GAIN Experience - Junior UX Designer

The Design Project; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - GBP 100,000; Full time

Job description

Job Title: Junior UX DesignerCompany: This is Gain LtdLocation: London, England, United KingdomJob Type: Full-TimeCategory: User Experience (UX) Design / Digital Product DesignDate Posted: February 11, 2026Experience Level: 0-2 Years (Junior)Remote Status: Hybrid

• Crafting intuitive and engaging user experiences through detailed interaction design for complex digital products.
• Developing interactive prototypes and comprehensive UI specifications to guide development teams.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including UX strategists, visual designers, developers, and researchers, to deliver user-centered solutions.
• Applying design psychology principles and accessibility standards to ensure inclusive and effective user interfaces.
• Contributing to the growth and evolution of design systems by creating reusable interaction patterns and component behaviors.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Junior UX Designer," the responsibilities and required experience (1-2 years) indicate a role focused on interaction design proficiency within the broader UX discipline. The emphasis on "crafting interaction designs that make complex digital experiences feel effortless" suggests a specialized track within UX, often referred to as Interaction Design or UX/UI Design with a strong interaction component.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design detailed interaction patterns, micro-interactions, and animated transitions to clearly communicate system behaviour and enhance usability.
• Create interactive prototypes at varying fidelity levels using Figma or similar tools to effectively demonstrate user flows and interaction models.
• Develop comprehensive UI specifications, interaction documentation, and redline deliverables for seamless handoff to development teams.
• Design responsive interaction patterns that ensure consistent behaviour and feel across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
• Collaborate closely with developers to ensure interaction designs are technically feasible and perform smoothly, making pragmatic adjustments as needed.
• Apply established UX heuristics and design psychology principles (e.g., recognition over recall, feedback, affordance, consistency) to interaction solutions.
• Contribute to the development and evolution of design systems, creating reusable interaction patterns and component behaviours that scale across multiple products.
• Participate in usability testing sessions, observing user interactions with prototypes and iterating designs based on behavioural insights.
• Ensure interactions adhere to accessibility guidelines (WCAG AA minimum) for keyboard navigability, screen-reader compatibility, and operability for users with diverse abilities.
• Present interaction concepts and prototypes to clients and internal stakeholders, articulating design rationale with clarity and confidence.
• Stay current with emerging interaction design trends, tools, and technologies to bring innovative thinking to the team’s craft.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a strong focus on the how of user interaction, beyond just visual aesthetics. This includes the technical documentation, prototyping fidelity, and collaboration with developers for technical feasibility, which are critical for an interaction-focused role within UX.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: No specific degree is listed as essential, but a background in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field is typically implied for UX roles.Experience: 1-2 years of experience in interaction design, UX design, or product design (agency, in-house, or relevant placement/internship experience).

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Figma, with demonstrated ability to create interactive prototypes and component-based design systems.
• Solid understanding of interaction design fundamentals: affordance, feedback, consistency, error prevention, progressive disclosure, and mental models.
• Knowledge of responsive design principles and how interaction patterns adapt across breakpoints and device types.
• Awareness of accessibility standards (WCAG AA minimum) and how to design inclusive interactions.
• Ability to document interaction specifications clearly for handoff to development teams.
• Strong communication and presentation skills—comfortable explaining interaction rationale to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Enthusiasm for working collaboratively in a fast-paced, multi-project agency environment.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating interaction thinking—user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and clear problem-solving through design.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with advanced prototyping tools (e.g., ProtoPie, Principle, Framer, After Effects) for high-fidelity interaction demonstrations.
• Familiarity with animation principles and motion design as they apply to UI (easing, duration, choreography).
• Experience designing for complex domains (B2B SaaS, enterprise software, healthcare, life sciences) where interaction clarity is critical.
• Knowledge of designing AI-enhanced interfaces, intelligent search experiences, or adaptive user interfaces.
• Exposure to user research methods and how behavioural insights inform interaction decisions.
• Experience contributing to or maintaining design systems and component libraries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma as "essential" and the inclusion of advanced prototyping tools as "desirable" highlights the practical, hands‑on nature of this role. The preferred skills also point towards a desire for candidates who can bridge the gap between design and development, and who have experience with complex, data‑rich applications.

