UI / Visual Designer - Contract

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI / Visual Designer - Contract

Company: Elevated Third

Location: Denver, Colorado, United States

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Design Operations / GTM Design Support

Date Posted: May 04, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote (US-based candidates only)

🚀 Role Summary

• This is a part-time contract role, typically 10-20 hours per week, focusing on the visual design layer of B2B web experiences for enterprise and mid-market clients.

• The role requires a strong understanding of translating UX strategy and brand systems into high-fidelity web concepts, component libraries, and responsive layouts within Figma.

• A key aspect of this position is the strategic use of AI tools to accelerate production, enabling a focus on craft and impactful design decisions.

• The UI/Visual Designer will be responsible for client-facing presentations, defending design rationale with strategic reasoning, and ensuring seamless hand-offs to front-end development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is UI/Visual Designer, the description and responsibilities heavily lean into a "design operations" function by focusing on the systematic creation and documentation of design components, ensuring scalability, and facilitating efficient hand-offs to development. This role is crucial for the GTM function as it directly impacts the visual appeal and conversion effectiveness of marketing sites and web platforms.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete visual design layer for B2B web engagements, translating UX wireframes and established brand systems into high-fidelity web concepts, component libraries, and responsive layouts using Figma.

• Drive the visual direction for client projects, confidently presenting design concepts with clear strategic rationale during client conversations, and providing constructive pushback when necessary.

• Develop and maintain scalable component systems, meticulously documenting tokens, components, and states to ensure clarity and efficiency for front-end developers.

• Actively leverage and integrate AI tools, including Figma AI, Claude, and image generation platforms, to significantly compress production timelines and enhance design output. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a working AI workflow, not just theoretical knowledge.

• Proactively identify and communicate potential implications of design decisions on SEO, performance, accessibility, and conversion rates, collaborating with relevant specialists to mitigate issues early.

• Uphold exceptional craft standards in typography, layout, color, and micro-interactions, ensuring tight, high-quality hand-offs to development teams to protect project quality and save development time.

• Collaborate closely with UX strategists and front-end development teams throughout the discovery and design phases of B2B marketing sites and lead-generation experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic design thinking, technical execution within Figma, and a forward-thinking approach to AI integration. The focus on "connecting dots" across disciplines like SEO and accessibility highlights the operational impact of design choices on broader GTM strategies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and mastery of design principles is paramount.

Experience: 6+ years of dedicated UI/Visual Design experience, with a minimum of 3 years specifically focused on designing B2B marketing sites or web platforms. Prior experience in app or product UI design is considered secondary.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in Figma, including advanced features such as auto-layout, variants, design tokens, and comprehensive component documentation.

• Proven experience and a demonstrable AI-forward workflow, showcasing how AI tools have been effectively integrated into real client projects to compress production time and enhance outcomes.

• Strong client-facing presentation and communication skills, with the ability to confidently present and defend design decisions directly to clients without relying on intermediaries.

• Deep understanding of typography, layout, color theory, and micro-interaction design principles to ensure high-quality visual execution.

• Experience in building scalable component systems and documenting them for developer hand-off.

• Ability to work flexibly for 10-20 hours per week, aligning with U.S. business hours, with workload fluctuations typical of design project cycles.

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in Webflow or Framer for rapid prototyping and design implementation.

• Experience with motion design tools such as Lottie, After Effects, or Rive for creating engaging micro-interactions.

• Familiarity with designing within enterprise CMS environments like Drupal or WordPress.

• Working knowledge of WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards and the ability to make performance-conscious design choices.

• Demonstrated public contributions (work, talks, or writing) related to design systems, AI in design, or B2B web strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "AI-forward workflow" and "demonstrated AI fluency" suggests that candidates who can articulate and showcase their practical application of AI in design, beyond theoretical interest, will be highly competitive. The minimum of 3 years in B2B marketing sites is a critical differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• High-Fidelity Web Mockups: Showcase detailed, production-ready visual designs for B2B marketing sites and web platforms. Focus on sophisticated layouts, typography, and color palettes that reflect strong brand interpretation. Avoid generic templates or purely conceptual mood boards.

• Design System Thinking: Include examples of component libraries, style guides, or design system documentation that demonstrate scalability, reusability, and clear definitions of tokens, variants, and states.

