Description:
KEXP is seeking a User Experience Designer to create and improve digital experiences for mobile, the web, and other platforms in support of KEXP’s mission of music discovery. This is a generalist role for a full-stack designer who combines both user research and product design while applying a deep understanding of KEXP audience needs.
- Design the user experience and flows for existing KEXP products such as iOS and Android mobile apps, the KEXP.ORG website, AppleTV and other large-screen displays, along with developing design for newly envisioned features and experiences, delivered via process flows, user stories, wireframes, interactive prototypes, etc.
- Conduct user research in the form of usability tests, focus groups, surveys, and other tools to develop understanding of KEXP listener needs and apply these to product design.
- Validate design choices through analysis of product usage metrics, and/or A/B testing along with qualitative research, and clearly communicate design decisions with insights derived through the design process
- Through proactive outreach to product and analytics teams, identify what data and methods are needed to make insights-driven design decisions.
- Develop and apply user (audience member) personas in designing solutions for different audience needs.
- Collaborate with the Digital Director, Software team, and stakeholders in Programming and Advancement to design, test, and continually improve digital products and experiences.
- Assess and understand KEXP workflows and design improvements for internal technology tools.
- Apply “mobile-first” principles and process in conceptualizing and designing digital products for the mobile experience.
- Apply Accessibility best practices and continually improve the accessibility of KEXP’s digital products (readability, support for assistive technology, etc.)
- Center equity in user research and design processes to ensure inclusivity of KEXP’s digital experiences.
- Apply an Integrated Advancement approach to product design, weaving opportunities to support KEXP's mission throughout the digital experiences.
- Work within current scope constraints while keeping in mind scaling of design solutions to address future roadmap needs.
- Develop and apply consistency of experience, brand, and design across KEXP’s digital products.
- Be a strong advocate and thought leader for User Experience Design best principles throughout the KEXP organization.
- Maintains thorough understanding of KEXP organizational policies, including employee handbook, procedures, expense reporting, and payroll submission; follows policies and leads by example.
- Actively participates in our culture of philanthropy, which honors the important role our donors, volunteers, business and community partners play in the life of KEXP. Collaborates across teams and departments to steward donors on behalf of KEXP and actively seeks opportunities to integrate philanthropy into their role within KEXP operations, programs, and projects.
Supervision Received: Position reports to the Digital Director.
Supervision Exercised: May directly supervise the work of design consultants (individual contractors or outside firms, including in-kind contributions), or future design interns as needed.
Education & Experience: Either five or more years of related professional experience designing mobile applications and web sites or a degree in a field such as Human Computer Interaction, Interaction Design, or Graphic Design with at least three years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job as listed above.
- Proficient at building and shipping features/products at a department level, leading the end-to-end experience across a variety of platforms.
- Experience in using design and online collaboration software such as Adobe XD or other Adobe Creative Suite tools, Figma, Miro, Mural, or similar tools.
- Experience in leadership, collaboration, communicating, and influencing design strategy.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and familiarity with technical constraints and limitations when designing for platforms.
- Experience in developing design standards, patterns, style guides, best practices, and frameworks which are accessible and use human-centered methodologies.
- Demonstrated knowledge of accessible/inclusive design principles and methodologies.
- Experience in voice-controlled user experience (Alexa and other smart speakers) a plus; desire to learn and grow in this area—including learning about equity challenges associated with underlying AI algorithms—is ideal.
- Outstanding attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
- Commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
- Ability to take initiative and use independent judgment within established policy and procedural guidelines.
- Strong self-motivation in carrying out responsibilities, organizing and prioritizing multiple tasks, and meeting deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal, presentation, relationship-building, and written and verbal communication skills for a wide variety of audiences, specifically: racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse communities.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams; provide consistent, high-quality service to a wide variety of internal and external constituents; and adapt communication style to multiple cultural environments.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain a professional demeanor, especially while working in a fast-paced environment of constant demands and frequent interruptions.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and promote a positive working environment, spirit of cooperation, and react positively to change and conflict resolution.
- Deep knowledge, appreciation for, and understanding of KEXP programming and mission.
- Ability to embody the community-oriented spirit of KEXP to both internal and external constituents.
- Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities, including communities of color, in the consideration of impacts and outcomes of a decision-making process.
- Commitment to advancing justice and equity in the arts and in digital experiences, with a passion for community building.