UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Designer

Company: VML

Location: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Design / Digital Experience

Date Posted: April 30, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the creation of distinctive visual languages that push creative boundaries and connect with brand identities across all digital channels.

• Translate complex brand and product strategies into unique, visually differentiated solutions with meticulous attention to detail and technical execution.

• Collaborate extensively with multidisciplinary teams, including strategy, development, content, and product, to ensure visual decisions align with business objectives and strategic goals.

• Lead art direction for multiple projects from initial concept through final delivery, maintaining visual and narrative consistency across all touchpoints, with a focus on leveraging AI tools for efficient visual asset creation.

• Mentor and manage junior to mid-level designers, guiding their career development and performance within the Visual Experience discipline.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior UI Designer, with significant art direction and team leadership responsibilities. The emphasis on "exploratory creative territories" and "distinctive visual languages" suggests a need for highly innovative and strategic design thinking, rather than purely execution-focused UI work. The integration of AI tools and the focus on connecting "business, strategy, technology, and human behavior" highlight a modern, integrated approach to design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and evolve unique visual languages that define brand presence and digital experiences across various platforms, ensuring they are innovative and distinct.

• Conceptualize and execute visual solutions that align with strategic brand positioning and product objectives, prioritizing detail and technical craftsmanship.

• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration, ensuring design output is strategically sound and supports broader business and technical requirements.

• Drive art direction for projects, overseeing the visual narrative and consistency from ideation to final implementation, incorporating AI-assisted design workflows.

• Present and defend design concepts and strategies to clients at all levels, building strong relationships and articulating rationale clearly.

• Actively mentor and guide junior and mid-level designers, fostering their professional growth and contributing to the team's overall skill enhancement.

• Contribute to internal initiatives aimed at advancing the Visual Experience discipline and establishing new visual standards within the agency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a senior role requiring leadership in visual strategy and execution. The mention of "AI tools for efficient visual asset creation" and "exploring unchartered creative/visual territories" emphasizes innovation and a forward-thinking approach to design. The expectation to mentor and manage designers implies a leadership track.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Interaction Design, or a related field is typically expected for this level of experience.

Experience: Minimum of 7 years of proven experience in creating and expanding visual languages for brands across multiple media and channels.

Required Skills:

• Extensive portfolio demonstrating expertise in brand visual identity and its translation into digital experiences, including art direction and UI design.

• Expert proficiency in Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Demonstrated experience with motion design tools such as After Effects.

• Familiarity with 3D tools and knowledge of AI tools for visual creation.

• Strong conceptual thinking and leadership in developing strategic design solutions.

• Excellent presentation and client communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions based on conceptual and strategic foundations.

• Native or near-native fluency in English, essential for international projects and collaboration.

• Proven ability to adapt to changing environments and manage work effectively in situations of uncertainty.

• Experience in managing and developing design teams, coupled with a willingness to be hands-on ("bajar al barro").

• A strong drive for continuous learning and a commitment to excellence in design.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with advanced 3D rendering software.

• Familiarity with emerging AI-driven design platforms and workflows.

• Experience working on international or global brand projects.

• Knowledge of UX principles to inform visual design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "+7 years" and the explicit mention of "managing and developing junior to mid-level designers" strongly suggest this is a Senior UI Designer or Art Director role with team leadership expectations. The emphasis on "exploring unchartered creative/visual territories" and creating "distinctive visual languages" points towards a need for highly creative and innovative designers, not just proficient executors. The requirement for English fluency is crucial for international collaboration within VML's global network.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio that clearly showcases a proven track record in developing and expanding visual languages for brands across diverse media and digital channels over 7+ years.

• Demonstrated ability to translate brand identity and product strategies into compelling digital experiences, with specific examples of art direction and UI design execution.

• Case studies that highlight conceptual thinking, strategic rationale behind design decisions, and the impact of the visual solutions on brand perception or user engagement.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase understanding of the design process from conceptualization and strategy alignment through to detailed UI implementation and art direction.

• Include examples of how you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (strategy, development, content, product) to ensure cohesive project delivery.

• Demonstrate experience in presenting and defending design work to clients, articulating strategic underpinnings and conceptual frameworks.

• Highlight any experience or familiarity with leveraging AI tools within the design workflow for asset creation or exploration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are central to this role, emphasizing not just the final output but also the design process, strategic thinking, and collaborative approach. The need to demonstrate experience with "brand visual identity and its translation into digital experiences" and "art direction" is critical. The mention of AI tools suggests candidates should be prepared to discuss their use in their portfolio.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on VML's global presence, the hybrid model in Barcelona, and the senior-level experience (7+ years with management responsibilities), a competitive salary range for a UI Designer in Barcelona would typically fall between €45,000 and €65,000 annually. This is an estimate and can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio, and final negotiation. Barcelona generally has a cost of living comparable to other major European cities, with salaries reflecting this.

