Shopify Brand & Web Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Shopify Brand & Web Designer

Company: KittySpout

Location: Belgrade, Vojvodina, Serbia (Remote)

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: E-commerce Operations / Digital Design

Date Posted: November 3, 2026

Experience Level: 5+ Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead a comprehensive website revamp for two Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) pet brands, focusing on elevating brand perception to premium and distinctive levels while upholding conversion-centric design principles.

• Develop and meticulously craft a robust Figma design system for both brands, ensuring mobile-first responsiveness and clear brand differentiation.

• Design a suite of signature website sections (e.g., hero, benefits, social proof, bundles) optimized for conversion and aligned with established brand guidelines.

• Collaborate closely with the Head of Brand & Community and the CRO Lead to integrate AI-first design methodologies and conversion rate optimization (CRO) strategies.

• Deliver a well-documented design system, including clear usage rules and assets, enabling the internal team to efficiently extend the website with AI tools post-handover.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a contractor, emphasizing a project-based engagement with the potential for ongoing work. The core focus is on digital design within an e-commerce context, specifically for Shopify platforms, with a strong emphasis on brand elevation, conversion optimization, and the innovative use of AI in the design process. The "operations" aspect lies in streamlining the design workflow, creating a scalable design system, and enabling efficient content expansion through AI, which directly supports the company's rapid growth and operational efficiency goals.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough reviews of existing brand websites, brand guidelines, and competitive landscapes to present 2-3 distinct web design directions per brand within the initial two weeks.

• Architect and build a comprehensive web design system in Figma, encompassing typography, color palettes, spacing, reusable components, and signature section templates, adhering to mobile-first principles for both distinct brands.

• Design 8-10 signature conversion-focused sections per brand (e.g., hero banners, product benefits showcases, social proof elements, comparison layouts, bundle offers, brand story narratives) for both mobile and desktop views.

• Ensure every designed section prioritizes clear visual hierarchy, a singular primary call-to-action, prominent benefit and proof points, and optimized, thumb-friendly mobile layouts.

• Collaborate with the CRO Lead to launch major new sections as A/B split tests, meticulously tracking conversion rates and revenue per visitor against legacy designs.

• Perform quality assurance checks on built website pages against approved designs before their launch.

• Prepare and deliver clean Figma files, concise usage guidelines (including do's, don'ts, and examples), necessary assets, and conduct a brief walkthrough session for the internal team to facilitate AI-driven extension of the design system.

• Review and provide feedback on the first new sections built by the internal team using the design system and AI tools, ensuring brand consistency and quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a structured approach to a website revamp, from initial strategic direction to final handover and post-launch support. The emphasis on "conversion-led design" and "split tests" directly links design output to measurable business outcomes, a key aspect of operations roles focused on revenue generation and efficiency. The requirement to create a design system for AI extension underscores a forward-thinking operational approach to scaling design efforts.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in graphic design, digital design, UI/UX, or a related field is implied by the experience and portfolio requirements.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in website design.

• Proven track record of designing and launching live e-commerce websites, with a strong preference for Shopify platforms.

• Demonstrated success in elevating existing e-commerce brands, enhancing their premium feel and distinctiveness without compromising core functionality or established brand elements. Required Skills:

• Shopify Expertise: In-depth knowledge of Shopify platform capabilities and best practices for design and conversion.

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

• AI-Assisted Design: Extensive, daily experience utilizing AI tools for image generation, layout exploration, and accelerated asset production.

• Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO): Strong understanding of CRO principles, including visual hierarchy, call-to-action design, persuasive copywriting placement, and mobile usability.

• Design Systems: Proven ability to create clear, extensible design systems in Figma that enable efficient future development and AI integration.

• Mobile-First & Responsive Design: Expertise in designing for mobile devices first and ensuring seamless responsiveness across all screen sizes.

• UI/UX Design Principles: Solid grasp of user interface and user experience design best practices to create intuitive and engaging customer journeys.

• Brand Strategy & Elevation: Ability to interpret and build upon existing brand guidelines to create a more unique, premium, and distinctive visual identity.

• Prototyping: Skill in creating interactive prototypes to visualize design concepts and user flows.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) sector.

• Familiarity with or experience in the pet industry.

• Experience with A/B testing methodologies and tools for design validation.

