UX Designer

iO
Full-timeRotterdam, Netherlands

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer

Company: iO

Location: Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Experience Design / Digital Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-24

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

  • Design and develop ultimate digital experiences for users, encompassing user flows, interactive prototypes, and information architecture.

  • Translate abstract business and user problems into clear, logical, and effective UX solutions for digital products.

  • Collaborate closely with clients and internal creative teams to ensure user-centricity and business alignment in all design initiatives.

  • Drive the creation of user journeys, wireframes, design systems, and UX concepts, bringing them to life through practical application.

  • Play a key role in the "Experience Design" capability, contributing to the development of best-in-class apps, websites, and digital platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Designer," the description also mentions "Interaction Designer" and "Product Designer," indicating a broad scope within the role that encompasses strategic product thinking and detailed interaction design. The emphasis on "Experience Design" capability suggests a focus on holistic user experiences across various digital touchpoints.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Conduct user research to gather insights into user needs, behaviors, and pain points, informing design decisions.

  • Develop comprehensive user journeys, personas, and user flows to map out optimal user paths within digital products.

  • Create detailed wireframes and low-fidelity prototypes to visualize information architecture and screen layouts, facilitating early feedback.

  • Design and maintain robust design systems to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency across multiple digital products and platforms.

  • Develop high-fidelity interactive prototypes to simulate user interactions and test design concepts before development.

  • Collaborate with clients and internal stakeholders to understand requirements, present design solutions, and incorporate feedback throughout the design process.

  • Work closely with UI designers and development teams to ensure seamless implementation of UX designs, maintaining design integrity.

  • Identify and prioritize key problems and solutions, demonstrating a strong ability to distinguish between critical and secondary issues.

  • Contribute to the strategic vision of digital products, ensuring alignment with business objectives and user needs.

  • Actively participate in the "Experience Design" capability, sharing knowledge and contributing to the collective expertise of the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are inferred from the provided description, emphasizing a hands-on approach to UX design from research through to high-fidelity prototyping and collaboration. The role requires a blend of strategic thinking and tactical execution within a client-facing agency environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a relevant educational background in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or a related field is beneficial. Demonstrated practical application of UX principles is prioritized over formal education.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 2 years of professional work experience specifically in UX Design.

  • Proven experience in developing effective UX/UI solutions for websites and mobile applications.

  • Experience with user research methodologies and their application in design processes.

  • Familiarity with developing and utilizing design systems. Required Skills:

  • UX Design: Core competency in all aspects of the user experience design process.

  • Interaction Design: Ability to design intuitive and engaging user interactions.

  • Wireframing & Prototyping: Proficiency in creating wireframes and interactive prototypes (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

  • User Research: Skill in conducting and synthesizing user research to inform design decisions.

  • Information Architecture: Expertise in structuring content and navigation logically.

  • Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills to identify and address user and business challenges.

  • Client Collaboration: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective client engagement.

  • Distinguishing Main vs. Sub-Issues: Ability to prioritize tasks and focus on critical aspects of a design problem.

Preferred Skills:

  • Product Design: Broader understanding of product lifecycle and strategy.

  • UI Design: Complementary skills in visual design and user interface aesthetics.

  • Design Systems: Experience in creating or contributing to design system frameworks.

  • User Journeys: Ability to map out and optimize user paths.

  • UX Concepts: Skill in articulating and presenting high-level UX ideas.

  • Agile/Scrum Methodologies: Experience working within iterative development frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level is explicitly stated as "minimum 2 years." The "2-5 years" inferred range accounts for potential growth and the expectation that candidates beyond the minimum will be considered, especially if they demonstrate strong potential and a robust portfolio. The emphasis on client collaboration and the agency environment suggests a need for strong communication and adaptability.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A comprehensive portfolio is a mandatory requirement for all applications.

  • The portfolio should clearly showcase a range of UX design projects, demonstrating the candidate's ability to tackle diverse challenges.

  • Projects should highlight the candidate's process, from initial research and problem definition to ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and final UX solutions.

  • Evidence of collaboration with clients or cross-functional teams should be visible.

