Shopify Brand & Web Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Shopify Brand & Web Designer

Company: KittySpout

Location: Kyiv, Ukraine (Fully Remote)

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: E-commerce Web Design & Brand Elevation

Date Posted: 2026-11-03

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead a comprehensive website revamp and upgrade for a rapidly scaling DTC pet brand, focusing on enhancing brand uniqueness and visual appeal.

• Develop and implement a sophisticated Figma design system for two distinct brands, ensuring mobile-first design principles and clear component structures.

• Design conversion-optimized website sections and signature elements that elevate brand perception while driving measurable sales growth.

• Collaborate closely with Brand & Community leadership and CRO specialists to translate brand vision into high-converting digital experiences.

• Leverage AI-first design methodologies and tools to accelerate the design process and empower the internal team for future content creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for a high-growth DTC brand aiming to significantly scale its online presence. The emphasis on AI-first design and the creation of a robust, extendable design system highlights a forward-thinking approach to digital asset management and rapid iteration within the e-commerce space. The compensation structure as a contractor with an hourly rate suggests a project-based engagement with potential for ongoing work.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic review of existing websites, brand guidelines, and competitor landscapes to propose 2-3 distinct web design directions for each of the two brands.

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

• Design 8-10 signature conversion-focused website sections per brand (e.g., hero, benefits, social proof, bundles, brand story) for both mobile and desktop views.

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

• Collaborate with the CRO Lead to launch major new website sections as A/B split tests, meticulously tracking conversion rate and revenue per visitor against existing versions.

• Conduct thorough reviews of newly built website pages against approved Figma designs before their live launch to maintain design integrity.

• Develop clear usage guidelines, clean Figma files, necessary assets, and a concise walkthrough to facilitate the internal web team's extension of the design system using AI tools.

• Participate in a review of the first new sections built by the team using the design system to ensure brand consistency and adherence to design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a senior-level design role with a strong emphasis on strategic thinking, system design, and conversion optimization, rather than just aesthetic execution. The expectation to "overdeliver" by creating a system for AI extension points to a significant impact on the company's future operational efficiency and scalability.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not explicitly stated, but a strong portfolio and demonstrable experience are prioritized over formal education.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in website design, with a significant focus on e-commerce platforms.

Required Skills:

• Shopify Expertise: Proven experience designing and optimizing websites specifically for the Shopify platform.

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

• E-commerce Design: Deep understanding of e-commerce best practices, user journeys, and conversion principles specific to online retail.

• AI-First Design: Demonstrated experience and comfort using AI tools for image generation, layout exploration, and accelerated asset production in daily design workflows.

• Design Systems: Ability to create well-structured, documented, and extendable design systems in Figma that can be easily understood and utilized by developers and AI tools.

• Conversion-Led Design: Strong knowledge of conversion rate optimization (CRO) principles, including visual hierarchy, persuasive copywriting placement, clear calls-to-action, and speed optimization.

• Mobile-First Design: Expertise in designing responsive and user-friendly interfaces for mobile devices, ensuring seamless experiences across all screen sizes.

• Brand Elevation: Proven ability to build upon existing brand guidelines to create a more unique, premium, and distinctive brand aesthetic without compromising core brand identity.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent verbal and written English communication skills, with the ability to take direction, provide constructive feedback, and work effectively within a remote, fast-paced team.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) brands.

• Familiarity with or experience in the pet product industry.

• Experience working with Amazon and Chewy platforms.

• Understanding of web development principles to facilitate collaboration with developers.

• Familiarity with A/B testing methodologies and tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "AI-First Design" and "Design Systems" that AI can extend is a key differentiator. Candidates should highlight their experience with AI tools not just for generating assets but for conceptualizing and iterating on design directions rapidly. The portfolio requirement specifically calls for work that "shows real taste" and "looks better than most of what is on Shopify today," indicating a high bar for aesthetic quality and innovation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Live E-commerce Websites: A robust portfolio showcasing live e-commerce websites, with a strong preference for Shopify sites.

• Demonstrated Taste & Creativity: Examples that clearly exhibit high aesthetic quality, unique design thinking, and a sophisticated visual style that stands out in the e-commerce landscape.

• Brand Elevation Case Studies: Specific projects that illustrate the ability to take established brands and elevate their online presence, making them more premium and distinctive while retaining core brand equity.

• Conversion-Focused Design Examples: Projects that highlight a clear understanding of conversion principles, showcasing how design decisions directly contributed to improved user engagement and sales performance.

• Design System Examples: If available, examples of design systems or style guides created for previous projects, demonstrating structured component libraries, clear documentation, and scalability.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Clarity: Demonstrate an ability to document design processes, including how AI tools were integrated, how user feedback was incorporated, and how design systems were structured for clarity and ease of use.

