Senior Web Designer, Shopify

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Web Designer, Shopify

Company: KittySpout

Location: Kyiv, Ukraine (Remote)

Job Type: Contractor

Category: Web Design & E-commerce Operations

Date Posted: November 3, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the visual transformation of two distinct DTC pet brand websites, focusing on elevating aesthetics and brand differentiation within the competitive pet industry.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive, mobile-first Figma design system to ensure brand consistency and scalability across both brands.

• Design high-converting page sections, integrating AI-driven design principles and conversion rate optimization (CRO) best practices.

• Collaborate closely with the Head of Brand & Community and the CRO Lead to align design strategies with brand identity and performance targets.

• Drive efficiency and speed through the daily use of AI design tools, enabling rapid exploration of design directions and faster asset production.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Web Designer with a strong emphasis on e-commerce operations and brand elevation within a fast-paced, remote, DTC environment. The core objective is not a rebrand but an enhancement of existing branding, requiring a nuanced understanding of building upon established identity while injecting uniqueness and premium appeal. The AI-first design requirement signifies a need for cutting-edge design practices and efficiency.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough reviews of existing websites, brand guidelines, and competitor landscapes to propose 2-3 distinct web design directions for each brand within the initial two weeks.

• Architect and build a robust, mobile-first Figma design system encompassing typography, color palettes, spacing, components, and reusable section templates for both distinct brands.

• Design 8-10 signature page sections per brand (e.g., hero, product benefits, social proof, comparison, bundles, brand story) for both mobile and desktop interfaces.

• Integrate conversion-driven elements into every design, ensuring clear visual hierarchy, a single primary call to action, prominent benefits and proof points, and optimized mobile layouts.

• Collaborate with the CRO Lead to launch major new sections as A/B tests, meticulously analyzing performance data to refine the design system based on split-test results.

• Ensure seamless handover of clean Figma files, concise usage rules, and essential assets, accompanied by a walkthrough session for the internal team to extend the design system using AI tools.

• Review the initial new sections built by the internal team using AI from the design system to ensure adherence to brand aesthetic and quality standards.

• Check built pages against approved designs before launch to maintain design integrity and quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic brand vision, hands-on design execution, and a forward-thinking approach to design systems and AI integration. The emphasis on A/B testing and data-driven refinement underscores the operational aspect of design, directly impacting conversion rates and revenue.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in graphic design, web design principles, or a related field is expected, demonstrated through portfolio and experience.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in website design is required, with a proven track record in e-commerce environments.

Required Skills:

• Shopify Expertise: Deep understanding of Shopify's platform capabilities and design best practices for e-commerce.

• Figma Proficiency: Advanced skills in Figma for UI design, prototyping, and building comprehensive design systems.

• AI-First Design: Demonstrated daily use of AI tools for design exploration, asset generation, and rapid iteration.

• Conversion-Led Design Principles: Proven ability to design pages that drive conversions through effective visual hierarchy, clear CTAs, benefit-driven copy, and optimized layouts.

• E-commerce Design: Extensive experience designing for online retail, with a portfolio showcasing high-converting websites.

• Design Systems: Proven ability to create clear, scalable, and extendable design systems in Figma.

• Mobile-First Design: Expertise in designing responsive interfaces with a primary focus on the mobile user experience.

• Brand Elevation: Experience in enhancing existing e-commerce brand aesthetics to appear more premium and distinctive without compromising core brand elements.

• English Fluency: Excellent command of written and spoken English for effective communication.

• Availability: Ability to commence work within the next few weeks and provide prompt feedback turnaround.

Preferred Skills:

• DTC or Pet Brand Experience: Prior experience designing for Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brands or within the pet industry.

• User Interface (UI) Design: Strong aesthetic sensibility and understanding of UI principles.

• Prototyping: Experience creating interactive prototypes to demonstrate user flows and design concepts.

• Digital Marketing Acumen: Understanding of how web design integrates with broader digital marketing strategies.

• Data-Driven Design: Comfort with using data and analytics to inform design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements strongly emphasize practical, hands-on experience and a forward-thinking approach, particularly regarding AI integration and conversion optimization. The portfolio is a critical component, expected to showcase sophisticated design taste and demonstrable e-commerce success.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Live E-commerce Sites: A collection of live e-commerce websites, ideally built on Shopify, demonstrating sophisticated design taste, creativity, and a premium aesthetic that stands out in the market.

• Brand Elevation Case Studies: Specific examples showcasing instances where you have successfully elevated existing e-commerce brands, making their websites more premium and distinctive while retaining core brand equity.