• AI Integration Case Studies: Present specific examples of how AI tools were used to compress production time, iterate on concepts, or enhance visual elements in real client projects. Quantify the impact where possible.

• Client Presentation Examples: If possible, include anonymized examples of presentation decks or descriptions of how design rationale was articulated to clients, highlighting strategic justifications over subjective aesthetic preferences.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate an understanding of how to structure design workflows for B2B web projects, from initial wireframes to final assets, with a focus on efficiency.

• System Implementation: Provide evidence of designing and documenting scalable component systems and design tokens that facilitate seamless, low-ambiguity hand-offs to development teams.

• Measurement & Analysis: While direct measurement is less common for a UI designer, show an awareness of how design decisions impact key GTM metrics like conversion rates and user engagement, and how to design with these in mind.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are highly specific, emphasizing practical application, system thinking, and AI integration. Candidates must clearly articulate their process and the tangible results of their work, especially concerning efficiency and strategic rationale.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The expected hourly range for this contract role is $60 - $75 USD per hour. The final compensation will be determined based on the candidate's skills, depth of experience, the strength of their portfolio, and their demonstrated fluency with AI in design workflows.

Benefits:

• Flexible Schedule: The role offers a flexible, variable schedule, allowing for work within 10-20 hours per week, accommodating U.S. business hours while prioritizing accountability over fixed seat time.

• Remote Work: Fully remote position within the United States, offering geographical flexibility.

• Growth Potential: Possibility of conversion to a full-time hire based on performance and cultural fit, providing a pathway for long-term career development.

• Professional Development: Opportunity to work with a smart, supportive team committed to craft and measurable results, potentially leading to exposure to advanced B2B digital agency practices.

Working Hours: This is a part-time contract position requiring approximately 10-20 hours per week. The schedule is flexible and variable, aligning with U.S. business hours, with predictable spikes during discovery and concept phases and tapering during development support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hourly rate is explicitly stated, with a clear explanation of factors influencing the final compensation. The "Benefits" section highlights the flexibility and potential for growth, crucial for contract roles. The mention of pay transparency laws for Colorado, California, New York City, and Washington indicates a structured and compliant compensation approach.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Agency (specializing in Drupal and B2B digital experiences). Elevated Third operates within the competitive B2B digital marketing and web development landscape, focusing on driving measurable growth through complex digital solutions.

Company Size: The exact size isn't specified, but the description implies a distributed, remote-first team across multiple U.S. time zones, suggesting a medium to large agency with a significant client roster.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company's established expertise in Drupal and B2B digital experiences indicates a history of delivering complex projects.

Team Structure:

• The design team appears to be integrated within project teams, working alongside UX strategists and front-end developers.

• The reporting structure for this contract role is likely project-based, with oversight from design leads or project managers who ensure alignment with client objectives and agency standards.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: The agency emphasizes "measurable growth" and "measurable results," implying a data-driven approach to understanding client needs and project success. Designers are expected to consider how their work impacts these metrics.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: The role is explicitly about optimizing production time through AI and efficient hand-offs, reflecting a focus on streamlined processes.

• Automation & Efficiency: The expectation to use AI as a "force multiplier" and compress production times highlights a commitment to leveraging technology for efficiency gains.

Company Website: http://elevatedthird.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by a focus on results, collaboration, and leveraging modern tools and methodologies. The emphasis on "dot-connectors" suggests a preference for proactive, strategic thinkers who can collaborate effectively across disciplines.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Contract UI/Visual Designer. It demands significant experience and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, taking ownership of the visual design layer and client presentations. The emphasis on strategic rationale and cross-functional awareness places it beyond a purely executional role.

Reporting Structure: As a contractor, the role likely reports to a Design Lead, Project Manager, or Creative Director, depending on the project structure. The primary interaction will be with UX Strategists and Front-End Developers within project teams.

Operations Impact: The visual design directly impacts the effectiveness of B2B marketing sites and web platforms, influencing lead generation, conversion rates, brand perception, and overall client satisfaction. The designer's ability to create compelling, strategic visuals is critical to the GTM success of client campaigns.

Growth Opportunities:

• Pathway to Full-Time: The contract has the potential to convert to a full-time hire, offering a stable career path within a specialized agency.

• Skill Development in AI & B2B Design: Continuous exposure to cutting-edge AI tools and complex B2B web projects provides opportunities to deepen expertise in these high-demand areas.