• System Usage Rules: Provide examples of how clear, concise usage rules for design elements and components are created, ensuring consistency when extended by other team members or AI.

• Collaboration Protocols: Showcase an understanding of how to document collaborative workflows, including how feedback is managed, revisions are tracked, and handoffs to development or AI teams are executed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Beyond just showing finished websites, candidates must demonstrate their strategic approach to design, their ability to elevate existing brands, and their proficiency with modern design tools and methodologies, particularly AI and design systems. The "handover so AI can extend it" implies a need for exceptionally clean, well-organized Figma files and clear, actionable documentation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: USD $35 – $70 per hour

Explanation of Range: This range is based on the provided information and industry benchmarks for experienced, freelance web designers with specialized skills in e-commerce, Shopify, AI-first design, and design systems. The lower end is for designers with a strong portfolio and proven experience, while the higher end reflects exceptional taste, extensive experience in brand elevation, and mastery of AI design tools.

Currency: USD

Unit: Per Hour

Benefits:

• Fully Remote Work: The ability to work from anywhere, offering maximum flexibility and work-life balance.

• Ongoing Contract Work: Potential for continued engagement beyond the initial website revamp project, providing stable income and project variety.

• Direct Impact: Opportunity to work directly with senior leadership, including the CEO, and have a significant influence on a rapidly scaling business.

• Fast-Paced Environment: A dynamic work setting that rewards speed, creativity, and a strong will-to-win.

• Project Variety: Potential to work on new brand initiatives and design challenges as the company continues to expand.

Working Hours: The initial website revamp project is estimated at 40–80 hours over 4–8 weeks. While specific daily working hours are flexible due to the remote and freelance nature, candidates must be available to turn feedback around the same day and meet tight deadlines ("Speed Is King"). This implies a commitment to availability during core business hours for effective collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hourly rate is competitive for specialized freelance design work. The primary "benefit" is the opportunity for impactful, ongoing remote work with a fast-growing company, allowing for significant professional development and influence. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their availability and responsiveness to feedback.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce (Direct-to-Consumer - DTC), Pet Products. KittySpout operates within the premium DTC pet brand space, a rapidly growing sector. They also manage a second brand in a different vertical, showcasing diversification.

Company Size: Lean, senior team. The company is scaling from $50M+ to $100M+ in annual revenue. While specific employee numbers aren't given, the "lean, senior team" description suggests a focused, experienced group, not a large corporate structure.

Founded: Not specified, but the company is described as "profitable" and "fast-growing," indicating established operations and a strong market position.

Team Structure:

• Lean & Senior: Composed of highly experienced professionals who move quickly and have a significant impact.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The designer will work directly with the Head of Brand & Community and the CRO Lead, indicating close collaboration across brand, design, and performance marketing functions.

• Direct Access to Leadership: Opportunity to work directly with the founder/CEO.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizes data, including split-test results, to inform design refinements and business strategies.

• Agile & Iterative: Emphasizes rapid iteration, continuous improvement ("Better Everyday"), and using AI to accelerate processes.

• Outcome-Oriented: Focuses on achieving specific, measurable results aligned with business goals.

Company Website: [KittySpout Company URL - Note: Actual URL not provided in input, placeholder used.]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by a strong "will-to-win," a bias for action, and a focus on efficiency through creativity and AI. It's explicitly stated that this is not a "stress-free corporate 9–5 job," but rather a challenging environment for those who want to "drive results" and "shape a fast-growing company." Understanding and aligning with these values is crucial for cultural fit.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Freelance Designer / Design Lead for specific projects. This role is project-based, focusing on a critical revamp, with the potential for ongoing contributions. It sits at a senior individual contributor level within the design and GTM (Go-To-Market) operational functions.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to and collaborate closely with the Head of Brand & Community and the CRO Lead. There is also direct interaction with the CEO for key approvals.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and significant impact on revenue generation through conversion-focused design and brand elevation. Success is measured by improved conversion rates, revenue per visitor, and the distinctiveness of the brand's online presence, all of which are core GTM operations metrics.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-first design, advanced Figma design systems, and conversion-driven e-commerce strategies.

• Brand Development: Gain experience in elevating multiple premium DTC brands within a high-growth environment.

• Strategic Influence: Contribute to core GTM strategy through design recommendations and direct collaboration with leadership.

• Ongoing Engagement: The possibility of continued freelance work provides a stable platform for long-term contribution and growth within the company's evolving needs.

• Exposure to Scale: Experience working with a company scaling from $50M to $100M+ in revenue offers insights into high-growth operational challenges and solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contractor role, the emphasis on "ongoing" work and "shaping a fast-growing company" suggests opportunities for deeper integration and impact. Growth is less about traditional career ladders and more about increasing scope, impact, and specialization within the freelance engagement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This is a 100% remote position, allowing the designer to work from any location.

