Senior UX/UI Designer (AI Systems)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI Designer (AI Systems)

Company: DEPT®

Location: Toronto, ON, Canada

Job Type: Contract (6-month fixed term, with likelihood of extension)

Category: UX/UI Design, AI Systems Design

Date Posted: May 22, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Focus on designing complex AI platforms, integrating UX and UI practices for intuitive user interaction with advanced systems.

• Develop and maintain scalable design systems and visual frameworks for AI-driven products, ensuring brand consistency and functional logic.

• Create high-fidelity visual designs and motion-based prototypes to define interaction patterns and system feedback mechanisms.

• Lead design projects from inception to completion, collaborating closely with engineering teams for precise implementation of UI and motion elements.

• Mentor junior and mid-weight designers, upholding high standards of craft and execution within the Global Studios team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on the design of AI systems, a niche within UX/UI that requires a deep understanding of complex technical interfaces and data-driven interactions. The "Global Studios" team suggests a focus on high-craft, client-facing digital product development for large tech companies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the creation of comprehensive, scalable design systems and frameworks tailored for AI-driven product ecosystems.

• Develop high-fidelity visual design systems that seamlessly blend brand identity with sophisticated user experience principles for AI applications.

• Design and implement motion-based prototypes to clearly articulate interaction patterns, system feedback, and the dynamic nature of AI interfaces.

• Take full end-to-end ownership of design projects, managing the entire lifecycle from initial concept ideation through to final asset delivery and developer handoff.

• Collaborate intimately with software developers to ensure that intricate motion graphics and UI details are implemented with pixel-perfect accuracy and adherence to design intent.

• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior and mid-weight designers, fostering a culture of high craft, attention to detail, and consistent design quality across the team.

• Lead client workshops, facilitating collaborative design sessions and effectively presenting design rationale and logic to diverse project stakeholders, including technical and business audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "AI-driven products," "complex AI platforms," and "motion-based prototypes" indicates a need for designers who can translate abstract AI functionalities into tangible, user-friendly interfaces. The responsibility for "full ownership" and "mentoring" suggests a senior-level individual contributor role with leadership potential within projects.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is implicitly expected, demonstrated through portfolio and experience.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of dedicated digital design experience, with a significant portion ideally gained within a fast-paced agency environment that serves large technology clients.

Required Skills:

• A robust portfolio showcasing multidisciplinary expertise in UI Design, Systems Design, and Art Direction, with a clear focus on complex digital products.

• Advanced proficiency in Figma for building and managing comprehensive design frameworks and design systems.

• Strong motion design capabilities, demonstrated through expert use of tools such as After Effects, Lottie, or advanced Figma animation features.

• Proven track record of creating digital products that effectively balance high aesthetic quality with robust functional logic, particularly in technical or data-intensive domains.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex design projects concurrently, consistently meeting rigorous deadlines and client expectations.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for AI platforms, machine learning interfaces, or data visualization tools.

• Illustration skills that can enhance visual communication and product aesthetics.

• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies and cross-functional team workflows.

• Experience with user research and usability testing to inform design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "5+ years of digital design experience" and the mention of "complex AI platforms" suggest that candidates with prior experience in enterprise software, SaaS, or advanced technology interfaces will be highly regarded. The specific mention of Figma, After Effects, and Lottie points to a need for hands-on technical design skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 complex digital product case studies, with at least one specifically detailing work on AI-related systems or platforms.

• Clearly articulate your role and contributions within each project, emphasizing your process from problem definition to final solution.

• Demonstrate expertise in building and maintaining scalable design systems, including examples of components, guidelines, and their application.

• Highlight your proficiency in motion design, providing examples of animated prototypes or interactive elements that enhance user experience and system feedback.

Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to user-centered design, including user research, persona development, and journey mapping where applicable.

• Illustrate your methodology for translating complex requirements into intuitive user flows and wireframes.

• Provide examples of how you collaborate with developers and product managers to ensure design integrity and successful implementation.

• Showcase how you iterate on designs based on feedback, testing, and evolving project requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this specific role, a portfolio demonstrating experience with complex systems and potentially AI interfaces is critical. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their process for building design systems and how they ensure technical feasibility and precise implementation of motion and UI elements.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $85,000 – $110,000 CAD. This range is based on relevant experience, expertise, and the overall impact an individual can bring to the organization.

Benefits:

• Contractual Flexibility: 6-month fixed-term contract with a strong likelihood of extension, offering a defined period of engagement with potential for continuity.

• Work-Life Balance: Flexible, hybrid/remote working policy to accommodate personal needs and promote well-being.

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive mental health support and a company sick pay scheme for peace of mind.

• Leave Entitlement: 15 days of paid annual holiday, in addition to public holidays, ensuring ample time for rest and rejuvenation.

• Office Amenities: Refreshments provided in the office throughout the week, fostering a comfortable and productive work environment.

• Family Support: Enhanced family-friendly policies designed to support new parents.

• Professional Development: Continuous learning and development opportunities, including inspirational talks from guest speakers and access to training and certifications.

• Onboarding Support: A dedicated Buddy Programme to assist new hires during their initial weeks.

