At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design systems to create user-friendly digital experiences for top brands.
- Company: Join Fantasy, a creative powerhouse collaborating with giants like Google and Nike.
- Benefits: Freelance flexibility, work with leading companies, and enhance your design skills.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive team culture committed to innovation and creativity.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI-driven products that millions will love and use.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in design, strong portfolio, and expertise in design systems.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
This is a freelance position that must be willing to work North American hours.
We are Fantasy. For over two decades, we've partnered with the likes of Google, Microsoft, Nike, Spotify, and Peacock to build digital products used by billions of people every day. We're now entering our most ambitious chapter: designing and building the next generation of intelligent experiences, where AI isn’t a chatbox but the orchestrator of truly personal products and brand experiences.
Your Role:
- As a Freelance Systems Design Lead at Fantasy you’ll think beyond ordinary to ship world-class products for world-leading organizations.
- You will collaborate with talented teams to create experiences that millions of people not only use — but love.
- Launch digital products and services with world-leading organizations.
- You’ll work with the world’s most forward-thinking companies, including the likes of Netflix, Spotify, Ford, Asana, The Academy of Motion Pictures, Dolby, Ancestry, Salesforce, and many others.
- You’ll work across diverse industries and across varying form factors, ranging from automotive, luxury, travel, operating systems, website ecosystems, design for voice and artificial intelligence.
- Craft experiences that people love.
- Create Human-Device interaction and communication through digital products.
- Lead and define principles that foster exceptional, human-centered digital experiences.
- Design visually compelling and high-functioning user interfaces for applications, websites, and digital products.
- Combine layout thinking with visual detail—delivering clean, cohesive, and system-driven design.
- Design systems that are scalable, accessible, and expressive.
- Ensure visual consistency and coherence across products through expert use of Figma and component libraries.
- Create and document micro-interactions and UI motion briefs to elevate usability and delight.
- Work closely with conceptual and UX designers to iterate on wireframes and navigation frameworks.
- Be involved in defining how people interact with AI.
- Work with forward-thinking organizations.
- Translate client goals into clear design solutions grounded in research, usability, and system thinking.
- Build lasting client relationships by leading with curiosity, confidence, and creativity.
- Represent the design discipline in cross-functional meetings, helping unify strategic and experiential perspectives.
Experience and Skills:
- A strong portfolio that spans a wide variety of digital products, services, and experiences.
- 4+ years of experience in the design industry, with a focus on human-centered digital experiences.
- Deep expertise in design systems, including structure, scalability, and documentation.
- Skilled in applying UI best practices, with strong command of page design, layout, and interaction visuals.
- Demonstrated ability to design based on data and user insights.
- Strong understanding of accessibility standards and inclusive design principles.
- Proficient in designing and iterating on UX-provided wireframes, refining into production-ready UI.
- Expertise in navigation frameworks, product flows, and system-level thinking.
- Ability to create and document micro-interactions and UI motion briefs.
- Ensures visual consistency and coherence across complex design ecosystems.
- Highly skilled in Figma, including shared libraries, plugins, and design system components.
- Passion for continual practice and process improvement.
- A meticulous eye for detail and strong design aesthetic sensibilities.
- Continued awareness of design trends and innovation.
- Exceptional communication skills.
- A passion for people and desire to establish highly successful relationships.
Our Commitment:
Fantasy has been building diverse, inclusive teams since 1999. We believe the range of perspectives in this building is inseparable from the quality of what we ship. Fantasy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Since 1999, diversity has been vital to our success and ability to create products and services used and loved by millions of people all over the world. We are committed to continually fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
Design Lead, Design Systems - Future Freelance in London employer: Fantasy
At Fantasy, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions creativity and innovation in a collaborative environment. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that every voice is heard, fostering a culture where talented individuals can thrive and grow. With the opportunity to work alongside industry giants and contribute to groundbreaking digital experiences, you'll find meaningful and rewarding employment that pushes the boundaries of design.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Lead, Design Systems - Future Freelance in London
✨Show Off Your Skills with a Killer Portfolio
As a freelance UX/UI designer, your portfolio is your best mate. Make sure to showcase a variety of projects that highlight your design process, not just the final product. Include case studies that tell a story about how you approached the problem and the impact of your design solutions.
✨Get Involved in Design Communities
Dive into online design communities like Dribbble, Behance, or even UX forums on Reddit. These platforms not only allow you to showcase your work but also help you connect with potential clients and fellow designers. Plus, attending local design meetups or online webinars can open up freelance opportunities that aren’t advertised elsewhere.
✨Nail Your Pitch
When reaching out to potential clients, tailor your pitches to their specific needs. Highlight how your skills align with their projects and mention any related work you've done. Remember, clients love to see how you can add value to their business, so be clear about what you can bring to the table.
✨Leverage Social Media for Visibility
Showcase your design work on platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn. Post regularly and engage with your audience; ask for feedback on your designs or share insights into your creative process. This not only builds your brand but can lead to potential clients sliding into your DMs!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Lead, Design Systems - Future Freelance in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Design Portfolio:As a freelance UX/UI designer, your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it’s packed with your best work, showcasing your design process, user flows, and final products. Highlight projects that demonstrate not just your aesthetic skills but also your ability to solve real user problems.
Tailor Your Application to Fantasy:When applying for the freelance role of Design Lead, Design Systems - Future Freelance at Fantasy, take a moment to research their style and design language. Customising your CV and portfolio to align with their brand aesthetics shows you're not just any designer, but the perfect fit for their team.
Crisp and Clear Proposals:When you pitch yourself, be direct about what you can bring to the table. Outline your skills clearly and mention your rates upfront. A straightforward proposal lets Fantasy know you're professional and ready to hit the ground running!
Highlight Collaboration Experience:Freelance roles often involve working with various clients. Make sure to showcase any previous collaboration experiences in your CV. Mention how you’ve worked with developers, marketers, or stakeholders to create designs that keep all parties happy — that's a key selling point for us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fantasy
✨Showcase Your Portfolio like a Pro
Your portfolio is your calling card, so make sure it’s not just pretty but also tells a story. Arrange your best UX/UI design projects in a way that highlights your thought process, problem-solving skills, and the impact of your work. Talk about the challenges you faced and how you tackled them—freelancers need to show they can handle real-world problems.
✨Use Design Tools Effectively
Familiarity with design tools such as Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD is crucial in our field. Be ready to discuss your experience with these tools in real scenarios. They might ask specific technical questions about how you’d approach a design problem or your workflow, so brush up on those details and think of examples from your previous freelance projects.
✨Prepare for Client-Centric Questions
As a freelancer, you'll be client-facing, so expect questions about handling client feedback and managing expectations. Prepare examples of how you've dealt with difficult situations or miscommunications in previous projects. Your ability to communicate effectively with clients is a major selling point, and it’s worth stressing how well you can read and meet their needs.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Self-Management
Freelance work requires a lot of self-discipline and time management. Be prepared to discuss how you organise your time, juggle multiple clients, and prioritise tasks. Sharing how you've successfully managed deadlines and client relationships in the past can really set you apart from the competition and show that you're more than just a designer—you're a complete package.