Senior Visual Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Visual Designer – Design Systems

Company: Dentsu (Merkle)

Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Design / User Experience Operations (UXO)

Date Posted: May 25, 2026

Experience Level: Senior (6-9 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic definition, creation, and ongoing evolution of a comprehensive visual design system to ensure brand expression and UI consistency across all digital products and platforms.

• Champion aesthetic coherence, craft excellence, and visual scalability, acting as the primary steward for how the brand manifests across interfaces, products, and various customer touchpoints.

• Drive the integration of brand principles into actionable, flexible UI systems, ensuring seamless alignment between marketing, brand identity, and product experiences.

• Foster a culture of exceptional design quality through visual reviews, mentorship, and by consistently pushing teams to achieve superior design outcomes, moving beyond merely "acceptable" to truly exceptional.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the raw job description focuses on "Visual Designer," the emphasis on "Design Systems," "ownership," "brand expression across products," and "cross-functional collaboration with Engineering and UX Design Leads" strongly indicates a role that operates at the intersection of pure visual design and the operational aspects of maintaining and scaling design assets. This role is crucial for GTM operations, ensuring brand consistency across all customer-facing digital properties, which directly impacts marketing effectiveness and customer perception. The "Design Ops" mention further solidifies this operational component.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the creation, maintenance, and strategic evolution of a robust visual design system, defining core elements such as typography, color palettes, iconography, spacing, motion principles, and theming strategies.

• Ensure pixel-perfect execution and visual consistency of design specifications across diverse platforms, including web, mobile applications, and emerging digital surfaces.

• Translate overarching brand principles and guidelines into practical, flexible, and scalable UI systems that support diverse product needs and user experiences.

• Maintain visual coherence and brand alignment between marketing campaigns, brand assets, and integrated product experiences, ensuring a unified customer journey.

• Collaborate closely with UX Design Leads to ensure visual expression is harmonized with interaction logic and user flows, creating intuitive and engaging experiences.

• Partner effectively with Engineering teams to guarantee accurate implementation of visual design specifications, providing clear documentation and support for UI development.

• Contribute to the operationalization of design processes, including comprehensive documentation, governance frameworks, and contribution models for the design system.

• Conduct rigorous visual design reviews, providing constructive feedback and mentoring junior designers to elevate their craft and adherence to system standards.

• Advocate for and implement design best practices related to localization, accessibility (WCAG compliance), and overall system scalability to support global reach and user inclusivity.

• Drive innovation in visual design by exploring new aesthetic approaches, tools, and techniques that enhance user experience and brand impact, while balancing brand ambition with product constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a senior-level role focused on strategic design system management, which is a critical component of GTM operations. The emphasis on "pixel-perfect execution," "brand × product integration," and "design ops" suggests a need for meticulous process management and cross-functional alignment to ensure consistent brand representation across all customer touchpoints.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Interaction Design, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• 6-9 years of progressive experience in Visual Design, UI Design, or Product Design, with a strong emphasis on building and scaling design systems.

• Proven track record of leading design initiatives and influencing cross-functional teams.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated leadership in the creation, implementation, and maintenance of comprehensive visual design systems.

• Deep expertise in typography, including font selection, hierarchy, and legibility across various mediums.

• Profound understanding of color theory, including palettes, contrast ratios, and emotional impact in digital interfaces.

• Mastery of industry-standard design tools, particularly Figma, for creating and managing design systems, components, and prototypes.

• Expert knowledge of design tokens and their application in creating scalable, themeable design systems.

• Strong command of component-driven UI workflows and best practices for modular design.

• Excellent grasp of visual hierarchy, layout design, and grid systems for creating balanced and effective compositions.

• Ability to translate brand principles into consistent and compelling visual expressions across digital touchpoints.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience defining and implementing motion principles within a design system for enhanced user experience.

• Familiarity with design operations (DesignOps) principles, including documentation, governance, and contribution models.

• Experience with design system tooling beyond Figma, such as Storybook or other documentation platforms.

• A keen eye for detail that extends to micro-interactions and subtle visual cues that enhance user perception.