Working Hours: While specific hours are not detailed, a standard full-time work week (approximately 40 hours) is expected. The hybrid policy suggests flexibility in managing work hours within this framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to Toronto, Canada, and aligns with senior-level design roles in the tech and agency sector. The benefits package, while standard for a contract role, includes notable elements like mental health support, enhanced family policies, and strong learning and development opportunities, reflecting DEPT®'s commitment to employee well-being and growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: DEPT® operates at the intersection of technology and marketing, functioning as a "Growth Invention" company. Their services span Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data, positioning them as a full-service digital agency with a strong tech focus. They are a Certified B Corp and Climate Neutral, indicating a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.

Company Size: DEPT® is a large global organization with over 4,000 specialists, indicating a robust infrastructure, diverse talent pool, and the capacity for large-scale client projects.

Founded: DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp since 2021 and has a history of receiving industry recognition, such as "Agency of the Year" at The Lovies and The Webby Awards. This suggests a culture that values innovation, craft, and impact.

Team Structure: This role is part of the "Global Studios" team, a specialized department focused on building "best-in-class digital experiences" and "exceptional craft" for major tech clients. This implies a high-performing, dedicated team likely structured around project-based work, with clear reporting lines within project teams and to design leadership.

Methodology: DEPT® emphasizes being "first to move," "partner-led," and operating at the intersection of technology and marketing. Their culture is built on values of "better together," "relentlessly curious," and "get sh*t done." This suggests a collaborative, agile, and results-oriented approach to project delivery.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: DEPT®'s positioning as a "Growth Invention" company and their B Corp status suggest a culture that is both innovative and purpose-driven. The "Global Studios" team implies a focus on high-quality, client-facing work, likely involving close collaboration with major tech players and a strong emphasis on design excellence.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior level position, indicating a need for seasoned professionals with significant experience in UX/UI design, particularly within complex systems and AI. The role involves not only individual contribution but also leadership through mentorship and client engagement.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly detailed, as a Senior Designer, this individual would likely report to a Design Director or Lead within the Global Studios team. They will also collaborate closely with Project Managers, Developers, and client stakeholders.

Operations Impact: The Senior Designer's impact will be directly tied to the success of AI-driven digital products launched for DEPT®'s high-profile tech clients. This includes shaping user experiences, ensuring successful product adoption, and contributing to the client's growth objectives through exceptional design craft and strategic thinking.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI systems design, advanced interaction patterns, and complex design system architecture.

• Leadership Development: Gain experience in mentoring junior designers and leading client workshops, building leadership and client management skills.

• Project Variety: Work on diverse projects for leading global tech companies, expanding portfolio and industry exposure.

• Career Advancement: Potential for advancement to Lead Designer or Design Director roles within DEPT®, or to specialized AI/ML design positions.

• Continuous Learning: Access to DEPT®'s learning and development programs, inspirational talks, and certifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The contract nature of this role offers a focused opportunity to gain specialized experience in AI design. While direct permanent career progression might be tied to future contract extensions or permanent openings, the skills and experience gained are highly transferable and valuable in the current tech landscape.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Toronto and operates on a hybrid model. This suggests access to a physical office space that supports collaboration and in-person client interactions, balanced with the flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s): Toronto, ON, Canada. Specific office details or accessibility information would typically be provided during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment likely facilitates team collaboration, brainstorming sessions, and in-person client presentations, fostering a dynamic atmosphere.

• Technology & Tools: Access to standard design software, high-performance workstations, and potentially specialized tools used for AI development and visualization.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with designers, developers, project managers, and other creative professionals within the Global Studios team and the broader DEPT® organization.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time work schedule (approx. 40 hours/week) is expected. The hybrid arrangement allows for a blend of in-office and remote days, offering flexibility in structuring the work week to optimize productivity and personal balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in Toronto suggests a modern work environment that values both in-person collaboration and employee flexibility. For a Senior Designer, the office space would likely be equipped to support creative work, client meetings, and team synergy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the role requirements, particularly experience with complex systems and AI.

• Portfolio Presentation: A session where you will present your portfolio, focusing on case studies that highlight your UI/UX, systems design, and art direction skills, especially those related to AI platforms. Be prepared to discuss your design process, decision-making, and contributions.

• Design Challenge/Technical Interview: Potentially a practical exercise or discussion focused on problem-solving for AI interfaces, design system thinking, or motion design implementation.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Discussions with potential team members and leadership to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with DEPT®'s values (better together, relentlessly curious, get sh*t done).

• Client Stakeholder Discussion: Depending on the project, there might be an opportunity to discuss your approach to client interactions and presentations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects, ensuring at least one demonstrates experience with complex systems or AI. Tailor your selection to highlight UI, systems design, and art direction.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process, the challenges, your solutions, and the impact or outcomes. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your design methodology, how you approach problem-solving, your collaboration with developers, and your rationale behind design decisions.

• Showcase Systems & Motion: Dedicate specific sections or examples to your experience with design systems and motion design, detailing your approach and tools used.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success of your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate AI Scenarios: Think about common challenges in designing AI interfaces (e.g., explaining AI decisions, handling errors, managing user expectations, data privacy).