• Conversion Optimization Examples: Projects that clearly illustrate a conversion-focused design approach, highlighting how design decisions directly contributed to improved conversion rates, revenue per visitor, or other key e-commerce metrics.

• Design System Deliverables: Examples of design systems created in Figma, demonstrating clarity, scalability, and ease of extension for developers and AI tools.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Evidence of designing and optimizing web design workflows, particularly those involving AI tools and rapid iteration cycles.

• AI Integration Methods: Documentation or case studies illustrating how AI tools were integrated into the design process to accelerate exploration, asset creation, and overall delivery speed.

• Performance Analysis & Refinement: Examples of how design outcomes were measured against conversion targets and how data from split tests or A/B tests informed subsequent design refinements and system updates.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role, expected to be a robust showcase of high-impact e-commerce design. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating not just aesthetic skill but also a deep understanding of conversion principles, AI-driven efficiency, and the ability to create scalable design systems.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: USD $35 - $70 per hour, commensurate with experience and portfolio strength.

Benefits:

• Flexible Remote Work: Fully remote position offering flexibility in work location.

• Ongoing Project Opportunities: Potential for continued work beyond the initial website revamp project based on performance and business needs.

• Direct Impact: Opportunity to significantly influence the branding and conversion performance of two scaling DTC brands.

• Lean & Fast-Paced Environment: Work within a dynamic team that values speed, creativity, and direct contribution.

• Competitive Hourly Rate: Compensation reflective of senior-level expertise and specialized skills in AI-first design and e-commerce.

Working Hours: The initial website revamp project is estimated at 40–80 hours over a 4–8 week period. The role requires availability for prompt feedback turnaround, aligning with a fast-paced work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation is structured on an hourly basis for a contractor role, with a defined range that reflects seniority and specialized skills. The benefits focus on the flexibility and impact inherent in a remote, contractor position within a growing DTC company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce (Direct-to-Consumer - DTC), Pet Industry. KittySpout operates as a profitable premium DTC pet brand, indicating a focus on high-quality products and a direct relationship with consumers. The company is scaling rapidly, aiming for $100M+ in annual revenue, and has recently expanded into a second brand in a new vertical.

Company Size: Lean, senior team. While specific numbers aren't provided, the description suggests a small, highly impactful group of experienced professionals, fostering a direct and agile work environment.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company is described as profitable and scaling, indicating established operations and a growth trajectory.

Team Structure:

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Close collaboration is expected with the Head of Brand & Community and the CRO Lead.

• Lean & Agile: The team operates with a "will-to-win" mentality, emphasizing speed, creativity, and efficiency.

• Direct Access: Opportunities to work directly with the founder are implied, suggesting a flat hierarchy and high visibility.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decisions: Emphasis on using data, including split-test results, to inform design and business strategies.

• AI-Augmented Workflows: Integration of AI tools for enhanced speed and efficiency in design and content creation.

• Iterative Improvement: A culture of continuous refinement through testing and feedback ("Better Everyday").

Company Website: https://jobs.workable.com/company/sHYrP1dtaWQ8WyRNn3nUSx/jobs-at-kittyspout (Note: This is a Workable company page, not necessarily the primary brand website.)

📝 Enhancement Note: KittySpout's culture is characterized by a strong drive for results, a hands-on approach, and a commitment to innovation, particularly with AI. The emphasis on speed, efficiency, and direct impact is critical for candidates to understand.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a Senior Web Designer, operating at an experienced individual contributor level. It requires significant autonomy, strategic input on design direction, and the ability to build foundational systems that enable future growth and AI-driven extensions. The "contractor" designation suggests a project-based engagement, though the description implies ongoing potential.

Reporting Structure: You will report to and collaborate closely with the Head of Brand & Community and the CRO Lead. Direct interaction with the CEO is also part of the role, particularly for sign-offs on brand direction.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to revenue generation and brand perception. By elevating the website's aesthetic and improving conversion rates, the designer will directly contribute to increased sales, customer acquisition, and brand loyalty in a competitive DTC market. The design system created will also significantly impact the efficiency and scalability of future web development efforts.

Growth Opportunities:

• Continued Project Work: Successful completion of the initial revamp can lead to ongoing design projects as the company continues to scale and iterate on its web presence.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-assisted design, conversion-focused e-commerce design, and scalable design systems within a high-growth DTC environment.

• Brand Influence: Play a pivotal role in shaping the visual identity and user experience of two rapidly growing brands.

