UI Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Graphic Designer

Company: Sleeper

Location: Seattle, WA, USA

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: UI/UX Design & Graphic Design

Date Posted: August 21, 2026

Experience Level: 1-3+ years (Entry to Mid-Level)

Remote Status: Hybrid (2-Day In-Office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and execute user interfaces across iOS, Android, and Web platforms, focusing on layout, typography, color systems, and visual hierarchy.

• Create compelling interface graphics, icons, illustrations, and digital visual assets to enhance product appeal and user engagement.

• Develop promotional graphics, marketing banners, advertisements, and social media assets to support brand initiatives and user acquisition.

• Maintain and evolve the company's design system and UI component library, ensuring consistency and providing production-ready assets for engineering teams.

• Actively participate in design critiques and collaborate cross-functionally to refine visual design concepts and drive product innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is structured as a contract-to-hire position, indicating a strong potential for a permanent placement based on performance and business needs. The emphasis on a "2-Day Hybrid" model in Seattle suggests a structured approach to in-office collaboration and team cohesion.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and design intuitive and visually appealing user interfaces for Sleeper's iOS, Android, and Web applications, ensuring a cohesive user experience.

• Develop custom icons, illustrations, and digital assets that align with the brand's identity and enhance the overall aesthetic of the platform.

• Produce high-quality marketing collateral, including digital advertisements, social media graphics, and promotional banners, to support growth and engagement campaigns.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of a robust design system, documenting UI components and patterns for consistent application across all product touchpoints.

• Engage in constructive design reviews, providing and receiving feedback to elevate design quality and foster a collaborative design process.

• Translate complex product requirements and user feedback into elegant visual solutions that improve usability and maintain brand integrity.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Marketing teams to ensure design feasibility and alignment with business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility of "owning design process end-to-end from concept to implementation" highlights the autonomy and ownership expected in this role, even at the early to mid-career stage. This implies a need for strong project management and communication skills alongside design proficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Web/Media Design, UI/UX Design, Information Design, or a related field is preferred.

Experience: 1-3+ years of full-time professional design experience, with a demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality visual design solutions.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in UI design principles, including layout, typography, spacing, and visual hierarchy.

• Strong graphic design skills with proficiency in creating icons, illustrations, and digital assets.

• Demonstrated ability to manage the design process from initial concept development through to final implementation.

• Experience in developing and maintaining design systems and UI component libraries.

• Proficient in industry-standard design software (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite).

• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to partner effectively with Product, Engineering, and Marketing teams.

• Meticulous attention to detail with a solid understanding of UI and interaction design fundamentals. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for mobile platforms (iOS and Android) and web applications.

• Familiarity with prototyping tools and user testing methodologies.

• Knowledge of branding principles and their application in digital products.

• Experience creating marketing and promotional graphics for digital channels.

• Understanding of Agile development methodologies and cross-functional team workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "strong portfolio, deck, or sample work" is critical. Candidates should prepare to showcase projects that clearly demonstrate their foundational design skills, end-to-end process ownership, and ability to collaborate effectively, particularly highlighting their contributions to UI, visual assets, and design system components.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of projects demonstrating end-to-end design ownership, from ideation to implementation.

• Case studies that clearly articulate design challenges, your thought process, design solutions, and the impact of your work.

• Visual examples of UI design across multiple platforms (iOS, Android, Web), showcasing layout, typography, color, and hierarchy.

• Samples of interface graphics, icons, and illustrations that reflect creative problem-solving and aesthetic skill.

• Demonstrations of experience with design systems, including component libraries and pattern documentation. Process Documentation:

• Showcase your approach to user research and how it informs design decisions.

• Illustrate your workflow for creating and refining visual assets for product and marketing.

• Detail your experience in collaborating with engineering teams to handoff production-ready assets.

• Provide examples of how you maintain brand consistency through design system adherence.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio should not just display final designs but also the process behind them. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their decision-making, problem-solving methodologies, and how they leveraged design systems to achieve specific product or marketing goals.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For full-time conversion in the greater Seattle area, the estimated base compensation range is between $75,000 to $108,000 USD annually.

Benefits:

• Full-time employees receive comprehensive benefits including:

  • 401k retirement plan
  • Health insurance
  • Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Equity options

• Additional perks include:

  • Regular virtual game-time with team-sponsored snacks

  • Company-sponsored fantasy leagues with prizes

  • Bi-quarterly team outings

  • Annual company retreat Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility afforded by the hybrid work model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is an estimate for full-time conversion. The contract-to-hire nature means initial compensation may differ, but this range gives a clear indication of the target compensation upon permanent employment. The inclusion of equity is a significant part of the total compensation package for full-time employees.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports Technology / Social Platform. Sleeper operates in the rapidly growing digital sports and gaming space, providing a unique platform for fans to connect.

