Visual Designer - 6 Months FTC

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Visual Designer - 6 Months FTC

Company: Lloyds Banking Group

Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time, Temporary

Category: Creative & Design / Digital Experience

Date Posted: 2026-06-11

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on creating engaging digital experiences by translating customer needs into compelling visual designs for web and mobile applications.

• You will be responsible for enhancing user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX) through effective visual communication and storytelling.

• The position requires contributing to and working within a digital design system, ensuring brand consistency and efficient design workflows.

• You will leverage prototyping software and AI design tools to rapidly iterate on ideas and bring design concepts to life.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a fixed-term contract (FTC) for 6 months, indicating a need for immediate impact and a project-based focus. The emphasis on "early stages of their career" with "around four years of experience" suggests a mid-level designer position where foundational skills are key, but there's room for growth and learning within the team.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and develop visually appealing and intuitive user interfaces for web and mobile applications, aligning with user-centered design principles.

• Craft engaging digital experiences that effectively communicate brand messaging and customer value propositions through visual storytelling.

• Collaborate with Experience Design teams, including designers, researchers, and strategists, to identify and solve customer problems.

• Contribute to and utilize the company's digital design system to maintain consistency, efficiency, and scalability across all digital products.

• Create high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes using Figma and other relevant design tools to visualize design concepts and user flows.

• Apply creative thinking to simplify complex design challenges and make user interactions engaging and memorable.

• Experiment with AI design tools to accelerate the design and prototyping process, driving rapid iteration and innovation.

• Prepare and present design concepts and solutions effectively to stakeholders, articulating design decisions and their impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative execution and collaborative problem-solving. The explicit mention of "humans needs at the heart of every problem we solve" highlights a strong UX/human-centered design approach. The requirement to "make seemingly mundane things interesting and exciting" points to a need for creative flair in a potentially traditional industry.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating relevant design skills is paramount. A background in Graphic Design, Digital Design, Interaction Design, or a related field is typically advantageous.

Experience: Approximately four years of professional experience in visual design, UI/UX design, or a closely related field. Experience in a corporate or financial services environment is beneficial.

Required Skills:

• Proven visual design skills demonstrated through a strong portfolio showcasing digital product design.

• Proficiency in Figma for interface design and prototyping.

• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator).

• Understanding of and experience working with digital design systems.

• Ability to create engaging digital experiences and interfaces for web and mobile applications.

• Strong creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale.

• A keen eye for detail and a passion for user-centered design. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI design tools for rapid prototyping and ideation.

• Familiarity with Microsoft tools such as PowerPoint and Excel for presentations and data visualization.

• Experience contributing to or evolving a digital design system.

• Understanding of Agile methodologies and working within cross-functional teams.

• Experience in the financial services industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strong portfolio" is critical. For a mid-level designer, the portfolio should clearly articulate the design process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of their design solutions, particularly for digital interfaces and user experiences. The mention of "four years of experience" is a guideline; candidates with strong portfolios and fewer years of experience may still be considered if their skills and potential are evident.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated collection of digital design projects that showcase your ability to create engaging user interfaces and experiences for web and mobile platforms.

• Case studies detailing the design process, from problem identification and user research to ideation, prototyping, and final UI execution.

• Demonstrations of how you have utilized or contributed to design systems, highlighting consistency and component-based design approaches.

• Examples of rapid prototyping and iteration, ideally showcasing the use of tools like Figma.

• Evidence of creative problem-solving and the ability to make complex or mundane concepts visually interesting.

• Documentation of projects where you have applied AI tools in the design or prototyping process, if applicable. Process Documentation:

• The ability to articulate your design process clearly and concisely, explaining how you approach problem-solving and user-centered design.

• Documentation of how you have collaborated with cross-functional teams (e.g., researchers, strategists, developers) to bring designs to fruition.

• Examples of how you have ensured brand consistency and adherence to design system guidelines throughout projects.

