Staff Product Designer (Contractor)

As a Staff Product Designer at Blank Street, your primary responsibilities will include leading the end-to-end product development process, shaping design strategies, and delivering visually stunning interfaces. You will work on creating holistic design systems and collaborating closely with product managers and engineers to tackle customer pain points and implement effective solutions in our digital platforms.

Qualifications for the Staff Product Designer Contractor role at Blank Street include a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, along with 7-8 years of experience in product design or user experience. Proficiency in design tools such as Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and experience in managing design systems are essential for success in this role.

The Staff Product Designer position at Blank Street is designed as a freelance, 1099 role with a commitment of 40 hours per week. The project is defined for an 8-12 week timeline, and while hybrid work options are available, you may be required to be present in the Brooklyn office for 2-3 days a week.

Collaboration for the Staff Product Designer Contractor at Blank Street revolves around regular virtual meetings with team members, ensuring that ideas flow seamlessly. You will be actively partnering with other designers, product managers, and engineers to develop ideas and refine solutions while engaging in open communication throughout the process.

In the role of Staff Product Designer at Blank Street, you can expect to work on creating user-friendly interfaces, wireframes, and prototypes that embody elegance and simplicity. You will be involved in complex projects requiring creativity and attention to detail, contributing to the overall goal of enhancing customer experience through delightful design.

When answering this question, it's important to outline your design workflow clearly. Discuss the steps you take from initial research and ideation to final delivery. Highlight how you gather user feedback, collaborate with teams, and iterate your designs based on stakeholder input.

Explain your approach to managing conflicting feedback by emphasizing open communication and seeking to understand different perspectives. You might discuss how you weigh feedback against user needs and project goals to make informed decisions on design direction.

Discuss your favorite design tools like Figma or Adobe Creative Suite, explaining their features that aid your design process. Emphasize how these tools enhance collaboration and efficiency in delivering projects.

Use a specific example of a challenging project and detail the obstacles faced. Highlight your problem-solving skills, collaborative efforts, and the eventual positive outcome to show your capacity for overcoming difficulties in design.

Illustrate your commitment to user experience by discussing your methods for user research, usability testing, and iterating designs based on user feedback. Mention how you advocate for users with the goal of creating intuitive and enjoyable interfaces.

Select a project that is meaningful to you, outlining its objectives, results, and what made it enjoyable. Reflect on the lessons learned, whether it's about teamwork, new techniques, or insights into user behavior that enhanced your skills.

Talk about the resources you utilize, such as design blogs, professional networks, or online courses. Emphasize your proactive approach to staying informed and how you incorporate new trends into your work.

Discuss a situation where you had to communicate the importance of a design decision effectively. Describe your reasoning, how you presented your case, and the outcome to showcase your ability to influence and advocate for user-centered design.

Articulate your thoughts on collaboration, communication, and supportive interactions as vital elements of a successful design team. Discuss examples from your experience that highlight the importance of teamwork and shared goals.

Explain your iterative approach to user feedback, emphasizing how you integrate user insights into your designs. Illustrate the value you place on feedback as a tool for enhancing user experience and refining design solutions.