User Interface/User Experience Designer

Description

How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position, and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. Please include a link to your electronic portfolio/dossier as part of your resume.

Job Summary 

The Design and Discovery department at the University of Michigan Library is seeking a talented and enthusiastic User Interface/User Experience Designer. The ideal candidate will be able to create beautiful and usable interfaces, have a passion for understanding users in the context of higher education, and be invested in creating designs that support the improvement of Library websites and applications. The User Interface Designer will primarily focus on interface design, will collaborate in extending U-M Library’s Design System, and will work closely with others dedicated to user research, usability testing, accessibility, web analytics, and front-end development. The ideal candidate is a strong creative thinker with problem solving skills, has the ability to iterate on designs in a highly collaborative team environment, and is dedicated to incorporating user feedback throughout the design and development lifecycle. 

The User Interface/User Experience Designer reports to the Senior User Experience Specialist within the Design and Discovery department. 

Design and Discovery is part of the Library Information Technology (LIT) division, which encompasses interface design, user research, web accessibility, content strategy, front-end development, and program management for the library’s primary online tools, including multiple websites, digital repositories, and search tools. These interfaces provide access to over 12 million physical and digital resources and are visited by over 2 million users a month. 

The University of Michigan Library is one of the world's largest academic research libraries and serves a vibrant university community that is home to 19 schools and colleges, 100 top-ten graduate programs, and annual research expenditures approaching $1.5 billion a year. To enable the university's world­changing work and to serve the public good, the library collects, preserves, and shares the scholarly and cultural record in all existing and emerging forms, and leads the reinvention of the academic research library in the digital age. 

We champion diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our work engages a broad and diverse community with wide-ranging needs and concerns, and we empower all employees to actively participate in the ongoing process of learning about and responding to these needs. We value the synergy that results from sharing and leveraging our different experiences, backgrounds, skills, talents, and interests to build an environment in which all our community members can flourish.

Responsibilities

• Create complete visual designs and web-ready graphics

• Create concept sketches, mood boards, flow diagrams, wireframes, mockups, style guides, and design documentation

• Coordinate with user experience researchers and developers on designs for use in user testing and for production-ready web applications

• Participate in user testing sessions together with user researchers to aid design decisions

• Actively engage in professional development activities to expand skills and competencies

• Stay current with new interface capabilities, enhancements, industry best practices, and user-centered design trends

• Collaborate with the Library Environments department on designs intended to be used in both physical spaces and across our web presence

• Consult with the library’s Communications team on planning related to branding and identity

Required Qualifications

• 3 or more years of related experience

• A degree in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Information Design, User Experience, HCI, or a related field; alternatively, an equivalent combination of training or work experience in interface or interaction design 

• Excellent interface design skills with a strong understanding of user-centered web design principles, typography, composition, and color theory

• Experience creating complete interface designs and web-ready graphics and using prototyping software

• Experience creating concept sketches, flow diagrams, wireframes, and mockups in tools such as Figma, Sketch and InVision

• Ability to work independently and contribute and collaborate effectively as a member of a team; ability to communication design ideas and incorporate feedback

• An understanding of the value diversity and the importance of inclusion as demonstrated through design decisions that honor the differences, complexities, and opportunities that diversity brings to an organization

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with WCAG 2.0 accessibility standards for web design, as well as responsive, universal, and device-agnostic web design principles and practices

• Experience using or maintaining a shared design system

• Experience editing images (in Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop or similar) and preparing them for digital use

• Experience with creating and editing graphics in Adobe Illustrator 

• Experience with HTML/CSS and knowledge of front-end frameworks and technologies such as JavaScript libraries

Additional Information

This job can be done remotely, and full-time remote candidates located within the United States are encouraged to apply. Learn more about the University of Michigan’s remote employment policies and agreements.

The salary range for this position is $63,000 to $69,000. Appointment is anticipated at the Web Designer Senior rank. Final salary will be determined by experience and qualifications.

The University of Michigan offers excellent benefits and wellness opportunities.

This position receives 24 days of vacation a year, paid sick leave with provisions for extended benefits, as well as opportunities for professional development and travel. TIAA-CREF and Fidelity Investments retirement options available.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended. Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

U-M COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

COVID-19 vaccinations are now required for all University of Michigan students, faculty and staff across all three campuses, including Michigan Medicine, by the start of the fall term on August 30, 2021.  This includes those working or learning remotely.  More information on this policy is available on the Campus Blueprint website or the U-M Dearborn and U-M Flint websites.