Company Size: Intentionally small, focusing on quality and individual impact. This structure suggests a lean, agile environment where team members can make significant contributions.

Founded: Sleeper's founding is tied to its mission of building the leading platform for sports fans, emphasizing a culture of passion for sports and technology.

Team Structure:

• The Design and Research team is described as a close-knit group that values both hard work and camaraderie, participating in "research" through sports and games.

• Collaboration is key, with an emphasis on working with Product, Engineering, and Marketing teams.

• The overall company culture is described as "work hard and play hard," with a passion for their craft and a commitment to having fun together. Methodology:

• Design is viewed as an everyday activity, with an emphasis on continuous learning and exploration, exemplified by annual design-workshop trips.

• The company values a data-driven approach to design, focusing on improving usability and maintaining brand consistency.

• Emphasis is placed on individual impact and quality, a deliberate choice to keep the team small.

Company Website: www.sleeper.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's ethos of "quality over quantity" and keeping the team small directly impacts the work environment. Candidates should expect a high-impact role where individual contributions are highly visible and valued, fostering a sense of direct influence on the product's success.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry to mid-level UI Graphic Designer role. It offers a pathway to gain significant experience in a dynamic tech environment, with opportunities to grow within the design function.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly detailed, the role involves collaboration with Product, Engineering, and Marketing, suggesting reporting lines that facilitate cross-functional project work.

Operations Impact: The UI Graphic Designer will directly influence the user experience and visual appeal of the Sleeper platform, impacting user engagement, retention, and brand perception. Their work is critical to making the platform intuitive and enjoyable for millions of users.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in UI/UX design, visual design, and design systems through hands-on project work and collaboration with experienced professionals.

• Platform Specialization: Gain in-depth knowledge of designing for sports fans and social gaming platforms.

• Leadership Potential: As the company grows, opportunities may arise for taking on more complex design challenges, leading smaller initiatives, or mentoring junior designers.

• Industry Exposure: Work within a fast-paced tech startup environment backed by prominent investors, providing valuable industry experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The contract-to-hire nature suggests that successful performance during the initial contract period can lead to a permanent role with enhanced growth trajectories. The emphasis on individual impact in a small team means accelerated learning and direct contribution to key product features.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "2-Day Hybrid," meaning a portion of the work will be performed in an office setting, likely in Seattle, with the remainder being remote. This structure aims to balance collaboration and flexibility.

Office Location(s): Seattle, Washington, USA.

Workspace Context:

• The Seattle office environment is expected to foster collaboration among designers, engineers, and product teams, facilitating real-time feedback and idea exchange.

• Access to necessary design tools and technology is implied.

• The team culture encourages both focused work and social interaction, with virtual game-time and team outings contributing to a dynamic atmosphere.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time work schedule is anticipated, with a hybrid model allowing for two days per week in the Seattle office. This structure supports focused individual work while ensuring opportunities for in-person collaboration and team building.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model suggests a need for strong self-management and communication skills to effectively collaborate with remote team members and contribute productively during office days. Candidates should be comfortable with a structured hybrid arrangement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess foundational skills and experience.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A practical exercise or in-depth discussion of portfolio projects, focusing on your design process, problem-solving abilities, and visual execution. Expect to discuss how you approach UI design, create assets, and work with design systems.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers and Engineers to evaluate collaboration skills, communication style, and understanding of product development cycles.

• Team/Culture Fit Interview: Discussion to assess alignment with Sleeper's "work hard, play hard" culture and team dynamics.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent the requirements of this role, emphasizing UI design, graphic assets, and design system experience.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process (ideation, wireframing, prototyping, visual design), design decisions, and the outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Process: Demonstrate your thought process, user-centric approach, and how you iterate on designs. Include sketches, wireframes, and user flows if relevant.

• Showcase Visual Skills: Ensure your portfolio clearly displays your proficiency in layout, typography, color theory, and illustration.

• Design System Focus: If possible, include examples of your work with or contributions to design systems.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss specific design challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.

• Practice articulating your design rationale concisely and persuasively.

• Familiarize yourself with Sleeper's app and target audience to tailor your responses.

