Design Lead in Bristol

Design Lead

About Aer Studios We are a Creative Technology Studio, working for mission-driven organisations, building digital experiences that deliver a serious positive impact. We believe that mission-driven organisations deserve digital experiences as compelling and motivating as the causes they champion. Our clients need a partner who can deliver the quickest route to positive impact - so we close the gap between ambition and action. We fuse development and design to deliver highly creative solutions - building digital products that don't just engage people, they move people to act. This matters - because every pound raised, every visitor inspired, every citizen engaged is a step toward the world our clients are building. Type: Full-time, permanent, 40 hour week Location: Hybrid, Bristol-based studio Reports to: CEO About this opportunity We’re looking for a Design Lead to help shape how we think, design and deliver at Aer. Our Design Lead will bring strong creative thinking to projects, influence the wider team and raise the quality of our methods and design output, while being hands-on and close to the work and delivery. They’ll lead design thinking across a range of digital and experience-led projects, working closely with UX, product, engineering and delivery. Comfortable moving between the big picture and the detail. For example, shaping a response to an open-ended client challenge one day, getting into interaction design or prototyping the next. A big part of the role is helping us define what great design looks like in an AI-enabled world. We’re looking for someone with a strong point of view on how AI can enhance our design practices, alongside practical experience using AI tools to improve both the creative process and the experiences we create.

The work Our work is predominantly digital and experience-led, spanning: UX and service design Digital products and platforms Websites and digital experiences Interactive and immersive experiences Product and experience strategy AI-enabled experiences Creative technology We work with organisations where there is a genuine problem, audience need or purpose behind the work. Our clients include BBC, Dogs Trust, Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, Historic Royal Palaces and organisations across the public sector. Responsibilities you’ll hold Lead design thinking Lead the design thinking and direction across projects, from early discovery and strategy through to final execution. Turn complex or open-ended client challenges into clear, compelling creative and design directions. Bring strong UX and product thinking to the work, grounding decisions in user needs, behaviours and business objectives. Develop and communicate design concepts, interaction models, journeys, prototypes and high-fidelity work. Raise the quality and ambition of design across Aer through great direction, critique and feedback. Stay hands-on and involved in the work. Shape our approach to AI Help define how Aer uses AI across our design practice, from strategy and ideation through to execution. Explore and adopt new AI tools and workflows that can improve how we think, make and deliver. Bring a practical, informed perspective on where AI can genuinely add value, both to the creative process and to the experiences we create for clients. Help build AI capability and confidence across the wider design and creative team. Lead and develop designers Manage and support our design team (currently 3 people). Provide clear creative direction, feedback and coaching. Help designers develop their thinking, craft, commerciality, and confidence. Set a high bar for the quality and consistency of our work. Create an environment where people can challenge ideas, learn and do their best work. Work collaboratively across disciplines Work closely with UX, product, engineering and delivery throughout the life of a project. Collaborate with technologists to understand what’s possible and push what’s possible further. Work with delivery and commercial teams to balance creative ambition with scope, timelines and business realities. Help ensure design isn’t operating as a silo, but is an integral part of how Aer solves problems. Work directly with clients Design, lead and contribute to high-fidelity client workshops. Present and articulate the thinking behind our work with confidence and clarity. Build trust with clients and become a credible design and strategic partner. Help clients define and improve their briefs, rather than simply responding to them. Remain focused on the business outcomes and commercials behind the work, not just the quality of the design output. What you’ll bring Strong UX and digital experience You’ll have substantial experience shaping digital products and experiences, with a strong understanding of UX and interaction design. You’ll be comfortable working from early-stage user needs and strategic thinking through to journeys, interaction and high-fidelity execution. A solid perspective on AI You’ll have a genuine interest in, and practical experience with, AI in design. You don’t need to have all the answers, but you’ll have a well-informed perspective on where the discipline is heading and be excited about helping Aer shape its approach. Agency-ready

You’ll have previous agency or studio experience and understand the realities of working in this environment: multiple projects, changing priorities, tight timelines, different clients and the need to move quickly without compromising the quality of the thinking. You’ll enjoy that pace and variety, and know how to balance creative ambition with the practical realities of delivering great work for clients. Creative problem solver You’ll be comfortable with ambiguity and able to take a fairly open-ended challenge and turn it into a clear creative or design direction. You’ll be curious, thoughtful and able to connect dots across audience needs, business objectives, technology and creative opportunity. Design direction You’ll be confident offering design thinking on projects and giving clear direction to others. You’ll know how to give constructive, useful feedback and bring people with you, raising the quality of the work without needing to own every decision yourself. Collaborative by nature You’ll enjoy working across disciplines and be comfortable collaborating with strategists, UXers, product people, developers and delivery leads. You’ll also look beyond Aer, building relationships across the wider creative, design and technology ecosystem, sharing ideas, learning from others, representing Aer externally and helping build a strong network of collaborators, peers and future opportunities. Client confident You’ll be comfortable in front of clients and when delivering workshops, able to explain and stand by your thinking with a good dose of humility. Understand that successful design is about solving the right problem and delivering meaningful outcomes, alongside producing something that looks great. How we’ll remunerate and develop you We pay competitive salaries that are annually industry and location benchmarked. You join an award-winning company, recognised by Great Place to Work®, where your contributions are highly valued. You join a team that delivers impactful work that is purposeful and meaningful. Flexible hybrid working option. Company pension contribution & Private Health Insurance.

Discretionary annual employee bonus. 21 days holiday + 3 days paid Christmas leave during holiday closure, plus additional loyalty leave at key milestones. Personal annual development budget and dedicated time allocation. Mental health first aid training & 2x paid charity volunteering days. Annual company holiday weekend. Aer Studios are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and freelancers.