• A strong portfolio is essential, specifically demonstrating interaction thinking. This should include user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes that clearly articulate problem-solving through design.
• Showcase examples of how you've designed for usability and clarity in complex digital experiences.
• Include documentation of how your interaction designs were translated into functional interfaces, highlighting technical feasibility considerations.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of detailed UI specifications and interaction documentation that were effectively handed off to development teams.
• Demonstrations of how you've applied design psychology principles and UX heuristics in your design process.
• Evidence of contributions to or maintenance of design systems, including reusable interaction patterns and component behaviours.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a junior role focused on interaction design, the portfolio is paramount. It must go beyond static mockups to showcase dynamic user flows, interactive prototypes that demonstrate behaviour, and clear documentation of design rationale and technical considerations. This demonstrates an understanding of the full design‑to‑development lifecycle.

Salary Range: Based on the London location, junior UX/Interaction Designer roles with 1-2 years of experience typically fall within the range of £30,000 to £45,000 per annum. This estimate considers the cost of living in London and the specific skills and responsibilities outlined.

• Private Medical Insurance
• BUPA Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work salary sacrifice scheme
• Tech & Wearables salary sacrifice scheme
• Octopus EV Scheme
• Discounts and deals on a range of items (hotels, holidays, cinema, gyms, etc.)

Working Hours: The role implies a standard full-time commitment, likely around 40 hours per week, with a hybrid working arrangement offering flexibility between remote work and office presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation for London, UK, for a junior role with 1-2 years of experience in UX/Interaction Design. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's specific portfolio, interview performance, and the company’s internal compensation structure. The listed benefits are comprehensive and typical for a UK-based agency environment.

Industry: The company operates across multiple sectors, including Technology, Creative & Media, Healthcare, Software, and Consulting. Company Size: "This is Gain Ltd" is likely a medium-sized agency, given the structure of their teams and the breadth of services offered. Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly stated, the company’s description suggests a modern, forward-thinking agency that blends data, tech, and creativity, emphasizing innovation and impact.

Team Structure:

• The "Experience" team is one of five specialist teams within GAIN, indicating a focused area of expertise.
• The Junior UX Designer will report to a Lead UX Designer or Design Director, providing clear mentorship and leadership.
• The team likely comprises UX Strategists, Visual Designers, Interaction Designers, Researchers, and potentially UX Writers, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Methodology:

• GAIN emphasizes an "insight-driven" approach, leveraging data to fuel creativity and innovation.
• The company’s methodology likely involves a blend of strategic thinking, creative exploration, and data analysis to deliver measurable business impact.
• The "Experience" team's focus on user-centered design suggests a strong emphasis on user research, journey mapping, and iterative prototyping.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company’s positioning as a "creative-led, insight-driven company" suggests a culture that values both analytical rigor and creative problem-solving. The multi-specialist team structure implies a collaborative environment where different disciplines work in concert.

Operations Career Level: This role is firmly positioned as a "Junior" or entry-level position within the UX/Interaction Design field. It’s designed for individuals with foundational experience looking to deepen their skills and gain exposure to a variety of client projects and complex design challenges.Reporting Structure: The Junior UX Designer will report to a Lead UX Designer or Design Director. This provides a direct line of mentorship and guidance, crucial for skill development and career progression at this stage.Operations Impact: While this is a junior role, the impact is significant in shaping the user’s interaction with digital products. By designing intuitive interfaces and seamless flows, the designer directly contributes to user satisfaction, task completion rates, and ultimately, the measurable business impact GAIN promises its clients.

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in interaction design, prototyping, and design systems, potentially leading to a Senior Interaction Designer or UX Designer role.
• Domain Exposure: Gaining experience across diverse sectors like life sciences, healthcare, and enterprise software will broaden the designer's understanding of complex problem spaces.
• Mentorship & Learning: Direct guidance from senior designers and exposure to GAIN's "rebel thinking" and innovative approach will foster continuous learning.
• Design System Contribution: Developing and maintaining design systems can lead to a more specialized role in design operations or system design.
• Client Interaction: Presenting designs and rationale to clients builds confidence and communication skills, paving the way for client-facing roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "GAIN Experience" program is explicitly designed to provide experience. The role offers a clear path for growth from junior to more senior levels within the UX/Interaction Design discipline, supported by mentorship and diverse project exposure.