Benefits:

• 🧐 Flexible working hours to accommodate work-life balance.

• ✈️ 25 days of annual vacation, plus Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve off if they fall on weekdays.

• 💻 Hybrid work model based in Barcelona.

• 🎓 Personalized career plan and continuous training opportunities to foster professional development.

• 👩‍🏫 English language classes to enhance proficiency.

• 🙌 No dress code policy, promoting a comfortable work environment.

• 🛍️ Exclusive discounts and dedicated time for personal growth.

• 💳 Access to Cobee, a flexible compensation system.

• 🤱 Maternity support initiatives and policies promoting equality and diversity.

Working Hours: The job description implies a standard full-time role, likely around 40 hours per week, with the added benefit of flexible hours. The hybrid model suggests an expectation of being in the office approximately 4 days a week, with one day remote.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on standard industry benchmarks for senior UI Designers in a major European city like Barcelona, considering the employer's profile (VML/WPP) and the role's seniority and leadership aspects. Localized salary data for Barcelona was consulted to ensure relevance. The listed benefits are directly extracted from the provided text.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing & Advertising / Digital Transformation / Creative Services. VML, part of WPP, is a global leader combining brand experience, customer experience, and commerce. They focus on human-first, award-winning work for major clients. The "The Cocktail" division specifically emphasizes designing for complex contexts involving people, platforms, and AI, and helping organizations navigate change and uncertainty.

Company Size: VML is a large global entity, part of WPP, employing over 26,000 people across 55+ markets. This specific division in Barcelona ("The Cocktail") contributes to this global network, suggesting a dynamic and expansive organizational structure.

Founded: VML was formed through the merger of WPP agencies VML and Wunderman Thompson in 2024, building on decades of experience from its predecessor agencies. The "The Cocktail" entity has its own history, emphasizing design as a driver of change.

Team Structure:

• The Design team operates within a multidisciplinary environment, working closely with strategy, development, content, and product teams.

• This role involves leading art direction and mentoring junior to mid-level designers, indicating a hierarchical structure within the design function.

Methodology:

• VML emphasizes a human-first approach, integrating brand experience, customer experience, and commerce.

• "The Cocktail" division focuses on designing for complex, changing environments driven by technology and AI, prioritizing human behavior and ethical considerations.

• Design is viewed not as an aesthetic layer but as a system connecting business, strategy, technology, and human behavior, aiming to transform uncertainty into clear, impactful solutions.

• The agency utilizes AI tools for creative processes, indicating a forward-thinking adoption of technology.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context highlights a large, global agency network (VML/WPP) with a specialized division ("The Cocktail") focused on cutting-edge design driven by technology, AI, and human behavior. This suggests a dynamic, innovative, and collaborative environment where design is strategically integrated into business transformation. The size implies ample opportunities for cross-project exposure and career growth.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a Senior UI Designer or Art Director level. It involves significant individual contribution, leading creative direction for projects, and managing/mentoring junior designers. The expectation of contributing to strategic development and establishing new visual standards places it beyond a purely execution-focused role, pointing towards leadership potential within the design discipline.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into a design leadership position within "The Cocktail" division. It also involves direct reporting and mentorship of junior and mid-level designers. Collaboration with strategy, development, content, and product teams indicates a matrixed reporting or strong cross-functional interaction structure.

Operations Impact: The UI Designer's impact is substantial, directly shaping how brands manifest and interact digitally. By creating distinctive visual languages and translating strategies into user experiences, this role influences brand perception, user engagement, and ultimately, business outcomes for VML's clients. The leadership aspect means their impact is amplified through the growth and output of their team.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Leadership: Progression to Art Director, Creative Director, or Head of Design roles, leading larger teams and more significant creative initiatives.

• Strategic Design: Deepening involvement in client strategy and business transformation projects, leveraging design thinking to solve complex business challenges.

• Specialization: Developing expertise in specific areas like AI-driven design, motion graphics, 3D visualization, or advanced digital experience design.

• International Exposure: Opportunities to work on global projects, collaborating with VML teams worldwide and gaining exposure to diverse markets and client challenges.

• Continuous Learning: Access to ongoing training, workshops, and potentially certifications to stay at the forefront of design trends and technologies, including AI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for this role clearly leans towards design leadership and strategic influence. The emphasis on mentoring and team development, combined with the agency's focus on complex transformations, suggests ample opportunities for growth into senior creative and leadership positions within VML's global structure.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Barcelona and operates under a hybrid model. While the specific office setup isn't detailed, VML's description implies a collaborative and connected environment designed to foster creativity. The mention of "no dress code" suggests a relaxed yet professional atmosphere.