• Design System Thinking: Be ready to discuss how you would approach building or scaling a design system for a new AI product.

• Motion Rationale: Prepare to explain why and how you would use motion in specific UI contexts for an AI system.

• Client Communication: Practice articulating complex design concepts clearly and concisely, as if presenting to a non-technical client.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh your portfolio and your ability to articulate your design process for complex systems, especially AI. Demonstrating a blend of technical skill, creative vision, and collaborative aptitude will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and building scalable design systems. Proficiency is a core requirement.

• After Effects: For advanced motion design, animations, and creating dynamic prototypes.

• Lottie: For efficient implementation of animations in digital products, often used in conjunction with After Effects.

• Other Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with tools like Principle, ProtoPie, or Framer may be beneficial for specific motion or interaction design tasks.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core design responsibilities, but understanding how design integrates with CRM and sales/marketing automation platforms can be a plus for broader GTM context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, After Effects, and Lottie indicates the core technical toolset expected for this role. Mastery of these tools, particularly in the context of complex systems and motion design, is critical for success.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Better Together: Emphasizes collaboration, mutual support, and collective problem-solving within project teams and across the organization.

• Relentlessly Curious: Fosters a culture of continuous learning, exploration, and pushing boundaries, especially relevant in the fast-evolving AI space.

• Get Sh*t Done: A strong bias for action, efficiency, and delivering tangible results for clients and projects.

• Craftsmanship & Quality: As part of "Global Studios," there's an implied high value placed on the quality of work, attention to detail, and aesthetic excellence.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with developers, project managers, strategists, and client teams.

• Workshop Facilitation: Leading and participating in client and internal workshops to drive design direction and gather input.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: Actively contributing to the growth of junior designers and sharing best practices within the team.

• Agile & Iterative: Working in an iterative manner, embracing feedback and adapting designs based on evolving project needs and technical constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: DEPT®'s core values suggest a dynamic, collaborative, and results-oriented environment. For a Senior Designer, embodying these values means being proactive, a strong communicator, and a contributor to both project success and team development.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for the Unknown: The rapidly evolving nature of AI presents challenges in designing for novel interactions and functionalities that users may not have encountered before.

• Bridging Technical & User Needs: Effectively translating complex AI capabilities and technical constraints into intuitive, user-friendly experiences requires significant problem-solving.

• Maintaining Design Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive and high-quality user experience across diverse AI platforms and features, especially when working with large clients.

• Balancing Speed and Craft: Delivering high-quality designs within tight agency timelines, particularly for demanding tech clients.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Specialization: Gain in-depth experience in the emerging field of AI/ML interface design through hands-on projects.

• Design System Mastery: Further develop expertise in building and scaling robust design systems for complex product portfolios.

• Client Engagement & Presentation: Hone skills in client workshop facilitation and presenting design strategy to senior stakeholders.

• Mentorship Experience: Develop leadership capabilities by guiding and mentoring junior design talent.

• Industry Exposure: Work with leading global tech companies, gaining insights into their product development processes and challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a prime opportunity to become a specialist in AI design, a highly sought-after skill set. The challenges are inherent to working at the forefront of technology, offering significant professional growth for those who embrace them.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex digital product you've designed, focusing on the user challenges and how your design solutions addressed them, especially if it involved AI or data."

• "How would you approach building a design system for a new AI platform from scratch? What key principles would you prioritize?"

• "Walk us through a motion design project. What was the goal, what tools did you use, and how did motion enhance the user experience?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in DEPT® and this specific role within the Global Studios team?"

• "How do you embody DEPT®'s values of 'better together,' 'relentlessly curious,' and 'get sh*t done' in your work?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on AI/Complex Systems: Begin with your most relevant case study, detailing your process for designing AI interfaces or complex digital products.

• Articulate Your Role: Clearly define your specific contributions and decision-making authority within each project.

• Showcase Design Systems: Dedicate time to explaining your approach to design systems, illustrating component libraries, style guides, and their scalability.

• Demonstrate Motion Skills: Use interactive prototypes or video examples to showcase your motion design capabilities and how they enhance user interaction.

• Explain Rationale: Be prepared to defend your design choices, explaining the "why" behind your UI elements, interaction patterns, and aesthetic decisions, linking them back to user needs and business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be ready to demonstrate not just design skills but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a proactive approach to client collaboration. Your portfolio should serve as evidence of your ability to handle complex, cutting-edge design challenges.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX/UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the DEPT® careers portal.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of digital design experience, emphasizing UI, systems design, art direction, and any experience with AI platforms. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select projects that best demonstrate your expertise in Figma, motion design (After Effects/Lottie), design systems, and complex digital product design, ideally including AI-related work. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible and clearly showcases your process.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your project case studies, focusing on your problem-solving approach, design decisions, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your experience with client workshops and mentorship.

• Research DEPT®: Understand their "Growth Invention" philosophy, B Corp status, and company values. Familiarize yourself with their recent work, especially within the Global Studios team, to align your application and interview responses.

⚠️ 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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