• Ability to balance ambitious brand aesthetics with practical product constraints and performance requirements.

• Experience in a global consulting environment, working with distributed teams and stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of creative talent and operational discipline. The specific mention of Figma, design tokens, and component-driven workflows highlights the need for practical, system-level design skills, which are crucial for maintaining consistency and efficiency in a large organization like Dentsu, impacting their Go-To-Market (GTM) efforts through consistent brand presentation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A dedicated section showcasing your experience in building and scaling visual design systems, with clear examples of system architecture, component libraries, and style guides.

• Case studies demonstrating your ability to translate brand identity into a cohesive visual language for digital products and platforms.

• Examples of how you have defined and applied typography, color systems, iconography, and spacing within a system context.

• Evidence of your proficiency with Figma, including complex component structures, design tokens, and prototyping for system validation.

Process Documentation:

• Detailed case studies illustrating your process for defining and evolving design system elements, from initial research and ideation to implementation and iteration.

• Workflow examples showcasing your collaboration with UX designers and engineers to ensure accurate system implementation and adoption.

• Documentation demonstrating your approach to design system governance, including contribution guidelines, review processes, and change management strategies.

• Examples of how you have measured the impact and success of a design system, using metrics related to efficiency, consistency, and user satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on design systems, a portfolio is paramount. It must demonstrate not just visual design skill but also strategic thinking about how design can be operationalized and scaled. The emphasis on "system thinking," "pixel-perfect execution," and "cross-functional collaboration" means the portfolio should highlight process and impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision).

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and holiday leave.

• Retirement savings plan contributions.

• Professional development and training opportunities, including access to design conferences and workshops.

• Hybrid work model flexibility, allowing for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work.

• Employee assistance programs (EAP) for well-being support.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

• The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility, with expected in-office days to facilitate collaboration and team meetings, likely 2-3 days per week, subject to team and project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on research for senior-level design roles in major Indian tech hubs like Bengaluru, considering specialized skills in design systems. Benefits are standard for large multinational corporations like Dentsu, with a focus on professional growth relevant to design operations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Advertising, Marketing, and Media. Dentsu operates as a global network of agencies, providing a wide range of marketing, advertising, and technology services. Merkle, the specific brand mentioned, focuses on data-driven customer experience management.

Company Size: Dentsu is a very large, multinational corporation, employing tens of thousands of people globally. This scale implies complex internal processes, a vast array of projects, and opportunities for cross-functional collaboration.

Founded: Dentsu was founded in 1900, and Merkle was founded in 1988. This long history suggests established corporate structures, a deep understanding of the industry, and a mature approach to business operations, including design and technology.

Team Structure:

• The role likely sits within a central Design team or a Design Operations function that supports various product and marketing teams across Merkle and Dentsu.

• Reporting structure is expected to be to a Design Lead, Head of Design, or a Director overseeing Design Systems.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is central to Merkle's approach, influencing design strategies and system development.

• Agile methodologies are likely employed for project management and product development, requiring adaptability and iterative design processes.

• A strong emphasis on customer experience (CX) will guide design decisions, ensuring brand consistency and user satisfaction across all touchpoints.

Company Website: https://www.dentsu.com/ and https://www.merkle.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Dentsu's global presence and Merkle's focus on CX management mean this role plays a critical part in operationalizing brand consistency across a vast digital ecosystem, impacting how Dentsu's services are perceived and delivered to clients.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level position, indicating a significant level of autonomy and responsibility. The role is expected to be a thought leader in visual design systems, capable of strategic planning, execution, and mentoring.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Visual Designer will likely report to a Design Manager, Director of Design, or Head of Design Systems. They will be part of a larger design or creative department, with extensive collaboration across Product, Engineering, and Marketing teams.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is substantial, directly influencing the visual consistency and brand integrity across all Dentsu and Merkle digital products and marketing materials. A well-managed design system reduces visual fragmentation, accelerates UI delivery, and ensures a high-quality, unified brand experience for clients and internal stakeholders, thereby supporting Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies through consistent brand representation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in Design Systems, becoming a go-to expert within Dentsu's global network.

