features for users to document and share their travel experiences.

• Create high-fidelity, motion-rich prototypes using tools like After Effects, Principle, or Protopie to effectively communicate design intent and user experience.

• Conduct user testing and analyze share-rate data to inform design decisions and drive continuous improvement of shareable trip formats.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers to define product roadmaps and with engineers to ensure seamless implementation of design specifications, paying meticulous attention to visual detail and motion accuracy.

• Contribute to the evolution of Polarsteps' design and brand guidelines, particularly in defining new visual and motion language for digital artifacts intended for social sharing.

• Proactively engage with cross-functional teams, including marketing and growth, to ensure design outputs align with GTM objectives and enhance user engagement through social channels.

• Design for native mobile applications, ensuring a consistent and delightful user experience across iOS and Android platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "show developers exactly what you mean through visual examples and motion prototypes" and to "translate your motion and visual concepts into technical requirements" highlights a critical need for strong communication and collaboration skills, essential for bridging the gap between design and development in an agile environment. This also implies a need to understand technical constraints and possibilities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of design principles, user-centered design methodologies, and visual communication is expected, often gained through formal education or equivalent professional experience.

Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in product design, with a significant focus on visually-driven products and mobile application design.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience (5+ years) in designing visually engaging and user-loved digital products.

• Strong portfolio showcasing shipped work with a heavy emphasis on visual design: typography, motion, layout, and storytelling.

• Hands-on expertise with motion design and video prototyping tools such as After Effects, Premiere, Principle, or Protopie.

• Proficient in UX/service design principles and their application to mobile user flows and data surfacing.

• Demonstrated experience designing for native mobile applications (iOS and Android).

• Proficiency in design tools like Figma.

• Ability to create compelling visual examples and motion prototypes to guide development teams.

• Experience working within an agile development environment with a focus on incremental iteration. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for or around social platforms (e.g., Instagram, TikTok) and understanding of social sharing dynamics.

• A keen "feel for social" and an understanding of how designs will perform and be perceived on social media.

• Familiarity with user research methodologies and A/B testing for design optimization.

• Experience in defining and evolving design systems and brand guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that "leans heavily visual: typography, motion, layout, and storytelling, not just UX flows" indicates a preference for designers with a strong aesthetic sensibility and the ability to translate brand identity into engaging user experiences, particularly for shareable content.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio that clearly demonstrates shipped products and the impact of your design contributions.

• Emphasis on visual design: showcase examples of typography, layout, color theory, and brand integration.

• Detailed case studies on projects involving motion graphics, animation, and video prototyping, illustrating the transition from concept to implemented feature.

• Projects that highlight your ability to translate user needs and business goals into elegant and effective design solutions for mobile applications.

• Evidence of your process in iterating on designs based on user feedback, A/B test results, and quantitative data (e.g., share rates). Process Documentation:

• Showcase your approach to the full product lifecycle, from initial concept and ideation through to detailed design and developer handoff.

• Examples of how you collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers, including documentation of technical requirements derived from design specifications.

• Demonstrate your methodology for conducting user research, usability testing, and incorporating findings into design iterations.

• Illustrate your process for defining and maintaining visual and motion language, ensuring consistency across shareable digital artifacts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio that emphasizes "motion and storytelling" and includes "shipped work" suggests that candidates should be prepared to present concrete examples of their contributions to features that have been released to users and have demonstrated measurable impact, particularly in terms of user engagement and social sharing.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Between EUR 75,000 - 90,000 gross per year, including an 8% holiday allowance, based on a 40-hour work week. The specific placement within this range will be determined by the candidate's experience and skills, as assessed during the interview process.

Benefits:

• Equity: Participation in the Polarsteps SAR Plan.

• Travel Perks: A yearly free flight or train ride to a random location via the Polarsteps Teleporter.

• Hardware: A new MacBook provided for work.

• Work Arrangement: Hybrid model requiring 2 days per week in the Amsterdam office, offering flexibility.

• Home Office: Extensive home office setup, including noise-canceling headphones and a standing desk.

• Time Off: 30 days of vacation per year.

• Cultural Recognition: Two paid Culture Days for personal significant dates.

• International Work: Option to work from another country for up to 8 weeks annually.

• Professional Development: A personal development budget for learning and skill enhancement.

• Retirement: A pension plan to support long-term financial planning.

• Daily Perks: Delicious daily team lunches provided at the office.

• Social Events: Awesome monthly parties and team trips.

• Office Environment: A lively office in downtown Amsterdam with reimbursed travel costs.

• Company Merchandise: Free Polarsteps Travel Books.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement allowing for flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Senior Product Designer role in Amsterdam. The comprehensive benefits package, particularly the travel perks, international work option, and focus on personal development, strongly aligns with the company's "Citizens of The World" ethos and appeals to professionals who value work-life integration and global experiences.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Travel Technology / Consumer Mobile Applications. Polarsteps operates within the rapidly evolving digital travel space, leveraging technology to enhance the planning, tracking, and reliving of travel experiences.

