Senior Product Design Lead

At AKQA, we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products, and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.

Creatives at AKQA apply artistry and craftsmanship to strategic insight, bringing to life ideas that move the world. Skilled problem solvers and storytellers, they thrive in a multidisciplinary environment to develop meaningful work that delights customers and delivers results for clients.

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Freelance Senior Design Lead with a strong foundation in UI design for complex product systems. In this role, you will help shape digital experiences for marquee brands with household names, tackling multi-step, multi-lane processes that impact millions of people worldwide. You will be instrumental in translating complexity into intuitive, elegant design solutions that feel effortless to customers while maintaining brand integrity at scale. This is a remote freelance role, starting ASAP through the end of the year.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Strong demonstration of user-centered design principles with an emphasis on UI craft in complex systems

• Ability to design efficient, functional, and engaging digital experiences across multi-step flows and platforms

• Experience navigating and simplifying interconnected product ecosystems and multi-lane processes

• Proficiency in working both strategically (vision, patterns, systems) and tactically (flows, components, prototypes)

• Deep empathy for end users, staff, and operators to inform design decisions

• Strong understanding of web and app paradigms, interaction patterns, and design systems

• High proficiency in Figma, including components, layouts, design systems, and interactive prototyping

• Ability to plan, conduct, and synthesize research studies (e.g., usability testing, IDIs) to inform design decisions

• Collaborative spirit—comfortable engaging with stakeholders, developers, and partners to reach the best outcomes

• Proactive in identifying opportunities for better design and innovation, championing continuous improvement

• Availability to work core business hours aligned to U.S. Eastern Time (ET), with flexibility for collaboration across additional time zones as needed

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• A compelling portfolio showing distinctive product design work, particularly UI within complex systems

• Ability to develop simple and elegant solutions for multi-step, layered problems

• Exceptional written, visual, and oral communication skills

• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with an inclusive, team-first mindset

• Open to progressive thinking and exploring innovative approaches to design challenges

REMOTE EXPECTATION

This is a remote freelance role. Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. and able to work core business hours aligned to Eastern Time (ET). Occasional travel may be required for research, workshops, or team collaboration, depending on project needs.

COMPENSATION

$2,800 - $3,600/week
40 hours/week

We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach including required in-office days. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.