• Understanding of web performance optimization and its impact on user experience and conversion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements heavily emphasize practical, hands-on experience and a specific, modern skill set. The integration of "AI-First Design" and the ability to build a design system for AI extension are critical differentiators, aligning this role with advanced operational efficiency strategies in digital product development. The preference for Shopify and DTC/pet industry experience suggests a need for domain-specific understanding to ensure designs resonate with the target audience and platform.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of live e-commerce websites, ideally built on Shopify, that demonstrably showcase exceptional taste, creativity, and a premium aesthetic that surpasses typical industry standards.

• Specific case studies or examples highlighting your experience in elevating existing established e-commerce brands, detailing the process, challenges, and successful outcomes in making their sites more premium and distinctive.

• Evidence of your proficiency in designing for conversion, with examples that illustrate clear visual hierarchy, effective calls-to-action, and compelling benefit-driven layouts.

• Demonstrations of your ability to build scalable and maintainable design systems within Figma, with clear component structures and documentation.

• Examples of how you have leveraged AI tools in your design workflow to accelerate exploration, asset creation, or iteration. Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you approach the documentation of design systems, including clear guidelines for usage, component definitions, and spacing rules.

• Case studies or descriptions of your process for translating brand guidelines and competitive analysis into distinct visual design directions.

• Documentation of your workflow for designing responsive interfaces, from mobile-first concepts to desktop implementations.

• Evidence of your collaborative process, showing how you work with stakeholders (like CRO leads and brand managers) to iterate on designs and incorporate feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a design role with such a strong emphasis on operational efficiency and future-proofing through AI, the portfolio is critical. It needs to go beyond aesthetics to demonstrate a strategic, process-oriented approach to design, focusing on scalability, conversion impact, and the practical application of advanced tools like AI and design systems. The "handover so AI can extend it" requirement means the portfolio should ideally include examples of well-documented, developer-friendly design systems.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: USD $35 – $70 per hour. This range is competitive for experienced freelance web designers specializing in e-commerce and AI-assisted design, particularly for roles requiring a high degree of autonomy and impact. The specific rate will be determined based on the depth of experience, the quality and relevance of the portfolio, and demonstrated AI proficiency.

Benefits: As a contractor role, standard employee benefits are typically not included. However, the engagement offers:

• Flexibility: Fully remote work arrangement, allowing for work from any location.

• Project Scope: A significant initial project (website revamp) with defined hours and timeline, offering clear deliverables and tangible outcomes.

• Ongoing Potential: Opportunity for continued design work as the company scales and develops new sections.

• Direct Impact: The chance to work directly with senior leadership, including the founder, and have a substantial influence on a fast-growing company.

• Skill Development: Exposure to cutting-edge AI design tools and methodologies, as well as advanced CRO strategies within a high-growth DTC environment.

• Fast-Paced Environment: An opportunity to work in a lean, dynamic team that values speed, creativity, and results.

Working Hours: This is a freelance, ongoing contractor position. The initial website revamp project is estimated at 40–80 hours over 4–8 weeks. While specific working hours are flexible due to the remote nature, the company emphasizes "Speed Is King," requiring prompt turnaround for feedback (same-day) and the ability to present initial directions within two weeks. A commitment of approximately 20 hours per week is implied for the initial project phase, with potential adjustments based on project needs and ongoing engagements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided directly in the job description. The benefits are framed around the advantages of a contractor role in a dynamic startup environment, emphasizing flexibility, impact, and skill development rather than traditional employee benefits. The working hours are flexible but demand responsiveness and efficiency, aligning with the company's core values.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce (Direct-to-Consumer - DTC), specializing in the premium pet product market. The company operates across multiple sales channels, including Shopify, Amazon, and Chewy.

Company Size: A lean, senior team, scaling from $50M+ to $100M+ in annual revenue. While exact employee count isn't specified, the description implies a small, highly impactful team rather than a large corporate structure.

Founded: The company is established and profitable, with a track record of rapid growth, indicating a mature yet agile operational framework.

Team Structure:

• A small, senior, and highly autonomous team operating in a 100% remote setup.

• Close collaboration between individuals, with direct access to senior leadership, including the founder.

• The role reports to the Head of Brand & Community and works in close partnership with the CRO Lead.

