Visual Designer, Product

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Visual Designer, Product

Company: Luma

Location: Redwood City, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / Visual Design / Design Systems

Date Posted: July 24, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Own the visual quality and user experience of Luma's product, focusing on typography, color, iconography, and component design to ensure an exceptional feel.

• Develop and maintain a scalable design system in Figma, serving as the central reference point for engineers and designers to uphold product quality standards.

• Leverage AI coding tools such as Cursor or Claude Code to bring the design system to life as an interactive, living reference, bridging design and development.

• Establish and advocate for a high visual bar across the entire product, shaping the look and feel of new features from early concept stages.

• This role is craft-first, requiring a strong point of view on visual design principles and a dedication to building coherent, scalable systems rather than one-off screen designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a Visual Designer with a strong emphasis on Product Design and Design Systems, rather than a general UI/UX role. The description highlights a deep focus on visual craft, systems thinking, and the practical application of AI tools in the design and development workflow, indicating a need for a candidate who can translate visual aesthetics into scalable, functional components.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct a comprehensive audit of the entire product to identify and implement meaningful improvements in typography, color, iconography, spacing, and overall component design.

• Build, own, and evolve the design system within Figma, meticulously defining tokens, components, and comprehensive usage guidelines for team-wide adoption.

• Utilize AI coding tools to create a live, interactive design system that engineers and designers can readily reference and utilize for shipping new features efficiently.

• Define and rigorously maintain the visual standard for the product, ensuring consistency and high quality across all user touchpoints.

• Contribute a strong visual perspective during the early stages of new feature concepting, influencing the aesthetic direction before development begins.

• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to ensure the design system is accurately implemented and maintained in the codebase.

• Develop and document clear guidelines and best practices for visual design and system usage to empower the broader product team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize ownership and stewardship of the design system, with a clear mandate to improve existing visual quality and scale it through robust systemization. The integration of AI coding tools is a key differentiator, suggesting a forward-thinking approach to design execution and collaboration.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, HCI, or a related field is often preferred for roles of this seniority. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 7+ years of professional experience in visual and UI design, with demonstrable success in product development environments.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in visual and UI design, showcased through a strong portfolio that highlights exceptional craft in typography, color, layout, and interaction design.

• Strong systems thinking capabilities, with the ability to translate a compelling visual language into a scalable and consistent design foundation.

• Significant experience in building or substantially contributing to a design system that is actively used by a product team.

• Proficiency and practical experience using AI coding tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude Code) to produce tangible outputs and iterate on designs until they meet a high standard.

• A clearly articulated point of view on design principles and visual aesthetics, supported by a portfolio of shipped work that demonstrably improved product quality.

• A portfolio that explicitly showcases experience with design systems is a mandatory requirement. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in developing a token system from its inception and successfully integrating it with a live codebase.

• Experience in building a live component library or a comprehensive design system utilizing AI coding tools.

• Prior experience in designing for desktop applications, given that Luma's product is desktop-first.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "craft-first," "systems thinking," and the practical application of "AI coding tools" points to a need for a highly skilled, forward-thinking designer who can not only create beautiful interfaces but also build and maintain the foundational systems that enable scalable product development. The requirement for a portfolio demonstrating shipped work and design system experience is critical.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of projects demonstrating exceptional visual craft, including detailed examples of typography application, color palettes, iconography systems, and component design.

• Case studies detailing the process of building or significantly contributing to a design system, outlining its architecture, components, and adoption strategy.

• Evidence of systems thinking, showing how you translated a visual language into a scalable and consistent foundation for a product.

• Demonstrations of how you've used AI coding tools to develop tangible design outputs beyond static mockups, highlighting iteration and refinement.

• Projects that showcase a clear point of view and how it was articulated and implemented to improve product quality. Process Documentation:

• Workflow diagrams or descriptions illustrating the process of auditing product visual quality and identifying areas for improvement.

• Examples of design system documentation, including token definitions, component specifications, and usage guidelines.

