Position Summary:

International design consultancy IDEO is seeking a Visual Interaction Designer for our Chicago office. The candidate should be a design thinker and craftsperson, be able to thoughtfully contribute in a team environment during a project’s user research and concept development phases, and be passionate about expressing interactions in visual form through clear and creative user interfaces. The responsibilities of this position will vary depending on the project, but the candidate should be comfortable participating in all parts of the user-centered design process and with creating deliverables at varying levels of fidelity: from quickly communicating a concept’s value proposition to final artwork and specifications delivered to a developer.

Candidates should have a background in visual communication and 3+ years of professional experience in user interface design. He or she should possess a broad understanding of related deliverables including information architecture diagrams, interaction flows, wireframes, screen mockups, interactive demos, and UI specifications. The position will require designing interactions for many mediums including web, mobile, medical/consumer devices, and vehicles. A portfolio that focuses on a single medium, such as the web, is acceptable only if the candidate can also demonstrate interest and ability to apply his or her skills more broadly.

Qualified candidates should have led the design of one or more complex applications or services and a have a general understanding of the methods involved, including participatory design, rapid iterative prototyping, and asset optimization.

Requirements:

o 3+ years visual UI experience.

o Strong visual communication skills with a dedication to detail and consistency.

o Be able to work collaboratively with other disciplines including communication, industrial, environmental, engineering, and business designers.

o Understand user-research and testing methodologies.

o Contribute to product/service ideation and concept development.

o Translate high-level objectives and design principles into interaction flows and information architecture diagrams.

o Create visual UI designs that embody product/service function and brand, including production screen layouts, color palettes, typography, user interface
elements, buttons, icons, etc.

o Communicate design rationale verbally and visually to colleagues and clients.

o Knowledge of practical benefits and limitations of relevant technologies.

o Design and prototype interface transitions.

o Proficient with the Adobe CS4 suite.

About IDEO

Widely recognized as a world leader in the design of products, services, environments, and strategies, IDEO uses human-centered design thinking to help our clients grow their businesses. Applying our holistic and highly integrated methodologies to significant design, brand, and technical challenges, IDEO not only seeks to deliver high value to clients and end-users, but to contribute positively to society as a whole.

IDEO’s more than 550 design thinkers are experts in industrial design, interaction design, engineering, business factors, human factors, and communication design, among other disciplines. Together, we create communities and cultures rich in ideas, experiences, and empathy that uniquely define each of our eight locations: Chicago, Munich, Boston, New York, London, San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Shanghai.

IDEO Chicago, which opened in 1990 and is currently located in downtown the West Loop of the city. A bustling studio of 50+ individuals, IDEO Chicago is home to a talented design community composed of human factors researchers, business factors specialists, engineers, and industrial, interaction, environment, and communication designers from around the world. We specialize in—but never limit ourselves to—designing products, services, and business strategies for clients in the medical, financial, retail, consumer goods, auto, and food and beverage industries.

To Apply

Please submit your cover letter, resume, and portfolio. Your cover letter should explain why you are a good fit for this role. Your resume should include your education, experience and interests. Your portfolio should contain 4-5 unique and innovative designs that represent your point of view in design. Please indicate your specific roles and contributions for each project submitted as part of the portfolio.