• Emphasis on cross-functional collaboration, where designers, brand managers, and CRO specialists work in tandem. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Core value emphasizing the use of data, including split-test results, to inform design refinements and strategic choices.

• Agile & Fast-Paced Operations: A culture that prioritizes speed, rapid iteration, and efficient execution ("Speed Is King").

• Creative Problem Solving: Encourages using creativity to achieve ambitious goals with limited resources ("Work Smart," "do more with less").

• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to ongoing refinement and learning ("Better Everyday"), exemplified by using split-test results to enhance the design system.

• High Performance & Ownership: A "will-to-win" mentality where individuals are empowered and expected to take ownership and "Overdeliver."

Company Website: KittySpout.com (Implied, as it's the hiring organization)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is a significant hiring factor, emphasizing a high-performance, results-oriented environment. The "no politics or corporate chicanery" statement suggests a direct, transparent, and meritocratic operational style. The operations focus is on scaling efficiently through smart design, data, and AI, rather than through large teams or bureaucratic processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is for a highly experienced, senior-level freelance designer. It's not a traditional junior or mid-level position but rather one that demands significant autonomy, strategic input, and the ability to operate as a subject matter expert. The "operations" aspect involves contributing to the scalable infrastructure of the company's digital presence through design systems and AI enablement.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to the Head of Brand & Community and work in close collaboration with the CRO Lead. Direct interaction with the CEO is also a key feature, indicating a flat hierarchy and high visibility for impactful work.

Operations Impact: The role's direct impact is on the visual appeal, brand perception, and conversion rates of the company's e-commerce websites. By elevating the brand's online presence and optimizing page designs for conversion, the designer directly contributes to revenue growth and market positioning, aligning with core operational goals of scaling a profitable DTC business. The creation of an AI-extendable design system further enhances operational efficiency by enabling faster content creation and iteration.

Growth Opportunities:

• Project Expansion: The initial project is a significant website revamp, with potential for ongoing design work as KittySpout continues to scale and launch new initiatives.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-assisted design workflows, advanced CRO principles within e-commerce, and the creation of sophisticated design systems for high-growth DTC brands.

• Strategic Contribution: Influence brand direction and digital strategy through direct collaboration with founders and senior leadership.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Build a robust portfolio with high-impact case studies from a rapidly growing, successful DTC company.

• Potential for Long-Term Partnership: Successful delivery on the initial project could lead to a long-term, consistent freelance relationship.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a traditional internal operations role, this position offers significant growth by allowing a designer to operate at a strategic level, contributing to the operational efficiency and scalability of a rapidly growing e-commerce business through advanced design practices. The emphasis is on impact and skill development within a niche but high-growth area of digital operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully remote. The company operates as a 100% remote organization, meaning there is no physical office for this role.

Office Location(s): While the job is listed with a location in Belgrade, Serbia, it is designated as fully remote, meaning the candidate can work from anywhere. The specific mention of Belgrade and Vršac likely relates to potential timezone alignment or logistical considerations for contractor agreements, but the work itself is location-independent for the contractor.

Workspace Context:

• Autonomous Work: The environment fosters independence and self-management, requiring individuals to be highly organized and proactive.

• Collaborative Digital Space: Communication and collaboration will occur primarily through digital channels, likely involving tools like Slack, Figma, and project management software.

• Technology-Centric: Access to and proficient use of advanced design tools, including Figma and AI-powered design applications, is fundamental.

• High-Impact Team: The opportunity to work closely with a small, senior team means direct contribution and visibility on critical business initiatives.

Work Schedule: Flexible due to the remote, contractor nature. However, the company values speed and responsiveness. "Speed Is King" is a core value, implying that while hours are flexible, turnaround times for feedback and project milestones are expected to be swift. The initial project has a defined scope of 40-80 hours over 4-8 weeks, suggesting a dedicated part-time commitment during that period.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is characterized by high autonomy, digital collaboration, and a focus on results and speed. For a designer, this means a self-directed approach is essential, with strong communication skills to bridge the remote gap and ensure alignment with brand and CRO objectives.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Application & Screening: Initial review of applications, focusing on experience, portfolio relevance, and alignment with core values.

2. Paid Test: A practical, real-world assessment where candidates will design one real section for one of the company's brands. This section will be paid at the candidate's agreed hourly rate, ensuring fair compensation for candidate effort and a realistic evaluation of skills.