• Case studies detailing the lifecycle of a design system component, from initial concept to implementation and iteration.

• Documentation on how AI coding tools were integrated into the design and development workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are highly specific, focusing on tangible outputs, systemic approaches, and the practical application of modern design tools. Candidates must be prepared to demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but also their ability to build and scale design foundations and integrate AI into their workflow.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the location (Redwood City, California), experience level (7+ years), and the specialized nature of the role (Visual Designer, Product with Design Systems focus), a competitive salary can be expected. For a Visual Designer with this experience in the San Francisco Bay Area, a typical range would be approximately $140,000 - $200,000+ annually, depending on specific skills, the company's funding stage, and the candidate's negotiation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and holidays.

• Stock options or equity in a growing technology company.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training and conference attendance.

• Access to cutting-edge AI tools and technologies for design and development.

• A collaborative and innovative work environment focused on pushing the boundaries of general intelligence.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position, typically involving approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid work arrangement may offer some flexibility in scheduling, but core hours for collaboration will likely be expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for experienced Visual Designers in the highly competitive San Francisco Bay Area tech market, considering Luma's focus on advanced AI technology. Benefits are typical for tech startups aiming to attract top talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Technology, Software Development. Luma's mission is to build unified general intelligence capable of generating, understanding, and operating in the physical world, with a strong belief that multimodality (vision alongside language) is key to the next step in AI advancement.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, Luma appears to be a growing startup, likely in the early to growth stage, suggesting a dynamic and fast-paced environment. (Based on typical Ashby job postings for roles requiring 7+ years of experience and a "craft-first" approach).

Founded: Luma was founded in 2022. This indicates a relatively young company, likely with an agile and innovative culture.

Team Structure:

• The Visual Designer will likely be part of a Product team, working closely with Product Managers, UX Designers, and Engineers.

• The role implies a significant degree of autonomy in visual design and design system ownership, suggesting a flat or semi-flat organizational structure common in startups.

• Cross-functional collaboration is key, especially with engineering teams to implement the design system and with product leadership to define feature aesthetics. Methodology:

• Luma is focused on developing advanced AI, suggesting a methodology that is data-driven, experimental, and iterative.

• The emphasis on design systems and AI coding tools points to a highly integrated design and development process, aiming for efficiency and scalability.

• A strong culture of craft and visual excellence is paramount for this role.

Company Website: https://lumalabs.ai/

📝 Enhancement Note: Luma's mission and focus on multimodal AI are defining characteristics. The company culture is likely to be highly technical, ambitious, and driven by innovation, attracting individuals passionate about cutting-edge AI development. The role's focus on design systems and AI tools aligns with this forward-thinking approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior-level Visual Designer role, focusing on product ownership and foundational system building. It sits within the Product Design discipline, not traditional Revenue or Sales Operations. The scope is broad, encompassing visual quality across the entire product and the strategic development of a design system.

Reporting Structure: The Visual Designer will likely report to a Head of Product, Design Lead, or a senior Product Manager. They will work closely with engineering teams.

Operations Impact: While not directly in Revenue or Sales Operations, this role has a significant impact on the product's success. Exceptional visual design and a robust design system directly influence user adoption, satisfaction, brand perception, and the efficiency of the product development cycle. A well-maintained system reduces development time and ensures consistency, indirectly supporting business objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in design systems, design tokens, and AI-assisted design workflows.

• Leadership: Potentially grow into a Lead Designer role, managing visual design strategy and mentoring other designers.

• Cross-functional Influence: Become a key voice in product strategy, influencing the overall direction and user experience of Luma's AI products.

• Industry Recognition: Contribute to building a truly cutting-edge AI product, potentially leading to industry recognition for design innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is for a specialist in visual design and design systems. Growth opportunities will focus on deepening expertise within this domain and potentially moving into leadership within the design function, rather than transitioning into traditional operations roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job posting indicates a "TELECOMMUTE" location type but also mentions "Redwood City, California" and "Hybrid" in AI-derived fields. This suggests a hybrid work environment where employees are expected to come into the office for a portion of the week, likely for collaboration and team cohesion.