• A demonstration of how you manage feedback and iterate on designs based on stakeholder input and user testing.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio should strongly emphasize digital product design and UI/UX. Projects that demonstrate how the candidate has translated business requirements and user needs into intuitive and visually appealing interfaces will be highly valued. Given the mention of AI tools, any projects showcasing their innovative application in the design workflow would be a significant plus.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £40,824 - £45,360 per annum. This range is typical for a mid-level Visual Designer in the UK, particularly in a major city like Edinburgh, within a large financial institution.

Benefits:

• A generous pension contribution of up to 15%.

• An annual performance-related bonus, reflecting the company's commitment to rewarding employee contributions.

• Share schemes, including the opportunity to receive free shares, offering long-term financial participation.

• Discounted shopping and a range of lifestyle-adaptable benefits.

• A competitive holiday allowance of 28 days, plus bank holidays, totaling approximately 36 days of leave per year.

• Access to a variety of wellbeing initiatives to support employee health and work-life balance.

• Generous parental leave policies, supporting employees through significant life events.

Working Hours: Full-time, typically around 40 hours per week. The role operates on a hybrid work model, requiring approximately 2 days per week (or 40% of time) in the Edinburgh office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is clearly defined. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting Lloyds Banking Group's status as a large, established employer. The explicit mention of hybrid working and flexibility options is a key aspect of the work arrangement. The 6-month FTC nature means some benefits like long-term share schemes might have adjusted eligibility or payout structures.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services. Lloyds Banking Group is one of the UK's largest financial services groups, offering a wide range of banking and financial products. This context means a focus on security, compliance, customer trust, and digital innovation within a regulated environment.

Company Size: Large. Lloyds Banking Group is a major employer with a vast workforce, offering significant opportunities for career development and exposure to diverse projects.

Founded: The current group structure has evolved over time, but its origins trace back to the early 19th century, signifying a long-standing history and deep roots in the UK financial sector.

Team Structure:

• The Visual Designer will be part of the Experience Design team, which includes designers, researchers, and strategists. This implies a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment focused on user-centered design.

• The team likely operates within a larger digital or product development function, with reporting lines that connect design output to business objectives.

• Cross-functional collaboration is expected, working closely with product managers, developers, and potentially marketing teams to ensure cohesive digital product delivery. Methodology:

• The team's approach is human-centered, prioritizing customer needs in problem-solving and design.

• There's an emphasis on iterative design and rapid prototyping, utilizing tools like Figma and AI to speed up the design cycle.

• Contribution to and adherence to a digital design system suggests a focus on consistency, scalability, and efficient design workflows.

• The mention of Agile working indicates a dynamic, flexible approach to project management and delivery.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Lloyds Banking Group's "clear purpose: to help Britain prosper" suggests a culture that values social responsibility and customer impact. The company's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is highlighted, indicating an inclusive workplace culture. For a designer, this means working within a structured yet evolving environment that values both tradition and innovation, with a strong emphasis on ethical practices.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Visual Designer, suitable for someone with approximately 4 years of experience. It's an opportunity to deepen expertise in digital design, UI/UX, and design systems within a large corporate setting. The FTC nature means it's a focused, high-impact role rather than a long-term career track within this specific position, but it can serve as a stepping stone.

Reporting Structure: The Visual Designer will report into the Experience Design team, likely under a Design Lead or Head of Experience Design. They will collaborate closely with other designers, researchers, and strategists, and potentially work with product managers and development teams.

Operations Impact: The Visual Designer's work directly impacts customer engagement and satisfaction by creating intuitive and appealing digital interfaces. Their contributions are crucial for enhancing the usability and effectiveness of Lloyds Banking Group's digital products, thereby supporting business objectives like customer acquisition, retention, and operational efficiency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Opportunity to gain hands-on experience with a robust digital design system and explore advanced prototyping techniques. Exposure to AI design tools can foster innovation and efficiency.

• Industry Exposure: Deepen understanding of design challenges and best practices within the highly regulated financial services sector.