Office Location(s): Not applicable, as the role is fully remote. The company has a global remote team, with a specific mention of Kyiv, Ukraine for this role's context.

Workspace Context:

• Independent Work: The role requires self-discipline, time management, and the ability to work autonomously.

• Collaborative Tools: Expect to use digital collaboration tools (e.g., Figma, Slack, video conferencing) for communication and project management.

• Fast-Paced Iteration: The environment fosters quick turnarounds, direct feedback, and continuous refinement of designs.

• AI Integration: A core aspect of the workspace involves integrating AI tools into the design workflow for efficiency and exploration.

Work Schedule: Flexible, but requires availability for same-day feedback and responsiveness to meet project timelines. Collaboration with team members in different time zones may require some coordination. The initial project has a defined timeframe of 4-8 weeks, with potential for ongoing work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature and the emphasis on speed and autonomy are key characteristics of this work environment. Candidates should be comfortable with asynchronous communication and proactive engagement to ensure project success.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Phase 1: Application & Screening: Initial review of applications, focusing on experience, skills, and alignment with the company's values. A portfolio review is a critical part of this stage.

• Phase 2: Paid Test: A practical, paid test project where the candidate will design one real section for one of the company's brands at their agreed hourly rate. This assesses practical skills, speed, and adherence to brand/conversion principles.

• Phase 3: Final Interview: A discussion to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and detailed alignment with the role's requirements, likely involving leadership.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest e-commerce projects, prioritizing those on Shopify that demonstrate high taste, brand elevation, and conversion optimization.

• Highlight AI Integration: If possible, include examples or descriptions of how you've used AI tools to enhance your design process, speed, or exploration capabilities.

• Showcase Design Systems: If you have examples of design systems, style guides, or component libraries you've built, include them. Emphasize their structure and how they facilitate scalability.

• Quantify Impact: For conversion-focused projects, include metrics or descriptions of how your design decisions led to tangible improvements (e.g., increased conversion rates, better engagement).

• Address Brand Elevation: Clearly articulate your process for taking an existing brand and making it more unique and premium, demonstrating how you built upon current branding effectively.

• Prepare for Walkthrough: Be ready to walk through your portfolio, explaining your design choices, process, and the outcomes achieved for each project.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the "Why": Be prepared to articulate why you made specific design choices, linking them directly to conversion goals, brand strategy, and the company's values (Speed Is King, Work Smart, Overdeliver).

• AI Tool Fluency: Be ready to discuss your experience with AI design tools and how you leverage them for efficiency and creative exploration.

• Figma System Design: Understand the principles of building a scalable, developer- and AI-friendly design system in Figma.

• Brand Sensitivity: Demonstrate an understanding of how to build on existing branding rather than creating a full rebrand.

📝 Enhancement Note: The paid test is a significant differentiator in their hiring process, indicating they value practical application and are willing to invest in assessing candidates. Candidates should treat this test as a crucial opportunity to showcase their skills and cultural fit under real-world conditions.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for all design work, including wireframing, prototyping, UI/UX design, and the creation of comprehensive design systems. Advanced proficiency is required.

• AI Design Tools: A broad category; candidates should be proficient in various AI tools for image generation, layout assistance, content ideation, and potentially code generation or asset creation. Examples could include Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, Adobe Firefly, or AI-powered plugins within Figma.

• Shopify Platform: Deep understanding of Shopify's capabilities, themes, and design limitations/opportunities is crucial for effective e-commerce design.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) Principles: While not a tool, a strong understanding of CRO metrics and how design impacts them is vital.

• A/B Testing Tools: Familiarity with how designs are implemented in A/B tests (e.g., through Shopify apps or custom code) and how results are tracked is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not Directly Applicable: This role focuses on the front-end design and user experience of the website rather than CRM or back-end automation systems, though understanding how these systems influence customer journeys is helpful.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "AI-First Design" and the need for a design system that AI can extend means candidates must be conversant in the latest AI design technologies and methodologies. Proficiency in Figma is non-negotiable.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Better Everyday: A commitment to continuous improvement, using data from split tests and feedback to refine designs and systems. This implies an iterative approach to design and a focus on long-term value.

• Speed Is King: A high-priority value, emphasizing rapid execution, quick feedback loops, and efficient workflows. Candidates must be able to deliver results quickly without sacrificing quality.

• Work Smart: Leveraging AI and efficient processes to achieve more with less effort. This value encourages innovation in workflows and tool utilization.

• Overdeliver: Going beyond expectations to provide lasting value, such as creating a design system that the team can build upon for years, not just a one-off set of pages. This highlights a focus on sustainable impact and long-term solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct & Proactive: Expect direct communication and a need to proactively engage with team members and leadership.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture that embraces feedback, both giving and receiving, to drive improvements.