Office Location(s): Redwood City, California. This places the office in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area's tech hub.

Workspace Context:

• Expect a collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and teamwork, typical of startups in the AI sector.

• Access to high-performance computing resources and cutting-edge design and development software will be standard.

• Opportunities for impromptu design discussions and close collaboration with engineering and product teams will be readily available.

• The environment will likely be fast-paced, with a strong emphasis on rapid iteration and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: Full-time, hybrid arrangement. Core collaboration hours will likely be established, with flexibility around specific daily schedules. The focus will be on delivering high-quality work and contributing to team goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is key. While remote work might be an option for some days, being in the Redwood City office for key collaboration periods will be essential for integrating with the team and contributing to the company's dynamic culture.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess craft, systems thinking, and relevant experience.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you'll walk through your portfolio, highlighting key projects, design system contributions, and your process. Be prepared to discuss your rationale and impact.

• Design Challenge: You may be given a take-home assignment or a live design exercise focused on visual design, system thinking, or a specific product challenge.

• Team Interviews: Meetings with potential collaborators, including designers, product managers, and engineers, to assess fit, communication style, and technical understanding.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager to assess overall fit, career aspirations, and alignment with the company's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Craft: Ensure your portfolio visually demonstrates exceptional skill in typography, color, layout, and component design. High-quality visuals are paramount.

• Highlight Systems Thinking: Clearly articulate your process for building and maintaining design systems. Include examples of tokens, components, and guidelines. Explain why your system approach was effective.

• Demonstrate Impact: For each project, clearly state the problem, your role, your process, and the measurable outcome or impact on the product. Quantify results where possible (e.g., "improved user satisfaction by X%", "reduced development time for new features by Y%").

• Detail AI Tool Usage: Specifically call out projects where you used AI coding tools. Explain your workflow, the tools used, and the results achieved. Be ready to discuss how AI complements your design process.

• Articulate Your Point of View: Be prepared to discuss your design philosophy and defend your design decisions with clarity and conviction.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Product: Familiarize yourself with Luma's mission and existing product. Consider its visual language and potential areas for improvement.

• Practice System Design: Be ready to discuss how you would approach building or evolving a design system for a complex product.

• Focus on Visuals: If given a design challenge, prioritize visual execution and consistency. Ensure your solution adheres to strong design principles.

• AI Tool Readiness: If the challenge involves AI tools, be prepared to demonstrate your proficiency or articulate how you would approach using them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your portfolio, especially regarding design systems and AI tool application. Be ready to not only show what you've done but also articulate the strategic thinking and craft behind it, focusing on how you can elevate Luma's product visually and systemically.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The core design tool for creating UI mockups, prototypes, and design system components. Proficiency is essential.

• AI Coding Tools: Cursor, Claude Code, or similar AI-powered coding assistants for bringing design systems to life and iterating on code-driven design outputs.

• Design System Management Tools: While Figma is the primary tool, experience with tools or methodologies for managing design tokens, style guides, and component libraries is valuable.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience with product analytics tools (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel) to understand user behavior and inform design decisions is beneficial, though not the primary focus of this role.

• Familiarity with A/B testing methodologies to validate design improvements. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to this role, which is product-focused rather than revenue-focused.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is non-negotiable. The significant emphasis on AI coding tools like Cursor and Claude Code indicates a need for a designer who is comfortable working at the intersection of design and code, leveraging AI to accelerate the implementation and living nature of the design system.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Craftsmanship: A deep commitment to visual quality, detail, and aesthetic excellence in all design outputs.

• Systems Thinking: A belief in building scalable, consistent, and maintainable design foundations that empower the entire team.

• Innovation: A drive to explore and implement cutting-edge technologies, particularly in AI, to push the boundaries of product development.