Office Location(s): Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. This location serves as a hub for VML's operations in the region, likely offering modern facilities conducive to creative work and collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to encourage collaboration, with teams expected to be in the office an average of four days a week. This facilitates spontaneous ideation, team synergy, and client interactions.

• The environment is expected to be equipped with the necessary design tools and technology, including Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and potentially advanced hardware for 3D and motion work.

• Opportunities for interaction with a diverse range of professionals—strategists, developers, content creators, and other designers—are inherent in the multidisciplinary setting.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time schedule (approximately 40 hours per week) is implied, with the significant benefit of flexible working hours. This allows designers to manage their time effectively, balancing project demands with personal needs. The hybrid model also provides flexibility in how and where work is performed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with a focus on in-office collaboration (4 days/week) indicates VML values in-person interaction for creativity and teamwork. The "no dress code" policy points to a more relaxed, modern agency culture.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit your CV and portfolio through the VML careers portal.

• Initial Screening: The People (HR) team will review applications. Candidates whose profiles and portfolios align with the requirements will be contacted for an initial call.

• First Interview (People Team/Hiring Manager): This stage likely focuses on understanding your background, motivations, and cultural fit. Be prepared to discuss your career journey, your interest in VML and this specific role, and your approach to design challenges.

• Portfolio Review & Creative/Technical Interview: You'll likely present your portfolio to the hiring manager and/or senior design team members. Be ready to walk through key projects, articulate your design process, strategic thinking, and the rationale behind your visual decisions. Expect to discuss your experience with specific tools (Figma, Adobe Suite, AI tools) and your approach to art direction and team management.

• Team/Cross-functional Interviews: You may meet with other designers or members of multidisciplinary teams (strategy, development) to assess collaboration skills and how you integrate into their workflows.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss strategic vision, leadership capabilities, and overall fit within the agency's culture and goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your ability to create distinctive visual languages, lead art direction, and translate strategy into digital experiences. Prioritize projects that showcase innovation and problem-solving.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the brief/challenge, your strategic approach, the design process (including conceptualization and tool usage), your specific role, and the outcome or impact. Emphasize your leadership and mentoring contributions if applicable.

• Highlight Visual Language & Art Direction: Clearly showcase your ability to develop and expand visual identities and your skills in art direction. Demonstrate how your designs connect with brand strategy and user needs.

• Showcase Tool Proficiency: Explicitly mention and, if possible, demonstrate your expertise with Figma, Adobe Suite, motion design (After Effects), 3D tools, and any AI visual creation tools used.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the success of your designs. For example, "increased user engagement by X%," or "received positive client feedback on brand consistency."

• Be Prepared for AI Discussion: Given the mention of AI tools, be ready to discuss your experience, perspective, and any ethical considerations regarding AI in design.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, reflecting your professional standards.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential design challenges that test your conceptual thinking, ability to translate a brief into visual concepts, and efficiency under time constraints.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, as if presenting to a client or senior stakeholder.

• Understand VML's approach to design as a driver of transformation and human-centered solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely multi-stage, emphasizing portfolio presentation, strategic thinking, and collaborative capabilities. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate leadership, mentoring experience, and proficiency with modern design tools, including AI. The portfolio is the primary tool for showcasing these skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaborative workflows. Expect to use it extensively for creating and iterating on user interfaces.

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Photoshop: For image manipulation, asset creation, and detailed visual work.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logo design, and icon creation.
  • InDesign: Potentially for brand guideline documentation or presentations.

• Motion Design Tools:

  • After Effects: Crucial for creating motion graphics, animations, and UI micro-interactions.

• 3D Tools: Experience with 3D software is required, suggesting tools like Blender, Cinema 4D, or similar for creating 3D assets or visualizations.

• AI Visual Creation Tools: Familiarity with AI tools for generating images, concepts, or assets is explicitly mentioned, indicating a need to stay current with AI advancements in design.

Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly listed as required tools for the designer, understanding how designs perform through analytics (e.g., user behavior, conversion rates) is implied by the agency's focus on impact and experience. Designers may use or interface with reporting dashboards.

CRM & Automation: Not directly relevant to the UI Designer role, but awareness of how design integrates into broader marketing and customer experience platforms may be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on industry-standard design software, with a notable emphasis on motion design, 3D, and emerging AI tools. Proficiency in Figma and the Adobe Suite is a baseline, with After Effects and 3D/AI tool experience being key differentiators.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human-Centricity: A core value that places people at the center of design decisions, ensuring solutions are relatable, ethical, and impactful.

• Curiosity & Continuous Learning: Encouragement to be curious, constantly learn, and strive for excellence in all aspects of design work.

• Ambition & Drive: A desire to be the best, tackle ambitious projects, and contribute to transforming ideas into reality.

• Collaboration & Cross-functional Integration: Working effectively within multidisciplinary teams, valuing diverse perspectives to achieve common goals.