• Strategic Collaboration: Gain experience working directly with leadership on brand strategy and conversion optimization initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: While primarily a contract role, the emphasis on "ongoing" work and significant impact suggests potential for a long-term professional relationship. Growth is defined by the depth of influence on the brands and the continuous refinement of skills in cutting-edge design practices.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully remote. This role operates entirely outside of a traditional office setting, allowing for work from any location.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote and based in Ukraine (Kyiv), the company operates in a global DTC market. The remote nature means you can work from your preferred location within Ukraine, with the expectation of being available for collaboration during specific working hours that align with the core team.

Workspace Context:

• Independent Work: Expect a high degree of autonomy in managing your design process and workflow.

• Digital Collaboration Tools: Heavy reliance on digital tools like Figma, communication platforms (e.g., Slack, email), and project management systems for seamless interaction with the team.

• Fast-Paced & Results-Oriented: The environment demands quick thinking, rapid execution, and a focus on delivering measurable outcomes.

Work Schedule: The initial project is defined as 40-80 hours over 4-8 weeks. While specific daily hours aren't mandated, the culture emphasizes "Speed Is King," requiring prompt feedback turnaround and availability for same-day responses. This suggests a need for a flexible schedule that can accommodate urgent requests and collaborative sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote work environment at KittySpout is designed for high performers who thrive on autonomy, speed, and direct impact. Effective self-management and strong digital communication skills are essential.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application & Screening: Initial review of your application, focusing on experience and alignment with the role's core requirements.

• Portfolio Review: A critical stage where your submitted portfolio will be meticulously assessed for taste, e-commerce experience, AI proficiency, and conversion-focused design examples.

• Paid Test: A practical, paid test project where you will design one real section for one of the brands. This assesses your ability to apply the company's branding, design with AI, and adhere to conversion principles under real-world conditions.

• Final Interview: A concluding discussion, likely with key stakeholders (CEO, Head of Brand, CRO Lead), to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and final alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight E-commerce Success: Showcase specific projects that demonstrate measurable improvements in conversion rates, user engagement, or revenue. Quantify results wherever possible.

• Demonstrate AI Proficiency: Include examples of how you've leveraged AI tools in your design process, focusing on speed, exploration, and unique outputs.

• Showcase Design Systems: Present well-documented Figma design systems, emphasizing their structure, scalability, and ease of extension.

• Emphasize Brand Elevation: Clearly articulate your process for enhancing existing brands, showing before-and-after examples or case studies that highlight your ability to build on current branding while adding uniqueness and premium appeal.

• Tailor to KittySpout: Research KittySpout's current brands and competitors. When presenting your portfolio, draw parallels to how your skills and approach can address their specific challenges and goals.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the "Why": Be prepared to articulate the strategic reasoning behind your design choices, particularly how they align with conversion goals and brand elevation.

• AI Tool Familiarity: Be ready to discuss your experience with specific AI design tools and how you integrate them into your workflow for efficiency.

• Figma System Design: Practice explaining the structure and logic of a design system you've built, focusing on its usability for developers and AI extensions.

• Cultural Fit: Reflect on KittySpout's core values (Better Everyday, Speed Is King, Work Smart, Overdeliver) and prepare examples of how you embody these principles in your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hiring process is designed to be rigorous, with a strong emphasis on practical application and cultural alignment. The paid test is a significant component, serving as a real-world evaluation of your capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for UI design, prototyping, and design system development. Advanced proficiency is expected.

• AI Design Tools: Daily use of various AI tools for image generation, layout exploration, asset creation, and potentially site-building assistance. Specific tools may vary, but a broad familiarity and practical application are key.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) Tools: Understanding and designing with principles derived from CRO analysis. While you may not directly manage these tools, you'll work closely with the CRO Lead who does. Familiarity with A/B testing methodologies is crucial.

CRM & Automation:

• Shopify Platform: Deep familiarity with designing within the Shopify ecosystem is essential. This includes understanding its themes, components, and best practices for e-commerce functionality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack heavily emphasizes modern, AI-driven design workflows and e-commerce platform expertise. Proficiency in Figma and a proactive approach to leveraging AI tools are paramount.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Better Everyday: A commitment to continuous improvement, using data from split tests and feedback to refine designs and the design system. This means iterating and learning from outcomes.

• Speed Is King: Emphasizes rapid execution, quick turnarounds on feedback, and efficient workflows to meet aggressive timelines. Expect same-day feedback responses.

• Work Smart: Leveraging AI and efficient processes to achieve more with less. Designing systems that enable future AI extensions is a key aspect of this.