• Collaboration: A value placed on working closely with engineering and product teams to achieve shared goals and ensure design integrity.

• Impact-Driven: A focus on how design decisions directly contribute to product quality, user experience, and business objectives.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated: Close collaboration with engineering is critical for the successful implementation of the design system.

• Iterative: A willingness to experiment, receive feedback, and iterate on designs and system components.

• Advocacy: Proactively championing design best practices and the importance of visual quality across the organization.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively contributing to the team's collective knowledge base through documentation and design system evangelism.

📝 Enhancement Note: Luma's culture likely values technical prowess, ambitious problem-solving, and a strong sense of ownership. For this role, a dedication to visual craft and the strategic implementation of design systems, amplified by AI tools, is crucial.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Craft and Scale: Maintaining a high level of visual craft while building a design system that can scale with a rapidly growing product and team.

• AI Tool Integration: Effectively integrating AI coding tools into the workflow to enhance productivity without compromising design quality or control.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent adoption and understanding of the design system across diverse teams (design, engineering, product).

• Defining a New Visual Language: Establishing a fresh and compelling visual identity for a company at the forefront of AI innovation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into AI & Design: Gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art AI tools for design and development, becoming a leader in this emerging field.

• Design System Leadership: Develop expertise in scaling design systems for complex, AI-driven products.

• Product Strategy Influence: Contribute significantly to the strategic direction of a groundbreaking AI product.

• Industry Exposure: Work at the cutting edge of AI and multimodality, with potential opportunities to attend relevant conferences and workshops.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents an exciting opportunity to shape the visual identity of a pioneering AI company and master the integration of AI tools into the design process, offering significant growth in a high-impact area.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach auditing Luma's current product for visual quality and identify key areas for improvement?" (Focus on your methodology, systematic approach, and prioritization.)

• "Describe your process for building a design system from the ground up, or significantly evolving an existing one. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Highlight systems thinking, component strategy, tokenization, and documentation.)

• "How do you see AI coding tools like Cursor or Claude Code impacting the role of a visual designer? Can you provide an example of how you've used them to achieve a specific outcome?" (Be ready to demonstrate practical application and strategic thinking about AI's role.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Luma's mission to build unified general intelligence and the role of multimodality?" (Show genuine interest and understanding of the company's vision.)

• "How do you ensure your visual design point of view is effectively communicated and adopted by engineering teams?" (Focus on collaboration, advocacy, and clear documentation.)

• "What is your ideal work environment, and how do you thrive in a hybrid setting?" (Align your expectations with Luma's hybrid model and fast-paced culture.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio around case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process (especially design system and AI tool usage), and the quantifiable impact.

• Highlight Design System Expertise: Dedicate specific sections or case studies to your design system work, showcasing your ability to build and scale visual foundations.

• Show, Don't Just Tell with AI: When discussing AI tools, be prepared to show examples of your output, explain your workflow, and discuss how AI accelerated or improved your process.

• Articulate Your Craft: Be ready to discuss the nuances of typography, color, and composition in your work, defending your aesthetic choices with clear reasoning.

• Practice Your Narrative: Rehearse your presentation to ensure a smooth, confident flow, covering all key aspects of your experience and how they align with Luma's needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to deeply discuss your design system methodologies, your practical experience with AI coding tools, and how your visual design craft translates into tangible product improvements and scalable foundations. Your portfolio is your primary tool for demonstrating these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Visual Designer position:

• Submit your application and portfolio through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that best demonstrate your visual design craft, design system experience, and proficiency with AI coding tools. Focus on shipped products and measurable impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 7+ years of experience, emphasizing achievements related to visual design, UI design, and design system development. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on articulating your design process, systems thinking, and the impact of your work, especially concerning AI tool usage.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Luma's mission, product, and recent developments to understand their vision and how your design skills can contribute to their ambitious goals.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details, particularly regarding salary and specific benefits, should be verified directly with Luma during the application and interview process.