At a Glance
- Tasks: Design engaging user experiences to help adults make real friends.
- Company: Join a passionate team building a unique community platform.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, network with industry professionals, and contribute to a meaningful cause.
- Other info: Flexible hours, work on your passion project, and collaborate with a dynamic founding team.
- Why this job: Help tackle loneliness while shaping a product that truly connects people.
- Qualifications: Experience in product design and understanding of social psychology.
We are building a new way for adults to make real friends. Arou places you straight into a small group chat with three people nearby who are similar in age, location and interests. Over the last six months, Arou has grown into a fast-moving 1500+ community. We are looking for a product designer who can elevate the entire experience. Someone who understands that design builds trust.
- Design new flows including onboarding, matching and retention loops.
- Help define our visual identity and interaction system.
- You understand behaviour, social psychology and how small design choices shape connection.
- You have shipped consumer apps before; social or community products are a strong plus.
Everyone on the founding team currently has full-time roles, so this is treated as a passion project - we work evenings or weekends (when we can), with weekly syncs to stay aligned and move fast. You should be excited about building something of your own. You'll help build a product that tackles one of the biggest modern challenges: loneliness. You'll work alongside a founding team who are building at some of the most exciting, fast-growing startups across People, Product, Engineering and Operations.
If this sounds exciting, drop us a note or share your CV - we'll grab a virtual coffee to chat.
Locations
Founding Product Designer - Volunteer in Basildon, Essex employer: Arou
Arou is an innovative community-driven platform dedicated to helping adults forge meaningful friendships in a world often dominated by superficial interactions. As a volunteer Founding Product Designer, you'll join a passionate team that values creativity and collaboration, working flexibly around your schedule to shape a product that addresses the pressing issue of loneliness. With opportunities for personal growth and the chance to make a real impact, Arou offers a unique environment where your design skills can flourish while contributing to a cause that resonates deeply with many.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Product Designer - Volunteer in Basildon, Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those who are already part of the community you're interested in. Use platforms like LinkedIn or even our own website to connect with potential teammates and mentors.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially projects that relate to social or community products. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and visually appealing – after all, you’re applying for a design role!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to us at Arou and express your interest in the Founding Product Designer role. A personal touch can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for that virtual coffee chat! Research our mission and values, and think about how your design philosophy aligns with what we’re building. Bring ideas to the table – we love fresh perspectives!
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Product Designer - Volunteer in Basildon, Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for tackling loneliness shine through. We want to see that you're genuinely excited about building something meaningful and that you understand the impact design can have on real connections.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience with consumer apps, especially in social or community products. We’re looking for someone who can elevate our user experience, so showcase any relevant projects that demonstrate your design skills and understanding of user behaviour.
Be Authentic:Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your application. We’re a small team working on a passion project, so we value authenticity. Share your thoughts on how design builds trust and how you envision enhancing our visual identity.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of applications and ensures you get all the latest updates. Plus, we’d love to grab a virtual coffee and chat about your ideas!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arou
✨Know the Product Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Arou's platform. Understand how it works, its current design flaws, and think about how you would improve the user experience. This shows your genuine interest and gives you a solid foundation to discuss your ideas.
✨Showcase Your Design Process
Be ready to talk about your previous projects, especially those involving consumer apps or community products. Highlight your design process, from ideation to execution, and how your choices have positively impacted user engagement and trust.
✨Understand the Audience
Familiarise yourself with the target audience of Arou. Think about their needs, behaviours, and the social psychology behind making connections. This will help you articulate how your design can foster real friendships and enhance user retention.
✨Emphasise Passion and Flexibility
Since this role is a passion project, convey your enthusiasm for building something meaningful. Share examples of how you've managed your time effectively in past projects, especially when balancing multiple commitments, to show you're ready for this unique working environment.