Company Size: 95+ employees. This size suggests a dynamic, growing company with a relatively flat hierarchy, allowing for significant individual impact and cross-functional collaboration.

Founded: Polarsteps was founded with the mission to change the way people travel, aiming to make travel experiences more seamless and memorable through smart technology.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team is described as "small" but consisting of "like-minded design enthusiasts" who are highly collaborative and detail-oriented.

• Designers work closely with Product Managers and Developers, indicating a cross-functional, agile team structure.

• Design is deeply embedded in the company's DNA, with everyone caring about design, suggesting a culture that values user experience and aesthetic quality across all departments. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Iteration is based on "design reviews, user testing, and share-rate data," indicating a strong reliance on quantitative and qualitative feedback.

• Agile Development: Work is conducted in an agile team environment that "moves fast and iterates incrementally."

• Collaborative Ideation: Ideas are welcomed "from anyone," fostering an inclusive environment for innovation and problem-solving.

Company Website: https://careers.polarsteps.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by a passion for travel, a strong emphasis on design quality, a collaborative and inclusive work environment, and a fast-paced, iterative approach to product development. This is a key differentiator for attracting talent who are motivated by impact and a shared mission.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Product Designer. This level signifies a mid-to-senior career stage, requiring independent ownership of design initiatives, mentorship potential, and the ability to influence product strategy through design. The role focuses on leading the design for a specific product pillar ("Digital Relive").

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will work closely with Product Managers and developers. While not explicitly stated, they likely report to a Head of Design or a Design Lead, operating within a cross-functional product team.

Operations Impact: The design of "Digital Relive" features directly impacts user engagement, retention, and organic growth through social sharing. Successful designs can lead to increased app usage, higher user satisfaction, and broader brand visibility, contributing significantly to the company's Go-To-Market objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership: Opportunity to lead design for a key product pillar and influence the future direction of "Digital Relive" features.

• Skill Development: Deepen expertise in motion design, visual storytelling, and designing for social platforms, with a personal development budget to support further learning.

• Career Advancement: Potential to grow into a Design Lead or Managerial role within Polarsteps as the company and design team expand.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience collaborating across product, engineering, and potentially marketing/growth teams, broadening understanding of the product development lifecycle and GTM strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within a specialized area of product design, with opportunities to take on more ownership and influence. The company's culture of encouraging ideas from anyone also suggests a meritocratic environment where strong performers can advance.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid model, combining office-based work with remote flexibility. The office is described as "lively" and located in downtown Amsterdam.

Office Location(s): Downtown Amsterdam, Netherlands. This central location is likely accessible via public transport, with travel costs reimbursed.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office serves as a central point for in-person collaboration, team lunches, parties, and team trips, fostering strong team cohesion.

• Tools & Technology: Employees receive a new MacBook and access to extensive home office setups, ensuring productivity regardless of location. The design team utilizes industry-standard tools like Figma, After Effects, etc.

• Team Interaction: The 2-day-per-week office requirement is designed to ensure meaningful in-person connection and facilitate spontaneous collaboration among team members.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is implied, with the hybrid arrangement offering flexibility in terms of location and potentially daily scheduling within those hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is structured to balance the benefits of in-office collaboration and connection with the flexibility of remote work, catering to modern professional expectations. The emphasis on "meaningfully connected in person" suggests a deliberate approach to fostering team culture.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application, resume, and portfolio for alignment with required skills and experience.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, design process, and impact, with a focus on visual design, motion, and storytelling.

• Skills Assessment: Technical interviews may involve design challenges or discussions focused on problem-solving, prototyping, and translating concepts into technical requirements.

• Team/Culture Fit: Interviews with Product Managers, Developers, and potentially other designers to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural alignment.

• Final Interview: Likely with senior leadership to discuss overall fit and strategic contributions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Visual Craft: Ensure your portfolio prominently features examples of strong typography, layout, color usage, and overall aesthetic appeal.

• Showcase Motion Expertise: Dedicate sections to motion design projects, detailing your process from concept to execution, and demonstrating the impact of animation on user experience.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your design process, your specific contributions, the challenges faced, and the measurable outcomes (e.g., increased share rates, user engagement).

• Focus on "Digital Relive" Relevance: Tailor your presentation to highlight projects that involve creating engaging, shareable content or features that enhance user storytelling.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Be prepared to discuss how you work with Product Managers and Engineers, and how you translate design into actionable developer tasks.

Challenge Preparation:

• Motion & Prototyping: Be ready to discuss or demonstrate your approach to creating motion prototypes and translating them into developer-friendly specifications.

• Visual Design Principles: Prepare to articulate your rationale behind design choices related to layout, typography, and visual hierarchy.

• Problem-Solving: Anticipate scenarios where you might be asked to solve a design problem related to trip sharing or reliving experiences, focusing on a user-centered and data-informed approach.