Office Type: The role is hybrid, with options for working from GAIN's offices in Bristol or London. This suggests a modern office environment designed to facilitate collaboration, brainstorming, and team interaction, while also supporting remote work flexibility.

Office Location(s): Bristol and London, England, United Kingdom. These are major UK cities offering good accessibility and vibrant professional communities.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model allows for a blend of focused individual work (likely at home) and collaborative team sessions (in the office).
• Expect access to standard design tools and technologies within the office, and potentially a stipend or support for home office setups.
• The "Experience" team structure implies regular interaction with other designers, researchers, and developers, fostering a dynamic and collaborative workspace.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical for full-time roles, with the hybrid arrangement offering flexibility in how and where those hours are spent, balancing project demands with personal well-being.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key aspect of the work environment, offering flexibility. The company's emphasis on "data, tech, and creativity" suggests a modern, well-equipped workspace that fosters innovation.

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess suitability for the Junior UX Designer role.
• Portfolio Presentation: You will likely be asked to present a selection of your work, focusing on interaction design thinking, user flows, and interactive prototypes. Be prepared to articulate your design process, rationale, and problem-solving approach.
• Technical/Skills Assessment: This may involve a design exercise or a discussion about your proficiency in Figma, interaction design principles, and accessibility standards. A case study or a take-home task related to designing interaction patterns for a complex system is possible.
• Team/Culture Fit Interview: Discussions with members of the Experience team to assess collaboration style, enthusiasm, and alignment with GAIN's values and working methods.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a Design Director or senior leadership to discuss career aspirations and overall fit within the company.
• Focus on Interaction: Select projects that clearly demonstrate your interaction design skills, user flows, and prototyping capabilities. Visual design is important, but the emphasis here is on how interfaces behave.
• Showcase Problem-Solving: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you were trying to solve, your process, and your design decisions.
• Detail Your Process: Explain your methodology, including user research (if applicable), wireframing, prototyping, and how you incorporated feedback.
• Highlight Figma Proficiency: Showcase your ability to create interactive prototypes and component-based design systems within Figma.
• Explain Technical Considerations: If possible, touch on how you considered technical feasibility and accessibility in your designs.
• Tell a Story: Structure your presentation to tell a compelling narrative about each project, highlighting your role and contributions.
• Interaction Design Fundamentals: Brush up on core principles like affordance, feedback, consistency, progressive disclosure, and mental models.
• Figma Skills: Be ready to demonstrate your ability to create interactive prototypes and potentially component-based design systems.
• Accessibility (WCAG): Understand how to design for inclusivity, including keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility.
• Responsive Design: Be prepared to discuss how your interaction designs adapt across different screen sizes and devices.
• Communication: Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and confidently, especially to non-technical stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh the portfolio, especially its demonstration of interaction design skills and prototyping capabilities. Candidates should be ready to articulate their design process and rationale, and potentially tackle a practical design challenge.

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, UI design, creating interactive prototypes, and component-based design systems. High proficiency is expected.
• Advanced Prototyping Tools (Desirable): ProtoPie, Principle, Framer, Adobe After Effects for high-fidelity interaction demonstrations.

Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly mentioned as a direct responsibility for this junior role, understanding how user behavior data (e.g., from analytics tools) informs design decisions is a plus. Exposure to tools like Google Analytics or similar platforms would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly relevant to this UX design role, but an awareness of how user journeys within CRMs or automated systems impact the user experience could be valuable.

Other Relevant Tools (Desirable):

• User Research Platforms: Tools used for conducting usability testing and gathering user feedback.
• Design System Management Tools: Platforms for maintaining and scaling design systems.
• Project Management Tools: Such as Jira or Asana, for collaborating with development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the central tool for this role. Proficiency in advanced prototyping tools and an understanding of front-end development constraints are highly desirable, indicating a practical, development-aware approach to design.