  • For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the methodology used, key design decisions, and the impact of the solution. Process Documentation:

  • Showcase the application of logical and methodical approaches to UX design challenges.

  • Demonstrate how user research was integrated into the design process to drive decisions.

  • Illustrate the ability to translate abstract problems into clear, actionable UX solutions.

  • Highlight experience in creating user journeys, wireframes, design systems, and prototypes.

  • Provide examples of how you've made users' lives easier through thoughtful design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio ("sollicitaties zonder portfolio worden niet in behandeling genomen") makes this section critical. The focus is on demonstrating a structured, user-centered design process and tangible outcomes. The "Experience Design" capability context suggests a need for projects that span various digital platforms and user touchpoints.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

For a UX Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Rotterdam, Netherlands, a competitive salary range would typically fall between €45,000 and €65,000 gross per year. This estimate considers the cost of living in Rotterdam, industry benchmarks for UX design roles in the Netherlands, and the specified experience level. Factors such as the specific company's revenue, funding, and benefits package can influence the final offer.

Benefits:

  • Full-time Employment: Standard benefits package associated with full-time roles in the Netherlands.

  • Creative & Collaborative Environment: Opportunity to work within a vibrant "Experience Design" capability with ~40 creatives.

  • Client-Facing Projects: Exposure to a diverse range of client projects and industries, developing a broad portfolio.

  • Professional Development: Potential for growth within the Experience Design capability, including skill development and learning opportunities.

  • Team Culture: Access to a creative and supportive team environment focused on innovation and user experience.

  • Location: Based at a creative campus in Rotterdam, offering a dynamic work setting.

Working Hours:

  • Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week.

  • The company culture may offer some flexibility, but the role is primarily on-site, suggesting a structured work schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on industry data for UX Designers in Rotterdam, Netherlands, with 2-5 years of experience, taking into account the cost of living and typical benefits offered by digital agencies or consultancies in the region. The "On-site" work arrangement implies a more traditional work schedule.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Digital Services / Consulting. iO operates in the digital transformation and experience design space, helping clients create innovative digital products and platforms. This industry demands creativity, adaptability, and a strong focus on user-centric solutions.

Company Size: The "Experience Design" capability alone has approximately 40 creatives, suggesting the broader iO organization is significantly larger, likely falling into the 250-1000+ employee range. This indicates a robust organizational structure with established processes but also room for specialized teams.

Founded: The founding date is not specified in the input. However, the description implies a company with established expertise in digital creation and client collaboration.

Team Structure:

  • The UX Designer will be part of the "Experience Design" capability, comprising around 40 professionals in UX, Design, and strategy.

  • This capability functions as a center of excellence, supporting multiple client teams.

  • Collaboration is expected both within the Experience Design team and with client-specific project teams.

  • The reporting structure likely involves a lead within the Experience Design capability, with project-based reporting to client team leads. Methodology:

  • User-Centricity: A core principle, emphasizing understanding and designing for the user.

  • Methodical & Logical Approach: Design processes are structured, data-informed, and rational.

  • Collaborative Design: Strong emphasis on working closely with clients and internal teams.

  • Agile/Iterative Development: Implied through client team collaborations and the need for adaptable solutions.

  • Creative Problem-Solving: Encouraging innovative solutions to abstract challenges.

Company Website: https://www.iodigital.com/ (Inferred from domain_derived: ioi.dk, and common naming conventions for digital agencies)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company size is inferred from the description of the "Experience Design" capability. The methodology is derived from keywords like "logical," "methodical," and "together with the client," common in agency environments. A website has been inferred based on the domain.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an intermediate-level UX Designer role, typically requiring 2-5 years of experience. It signifies a move beyond entry-level tasks to taking ownership of significant design components, contributing to strategy, and collaborating directly with clients. The role demands both hands-on design execution and the ability to articulate and advocate for design decisions.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will report into the "Experience Design" capability, likely under a Lead UX Designer or Head of Experience Design. They will also work closely with project managers and client stakeholders on specific client projects, potentially having project-specific reporting lines.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's impact is crucial for the success of digital products. By ensuring intuitive and effective user experiences, they directly influence user adoption, engagement, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, the achievement of business objectives for iO's clients. Strong UX design can lead to increased conversion rates, reduced support costs, and enhanced brand perception.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as user research, interaction design, design systems, or accessibility.