• Portfolio Enhancement: The 6-month FTC provides a concentrated period to deliver tangible projects, significantly enriching the candidate's portfolio with high-profile work.

• Networking: Build professional relationships within a large organization, potentially opening doors for future opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a fixed-term contract, it offers significant value for career growth by providing targeted experience in a leading financial institution. It's an excellent opportunity to refine skills in UI/UX, design systems, and collaborative design within a structured environment. The emphasis on "early stages of their career" suggests that while this is a stepping stone, the company values potential and learning.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Edinburgh at "New Uberior House Head Office," indicating a formal, corporate office environment.

Office Location(s): Edinburgh, United Kingdom. This location is a major hub, offering a vibrant city environment.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is hybrid, requiring at least two days per week in the Edinburgh office. This fosters collaboration and team interaction.

• The office setting likely provides access to standard corporate amenities, IT support, and a professional workspace conducive to focused design work and team meetings.

• Collaboration is a key aspect, with opportunities to work alongside other designers, researchers, strategists, and potentially other departments, facilitating knowledge sharing and cross-functional synergy.

• The environment supports the use of essential design tools, with Figma being the primary tool, alongside the Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with a hybrid arrangement that balances in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. The standard working hours are approximately 40 per week, allowing for a structured yet adaptable work schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is explicitly defined, with a clear expectation of office presence. This is typical for roles where collaboration and access to on-site resources are deemed important for design team synergy and project momentum. The "Disability Confident Leader" status suggests that reasonable adjustments to the workspace or schedule are available for employees with disabilities.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess fit with the role's requirements, particularly design skills, tool proficiency, and experience level.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing key projects, design process, problem-solving approaches, and contributions to design systems. This stage assesses communication skills and design rationale.

• Skills-Based Interview: Questions focusing on UI/UX principles, design system usage, Figma proficiency, and experience with AI design tools.

• Situational/Behavioral Interview: Assessing how candidates handle collaboration, feedback, problem-solving, and alignment with Lloyds Banking Group's values and culture.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior member of the design team or hiring manager to confirm fit and discuss role specifics.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Process, Not Just Polish: Clearly articulate your thought process, the challenges you faced, and how you arrived at your design solutions.

• Highlight Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., improvements in user engagement, task completion rates) or explain the qualitative impact of your designs.

• Design System Focus: Include projects that demonstrate your understanding of and experience with design systems, showing how you leverage them effectively.

• Tool Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio implicitly or explicitly demonstrates your mastery of Figma and Adobe Creative Suite.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that align with the responsibilities outlined, particularly digital interfaces for web and mobile, and engaging visual communication.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific design challenge, potentially related to improving an existing interface or designing a new feature within a financial context.

• Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, anticipating questions about trade-offs, user needs, and business goals.

• Be ready to discuss your experience with AI design tools and how you see them integrating into design workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a 6-month FTC means the hiring process might be expedited. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate immediate value and a quick onboarding capability. The portfolio review is paramount and should be treated as a critical presentation opportunity.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core tool for interface design and prototyping. Proficiency is explicitly required.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for graphic design tasks, image manipulation, and asset creation (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator).

• Microsoft PowerPoint: For creating presentations and communicating design concepts to stakeholders.

• Microsoft Excel: For data analysis, tracking, and reporting related to design performance or project management.

• Microsoft Acrobat: For handling and managing PDF documents, often used for design specifications or client reviews.

Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly stated as a primary responsibility for this Visual Designer role, an understanding of how design impacts key metrics (e.g., conversion rates, user engagement) is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics tools used in digital product development might be a plus.

CRM & Automation: Not directly relevant to this Visual Designer role, but awareness of how design integrates into broader customer relationship management and marketing automation platforms could be advantageous in understanding the full customer journey.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, alongside Microsoft Office tools, defines the core technical skillset needed. The mention of AI design tools indicates a forward-thinking approach to design technology adoption.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: Placing human needs at the heart of every problem solved, ensuring designs are user-centric and address real customer challenges.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within the Experience Design team and with cross-functional partners to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation: Embracing new tools like AI to design and prototype ideas rapidly, pushing creative boundaries.