Operations Values:

• Constant Curiosity: A drive to investigate, analyze data, and understand "why" to inform design actions and resolve issues.
• Pushing Boundaries: Embracing technology and suggesting process improvements to achieve efficiency and innovative solutions.
• The Power of Imagination: A problem-solving mindset that goes the extra mile, combined with strong client-facing skills to achieve results.
• Making it Happen: Proactiveness, sound judgment, decision-making, and taking responsibility for actions.
• Putting People First: Building effective relationships internally and externally, understanding both business and client needs.
• Cross-functional integration with UX strategists, visual designers, developers, and researchers is key.
• A collaborative environment where feedback and constructive critique are welcomed to refine designs and processes.
• Emphasis on clear communication and shared understanding of project goals and user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values (Constant curiosity, Pushing boundaries, etc.) are directly tied to the "HOW YOU'LL WORK" section and provide insight into the expected mindset and behaviors of employees, including a strong emphasis on analytical thinking, innovation, and proactive problem-solving.

• Designing for Complexity: Translating intricate business logic and data into intuitive user experiences across diverse domains (life sciences, healthcare, enterprise).
• Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Ensuring interaction designs are both user-friendly and technically feasible, requiring pragmatic adjustments.
• Rapid Iteration in an Agency Environment: Managing multiple projects, tight deadlines, and client feedback cycles in a fast-paced setting.
• Evolving Design Trends: Staying current with new interaction paradigms, tools, and technologies to maintain a competitive edge.
• Mastering Interaction Design: Deepening expertise through hands-on experience with complex projects and mentorship from senior designers.
• Prototyping & Animation: Developing advanced skills in high-fidelity prototyping and motion design.
• Design Systems: Contributing to and learning from the development of scalable design systems.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Collaborating with UX strategists, researchers, and developers to gain a holistic understanding of product development.
• Client Presentation Skills: Enhancing communication and persuasion abilities through client-facing interactions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a junior designer in an agency setting, emphasizing the need for adaptability, strong problem-solving skills, and a commitment to continuous learning. The growth opportunities are directly linked to overcoming these challenges and developing specialized skills.

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex digital experience you've designed and how you made it feel effortless. What interaction patterns did you use?" (Focus on process, rationale, and specific interaction design choices.)
• "How do you approach designing responsive interaction patterns? Walk us through an example." (Prepare to discuss breakpoints, device considerations, and consistency.)
• "Tell us about a time you had to balance user needs with technical constraints. How did you resolve it?" (Highlight collaboration with developers and pragmatic decision-making.)
• "How would you contribute to or evolve a component-based design system?" (Discuss reusability, consistency, and scalability.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in GAIN and our 'insight-driven' approach?" (Research GAIN's case studies and values.)
• "How do you embody 'Constant Curiosity' in your design work?" (Provide examples of analytical thinking and problem-solving.)
• "Describe your ideal collaborative environment. How do you work with developers and visual designers?" (Emphasize teamwork and communication.)
• Structure: Begin with a brief overview of GAIN and the role. Then, present 2-3 key projects. For each:
  • Context: Briefly describe the client and the problem.
  • Your Role: Clearly state your responsibilities.
  • Process: Detail your design journey—research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, testing.
  • Interaction Focus: Highlight specific interaction patterns, user flows, and why you chose them.
  • Figma/Prototyping: Show interactive prototypes and explain their purpose.
  • Outcome: Discuss the results or learnings.
• Key Message: Emphasize your ability to think through user interactions, translate complex ideas into intuitive interfaces, and articulate your design rationale.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect questions about specific design decisions, technical feasibility, and how you incorporated feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of interaction design principles, practical application in Figma, and the ability to articulate design decisions clearly, especially in the context of complex user flows and technical considerations.

To apply for this Junior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link.
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your interaction design skills, user flows, and interactive prototypes. Ensure you can clearly articulate your process and rationale for each.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 1-2 years of experience, proficiency in Figma, and any relevant internship or placement work. Emphasize keywords like "Interaction Design," "Prototyping," "User Flows," and "Figma."
• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on how you design for usability in complex systems and your understanding of interaction fundamentals. Be ready to explain your design choices and collaborate on a potential design challenge.
• Research GAIN: Understand their client work, industry focus, and company values to articulate your genuine interest and cultural fit.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Application Requirements

Candidates should have 1-2 years of experience in interaction design or related fields, with a strong portfolio showcasing their skills. Proficiency in Figma and a solid understanding of interaction design fundamentals are essential.

Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Income Protection, Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Salary Sacrifice Scheme, Tech & Wearables S…