• Strategic Influence: By demonstrating strategic thinking and effective client communication, designers can increase their influence on project outcomes and potentially take on more senior or specialized roles within the agency.

• Learning from Specialists: Collaboration with UX strategists and front-end developers offers opportunities to learn about user experience principles, technical constraints, and performance optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "growth" for a contractor often lies in skill enhancement, portfolio building, and the potential for a more permanent role. This description clearly outlines those avenues, emphasizing the value of AI fluency and strategic design contributions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Elevated Third is a remote-first agency. This means there is no central physical office for day-to-day work, offering maximum flexibility.

Office Location(s): The team is spread across four U.S. time zones, indicating a distributed workforce. While the job is remote, candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Despite being remote, the culture emphasizes "smart, supportive team" interaction and collaboration, likely facilitated through digital tools.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to and proficiency in modern design tools like Figma, AI platforms, and communication tools (e.g., Slack, project management software) is essential.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for interaction will occur through virtual meetings, project discussions, and collaborative design sessions.

Work Schedule: The work schedule is characterized by flexibility and accountability. The 10-20 hours per week can be managed dynamically, with the understanding that workload will naturally increase during specific project phases (discovery, concept) and decrease during others (development support). This requires strong time management and self-discipline.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first nature is a significant draw, but the requirement to align with U.S. business hours and the variable workload demand a certain level of self-management and proactive communication from the designer.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application & Portfolio Review: Submit your resume and a portfolio that clearly demonstrates your B2B web design expertise, design system thinking, and AI workflow. Be prepared to discuss your AI usage.

• Skills & Workflow Discussion: Expect a conversation focused on your Figma proficiency, your approach to visual design for B2B marketing sites, and how you leverage AI tools to compress production.

• Client Presentation Simulation/Discussion: You may be asked to walk through a case study demonstrating how you would present design concepts and defend your strategic rationale to a client.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: An interview to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and how you "connect dots" across different disciplines.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight B2B Marketing Sites: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects for B2B marketing sites or web platforms, showcasing your ability to translate strategy into high-fidelity visuals.

• Showcase AI Integration: Dedicate a section or specific project to demonstrating your AI workflow. Detail the tools used, the problems solved, and the tangible benefits (e.g., reduced time, enhanced iterations).

• Articulate Strategic Rationale: For each project, clearly explain the "why" behind your design decisions, linking them to client objectives, brand strategy, and potential GTM impacts (conversion, engagement).

• Document Design Systems: If you have examples of component libraries or design system documentation, present them clearly, emphasizing scalability and developer hand-off clarity.

• Focus on Craft: Ensure visual quality is impeccable – typography, layout, color, and attention to detail.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design System Scenario: Be prepared for a hypothetical scenario where you need to design a new component or system based on existing brand guidelines and UX wireframes, focusing on scalability and documentation.

• AI Workflow Presentation: Practice explaining your AI-driven design process concisely, highlighting its benefits and how it integrates with traditional design tasks.

• Client Pitch Practice: Rehearse presenting a design concept, focusing on strategic justification, addressing potential concerns, and proposing solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review are heavily weighted towards demonstrating practical application of AI, strategic design thinking, and client-facing confidence, in addition to core UI/visual design skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expert proficiency is mandatory, including auto-layout, variants, design tokens, and component creation/documentation. This is the core design tool for the role.

• AI Tools: Practical experience with AI tools such as Figma AI, Claude, and image generation platforms is a critical requirement.

• Webflow/Framer (Preferred): Proficiency in these platforms is a bonus, indicating versatility in web design and prototyping tools.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role, but an understanding of how websites integrate with CRM and marketing automation platforms for lead generation is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma as a mandatory tool and AI tools as a critical requirement underscores the technological demands of the role. Candidates should be comfortable discussing their specific experience with these technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Measurable Results: A core value is driving tangible, measurable growth for clients, meaning design decisions must be justifiable by their potential impact on business outcomes.

• Curiosity & Candor: The team values individuals who are inquisitive, willing to explore new tools (like AI), and communicate openly and honestly.

• Craft & Quality: There's a strong commitment to high standards in design execution, ensuring that visual quality is maintained and protected throughout the project lifecycle.

• Efficiency & Innovation: Leveraging modern tools and methodologies, such as AI, to optimize workflows and deliver value efficiently is highly encouraged.