• Agile Workflow: Understand and be able to discuss how you operate within an agile framework, including iterative design and feedback loops.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strong portfolio, with shipped work, that leans heavily visual: typography, motion, layout, and storytelling" means candidates should curate their portfolios to explicitly showcase these strengths. Expect interviewers to probe deeply into the "why" behind design decisions and the impact of those decisions.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design: Figma (primary tool for UI design and collaboration).

• Prototyping & Motion: After Effects, Principle, Protopie (for creating motion prototypes and visual examples).

• Video Editing: Premiere (for potential video asset creation or refinement).

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Data Analysis: While not explicitly named, the role requires working with "share-rate data" and user testing feedback, implying familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics) or the ability to interpret data provided by Product Managers.

• Performance Tracking: Understanding how to design features that are measurable and contribute to key performance indicators (KPIs) like user engagement and sharing.

CRM & Automation: Not directly relevant to this design role, but understanding how user data flows and is managed within the broader product ecosystem is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a baseline requirement. The emphasis on motion and video tools (After Effects, Principle, Protopie) is a key differentiator for this role, indicating a need for designers who can not only create static interfaces but also bring them to life with dynamic animations and rich visual storytelling.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Design Excellence: A deep appreciation for craft, detail, and aesthetic quality in all product outputs.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and mutual support within the design team and with cross-functional partners.

• User-Centricity: A commitment to understanding and serving the needs of travelers through thoughtful and intuitive design.

• Innovation & Speed: A culture that encourages new ideas, moves fast, and embraces iterative development to achieve ambitious goals.

• Global Perspective: A celebration of diversity and a mission to connect people through shared travel experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers work hand-in-hand with Product Managers and Developers, ensuring design is integrated into the entire product development process.

• Feedback Culture: Designers are expected to "proactively ask for and share feedback," fostering an environment of continuous learning and improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: The small, collaborative team structure likely facilitates informal knowledge sharing and mentorship opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values align closely with the description of the design team's dynamic: passionate, detail-oriented, collaborative, and driven by a mission to improve travel experiences. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how their personal values and work style resonate with these principles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Visual Storytelling with UX: Effectively integrating rich visual and motion elements without compromising usability or app performance.

• Evolving Design Language: Continuously developing and maintaining a fresh, engaging visual and motion language for shareable content in a competitive social landscape.

• Translating Concepts to Code: Ensuring precise implementation of complex motion and visual designs by developers, requiring strong communication and technical understanding.

• Rapid Iteration: Adapting to a fast-paced, agile environment that requires quick turnarounds and continuous refinement of designs based on data and feedback.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Motion & Visual Design Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced animation techniques and visual storytelling for digital products.

• Social Media Design Integration: Gain practical experience designing for social sharing and understanding platform-specific best practices.

• Product Strategy Influence: Contribute significantly to the strategy and roadmap of the "Digital Relive" product pillar.

• Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior designers or be mentored by senior members of the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to roles that bridge creative design with technical implementation and user engagement metrics. The growth opportunities are directly tied to developing specialized skills in motion and visual design within a GTM context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a new shareable trip format from concept to launch. How do you incorporate motion and visual storytelling?"

• "How would you approach evolving the visual and motion language for our 'Trip Reels' feature to make it more engaging for platforms like Instagram and TikTok?"

• "Imagine you've identified a drop in share rates for a specific feature. How would you use design to investigate and potentially improve this metric?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Polarsteps' mission to change the way people travel?"

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative design environment, especially when working with Product Managers and Developers?"

• "Describe a time you received critical design feedback and how you incorporated it into your work." Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by projects, clearly labeling each with the problem, your role, the solution, and the impact. For this role, prioritize visually rich projects.

• Motion Deep Dive: For relevant projects, prepare to walk through the motion design process, showing early concepts, prototypes, and final implementations. Explain the rationale behind animation choices.

• Data & Impact: Quantify the impact of your designs whenever possible (e.g., "Increased user engagement by X%," "Contributed to a Y% rise in shares").

• Storytelling: Frame your project presentations as narratives, highlighting challenges, your problem-solving approach, and the successful outcome.

• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with Figma, After Effects, Principle, or Protopie, and how you use them to achieve specific design goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a strong understanding of how design directly impacts user behavior, engagement, and ultimately, the company's growth. Be prepared to articulate the "why" behind your design decisions and their measurable impact, especially concerning shareability and visual appeal.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your visual design, motion graphics, and storytelling skills, with a particular emphasis on mobile app design and shareable content.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of relevant experience, specific design tools proficiency (Figma, After Effects, etc.), and achievements related to visual-driven products and user engagement.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work, especially for motion and visual storytelling elements.

• Research Polarsteps: Familiarize yourself with the Polarsteps app, its features, and its brand identity. Understand their mission and how the "Digital Relive" team contributes to it.

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

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