At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of innovative digital products and experiences for top global brands.
- Company: Join AKQA, a creative powerhouse shaping the future of digital design.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and a culture of collaboration.
- Other info: Mentor a diverse team and contribute to a culture of learning and innovation.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI-powered design, making a real impact on user experiences.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in product design with strong leadership and technical skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Product Design Director
At AKQA (part of WPP), we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to design a better future.
Our Product Design Directors craft the interfaces, systems, and experiences that define how brands behave in the modern world, across mobile, spatial, voice, wearables, and AI-powered environments.
As a Product Design Director, you'll lead the design of products and brand experiences for some of the world's most influential organisations, from luxury ecosystems and cultural platforms to next-generation mobility and wellness systems.
You'll guide multi-disciplinary teams to create elegant, human-centred design solutions that are as intelligent as they are inspiring.
You'll define design direction across a portfolio of complex, high-impact digital products, establishing benchmarks in accessibility, interaction, and multi-modal experience.
You'll champion the new frontier of brand user interfaces: adaptive design languages that translate brand identity into behaviour, sound, motion, and intelligence.
AKQA Product Design Directors operate at the intersection of brand, craft, and computation, working side‑by‑side with strategy, data, and engineering teams to shape products that learn, evolve, and earn love over time.
This is a leadership role within AKQA's London studio, part of a globally connected studio network shaping the future of digital experiences for brands including Nike, Rolls‑Royce, Samsung, Airbnb, and Google.
You'll be at the forefront of AI‑powered product design, helping redefine how creativity, intelligence, and empathy coexist in every interaction.
- ROLE REQUIREMENTS
- Lead concept, design, and delivery of world‑class digital products and connected experiences that define new standards for creativity and usability.
- Partner with UX, Creative Technology, and AI Engineering teams to shape AI‑native interfaces, generative UI systems, and adaptive design components.
- Establish and evolve brand‑led design systems that perform across screen, voice, gesture, and spatial interfaces.
- Embed accessibility and inclusivity from first principles, ensuring WCAG compliance and usability for all audiences.
- Drive experimentation across new modalities: voice and audio UX, wearable ecosystems, computer vision, and mixed reality.
- Mentor, grow, and inspire a diverse team of product designers, cultivating craftsmanship, critical thinking, and innovation.
- Collaborate closely with strategists and client partners to translate brand purpose into tangible, useful digital products.
- Represent AKQA in new business opportunities, articulating the value of design in solving complex business and human challenges.
- Contribute to AKQA's global culture of learning, sharing insights on design ethics, AI co‑creation, and emerging interaction paradigms.
- QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS
- 10+ years experience (as a guide, not a restriction) in product design or interaction design at leading studios or in‑house teams.
- Proven leadership in delivering large‑scale, multi‑platform digital products from concept to launch.
- Mastery of Figma and contemporary design‑system workflows (tokens, auto‑layout, component libraries), along with complementary tools such as code‑based interaction design software and no‑code web/app solutions.
- Strong understanding of human‑centred design, accessibility, motion, and micro‑interaction principles.
- Familiarity with AI design tools, prototyping in Framer, Principle, Proto Pie, or After Effects, and collaboration with machine‑learning or data‑science teams.
- Demonstrable success in uniting brand and product through interface design, e. g. motion language, sound design, or spatial storytelling.
- Experience mentoring mid‑ and senior‑level designers; a track record of growing creative excellence and cultural impact.
- Comfortable presenting to senior clients and executives, and confident operating within fast‑paced, high‑stakes environments.
- Systems thinker with a deep sensitivity to brand and narrative.
- Calm, credible communicator who brings clarity and optimism to complex challenges.
- Obsessed with emerging technologies and their human potential.
- Advocate for inclusive design and accessible innovation.
- Balances bold vision with precision in craft.
Explore our extensive range of benefits here.
We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection.
That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach including required in‑office days.
If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.
AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics.
We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
About WPP
WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands.
We unite cutting‑edge media intelligence and data solutions, world‑class creativity, next‑generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company - powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth.
For more information, visit WPP. com.
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Designer employer: Fromfolio
McLaren Automotive is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and innovative work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. As a leader in the automotive industry, employees benefit from unparalleled growth opportunities, mentorship from top designers, and the chance to work on cutting-edge projects in a fast-paced environment. Located in a premium setting, McLaren provides a unique platform for those passionate about design and engineering to make a significant impact on the future of automotive excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Designer
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
In the world of UX/UI design, your portfolio speaks volumes! Make sure it's packed with your best work and showcases your process, not just the final product. We want to see how you tackle design challenges, so consider adding case studies that reflect your thought process and user-centric approach.
✨Get Involved in Design Communities
Jump into local or online design meetups and workshops! Places like UXPA or local design events can be goldmines for networking and learning. Plus, mingling with fellow designers can introduce you to potential job openings that might not be listed elsewhere.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you find a role that excites you, like the one at Fromfolio for a Designer, make your application count! Highlight specific projects and skills that directly relate to the job description. Hiring managers are looking for candidates who fit into their specific team, so show them you’re the one!
✨Leverage Social Media
Don't underestimate the power of social media in finding a UX/UI design job! Follow design leaders on platforms like Twitter or Instagram, share your work, and engage in conversations. It’s a great way to get noticed by recruiters and even catch wind of openings at companies like Fromfolio before they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Designer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Design Process:When you're applying for a UX/UI Design role like Designer at Fromfolio, make sure to include examples that clearly highlight your design process. We want to see not just the final product but also the journey that led you there—wireframes, user personas, and iterations demonstrate your thought process and user-centric approach!
Tailor Your Portfolio:A tailor-made portfolio is crucial for a full-time design role! Curate your best projects that align with the kind of work Fromfolio does. We suggest including 3-5 case studies that showcase a variety of skills such as wireframing, prototyping, and user testing to really make your application pop.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just be a summary of your CV. Use it to express why you’re excited about UX/UI Design and what draws you specifically to Fromfolio. Mention any relevant experience, tools you’re proficient in (like Sketch or Figma), and how you can contribute to their projects.
Highlight Collaboration Skills:In the world of UX/UI Design, teamwork is crucial. Make sure to highlight any past experiences where you worked in cross-functional teams. Illustrate how you communicated design decisions and listened to feedback, as this will resonate well with the culture at Fromfolio.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fromfolio
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
When you're gunning for a full-time UX/UI design role, your portfolio is your best friend! Make sure you've got a solid selection of your work, showcasing not just the final designs, but the process behind them—think wireframes, user flows, and any user research you've conducted. During the interview with Fromfolio, be prepared to discuss your design decisions and how they solve specific user problems.
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Expect to face some practical design tasks during your interview. Fromfolio might ask you to tackle a quick design challenge or critique an existing interface. Brush up on your problem-solving skills and try to articulate your thought process as you work through these scenarios. Showing how you approach a design problem is just as important as the final output!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with the tools commonly used in the industry—figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch should be second nature to you. Be ready to discuss your preferred tools during the interview and how they've shaped your design process at previous positions. This knowledge could give you an edge at Fromfolio!
✨Show Passion for User Experience
In a full-time UX/UI design role, having a genuine passion for improving user interactions can set you apart. Be prepared to share instances when you went above and beyond to ensure a great user experience in your previous projects. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a designer, but a user advocate, which is exactly what Fromfolio is looking for.