• Leadership: Transition into Design Lead or Managerial roles, overseeing teams and strategic design initiatives.

• Cross-functional Expansion: Move into broader Design Operations, Product Design Strategy, or Brand Strategy roles.

• Global Mobility: Leverage Dentsu's international presence for opportunities in other regions or global projects.

• Skill Development: Access continuous learning resources, workshops, and conferences to stay ahead of design trends and technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant growth potential within a large, global organization. The focus on design systems positions the individual for leadership in operationalizing design, a key area for career advancement in design-centric companies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as Hybrid, meaning a combination of in-office work and remote work. Dentsu offices, particularly in major hubs like Bengaluru, are typically modern, professional environments designed to foster collaboration and innovation.

Office Location(s): The primary location specified is "DGS India - Bengaluru - Manyata H2 block." This indicates a specific office within Bengaluru, likely a well-equipped facility in a business district.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices will likely feature open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and dedicated collaboration zones designed for team-based work.

• Tools & Technology: Access to high-performance workstations, design software (Figma is a must), and robust network infrastructure will be standard.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model necessitates intentional interaction, with in-office days focused on team meetings, design critiques, and collaborative brainstorming sessions.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) apply. The hybrid nature offers flexibility in managing personal schedules, but adherence to team meeting times and project deadlines is crucial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in a large corporate setting like Dentsu means the workspace is designed for both focused individual work and dynamic team collaboration, essential for managing complex design systems.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and portfolios to assess qualifications and experience.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, focusing on design system projects, demonstrating their thought process, system thinking, and visual execution. This is a critical step for evaluating craft and strategic capabilities.

• Skills Assessment: This may involve a design challenge or a case study presentation related to building or evolving a design system, testing problem-solving skills and system-level thinking.

• Team & Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with UX Design Leads, Product Managers, and potentially Engineering representatives to assess collaboration skills, communication, and cultural fit within a cross-functional team.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to finalize the decision, focusing on strategic vision and leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight System Thinking: Clearly articulate your approach to building scalable, maintainable design systems. Showcase the "why" behind your design decisions.

• Demonstrate Craftsmanship: Ensure high-quality visual execution, attention to detail in typography, color, layout, and iconography.

• Showcase Collaboration: Include examples of how you worked with developers and UX designers. Document the process of implementation and feedback loops.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your design systems (e.g., reduction in design debt, faster UI delivery, improved consistency).

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize your experience with Figma, design tokens, and brand expression across multiple platforms.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to defining a visual design system from scratch or evolving an existing one.

• Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely.

• Understand how to balance brand requirements with product functionality and technical constraints.

• Be ready to discuss how you would handle conflicting design opinions or implementation challenges with engineering.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Senior Visual Designer role focused on Design Systems will heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to think systemically and operate effectively within a large, collaborative organization. The portfolio is the primary tool for demonstrating these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for design system creation, component management, prototyping, and collaboration. Mastery is a key requirement.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects (for motion principles) are likely to be used for asset creation and advanced visual manipulations.

• Prototyping Tools: Figma's prototyping capabilities, or potentially tools like InVision or ProtoPie for more complex interactions.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Design System Specific Tools:

• Design Tokens Management: Tools or processes for managing and distributing design tokens across different platforms.

• Documentation Platforms: Confluence, Notion, or dedicated design system documentation sites.

• Version Control: Git or similar systems for managing design assets and system updates, especially in collaborative environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is non-negotiable for this role. The other tools listed are standard for a senior designer in a large agency environment, with a focus on creating and maintaining scalable design assets.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Craftsmanship & Excellence: A strong emphasis on high-quality visual design, meticulous attention to detail, and pushing the boundaries of aesthetic appeal.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and strong working relationships with UX designers, engineers, product managers, and marketing stakeholders.

• System Thinking & Scalability: Prioritizing the creation of robust, scalable, and maintainable design systems that empower teams and ensure consistency.

• User-Centricity: Designing with the end-user in mind, ensuring that visual design enhances usability, accessibility, and overall customer experience.