• Efficiency: Contributing to and utilizing a digital design system to ensure consistency and streamline the design process.

• Integrity: Operating within a regulated industry, implying a commitment to ethical design practices, data privacy, and security.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with designers, researchers, strategists, product managers, and developers to ensure cohesive product development.

• Design System Driven: A collaborative approach to maintaining and evolving the digital design system, ensuring shared understanding and adoption.

• Feedback-Oriented: Openness to feedback from peers, stakeholders, and users, and the ability to iterate designs based on constructive input.

• Agile Mindset: Participating in agile ceremonies and adapting to iterative development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Lloyds Banking Group's stated purpose ("to help Britain prosper") and commitment to diversity and inclusion suggest a culture that values positive societal impact, fairness, and respect. For a designer, this translates to creating inclusive, accessible, and ethically sound digital experiences.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Corporate Constraints: Designing innovative and engaging experiences within the structured, regulated environment of a large financial institution.

• Adhering to Design Systems: Effectively utilizing and contributing to a digital design system while still allowing for creative expression and unique design solutions.

• Rapid Iteration & Delivery: Working within a 6-month FTC requires a fast-paced approach to delivering high-quality designs and prototypes efficiently.

• AI Tool Integration: Learning and effectively integrating new AI design tools into existing workflows to enhance productivity and creativity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Design System Mastery: Deepen expertise in working with and contributing to a comprehensive digital design system.

• AI in Design: Gain practical experience and insights into leveraging AI for design and prototyping, staying at the forefront of design technology.

• Financial Services UX: Develop specialized knowledge of user experience design challenges and best practices within the fintech and banking sectors.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Enhance collaboration skills by working with diverse teams (e.g., product, development, research) on complex digital projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The FTC nature presents a unique challenge and opportunity: the need to make a significant impact quickly. The growth opportunities are tightly linked to mastering current design practices (design systems) and exploring emerging technologies (AI), all within a specific industry context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex or seemingly mundane subject. How did you make it engaging for the user?" (Assesses creativity and storytelling ability)

• "How do you approach balancing the requirements of a design system with the need for innovative design solutions?" (Assesses understanding of design systems and creative problem-solving)

• "Walk us through a project where you used Figma extensively. What were the key features you leveraged, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses tool proficiency and design process)

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for a mobile banking app to improve user trust and security?" (Assesses domain-specific thinking and problem-solving) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Lloyds Banking Group, particularly within the financial services industry?" (Assesses motivation and cultural alignment)

• "How do you contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment?" (Assesses teamwork and interpersonal skills)

• "Describe your experience with hybrid working and how you ensure effective collaboration when working remotely." (Assesses adaptability to work model) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the outcome/impact.

• Focus on Figma & Design Systems: Highlight projects where you've demonstrated strong Figma skills and applied or contributed to a design system.

• Showcase AI Tool Usage (if applicable): If you have projects using AI tools, explain your approach and the benefits realized.

• Be Ready for Design Challenges: Practice articulating how you would tackle a hypothetical design problem relevant to banking or digital services.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for evidence of practical application of design skills, a user-centered mindset, proficiency with Figma, and an understanding of how design contributes to business goals within a regulated environment. The portfolio is the primary evidence.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Visual Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Lloyds Banking Group careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features digital design projects for web and mobile, with a clear emphasis on UI/UX, Figma usage, and any experience with design systems or AI tools. Tailor your case studies to highlight the problem-solving and creativity aspects mentioned in the job description.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight your 4 years of relevant experience, specific design tool proficiencies (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite), and any contributions to design systems. Use keywords from the job description like "visual design," "UI/UX," "prototyping," and "digital experiences."

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on your design process, decision-making, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your experience with hybrid working and collaborative environments.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Lloyds Banking Group's purpose, values, and commitment to digital innovation and customer experience. Understand their stance on diversity and inclusion.

⚠️ 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.

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