Product Design Contractor

About the role

Spherical seeks a Product Design Contractor for a six-month project to enhance the Living Infrastructure Field Kit. This role involves crafting user interfaces and interaction designs to empower communities in Los Angeles to plan green infrastructure initiatives. You will collaborate closely with the Design Director and Senior Designer.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Refine user journeys to improve platform navigation and usability.
• Enhance visual consistency and expand the library of user interface elements.
• Base design choices on verified user needs and technical possibilities.
• Produce detailed specifications and prototypes for engineering teams.
• Contribute to making the platform more accessible to all users.
• Participate in discovery phases to understand user needs and define design requirements.
• Work with engineers during development to ensure design quality.
• Assist with creating presentations for leadership and client reviews.

Requirements

• A portfolio showcasing digital product design work is essential.
• Professional experience designing digital products for web and mobile platforms.
• Strong understanding of visual design principles, including typography, color, layout, and composition.
• Proficient in interaction design, with experience in complex flows, edge cases, and responsive interfaces.
• Experience contributing to or managing design systems.
• Familiarity with accessibility standards like WCAG and inclusive design principles.
• Expertise in Figma; knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite is beneficial.
• A balanced approach to using AI tools in design workflows.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and communicate progress and issues promptly.
• High standards for design craft and a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• A thorough and exploratory design process.
• Collaborative and solution-oriented demeanor, especially under pressure.
• Ability to accept direction and iterate designs efficiently.
• Experience working within a sprint cycle alongside researchers and engineers.

Nice to have

• Formal education in graphic design, interaction design, or a related field.

Skills & tools

• Figma
• Adobe Creative Suite (familiarity)
• Design Systems
• UI Design
• Interaction Design
• Visual Design
• Accessibility Standards (WCAG)
• AI-assisted design tools

Practical notes

• This is a remote contract position.
• The engagement is for six months.
• The role requires 32-40 hours of work per week.
• Applications should include a resume, portfolio, and a brief statement of interest.