Design Lead

As a Design Lead at Metalab, you'll guide the design process throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring all aspects meet the high standards our clients expect. You'll lead client presentations, manage expectations, and push teams creatively. Additionally, you'll foster positive relationships with clients, mentor fellow designers, and collaborate closely with engineers and project teams to ensure design fidelity and innovation.

To qualify for the Design Lead position at Metalab, candidates should have at least 5 years of product design experience, preferably in a lead role at a digital agency or consultancy. Mastery of UI/UX principles and design tools like Figma is essential, along with strong interaction design capabilities. A compelling portfolio showcasing UX and visual design strengths is also required.

Key skills for a Design Lead at Metalab include strong leadership abilities, excellent communication skills for delivering design rationales, and a deep understanding of UX principles. Being passionate about the latest trends in web and mobile design, and having a natural inclination to mentor others, are also vital for creating a thriving design environment.

Metalab promotes continuous growth by encouraging Design Leads to coach and mentor their teams. You’ll provide tailored feedback to help designers chart their career paths and monitor their professional fulfillment. We're committed to fostering an inspiring work culture that values individual development alongside team success.

The work environment for a Design Lead at Metalab is collaborative and dynamic, with an emphasis on inclusive teamwork and innovative ideas. You'll find yourself working remotely with a globally diverse team that thrives on pushing creative boundaries, while also benefiting from flexible communication methods that make sure every team member has a voice.

In preparing for this question, focus on specific projects where you led design initiatives and how those directly relate to the responsibilities at Metalab. Cite examples of collaboration, mentoring, and successful client presentations that highlight your leadership skills.

Discuss your strategies for mentoring, including providing tailored feedback and creating an environment where junior designers feel safe to express their ideas. Highlight how you encourage their growth and learning objectives to help them achieve their career aspirations.

Mention your proficiency with tools like Figma, After Effects, and others relevant to the role. Discuss your approach to staying updated, such as following design blogs, participating in online courses, and attending industry conferences to continuously hone your skills.

Explain your approach to managing client expectations, including your ability to listen actively and articulate your design rationale clearly. Emphasize your flexibility and commitment to finding a middle ground that satisfies both the client and the project goals.

Provide a concrete example of a project where you faced unclear requirements or shifting priorities. Detail how you managed the situation, engaged your team, and applied creative problem-solving to achieve a successful outcome while keeping stakeholders informed.

Discuss specific strategies you use to create an inclusive and supportive team culture. Examples may include facilitating open communication, celebrating team successes, and fostering a collaborative atmosphere that encourages innovative thinking and idea sharing.

Outline your experience with client presentations and the elements you prioritize, such as storytelling through design and ensuring clarity in your rationale. Emphasize your confidence and adaptability in responding to client inquiries and discussions during these presentations.

Share your thoughts on how promoting autonomy enables team members to be creative, while also implementing collaboration techniques that ensure alignment and shared ownership over project goals. Discuss how you facilitate both aspects effectively.

Reflect on what truly drives you in your work—this could be your passion for design, your desire to help others grow, or the thrill of contributing to innovative projects. Explain how this motivation influences your approach to leading a team and achieving design excellence.

It’s important to identify the aspects of the design process that resonate with you, be it user research, prototyping, or iteration. Articulate your point of view on how each plays a critical role in delivering designs that meet user needs and business objectives effectively.