  • Senior UX Designer: Progress to leading larger, more complex projects, mentoring junior designers, and taking on more strategic responsibilities.

  • Product Design Lead: Transition into a role that involves more holistic product strategy and ownership.

  • Experience Design Lead/Manager: Move into leadership roles, managing teams, client relationships, and defining the strategic direction of the Experience Design capability.

  • Cross-functional Skill Development: Gain experience in UI design, front-end development basics, or product management principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Growth opportunities are standard for a UX Designer role within a creative agency, focusing on deepening technical skills, increasing project ownership, and moving into leadership or strategic roles. The impact is framed in terms of client success and business outcomes.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at iO's "creative campus in Rotterdam." This suggests a modern, collaborative office space designed to foster creativity and teamwork, typical of digital agencies. It is an on-site role, emphasizing in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands. This location offers a vibrant urban environment with good connectivity.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Hub: The "creative campus" implies an environment designed for interaction, brainstorming, and team-based work. Expect shared workspaces, meeting rooms, and potentially informal breakout areas.

  • Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software and hardware necessary for UX design, prototyping, and research.

  • Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities to interact with other UX designers, UI designers, strategists, client managers, and potentially developers. This fosters a dynamic learning and exchange environment.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time and primarily on-site, indicating a structured work week. While the specific hours aren't detailed, it's typical for such roles to operate within standard business hours (e.g., 9 AM to 5 PM), with potential for some flexibility based on project needs and company policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of a "creative campus" and "client teams" points towards a dynamic, collaborative, and office-centric work environment typical of design agencies and consultancies.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Application Submission: Submit resume and, crucially, a portfolio via the provided link.

  • Portfolio Review: Initial screening will heavily focus on the quality, process, and outcomes demonstrated in your portfolio.

  • Initial Screening Call: A brief conversation to assess basic qualifications, communication skills, and cultural fit.

  • Design Challenge/Case Study Presentation: You may be asked to complete a small design exercise or present a case study from your portfolio in detail, explaining your process, decisions, and impact.

  • Team/Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion about your experience, approach to UX design, problem-solving skills, and how you collaborate with clients and teams.

  • Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking, cultural alignment, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Showcase Your Process: Don't just present final screens; detail your research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and testing phases. Explain why you made certain decisions.

  • Highlight Impact: Quantify the results of your work whenever possible (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction scores, reduced task completion times).

  • Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that align with the requirements of an agency UX Designer role (client collaboration, diverse digital products, problem-solving).

  • Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is easy to navigate and understand. Use clear language and compelling visuals.

  • Explain Your Role: Be specific about your contributions, especially in team projects.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Problem: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully grasp the user needs, business goals, and constraints.

  • Think Aloud: Articulate your thought process clearly, explaining your assumptions and design rationale.

  • Focus on UX Principles: Demonstrate your understanding of user-centered design, information architecture, and interaction design.

  • Prioritize and Scope: Show your ability to manage time effectively by focusing on the most critical aspects of the challenge.

  • Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your solutions concisely and persuasively, as if to a client.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio is paramount. The interview process is structured to evaluate both technical UX skills and collaborative/client-facing capabilities, common in agency settings.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable and industry-standard), Sketch, Adobe XD. Proficiency in at least one is essential.

  • User Research: Tools like UserTesting.com, Hotjar, survey platforms (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform), or qualitative research methods.

  • Collaboration & Documentation: Miro, Mural for whiteboarding and ideation; Confluence or similar for documentation.

  • Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello (for understanding workflow and collaboration).

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Familiarity with web analytics tools such as Google Analytics to understand user behavior post-launch.

  • Understanding of A/B testing principles and tools. CRM & Automation:

  • While not direct CRM users, UX Designers may interact with CRM data for user segmentation or understand how UX impacts CRM data capture.

  • Understanding of how design choices impact automated workflows or user engagement sequences.