3. Final Interview: Likely a discussion with key stakeholders (e.g., CEO, Head of Brand & Community, CRO Lead) to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and alignment with project goals.

4. Project Kickoff: If successful, the onboarding and commencement of the website revamp project.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase E-commerce Excellence: Prioritize examples of live Shopify sites that are visually stunning, conversion-optimized, and demonstrate a premium aesthetic.

• Highlight Brand Elevation: Include specific case studies detailing how you've successfully elevated existing brands, emphasizing your process and the tangible improvements made.

• Demonstrate AI Proficiency: Clearly showcase how you integrate AI tools into your workflow. This could be through examples of AI-generated assets, AI-assisted layout explorations, or demonstrating how AI accelerates your design process.

• Detail Design System Creation: Provide examples of Figma design systems you've built, focusing on clarity, modularity, and extensibility, especially for AI integration.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or descriptions of how your designs have impacted conversion rates, revenue, or user engagement.

• Tell the Story: For each project, articulate the challenge, your approach, the tools used (especially AI), and the outcome. Focus on the "why" behind your design decisions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brands: Research KittySpout and its sister brand. Analyze their current websites, brand guidelines, and competitor landscape.

• Prepare for AI Integration: Be ready to discuss your specific AI tools and workflows for design. Think about how AI can be used for exploration, asset creation, and even content generation in a design context.

• Focus on Conversion: Be prepared to articulate how your design choices directly support conversion goals, referencing principles of visual hierarchy, CTAs, and user flow.

• Design System Thinking: Prepare to discuss your process for creating a robust, scalable design system in Figma that can be easily extended, particularly by AI.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The hiring process includes a paid test, which is a strong indicator of how seriously the company takes candidate time and talent. The portfolio review and challenge preparation should heavily lean into the unique requirements of AI integration and design system scalability for future operational efficiency.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for interface design, prototyping, and design system creation. Advanced proficiency is a must.

• AI Design Tools: A broad category, likely including AI image generators (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E), AI layout tools, and potentially AI-powered website builders or content assistants. Experience here is critical for speed and innovation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a design tool, understanding and designing for analytics is key. Familiarity with how designs impact metrics tracked by tools like Google Analytics or specialized e-commerce analytics platforms is beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Shopify Platform: Deep understanding of how designs are implemented and function within the Shopify e-commerce ecosystem.

• CRO Tools: Familiarity with A/B testing platforms (e.g., Optimizely, VWO, Google Optimize) for implementing and analyzing split tests on new designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI tools and Figma is paramount. The role requires a designer who is not just proficient but also innovative in their use of these technologies to drive operational efficiency and design scalability. Understanding the e-commerce platform (Shopify) and CRO tools is essential for ensuring designs translate into measurable business results.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Better Everyday: Continuously refine designs and the design system based on performance data (split tests) and feedback. The goal is iterative improvement that enhances both aesthetics and conversion.

• Speed Is King: Deliver high-quality design work rapidly, with quick turnaround times for feedback and revisions. This value drives the need for AI proficiency and efficient workflows.

• Work Smart: Leverage AI tools and a well-structured design system to achieve maximum output and impact with efficient use of resources. Focus on creating scalable solutions, not just one-off pages.

• Overdeliver: Go beyond basic requirements by creating a design system that empowers the team for long-term growth and innovation, ensuring the company can continue to extend its digital presence effectively and consistently.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct & Proactive: Expected to take direction but also push back with better ideas based on design expertise. Collaboration is a partnership focused on achieving business goals.

• Data-Informed: Design decisions should be grounded in data and conversion principles, working closely with the CRO Lead.

• Cross-Functional Synergy: Close partnership with Brand & Community and CRO teams to ensure cohesive strategy and execution.

• Transparent Communication: Given the remote nature, clear, concise, and timely communication is vital.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values are deeply embedded in their operational philosophy. For a designer, this means embracing speed, data, continuous improvement, and smart use of technology (especially AI) to drive business outcomes. The collaborative style is one of mutual respect, expertise-driven contribution, and a shared commitment to growth.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Aesthetics and Conversion: The primary challenge is to elevate the brand's look and feel to a premium, distinctive level without sacrificing conversion rates. This requires a nuanced understanding of both brand perception and performance marketing.

