About the Company
Curio, Ascendum’s digital studio, works on digital design projects that require user-centered thinking, consistent design systems, and collaboration with clients and stakeholders. The team follows established Figma etiquette to maintain organized, consistent design files.
About the Role
Curio is seeking a Senior UI/UX Designer to lead design work on complex, strategic projects in an enterprise environment. This role combines hands-on interface design with design leadership, client communication, mentoring, and contributions to the broader user experience strategy.
You’ll establish visual direction for product rollouts, develop and maintain design systems, and translate business requirements and user needs into accessible, practical digital experiences. The position also involves presenting design concepts, leading design reviews, and working with cross-functional teams to ensure designs meet project goals and deadlines.
The ideal candidate can work independently, navigate complex subject matter, explain and defend design decisions, and respond constructively to feedback. This is a long-term contract starting on a 1099 basis, with the potential for conversion.
Key Responsibilities
•Mentor other UI designers and provide constructive feedback to support design quality.
•Establish visual direction for design rollouts and maintain consistency across platforms.
•Develop and maintain design systems, style guides, and reusable Figma components.
•Advocate for user-centered design principles when working with clients.
•Contribute to the strategic vision for the user experience.
•Lead design reviews and provide clear, actionable feedback.
•Work on complex and strategic projects, contributing to project planning and scoping.
•Use advanced Figma capabilities to develop, organize, and maintain design files.
•Follow Curio’s Figma etiquette across all project files.
•Communicate with clients to clarify requirements, address issues, and present design concepts to clients and stakeholders.
•Understand business requirements, user needs, and user feedback to create effective designs.
•Produce user flows, wireframes, prototypes, UI mockups, and developer specifications.
•Conduct user research and evaluate feedback to inform design decisions.
•Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure designs are feasible and aligned with project goals and deadlines.
•Explain the methodology behind design decisions and apply feedback from clients and senior team members.
•Create Figma components and integrate them into existing design systems.
•Ensure designs meet accessibility requirements and usability standards.
•Apply industry best practices to maintain design quality and consistency.
Required Qualifications
•Strong proficiency in Figma, including advanced concepts, component creation, and design system maintenance.
•Knowledge of Apple Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) and Google Material Design.
•Understanding of web design best practices and accessibility standards, including WCAG.
•Experience creating user flows, wireframes, prototypes, interface mockups, and developer specifications.
•Ability to present design concepts and communicate effectively with clients and stakeholders.
•Ability to explain design methodology and justify design decisions clearly.
•Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
•Ability to work independently, interpret direction, and determine the best way to execute tasks.
•Confidence in asking questions, clarifying requirements, and identifying underlying user and business problems.
•Ability to learn complex subject matter and translate it into understandable visual experiences.
•Openness to feedback and the ability to incorporate direction without constant supervision.
•Ability to deliver high-quality work in a demanding, high-performing enterprise environment.
Preferred Skills
•Animation and motion design.
•Video editing.
•Print design.
•3D modeling.
•AI, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR).
•User research and testing.
•Webflow and frontend development knowledge.
Location & Work Arrangement
•Work arrangement: Remote.
•Required working hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
•Contract type: Long-term contract, initially on a 1099 basis.
•Conversion: Potential to convert from contract to another employment arrangement.
Additional Role Expectations The successful candidate should be confident, collaborative, proactive, and comfortable working with minimal oversight. They should be willing to acknowledge knowledge gaps, ask thoughtful questions, remain focused during client discussions, and defend design decisions professionally while remaining receptive to feedback.