UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Designer

Company: Xbox Media Solutions (Formerly Activision Blizzard Media)

Location: Stockholm, Sweden / Barcelona, Spain

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Technology

Date Posted: 2026-04-24

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and implement user interface (UI) systems and player-centric features for highly engaging mobile games.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including UX designers, game designers, user researchers, developers, and artists, to ensure optimized and effective UI solutions.

• Apply principles of interaction and communication design to enhance player experience and drive user engagement within a dynamic game development environment.

• Champion effective information exchange and feature collaboration across multiple international teams, leveraging strong organizational and communication skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the "Games Design & Production" craft, indicating a strong focus on the creative and development lifecycle of games. The mention of "Candy Crush" and "mobile games" specifically targets candidates with experience or a keen interest in the casual and hyper-casual mobile gaming market, which often has unique UI/UX considerations compared to other game genres.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and refine user interface systems for mobile games, ensuring seamless integration with game mechanics and player progression.

• Create visually appealing and intuitive UI elements that align with the game's aesthetic and brand identity, paying close attention to visual aesthetics and user experience.

• Optimize UI assets for performance and technical constraints, understanding the implications of asset size and loading times on mobile platforms.

• Apply interaction design principles to craft engaging user flows, transitions, and feedback mechanisms that enhance player immersion and satisfaction.

• Collaborate with game artists and technical artists to ensure the fidelity and technical feasibility of UI designs, providing clear design specifications and assets.

• Work within an agile project environment, participating in regular team meetings, sprint planning, and iterative design processes.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of UI design processes and best practices within the team and across feature teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative design and technical execution, crucial for UI roles in game development. The focus on "player-centric features" and "optimized user interface systems" highlights the need for a deep understanding of how UI impacts player engagement and retention in a competitive mobile gaming market.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a background in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is highly beneficial.

Experience: 2-5 years of professional experience in UI design, with a strong preference for experience within the gaming industry or mobile application development.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in UI design, with a strong portfolio showcasing a range of design projects.

• A well-developed sense of visual aesthetics, including an understanding of color theory, typography, layout, and visual hierarchy.

• Understanding of asset optimization techniques and keen awareness of technical constraints specific to mobile game development.

• Ability to apply interaction and communication design principles effectively to create intuitive and engaging user experiences.

• Proactive and reliable team player with a collaborative mindset, capable of working effectively in cross-functional teams.

• Good communication and organizational skills, essential for cross-location collaboration and information exchange.

Preferred Skills:

• Direct experience in UI design for games, particularly mobile games.

• Experience with UI implementation using game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine.

• Skills in animation, motion design, and/or special effects, to bring UI elements to life.

• Interest and proficiency in typography and iconography, creating distinct and functional visual language.

• Experience working with detailed design specifications and style guides.

• Experience working within an agile project management environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Bonus Points" section strongly suggests that candidates with direct game development experience, particularly in mobile, will have a significant advantage. The emphasis on technical constraints and asset optimization points towards a need for a practical, results-oriented designer who understands the realities of shipping products on constrained platforms.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a wide range of UI design skills, including visual design, interaction design, and user flow mapping.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your design process, the solutions you implemented, and the impact of your work on user experience or game metrics.

• Examples of UI implementation within a game engine environment, if applicable, showcasing understanding of technical workflows.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase your process for translating game design requirements and player needs into functional and aesthetically pleasing UI systems.

• Illustrate your approach to iterative design, including how you incorporate feedback from user research, playtesting, and team collaboration.

• Provide examples of how you document and communicate design specifications to development teams, ensuring clarity and efficient implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is explicitly stated as a requirement, emphasizing its critical role in the application process. For this role, the portfolio should highlight not just aesthetic talent but also a strong understanding of game design principles, technical feasibility, and the entire UI implementation lifecycle within a game development context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Given the locations (Stockholm, Sweden and Barcelona, Spain) and the mid-level experience requirement (2-5 years), a competitive salary range can be estimated.

• Stockholm, Sweden: Based on industry benchmarks for UI Designers with 2-5 years of experience in tech/gaming, the estimated annual gross salary typically ranges from SEK 450,000 to SEK 700,000.

• Barcelona, Spain: For a similar role in Barcelona, the estimated annual gross salary typically ranges from €35,000 to €55,000.

These figures are estimates and can vary based on the specific team, individual experience, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and potential for performance-based bonuses.

• Comprehensive health insurance and wellness programs.

• Generous paid time off, including vacation days and public holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and attending industry conferences.

• Access to employee assistance programs and mental health support.

• Potential for stock options or other equity incentives as part of Microsoft.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week, typically 40 hours, with flexibility often offered around start and end times to accommodate personal needs and work-life balance.

• Occasional overtime may be required during critical project phases or game launch periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary ranges provided are based on general market data for UI Designers in Stockholm and Barcelona, considering the mid-level experience. It's crucial for candidates to research local market rates and factor in the cost of living for each city. The mention of Microsoft ownership suggests potential access to a broad range of corporate benefits and career opportunities.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Interactive Entertainment / Mobile Gaming. King is a leader in this space, with a focus on creating accessible, engaging, and long-lasting gaming experiences. The acquisition by Microsoft positions it within a larger technology and gaming ecosystem.