📝 Enhancement Note: Specific tools are inferred based on industry standards for UX Designers in digital agencies. Figma is a near-certainty given its current market dominance. The focus is on design and research tools, with secondary awareness of analytics and project management systems.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • User-Centricity: The primary value; everything revolves around understanding and serving the user.

  • Logical & Methodical: A structured, rational approach to problem-solving and design.

  • Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork, both internally and with clients.

  • Creativity & Innovation: Encouraging novel solutions and pushing design boundaries.

  • Impact-Driven: Focusing on creating solutions that deliver tangible results for clients and users.

  • Continuous Improvement: A commitment to learning, iterating, and refining designs and processes.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with UI designers, strategists, researchers, and developers.

  • Client Partnership: Working closely with clients, involving them in the process, and acting as a trusted advisor.

  • Open Communication: Encouraging feedback, constructive criticism, and knowledge sharing within teams.

  • Agile Mindset: Adapting to changing requirements and iterating designs based on feedback and new insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: Values and collaboration styles are derived from keywords in the job description emphasizing user-centricity, logic, methodology, and client partnership.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Finding the optimal solution that satisfies both user desires and client objectives.

  • Managing Client Expectations: Effectively communicating design rationale and navigating client feedback, especially when it conflicts with UX best practices.

  • Working with Abstract Problems: Translating vague client requirements into concrete, user-friendly digital solutions.

  • Keeping Pace with Evolving Technology: Staying current with new design tools, platforms, and user interaction paradigms.

  • Prioritization: Effectively distinguishing between critical issues and less important ones in complex projects.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Mastering Advanced UX Techniques: Deepening expertise in areas like service design, accessibility, or advanced user research.

  • Exposure to Diverse Industries: Working on projects for various clients offers broad industry exposure and problem-solving experience.

  • Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from senior designers and strategists within the Experience Design capability.

  • Skill Expansion: Potential to develop complementary skills in UI design, front-end development, or product strategy.

  • Industry Events & Training: Access to conferences, workshops, and online courses to stay current with UX trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are common to agency UX roles, focusing on client management, strategic thinking, and technical currency. Growth opportunities are aligned with typical career paths in Experience Design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting user needs and business requirements. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, decision-making, and ability to find compromises.)

  • "How do you ensure your UX solutions are not only user-friendly but also achievable from a development perspective?" (Highlight your understanding of technical constraints and collaboration with developers.)

  • "Walk us through a project where you had to influence a client or stakeholder to adopt your proposed UX solution. What was your strategy?" (Demonstrate your persuasion skills and understanding of stakeholder management.) Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about iO and our work in Experience Design?" (Research iO's recent projects, clients, and values.)

  • "How do you approach collaboration within a creative team and with clients?" (Relate your style to iO's emphasis on collaboration and client partnership.)

  • "How do you define success for a UX project? What metrics do you typically look at?" (Show your understanding of impact and results-orientation.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Tell a Story: For each case study, frame it as a narrative: the problem, your role, the process, the solutions, and the impact.

  • Be Specific About Your Contributions: Clearly articulate your actions and decisions, especially in team projects.

  • Showcase Your Process: Explain why you chose certain methods or made specific design decisions. Visuals should support your narrative.

  • Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs.

  • Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges faced, and alternative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are tailored to assess core UX competencies, client-facing skills, and cultural fit within an agency environment. Portfolio presentation advice emphasizes storytelling and demonstrating impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on the iO Recruitee portal.

  • Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects demonstrating your UX design process, from research to wireframing, prototyping, and problem-solving for websites and apps. Highlight your ability to make users' lives easier.

  • Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 2+ years of UX design experience, specific skills like interaction design and wireframing, and any experience with client collaboration or design systems. Use keywords from the job description.

  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and presenting case studies from your portfolio. Be ready to discuss how you approach complex problems and collaborate with teams and clients.

  • Company Research: Familiarize yourself with iO's work, clients, and their "Experience Design" capability. Understand their approach to digital product creation and client partnerships.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates must have at least 2 years of professional experience in UX Design and a portfolio for consideration. Proficiency in developing solutions for websites and apps, as well as the ability to distinguish primary from secondary issues, is required.