UX Designer - Researcher

Job Description

As a UX Designer - Researcher at Smals, you will be responsible for designing user-friendly interfaces and continuously enhancing the user experience of our applications and websites. Your role involves active participation in needs analysis, ensuring a deep understanding of users and their environment to accurately define application requirements.

You will define and plan research methods, recruit participants, and collect essential information through interviews, surveys, focus groups, and user tests. You will propose optimal solutions and design interfaces with a mobile-first prototyping approach. A key aspect of your role is assisting analysts and developers in user interface design, ensuring that the developed applications meet user and environmental demands. You will also oversee the graphical design of applications, adhering to accessibility guidelines.

Furthermore, you will be instrumental in building and establishing the governance of our design system. You will contribute to Service Design initiatives by proposing user-centered solutions, following an iterative and collaborative creation process. Throughout all projects, you are expected to maintain regular and effective communication with clients and team members.

Profile

We are looking for a candidate with a university degree (ideally a master's in product development) and at least 5 years of experience in designing mobile and web interfaces. You should be passionate about the UX/UI world, possessing strong analytical skills, creative talent, and excellent listening abilities. Creativity, stress resistance, and empathy are crucial for this role.

You are naturally curious, enjoy experimenting, and are keen to discover new tools and work methods. Exceptional interpersonal skills are required to effectively share your vision with clients and management. While capable of independent work, you are also a strong team player. Good communication skills, strong writing abilities, a critical mindset, and a results-oriented approach are essential.

You must have solid expertise in user-centered design methodologies, along with proficiency in interview/workshop tools and techniques. Familiarity with graphic design software (Adobe), prototyping tools (Axure), and cardsorting tools is expected. A strong background in Service Design, mastering its five main principles (user-centered design, co-creation, iteration, design with sequences, evidence-finding, and a holistic view), is a must. Experience with Design System Governance implementation is also required.

Additionally, good knowledge of MS Office and content management systems is necessary. You should be familiar with responsive design requirements for adapting interfaces to various screen sizes. Knowledge of WGAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards is a plus, as is familiarity with the public sector, particularly social security. Perfect bilingualism (Dutch/French) is a mandatory requirement.

Key skills/competency

• UX Design
• UI Design
• User Research
• Prototyping
• Service Design
• Accessibility Standards
• Design Systems
• Mobile First Design
• Responsive Design
• User-Centered Design