At a Glance
- Tasks: Elevate user experience and design for a groundbreaking friendship app.
- Company: Arou, a passionate startup tackling loneliness through real connections.
- Benefits: Equity-only role with full ownership and a voice in product decisions.
- Other info: Work closely with founders in a dynamic, close-knit team.
- Why this job: Join us at launch to create something that genuinely improves lives.
- Qualifications: Experience in consumer apps, especially social or community products.
The predicted salary is between 500 - 1500 € per month.
Loneliness is one of the biggest modern challenges of our time. People move cities, leave university, and change jobs. Friendship becomes harder, not because people do not want connection, but because there is no simple infrastructure for it. Arou exists to change that. We are building a new way for adults to make real friends. Not followers, not matches, not surface level chats, but real friendships.
Arou places you straight into a small group chat with three people nearby who are similar in age, location, and interests. It is an instant friendship group designed to move people from zero to talking quickly. From there, we give people the tools to sustain those friendships, not just start them. Think WhatsApp meets Tinder BFF, without the swiping. Built for depth.
Over the last six months, Arou has grown into a fast-moving 1500+ community and a new way for adults to make real friends. Now we’re turning that into a product.
The Role
We have early designs in place. They work, but they are basic and lack polish. We are looking for a product designer who can elevate the entire experience. Someone who understands that design builds trust.
You will work directly with our Founder and Founding Engineers to:
- Refine and elevate the existing screens
- Design new flows including onboarding, matching, and retention loops
- Help define our visual identity and interaction system
- Create an experience that feels exciting, intentional, and different
Who You Are
- You care deeply about craft.
- You think in systems, not just individual screens.
- 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.
- You move fast but do not cut corners.
- You use AI to accelerate thinking and production, not to replace taste.
- You are comfortable working closely with a founder and pushing back when something is not good enough.
- You want to build something that genuinely improves people’s lives.
Commitment & Equity
This is an equity-only role. 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’ll have full ownership from day one, a real voice in product and technical decisions, and the opportunity to shape something that will impact millions. You should be excited about building something of your own.
Why Join
- You’ll help build a product that tackles one of the biggest modern challenges: loneliness.
- You’ll join our team at Day 1, right as we launch our MVP - this has the potential to change so many lives.
- 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.
- You’ll be part of a small, close-knit founding team with ambition, heart, and a bias for action.
If this sounds exciting, drop us a note or share your CV - we’ll grab a virtual coffee to chat.
Founding Product Designer - Volunteer in London employer: Arou
Arou is an exceptional employer for those passionate about creating meaningful connections in a world increasingly plagued by loneliness. As a volunteer Founding Product Designer, you'll join a dynamic and close-knit team dedicated to building a product that genuinely improves lives, with full ownership of your work and the opportunity to shape the user experience from day one. With a culture that values collaboration, innovation, and personal growth, Arou offers a unique chance to make a real impact while working alongside experienced professionals in a fast-paced startup environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Product Designer - Volunteer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who are already part of the community you're targeting. A quick chat can lead to opportunities you wouldn't find on job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work and aligns with what Arou is looking for. Make it easy for them to see how you can elevate their product design.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to Arou and express your interest in the Founding Product Designer role. A personal touch can make all the difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay engaged! Follow Arou on social media and participate in discussions about loneliness and community building. This shows your genuine interest and keeps you on their radar.
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Product Designer - Volunteer in London
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 genuinely care about building real connections and improving people's lives.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects your experience in product design, especially in social or community products. Highlight any relevant projects where you've created engaging user experiences, as this is key for us.
Be Authentic:We’re looking for someone who can bring their unique perspective to the table. Don’t be afraid to show your personality in your application – we want to know what makes you tick and how you think!
Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. This helps us keep everything organised and ensures we can connect with you quickly for a virtual coffee chat!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arou
✨Understand the Mission
Before your interview, take some time to really understand Arou's mission to combat loneliness. Familiarise yourself with their approach to building real friendships and think about how your design skills can enhance that experience. This will show your genuine interest in the role and help you connect with the team.
✨Showcase Your Craft
Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially any projects related to social or community products. Be ready to discuss your design process, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your commitment to craft and your ability to elevate user experiences.
✨Think in Systems
During the interview, emphasise your ability to think in systems rather than just focusing on individual screens. Discuss how small design choices can impact user behaviour and connection. This aligns perfectly with what Arou is looking for in a product designer.
✨Be Ready to Collaborate
Since you'll be working closely with the founder and engineers, come prepared to discuss how you handle feedback and collaboration. Share examples of when you've pushed back on ideas to ensure quality. This shows that you're not only a great designer but also a team player who values constructive dialogue.