Company Size: King is a large company with multiple international offices and a significant number of employees. This offers a stable environment with ample resources, while still aiming to maintain a dynamic and innovative culture.

Founded: King was founded in 2003, giving it a long history and deep expertise in the mobile gaming sector. Its flagship franchise, Candy Crush, has been a monumental success, indicating a culture that can build and sustain highly popular products.

Team Structure:

• The UI Designer will be part of a "feature team" for Candy Crush, which implies a specialized, cross-functional group focused on specific game components or updates.

• This team will likely consist of UI Designers, UX Designers, Game Designers, User Researchers, Developers, Game Artists, and Technical Artists, all working collaboratively.

Methodology:

• The team operates using an agile project environment, emphasizing iterative development, frequent feedback loops, and adaptability to change.

• A strong emphasis is placed on data-driven design, utilizing insights from user research and player analytics to inform UI decisions and optimize gameplay.

• Collaboration is key, with cross-location efforts requiring clear communication protocols and efficient information sharing to maintain project momentum.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Making the World Playful" mission statement and the success of Candy Crush highlight a company culture that values fun, creativity, and widespread player engagement. The cross-location collaboration aspect suggests a need for strong communication and adaptability to different working styles and time zones. Being part of Microsoft also implies a culture that values innovation, user-centricity, and high standards of quality.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a mid-level, suitable for individuals with 2-5 years of dedicated UI design experience. It signifies a transition from junior-level execution to taking ownership of specific UI features and contributing to system-level design decisions. The role requires a blend of strong design execution and an understanding of technical implementation and optimization.

Reporting Structure: The UI Designer will report to a UI Lead and work collaboratively within a feature team that includes UX Designers, Game Designers, Developers, Artists, and Producers. This structure allows for direct mentorship from the UI Lead and broad exposure to different disciplines within game development. Collaboration will also extend to other specialists and producers across different locations.

Operations Impact: The UI Designer's work directly impacts player engagement, retention, and overall satisfaction with the game. By creating intuitive, visually appealing, and optimized interfaces, the designer contributes significantly to the game's success in the highly competitive mobile gaming market. Effective UI design can reduce player frustration, improve onboarding, and drive monetization opportunities, thus having a direct impact on the company's revenue and player base.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in specific areas of UI design for games, such as animation, motion graphics, or accessibility design, potentially leading to Senior UI Designer or UI Art Director roles.

• Leadership: Progress into a UI Lead position, mentoring junior designers, overseeing UI projects, and contributing to strategic UI direction.

• Cross-Disciplinary Movement: With a strong understanding of game development, there could be opportunities to move into UX Design, Game Design, or Technical Art roles, leveraging transferable skills.

• Broader Microsoft Opportunities: As part of Microsoft, there may be pathways to explore roles in other gaming studios or technology divisions within the company, offering diverse career trajectories.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities highlight a clear career path within King and the broader Microsoft gaming division. The role is designed to build upon core UI skills while fostering an understanding of game development processes, making candidates well-rounded and adaptable for future roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This position is on-site, requiring the UI Designer to work from one of King's physical offices in Stockholm, Sweden, or Barcelona, Spain. These offices are designed to foster collaboration and creativity.

Office Location(s):

• Stockholm, Sweden: Malmskillnadsgatan. This location is central and likely offers a vibrant urban work environment.

• Barcelona, Spain: While the specific office isn't detailed, Barcelona is known for its dynamic tech scene and attractive lifestyle.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is likely collaborative, with an open-plan office layout or dedicated team spaces that encourage interaction and spontaneous brainstorming among team members.

• Access to modern design tools, hardware, and potentially in-house development environments will be available to support the design and implementation process.

• Opportunities for regular interaction with designers, developers, and other creative professionals will be abundant, fostering a strong sense of community and shared purpose.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically around 40 hours per week. While an on-site presence is required, King often offers some flexibility in daily working hours to promote work-life balance, provided that team collaboration and project needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for in-person collaboration and team synergy, which can be particularly beneficial in creative fields like game design. Candidates should consider the lifestyle and cost of living in both Stockholm and Barcelona when evaluating these options.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and design aesthetic.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A deeper dive into your portfolio, discussing specific projects, your design process, problem-solving approaches, and understanding of technical constraints. This may include a short design exercise or challenge.

• Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with potential team members (e.g., UX Designers, Game Designers, Developers) to evaluate collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final interview with the hiring manager to discuss role expectations, career aspirations, and overall fit within the team and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your UI design skills for mobile games. Prioritize projects that demonstrate problem-solving, user-centric design, and technical understanding.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the challenge, your role, your design process, the solutions you arrived at, and the results or impact. Use visuals effectively to illustrate your points.

• Highlight Optimization: Specifically call out instances where you had to optimize assets or work within technical constraints, explaining your approach and rationale.