• Dot-Connectors: The agency seeks individuals who can see the bigger picture, understand how different disciplines interrelate, and proactively bridge gaps between them.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with UX strategists and front-end developers, fostering a collaborative environment where ideas are shared and integrated.

• Proactive Communication: Given the remote-first nature, clear, proactive, and concise communication is essential for effective collaboration and stakeholder management.

• Accountability: The culture is built on accountability rather than constant supervision, requiring individuals to manage their time and deliverables effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "dot-connector" ethos is central to the team culture, implying that candidates who can demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and a holistic understanding of digital projects will be highly valued.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing AI Integration with Craft: Effectively using AI to accelerate production without compromising the meticulous craft and strategic depth of visual design.

• Client Presentation & Defense: Confidently presenting and defending design decisions to clients, translating technical/strategic rationale into persuasive arguments.

• Variable Workload Management: Adapting to fluctuating work hours and project demands while maintaining high productivity and meeting deadlines.

• Cross-Disciplinary Communication: Clearly articulating design implications and collaborating effectively with non-design specialists (SEO, performance, developers).

• Staying Ahead of AI Trends: Continuously learning and adapting to the rapid evolution of AI tools in the design process.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Tool Mastery: Deepening expertise in emerging AI tools and workflows for design, becoming a go-to resource within the agency.

• B2B Digital Strategy: Gaining deeper insights into B2B marketing strategies, lead generation tactics, and enterprise web platform design.

• Design System Expertise: Further developing skills in creating and managing robust, scalable design systems for complex web projects.

• Client Engagement Skills: Enhancing presentation, negotiation, and strategic communication skills through direct client interaction.

• Potential for Full-Time Role: The opportunity to transition into a full-time position offers long-term career stability and growth within the agency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the unique demands of the role, particularly the integration of AI and the client-facing responsibilities. Growth opportunities are framed around mastering these challenges and expanding expertise in specialized areas.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for translating UX wireframes and brand guidelines into high-fidelity B2B web designs. How do you ensure strategic rationale is embedded in your visual decisions?" (Focus on systematic approach, brand alignment, and strategic justification.)

• "Walk us through a project where you used AI tools to significantly compress production time. What tools did you use, what was the impact, and how did you maintain design quality?" (Be ready to detail specific AI applications and quantifiable benefits.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Elevated Third values 'dot-connectors.' Can you provide an example from your experience where you connected dots between design and other disciplines (e.g., SEO, development, marketing goals)?" (Highlight cross-functional awareness and proactive collaboration.)

• "How do you approach maintaining high design craft and attention to detail in a fast-paced, remote environment, especially when leveraging AI tools that can accelerate output?" (Demonstrate self-discipline, quality focus, and awareness of AI's impact on craft.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Elevator Pitch: Prepare a 1-2 minute overview of your most relevant B2B web design project, highlighting your role, key challenges, solutions, and outcomes, with a specific mention of AI integration.

• Strategic Narrative: For each portfolio piece, don't just show the visuals; tell the story. Explain the client's business objectives, the UX goals, your strategic design approach, and how your visual execution supported those objectives.

• AI Workflow Showcase: Designate a specific section or project to clearly demonstrate your AI workflow. Use visuals and concise text to explain the tools, process, and impact.

• Focus on Deliverables: Highlight your ability to create production-ready assets, scalable component systems, and well-documented design specifications for seamless developer hand-offs.

• Interactive Elements: Be prepared to zoom into details, explain micro-interactions, and discuss responsive behaviors within your Figma files.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skill, but also strategic thinking, AI proficiency, and the ability to operate autonomously and collaboratively in a remote agency setting.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-aligned design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Elevated Third's careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature your B2B marketing site experience, design system thinking, and specific examples of your AI workflow in action. Prioritize high-fidelity mockups over conceptual work.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 6+ years of UI/Visual Design experience, with at least 3 years focused on B2B web platforms. Quantify achievements where possible, and explicitly mention your expertise in Figma and AI tools.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design rationale, client presentation approach, and AI integration strategies. Be prepared to discuss how you "connect dots" and contribute to measurable results.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Elevated Third's work, client base, and Drupal expertise. Understand their emphasis on measurable growth and their remote-first culture to align your responses with their values.

⚠️ 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.