• Innovation & Forward-Thinking: Embracing new technologies like AI and exploring uncharted creative territories to push boundaries.

• Adaptability: Comfort and resilience in navigating changing environments and uncertainty.

Collaboration Style:

• Multidisciplinary Teams: Close collaboration with strategy, development, content, and product teams is fundamental.

• Mentorship & Guidance: A culture of supporting and developing junior talent through active mentoring and feedback.

• Open Communication: Encouraged to ask questions, challenge the status quo, and share viewpoints.

• Client-Facing Partnership: Building strong, consultative relationships with clients, presenting and defending design decisions collaboratively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes innovation, continuous learning, and a human-centered approach, all within a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary agency environment. The values align with a senior designer who can both execute at a high level and lead/mentor others.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Pushing Creative Boundaries: Consistently developing distinctive visual languages that avoid familiar solutions and explore uncharted creative territories requires continuous innovation and strategic insight.

• Balancing Strategy and Aesthetics: Effectively translating complex brand strategies and business objectives into visually compelling and technically sound designs.

• Managing Multiple Projects & Stakeholders: Juggling art direction for various projects simultaneously while managing client expectations and internal team dynamics.

• Integrating AI in Design Workflows: Navigating the evolving landscape of AI tools, understanding their potential and limitations, and integrating them effectively and ethically into creative processes.

• Mentoring and Leading: Guiding the development of junior designers while remaining hands-on and contributing to high-impact projects.

• Adapting to Uncertainty: Thriving in a dynamic agency environment where project scopes and client needs can evolve rapidly.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to deepen expertise in motion design, 3D visualization, and AI-driven design tools.

• Strategic Design Thinking: Developing stronger strategic capabilities through involvement in client business challenges and transformation projects.

• Leadership Development: Formal and informal mentorship to hone team management, client presentation, and creative leadership skills.

• Industry Exposure: Access to industry conferences, workshops, and continuous training to stay ahead of design trends and technological advancements.

• Global Project Experience: Working on international campaigns provides exposure to diverse markets, cultures, and client needs, broadening professional perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical of a senior creative role in a leading agency, focusing on innovation, strategic execution, and leadership. The growth opportunities are well-defined, aligning with a career path towards senior creative leadership and strategic influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you developed a distinctive visual language for a brand. What was your process, what challenges did you face, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on conceptualization, strategy integration, and impact.)

• "How do you approach translating a complex brand strategy into a differentiated digital experience? Walk us through an example." (Demonstrate strategic thinking and execution from concept to visuals.)

• "Tell us about a project where you had to present and defend your design decisions to a challenging client. How did you build consensus and secure approval?" (Highlight presentation skills, strategic argumentation, and client management.)

• "How do you incorporate AI tools into your design workflow? What are your thoughts on its role in the future of design?" (Showcase awareness of emerging technologies and your perspective.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to VML and specifically to 'The Cocktail' division?" (Research VML's work, values, and "The Cocktail's" unique approach.)

• "How do you see yourself contributing to our culture of continuous learning and innovation?" (Align your personal values with the company's stated culture.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: Begin with an overview of your career and design philosophy. Then, present 3-5 key projects, dedicating sufficient time to each. For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your strategic solution, your specific role, the design process (highlighting tool usage and any AI integration), and the measurable results or impact.

• Emphasize Art Direction & Visual Language: Clearly showcase your ability to create and evolve visual identities and lead art direction. Explain how your visual choices support the brand's strategy and objectives.

• Demonstrate Collaboration & Mentorship: If possible, include a project where you led a team or collaborated closely with other disciplines, explaining your role in facilitating that collaboration. Discuss your mentoring approach and experience.

• Be Ready for Technical Deep Dives: Be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of your work, your proficiency with Figma, Adobe Suite, After Effects, 3D tools, and any AI tools you've used.

• Engage and Discuss: Treat the portfolio review as a conversation. Be open to questions and ready to elaborate on any aspect of your work. Show enthusiasm and a genuine interest in VML's work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, creative leadership, proficiency with modern design tools (including AI), and a collaborative, mentoring mindset. The portfolio is the central piece, so practice presenting it effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the VML careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is tailored to highlight your experience in creating distinctive visual languages, leading art direction, and translating brand strategy into digital experiences, with specific examples relevant to VML's client work.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 7+ years of experience, proficiency with Figma, Adobe Suite, After Effects, 3D tools, and AI visual creation tools, as well as your experience in team management and mentorship. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, articulating your design process, strategic rationale, and leadership approach. Be ready to discuss your experience with AI in design and your adaptability in a hybrid, fast-paced environment.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research VML, its recent work, its values, and the specific philosophy of "The Cocktail" division. Understand their approach to design as a transformational force driven by human behavior and technology.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.