• Show Interaction: If possible, include interactive prototypes or videos demonstrating UI animations and transitions.

• Tailor to King: Reference King's games (like Candy Crush) and explain how your skills and design philosophy align with their player-centric approach and visual style.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design exercise that might involve creating a UI element or flow for a given game scenario. Focus on rapid ideation, clear communication of your thought process, and presenting a viable solution within a time limit.

• Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, explaining the "why" behind your choices, especially concerning user experience and technical feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and potential design challenges indicates that practical skills and the ability to think on your feet are highly valued. Candidates should be ready to discuss their work in detail and demonstrate how they approach design problems specific to the gaming context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar. Figma is increasingly becoming a dominant tool for collaborative UI design.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Strong command of Photoshop for asset creation and optimization, and potentially After Effects for motion design and prototyping.

• Prototyping Tools: Experience with tools like Protopie, Principle, or InVision for creating interactive prototypes and demonstrating UI animations.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this UI Designer role, as CRM and automation tools are typically used in sales and marketing operations. The focus here is on design and development tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack heavily leans towards design and creative tools. While direct experience with game engines is a plus, proficiency in core design software and presentation tools is essential. Understanding how UI design integrates with game development pipelines and analytics is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Making the World Playful: This core value drives a culture of creativity, fun, and a commitment to delivering enjoyable experiences to a global audience.

• Player-Centricity: A deep focus on understanding and catering to player needs, preferences, and behaviors to create engaging and satisfying gameplay.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and mutual respect across diverse teams and international locations.

• Innovation: Encouraging new ideas, experimentation, and continuous learning to stay at the forefront of mobile gaming.

• Excellence: Striving for high quality in all aspects of game development, from design and art to technical implementation and player support.

Collaboration Style:

• A highly collaborative environment where designers, artists, and developers work hand-in-hand, often in agile teams.

• Emphasis on constructive feedback, peer reviews, and shared ownership of features.

• Cross-functional communication is vital, especially given the distributed nature of King's teams, requiring clear, concise, and proactive information sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values are deeply embedded in its mission and product focus. Candidates should demonstrate how their personal values and work style align with these principles, particularly in their approach to creativity, player engagement, and teamwork.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Aesthetics and Performance: Creating visually stunning UI while adhering to strict performance budgets and technical constraints on mobile devices.

• Cross-Location Collaboration: Effectively communicating and collaborating with teams in different time zones and cultural contexts to ensure design consistency and project alignment.

• Iterative Design in a Live Environment: Continuously updating and improving UI for a popular, live-service game like Candy Crush, which requires adapting to player feedback and evolving game features.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring all UI elements align with the established visual identity and brand guidelines of the Candy Crush franchise.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like animation, motion graphics, accessibility, or specialized UI for different game genres.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend gaming and design conferences (e.g., GDC, industry-specific UI/UX events) to stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies.

• Mentorship: Access to experienced UI Leads and senior designers for guidance and professional development.

• Internal Training: King likely offers internal training programs and workshops on new tools, design methodologies, and game development best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for UI designers in the live-service mobile gaming industry, requiring adaptability and a strong problem-solving mindset. The growth opportunities are robust, offering clear pathways for career advancement and continuous skill enhancement within a leading gaming company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to optimize UI assets for performance on a mobile platform. What was the challenge, your approach, and the outcome?" (Focus on technical understanding and problem-solving.)

• "How do you approach designing for an established IP like Candy Crush? How do you balance your creative vision with existing brand guidelines?" (Assess ability to work within constraints and brand.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you admire about the UI design in Candy Crush or other King games? How would you contribute to its evolution?" (Demonstrate research and alignment with company products.)

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or conflicting feedback on your designs from team members or stakeholders?" (Assess collaboration and adaptability.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your UI designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced frustration, higher engagement).

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals, mockups, prototypes, and even short videos to illustrate your design concepts and interactions.

• Explain Your 'Why': For every design decision you present, be ready to articulate the rationale behind it, linking it back to user needs, game objectives, or technical considerations.

• Be Concise: Present your key projects efficiently, focusing on the most relevant aspects for this role. Be prepared for follow-up questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of creative talent, technical understanding, and strong collaborative skills. The portfolio is the primary tool, so candidates must be adept at presenting their work and explaining their process in a way that highlights their suitability for a live-service mobile game environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Workday portal at the provided URL.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and prominently features your strongest UI design work, especially any relevant to mobile games, casual games, or games with similar aesthetic requirements to Candy Crush. Highlight projects that showcase asset optimization and interaction design.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "UI Design," "Interaction Design," "Mobile Games," "Asset Optimization," and "Agile." Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Improved user flow efficiency by X%").

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving skills, and understanding of technical constraints. Be ready to discuss specific projects from your portfolio in detail and explain your contributions.

• Research King: Familiarize yourself with King's games, their UI/UX philosophies, and their company culture. Understand their mission of "Making the World Playful" and how your design approach aligns with it.

⚠️ 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.