• Brand Stewardship: Acting as a guardian of the brand's visual identity, ensuring its consistent and impactful representation across all touchpoints.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively seeking collaboration with diverse teams to ensure design systems are well-understood, implemented, and adopted.

• Iterative Design Process: Embracing feedback and making adjustments through a continuous loop of design, development, and user testing.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to document processes, share best practices, and mentor colleagues to elevate the overall design capability within the organization.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication channels, especially in a hybrid and globally distributed environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Dentsu's culture, particularly through Merkle's focus on CX, will likely emphasize a forward-thinking, collaborative, and data-informed approach to design. The role requires someone who can champion design excellence while working effectively within a large corporate structure.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maintaining Consistency at Scale: Ensuring the design system remains coherent and consistently applied across numerous teams, projects, and evolving product lines within a large global organization.

• Driving Adoption: Encouraging and enabling diverse teams to effectively adopt and contribute to the design system, overcoming resistance to change or varying levels of design maturity.

• Balancing Brand vs. Product Needs: Navigating the inherent tension between maintaining a strong, aspirational brand identity and accommodating the practical constraints and specific needs of individual products and features.

• Evolving Technology Landscape: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in UI design, front-end development, and design tooling to ensure the system remains relevant and effective.

• Global Localization & Accessibility: Designing for a truly global audience requires meticulous attention to cultural nuances, languages, and diverse accessibility needs, which can be complex to manage within a single system.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design System Strategy: Opportunities to delve deeper into complex system architecture, governance models, and advanced tooling.

• Leadership Development: Gaining experience in mentoring junior designers, leading design initiatives, and potentially managing a design team.

• Industry Exposure: Attending leading design conferences (e.g., UX India, DesignOps Global Summit) and participating in industry forums.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Engaging with marketing strategy, product management, and engineering disciplines to gain a holistic understanding of the business.

• Certifications: Pursuing certifications in areas like accessibility, project management, or specific design technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the operational complexities of managing design at scale. The growth opportunities are geared towards developing leadership and specialized expertise within the design operations domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to building a visual design system from the ground up. What are the key phases, deliverables, and considerations?" (Focus on process, system thinking, and stakeholder buy-in.)

• "How do you ensure a design system remains consistent and relevant across a large organization with multiple product teams? What are your strategies for driving adoption and managing contributions?" (Focus on governance, communication, and operationalization.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Dentsu and Merkle's approach to customer experience and brand consistency? How would your role contribute to these objectives?" (Show research into the company's values and business model.)

• "How do you envision collaborating with UX Design Leads and Engineering teams to ensure seamless implementation of your visual design system?" (Focus on cross-functional collaboration and communication styles.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: Begin with an overview of your design system philosophy, then walk through 1-2 key projects that exemplify your system-building expertise.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals to illustrate your points – show component examples, style guides, brand translations, and the impact of your work.

• Explain Your Process: For each project, detail the problem, your approach, the tools used (especially Figma), your collaboration efforts, and the outcomes.

• Highlight System Thinking: Emphasize how your designs are scalable, accessible, and maintainable, and how they support broader business goals.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, technical implementation, and how you handled challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, operational prowess in design systems, and strong collaborative skills, all critical for success in a senior role at a large agency.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Visual Designer – Design Systems position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects demonstrating your expertise in visual design systems. Prioritize case studies that highlight your process, system thinking, and tangible impact. Tailor your case studies to showcase experience with Figma, design tokens, and brand expression across digital platforms.

• Optimize Your Resume: Clearly articulate your 6-9 years of experience, emphasizing your leadership in design system development and your proficiency with key tools and methodologies. Use keywords from the job description, such as "Visual Design System," "Figma," "Typography," "Color Theory," "Brand Expression," and "Design Ops."

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on your design rationale, system architecture, collaborative processes, and the outcomes of your work. Be ready to articulate how your skills align with Dentsu and Merkle's focus on customer experience and brand consistency.

• Research Dentsu & Merkle: Understand their brand, services, and approach to design. Familiarize yourself with their existing digital presence to better contextualize the role and demonstrate your interest and understanding of their operational needs.

⚠️ 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.