At a Glance
- Tasks: Create a scalable design system for Stream's brand using Figma and collaborate with creative teams.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company that values creativity and innovation in design.
- Benefits: Freelance role with competitive pay and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Work two days a week in London with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of design at Stream with AI integration.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in brand or product design, strong Figma skills, and a passion for systems thinking.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
About this role
Reporting to the Head of Creative AI and working side‑by‑side with our UK Creative Director, this freelance engagement builds a design system that scales Stream’s creative output across the UK and US. The initial three‑month contract offers strong potential to extend as the system matures. You’ll spend two days a week (Mondays and Tuesdays) embedded with the UK creative team, turning Stream’s brand into a system that designers, non‑designers and AI tools can use to ship high‑quality creative work quickly. This Figma‑heavy role requires both brand visual craft and product design systems thinking, developing component libraries, design tokens and templates that can scale and remain consistent.
Responsibilities
- Pair day‑to‑day with the UK Creative Director, translating their creative direction into scalable components, templates and tokens.
- Architect and maintain Stream’s brand design system in Figma – components, variants, properties, design tokens, auto‑layout – as the single source of truth for UK and US teams.
- Build self‑serve templates that allow non‑designers across marketing, sales and partnerships to produce on‑brand work without passing through the design team.
- Design AI‑ready assets and workflows so that AI tools can compose, customise and generate variations at scale without breaking the brand.
- Partner with the Head of Creative AI to integrate AI‑assisted design tools into day‑to‑day production, from generative ideation to automated output.
- Support the UK Creative Director and brand team with high‑quality brand executions across digital, social, print and event collateral when capacity demands.
- Document the system clearly to enable adoption by non‑designers – Figma onboarding decks, template usage guides, brand rules of the road.
- Collaborate with the US Senior Brand Designer to keep the global brand consistent and the system useful in both markets.
What we’re looking for
Must‑Haves
- 3‑5 years of experience in brand, product or hybrid brand/product design.
- Demonstrable experience building and maintaining a design system in Figma – components, variants, properties, design tokens, auto‑layout.
- A strong brand portfolio showcasing visual craft across at least two of digital, social, print, or events.
- A systems mindset – thinking in components and templates rather than one‑off artworks.
- Ability to translate brand into scalable templates that non‑designers can use without breaking.
- Curiosity and comfort experimenting with AI‑assisted design tools and workflows.
- Excellent written communication – can document a system so others can use it.
- Availability Mondays and Tuesdays, based in or commutable to London.
Strong Pluses
- Product design background or experience working closely with product designers.
- Experience with Figma variables, design token tooling (Tokens Studio, Style Dictionary) or design‑to‑code pipelines.
- Hands‑on experience with AI image and video tools (e.g., Nano Banana, Midjourney, Firefly, Runway, Veo).
- Ideas about how they plug into design systems.
- Lightweight motion graphics or video production.
- Experience designing for B2B SaaS or fintech.
- Perspective on how AI is changing the design‑systems discipline.
What Success Looks Like
The milestones below shape the initial three months. If the engagement extends, the foundations laid will support future work.
- Month 1: Audit existing brand assets, build relationships with the UK Creative Director, UK brand team and US Senior Brand Designer, and deliver a clear gap analysis of where the design system stands. Ship at least one self‑serve template already in use by the marketing team.
- Month 2: Deliver the first complete version of the structured Figma design system – components, variants, properties, design tokens, auto‑layout. The global team starts adopting it on real work. Draft documentation that non‑designers can follow without help is in place, and partner with the Head of Creative AI on the first AI‑assisted production workflows that integrate with the system.
- Month 3: The design system becomes the source of truth for UK and US teams, fully documented, AI‑ready and used in day‑to‑day work. Marketing, sales and partnership teams self‑serve from templates; AI tools compose atop the system rather than around it. The system is robust enough to grow – either with you continuing, or with a clean handover and maintenance plan.
Contract
Initial 3‑month freelance contract with strong potential to extend, subject to mutual fit and evolving needs. Two days per week (Mondays and Tuesdays), in‑person from the London office. Rate £300 per day.
EEO Statement
At Stream we celebrate and support our differences. Stream is an equal opportunity workplace. We are dedicated to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression, or veteran status.
Brand & Systems Designer employer: Stream
Stream is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, particularly for the Brand & Systems Designer role. With a focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to work closely with experienced leaders in the creative field while contributing to impactful projects that leverage cutting-edge AI tools. Located in London, the company offers a dynamic environment where your contributions can directly influence the brand's evolution, all while enjoying the flexibility of a freelance contract with potential for extension.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Brand & Systems Designer
✨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 Brand & Systems Designer
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 Stream:When applying for the freelance role of Brand & Systems Designer at Stream, 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 Stream 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 Stream
✨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.
