(Urgent) UX/UI Product Designer

INTRODUCTION: University of the People (UoPeople) is the first non-profit, tuition-free, American, accredited, 100% online university. Today, UoPeople has over 170,000 students enrolled from more than 200 countries and territories, including 18,800 students who are refugees. UoPeople is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and is recognized by the DEAC as an accredited online University. We believe that higher education is a basic human right and that it can transform not only the lives of students, but also their families' lives, their communities, their nations, and, by extension, the world. See President Reshef's TED talk when he announced the founding of the University.[ TED talk ] UoPeople is an innovative university, and we welcome team members who bring creativity and innovation to their roles. We're a fast-paced organization with remote teams all around the globe. If you're a self-starter who wants to succeed alongside a passionate team, we'd love to hear from you UoPeople is supported by the generosity of individuals and foundations, including the Gates, Hewlett, Ford Foundations, Fondation Hoffmann, and others. The University has been covered by the New York Times, BBC, NPR, Times Higher Education, US News and World Report, and more. President Reshef's TED Talk and Nas Daily interview about the University have 30 million views combined. GENERAL PURPOSE: We are seeking a talented and independent UX/UI Product Designer to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for designing intuitive, engaging, and visually appealing user experiences for both web and mobile platforms. You will play a key role in shaping our product design standards, conducting market research, and building prototypes that bring ideas to life. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES: - Build, maintain, and evolve the company's brand style guide to ensure a consistent design language across products. - Create web and mobile designs using Figma, delivering user-friendly and visually impactful interfaces. - Work on multiple design projects in parallel, balancing priorities and meeting deadlines. - Conduct extensive UX/UI market research to identify trends, best practices, and opportunities for innovation. - Develop wireframes, prototypes, and user flows in Figma to communicate design concepts clearly. - Collaborate with cross-functional teams (product, engineering, marketing) while maintaining a high degree of independence in a remote setting. - Prepare wireframes (WF) and design documentation to guide development teams. KEY COMPETENCIES: - Strong proficiency in Figma for design systems, prototyping, and wireframing. - Understanding of UX principles, user research, and usability testing. - Experience with web and mobile responsive design, typography, color theory, and accessibility standards (WCAG). - Ability to build and maintain brand style guides. - Strong communication and storytelling skills for presenting design rationale. - Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and collaborate effectively in remote and cross-functional environments. TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE: Must Have: - Figma (design systems, wireframes, prototypes) - Miro or FigJam (for ideation and collaboration) - User research and usability testing - Persona creation, user journeys, empathy mapping - Market and competitor analysis - Responsive design principles and accessibility standards - Understanding of HTML/CSS basics (for design feasibility) - Familiarity with design systems and component libraries Nice to Have: - Adobe XD or Sketch - Zeplin or InVision (for handoff and documentation) - A/B testing and data-driven iteration - Awareness of UX metrics (conversion, drop-off, usability score) - Knowledge of design handoff processes and agile workflows QUALIFICATIONS: - Proven experience as a UX/UI Designer, with a strong portfolio of both web and mobile projects. - 3–5 years for mid-level or 5–8+ years for senior-level experience. - Demonstrated ability to manage multiple design projects independently. - Experience in branding, design systems, and style guide creation. - Excellent communication, time management, and organizational skills. - Prior experience working in remote, agile, or client-based environments preferred. RECOMMENDED CERTIFICATIONS: - Google UX Design Certificate (Coursera) - Interaction Design Foundation (IDF) – UX Research, UI Design, Design Thinking - Nielsen Norman Group (NN/g) UX Certification - Adobe Certified Professional – UX Design Specialist - Figma Professional Certification (if available) - Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) – edX or Coursera PREFERRED PORTFOLIO INDICATORS: - Demonstrated UX process from research → prototype → testing. - Examples of both web and mobile design projects. - Evidence of measurable design impact (e.g., improved conversion, engagement, or retention).