• Understand the fundamentals of hybrid work and cross-functional collaboration in a tech environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "end-to-end design process" and collaboration means interviewers will be looking for candidates who can not only create beautiful designs but also strategically contribute to product development and work effectively within a team.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Figma: Likely the primary tool for UI design, prototyping, and design system management, given its industry prevalence.

• Sketch: Potentially used, especially if the team has existing workflows or assets.

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator): Essential for creating custom graphics, icons, and illustrations.

Collaboration & Project Management:

• Slack: For team communication and day-to-day interaction.

• Ashby: The ATS used for application tracking.

• Jira/Asana (or similar): For task management and project tracking, often integrated with engineering workflows.

Design System Management:

• Tools and methodologies for documenting and maintaining UI components, style guides, and patterns within Figma or similar platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is highly recommended given its widespread adoption for collaborative UI/UX design and design system development. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these tools and how they leverage them to streamline design workflows and maintain consistency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Passion for Sports: A core value that drives the company's mission and product development.

• Quality & Impact: A focus on delivering high-quality work and ensuring individual contributions have a significant impact.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork and working effectively across departments.

• Fun & Camaraderie: A belief in balancing hard work with enjoyable team experiences.

• Innovation: A drive to continuously improve and expand the platform with new features and games.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with Product Managers and Engineers, fostering a collaborative product development lifecycle.

• Open Feedback: Design critiques are a regular part of the process, encouraging constructive feedback and continuous improvement.

• Shared Learning: The team culture supports learning from each other, whether through formal design sessions or informal shared interests like sports and games.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates who are passionate about sports and enjoy a collaborative, high-impact environment will likely thrive at Sleeper. The company culture emphasizes both professional achievement and personal connection among team members.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Design Vision with Technical Constraints: Effectively translating creative design concepts into feasible implementations within the technical capabilities of iOS, Android, and Web platforms.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive visual identity across all product touchpoints and marketing materials as the platform evolves.

• Prioritizing and Managing Multiple Projects: Juggling design tasks for both product features and marketing campaigns in a fast-paced startup environment.

• Adapting to a Small, Growing Team: Thriving in an environment that prioritizes individual impact and requires adaptability as the company scales.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mastering Design Systems: Gaining hands-on experience in building, maintaining, and scaling design systems.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Collaborating closely with product and engineering to deepen understanding of the full product development lifecycle.

• UI/UX Specialization: Developing advanced skills in user interface design, interaction design, and visual design for mobile and web applications.

• Impactful Contributions: Directly influencing the user experience of a widely used sports platform, providing significant portfolio-building experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of a growth-stage tech company. Sleeper offers opportunities to tackle these challenges with a supportive team, fostering significant professional growth and skill development in a high-impact role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you owned a design project from concept to implementation. What were the key stages and challenges?" (Focus on your process, decision-making, and outcomes).

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across different platforms and marketing materials? Can you provide an example from your portfolio?" (Highlight your understanding of brand guidelines and design systems).

• "Walk us through a UI design you created for a mobile or web application. What user problems were you trying to solve, and what were your design choices?" (Be ready to defend your design decisions with user-centric reasoning). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Sleeper and our mission to connect friends over sports?" (Show genuine enthusiasm for the product and industry).

• "How do you approach collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers? Describe a situation where you had to navigate differing opinions." (Emphasize teamwork and constructive conflict resolution).

• "What does 'work hard, play hard' mean to you in a professional context?" (Align your response with Sleeper's described culture). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically. Start with an overview of Sleeper, then introduce your portfolio, showcasing 2-3 key projects in detail.

• Storytelling: For each project, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your role and process, the solution, and the impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your thought process, user research (if applicable), iterations, and design decisions. Don't just show the final product; explain how you got there.

• Design System Focus: If showcasing UI work, explain how you adhered to or contributed to design systems.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to ensure it's engaging and within the allotted timeframe.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss specific examples that demonstrate your ability to create visually appealing UIs, develop engaging graphics, and work effectively within a collaborative team structure. Demonstrating an understanding of the sports/gaming app landscape will be a plus.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is tailored to highlight UI design, graphic asset creation, and any experience with design systems or mobile/web applications. Select your strongest, most relevant projects.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly showcase your 1-3+ years of experience, key skills in UI/graphic design, proficiency in relevant software (Figma, Adobe Suite), and any experience with hybrid work or cross-functional teams. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale behind design decisions, and collaboration experiences. Be ready to present your portfolio with clear storytelling and focus on impact.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Sleeper's app, mission, and target audience. Understand their brand aesthetic and consider how your design style aligns with it. Research their company culture to prepare for behavioral questions.

⚠️ 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.