• AI Integration Complexity: Effectively integrating AI into the design workflow requires experimentation, adaptation, and staying abreast of rapidly evolving AI capabilities. Ensuring AI outputs align with brand standards will be a continuous effort.

• Scalability of Design System: Building a design system that is robust enough for a rapidly growing company and extensible via AI requires foresight and meticulous planning.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining seamless communication and project alignment within a fully remote, lean team requires excellent self-management and digital communication skills.

• Rapid Iteration Cycles: The "Speed Is King" value means designs must be produced and iterated upon quickly, demanding efficient workflows and decisive design choices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced AI Design Skills: Become a leader in applying AI tools to e-commerce design challenges, gaining highly sought-after expertise.

• CRO Expertise: Deepen understanding of conversion-focused design by working directly with a CRO Lead and participating in A/B testing.

• Design System Mastery: Gain experience in building and maintaining scalable design systems for high-growth DTC brands, a critical component of efficient digital operations.

• Strategic Brand Impact: Directly influence the visual identity and conversion performance of a rapidly scaling DTC company.

• Exposure to Founder/Leadership: Work closely with senior leadership, gaining insights into strategic business decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are directly tied to the company's growth ambitions and innovative operational approach. Overcoming these challenges offers significant opportunities for professional growth in specialized, high-demand areas of digital design and operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for evaluating an existing e-commerce brand and identifying opportunities for aesthetic elevation while maintaining or improving conversion rates." (Focus on your methodology, research, and how you balance brand vs. performance.)

• "How do you typically build a Figma design system to ensure it's both comprehensive for developers and extensible for AI tools? Can you walk us through a key principle of your system design?" (Highlight your systematic thinking and AI readiness.)

• "Given our core values of 'Speed Is King' and 'Work Smart,' how would you approach the initial two-week delivery of 2-3 web directions for two distinct brands?" (Demonstrate your ability to work efficiently and strategically.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "KittySpout values a 'will-to-win' and 'no work is beneath us' mentality. Can you share an example of a time you went above and beyond on a project, even if it was outside your typical scope?" (Assess cultural fit and work ethic.)

• "How do you ensure your design work aligns with data-driven decision-making, especially when collaborating with a CRO Lead?" (Showcase your analytical approach and collaborative spirit.)

• "What are your thoughts on working in a lean, 100% remote team environment, and what strategies do you employ to stay connected and productive?" (Gauge your adaptability to remote work and team dynamics.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each key project in your portfolio, clearly articulate the problem, your solution (design process, AI integration, design system approach), and the results (conversion impact, brand elevation).

• Highlight AI Integration Explicitly: Don't just mention AI; show how you used it. Demonstrate specific examples of AI-generated assets, AI-assisted explorations, or how AI sped up your workflow.

• Showcase the Design System: Present your Figma design system examples with clarity. Explain its structure, component logic, and how it's designed for future extension, especially by AI.

• Focus on Conversion: For e-commerce sites, point out specific design elements that drive conversion – clear CTAs, benefit-driven copy placement, strong visual hierarchy, and seamless user flows.

• Be Prepared for a Design Exercise: If the paid test involves designing a section, have a clear process in mind for how you'd approach it, including initial research, concept sketching (even if conceptual), AI exploration, and Figma implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skill but also strategic thinking, operational efficiency through AI and design systems, and a strong cultural fit with KittySpout's values. The paid test is a significant part of the process, so candidates should treat it as a real project.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-aligned design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in Shopify, e-commerce design, AI-assisted design, Figma, design systems, and conversion optimization. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Increased conversion rate by X% through UI redesign").

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest e-commerce projects, with a clear emphasis on Shopify sites. Ensure your portfolio explicitly showcases your ability to elevate brands, your AI design workflow, and your Figma design system expertise. Include case studies detailing brand elevation and conversion impact.

• Prepare for the Paid Test: Understand that a paid test is part of the process. Be ready to dedicate time to designing a real section for one of KittySpout's brands, showcasing your skills under realistic project conditions.

• Research KittySpout: Familiarize yourself with their brand, products, competitors, and their stated company values. Be prepared to articulate how your design philosophy aligns with their operational goals.

• Practice Your Pitch: Be ready to clearly articulate your design process, your experience with AI tools, and how you can contribute to KittySpout's mission of creating distinctive, high-converting e-commerce experiences.

⚠️ 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.