• Goal-Oriented: Collaboration is focused on achieving specific business outcomes and project objectives.

• No Politics: The company explicitly states an absence of "politics or corporate chicanery," suggesting a transparent and results-focused working environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Cultural fit is stated as the "#1 factor." Candidates must demonstrate alignment with these four core values through their communication style, approach to problem-solving, and work ethic. The "will-to-win" and "no work is beneath us" attitude are key indicators of the desired mindset.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Uniqueness with Conversion: The core challenge is to make two distinct brands "more unique and stand out" while ensuring "every page is still designed to convert." This requires a nuanced approach to design that marries aesthetic appeal with performance marketing principles.

• Elevating Existing Brands: Working within existing brand guidelines to elevate them without a full rebrand requires strategic thinking and careful execution to respect the established identity while pushing its premium perception.

• AI Integration & Scalability: Successfully creating a design system that is not only functional for human developers but also easily extendable by AI tools requires forward-thinking design and documentation practices.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Meeting the "Speed Is King" value means working under tight deadlines and delivering rapid iterations, which can be demanding but also highly rewarding for driven individuals.

• Remote Collaboration: Effectively collaborating and communicating complex design ideas within a fully remote, lean team requires strong interpersonal and digital communication skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Cutting-Edge Design Methodologies: Gain hands-on experience with AI-first design workflows and advanced design system architecture.

• E-commerce Strategy: Deepen understanding of DTC e-commerce operations, conversion optimization, and scaling strategies for high-growth brands.

• Brand Building: Contribute to the strategic development and visual identity of premium DTC brands.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Work closely with brand, marketing, and CRO specialists, gaining insights into different facets of online business growth.

• Leadership Interaction: Direct engagement with senior leadership offers mentorship and strategic perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed as opportunities for growth, particularly in mastering AI-driven design and strategic brand elevation within a high-performance context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for elevating an existing e-commerce brand's website without a full rebrand. How do you balance maintaining brand equity with introducing a more premium and unique look?" (Focus on your approach to brand analysis, identifying opportunities, and iterative design).

• "Walk us through a project where you successfully designed a website or key sections with a primary focus on conversion. What metrics did you track, and how did your design decisions influence those outcomes?" (Be ready to discuss hierarchy, CTAs, proof elements, and quantifiable results).

• "How do you approach building a design system in Figma, particularly one intended for use by developers and AI tools? What are the key considerations for making it scalable and easy to extend?" (Discuss component structure, documentation, variable usage, and maintainability). Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you embody our core values of Better Everyday, Speed Is King, Work Smart, and Overdeliver in your design work?" (Provide specific examples for each value).

• "This is a fast-paced, remote environment with a lean team. How do you ensure effective communication and collaboration, especially when turning feedback around the same day?" (Discuss your preferred communication tools and strategies for remote work).

• "KittySpout is aiming to scale from $50M to $100M+. How do you see the role of design in supporting that growth, and what impact do you aim to make?" (Connect your design contributions to business objectives). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each portfolio piece, tell a compelling story: the challenge, your approach (highlighting AI and conversion principles), your solution, and the results.

• Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, use numbers to demonstrate impact. If exact numbers aren't available, use descriptive language about the positive outcomes.

• Demonstrate AI Integration: If you have specific examples of how AI tools accelerated your process or led to unique design directions, highlight them clearly.

• Focus on "Taste" and "Uniqueness": Be prepared to articulate why your designs are considered high-taste and unique, and how they stand out from competitors.

• Figma System Clarity: If showing a design system, be prepared to explain its structure, components, and how it's intended to be used and extended.

📝 Enhancement Note: The paid test is a critical component. Treat it as an opportunity to showcase your skills in a real-world scenario. Be prepared to discuss your hourly rate and how it aligns with the value you bring. The emphasis on "no politics" suggests a straightforward, results-oriented interview process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Workable application link provided.

• Tailor Your Resume: Emphasize your experience with Shopify, Figma, e-commerce design, AI-first design workflows, and building design systems. Quantify achievements related to conversion rate improvements or brand elevation where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features live e-commerce sites (ideally Shopify), showcasing high taste, brand elevation capabilities, and conversion-focused design. Include examples of design systems or AI integration if available.

• Prepare for the Paid Test: Understand that a paid test project is part of the process. Be ready to demonstrate your skills and approach on a real brand section.

• Research KittySpout: Familiarize yourself with their brands, their market position, and their stated company values. Prepare to articulate how your work and work style align with their culture.

• Craft Your Cover Letter: Briefly highlight your most relevant experience and express your enthusiasm for the role, emphasizing your understanding of their need for unique, conversion-driven design and your AI-first approach.

⚠️ 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.