• Overdeliver: Aiming to provide value beyond expectations, creating a lasting design system that empowers the team for years to come, rather than just a set of static pages.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct & Proactive: You will collaborate closely with the Head of Brand & Community and the CRO Lead. While taking direction, you are also expected to push back with better ideas and strategic insights.

• Hands-On & Active: The culture is described as hands-on, without politics or corporate chicanery. This implies active participation, direct contribution, and a focus on getting things done.

• Data-Informed: Collaboration will involve reviewing data, particularly split-test results, to inform design decisions and system refinements.

📝 Enhancement Note: KittySpout's culture is geared towards high-achievers who are driven, creative, and comfortable in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment. The values are not just aspirational but are actively applied to daily work and decision-making.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Identity with Uniqueness: Elevating existing brands to feel more premium and distinctive without alienating the current customer base or losing core brand recognition.

• AI Integration Mastery: Effectively leveraging AI tools to accelerate design processes while maintaining high aesthetic quality and brand consistency.

• Scalable Design System Creation: Building a design system that is robust enough for extensive use and can be easily extended by AI tools and the internal team post-handover.

• Conversion Optimization Under Pressure: Designing every section with a clear conversion goal and participating in rigorous split-testing, requiring a data-driven and iterative approach.

• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Maintaining strong communication and alignment within a fully remote, fast-paced team environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced AI Design Techniques: Continuously explore and implement cutting-edge AI tools and workflows in web design.

• E-commerce Conversion Strategy: Deepen expertise in conversion rate optimization by working directly with a CRO Lead and analyzing real-world A/B test results.

• Design System Architecture: Enhance skills in architecting scalable and maintainable design systems for complex digital products.

• DTC Brand Growth: Gain insights into the strategies and operational nuances of scaling a successful DTC business.

• Leadership Collaboration: Work closely with founders and senior leadership, offering exposure to strategic decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to a high-growth, innovative DTC environment. They offer significant opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement in areas that are highly relevant to the future of web design and e-commerce operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach elevating the existing brand aesthetic of [Brand A/B] to feel more premium and unique, while ensuring it remains distinct from competitors like [Competitor X/Y]?" (Focus on your process for analyzing existing brands and competitors, and your creative strategy for differentiation.)

• "Describe your workflow for designing a new e-commerce section using AI tools. Walk us through how you ensure speed, quality, and conversion optimization." (Be ready to detail your specific AI tools, process steps, and how you integrate conversion principles.)

• "Imagine you've designed a new hero section. How would you prepare it for a split test with our CRO Lead, and what metrics would you prioritize for success?" (Demonstrate understanding of A/B testing, key performance indicators, and collaboration with CRO.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you embody our value of 'Speed Is King' in your design process, especially when working remotely?" (Provide specific examples of how you manage time and deliver quickly.)

• "Describe a time you had to 'Overdeliver' on a project. What was the situation, and what was the outcome?" (Showcase your commitment to exceeding expectations.)

• "How do you approach using data to inform your design decisions, aligning with our 'Better Everyday' value?" (Discuss your experience with analytics, testing, and iterative design.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: For each portfolio piece, structure your presentation with a clear beginning (the challenge/goal), middle (your process, including AI and conversion strategies), and end (the results and impact).

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use data to demonstrate the success of your designs, e.g., "Increased conversion rate by X%," "Reduced bounce rate by Y%," "Generated Z revenue."

• Highlight AI & System Design: Specifically call out projects where you utilized AI tools effectively and any design systems you created, explaining their structure and benefits.

• Brand Elevation Focus: Clearly articulate how your work elevated existing brands, showing your ability to build on established identities.

• Conciseness & Clarity: Be prepared to present your portfolio efficiently, focusing on the most relevant examples and insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to test not only your design skills but also your strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and cultural alignment with KittySpout's fast-paced, results-driven ethos.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Web Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features live e-commerce sites (ideally Shopify), showcasing strong taste, conversion-focused design, and examples of elevating existing brands. Include specific case studies demonstrating your use of AI design tools and the creation of scalable Figma design systems.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of experience in web design, with specific mention of e-commerce, DTC, Shopify, Figma, AI-first design, and conversion optimization. Use keywords from the job description to ensure ATS compatibility.

• Prepare for the Paid Test: Understand that a paid test project is part of the process. Be ready to quickly demonstrate your ability to design a high-converting section for one of KittySpout’s brands, incorporating their branding and AI-driven efficiency.

• Research KittySpout: Familiarize yourself with KittySpout's brands, their current website presence, and their competitors. Understand their company values and culture to articulate your fit during interviews.

⚠️ 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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