Specialist UI/UX Designer (DBN) at BET Software

We Want You:

Unleash your creative prowess as a Specialist UI/UX Designer at BET Software's vibrant Durban hub. We're on the lookout for an extraordinary talent to lead the charge in crafting unparalleled user experiences across our digital realm. In this pivotal role, you'll collaborate closely with diverse teams, from business representatives to developers, ensuring the seamless integration of UI/UX best practices. If you're passionate about design excellence and ready to make your mark, seize this opportunity and apply now! Let's redefine the landscape of digital interaction together.

You Bring:

• 5-10 years of experience in Front-End development.
• Strong attention to detail.
• BSC Degree in Computer Science/Web Design Certificate.
• Completed SASS Course on Udemy (https://www.udemy.com/course/sasscourse/).
• Proficient in HTML, CSS, and SCSS.
• Proficient in cross-browser development.
• Proficient in Bootstrap 3 + 4.
• Proficient in Javascript.
• Knowledge in Photoshop.

Graphic Design and Wireframing Tools (proficiency in one or more):

• Figma
• Sketch
• Adobe XD
• Adobe Illustrator

User research and testing tools (experience in conducting and analysing user research):

• Usability testing platforms
• Survey tools
• Analytics tools

Code and Front-end Development Tools (for better collaboration with developers):

• HTML/CSS
• JavaScript
• Leadership qualities are a must-have to ensure that the senior, juniors are provided with the right direction.

What You’ll Do:

Research

• User research with a strong focus on Testing: Conduct user research, usability testing, and data analysis to gather insights about user behaviours, preferences, and pain points. Utilise these insights to inform design decisions that enhance the user experience.
• Conduct in-depth user research, including user interviews, surveys, and competitive analysis.
• Identify the potential users of the system in terms of geographic location, financial standing, culture, language and other factors.
• Analyse what users are saying to reveal their user goals.
• Analyse qualitative data and provide recommendations.
• Present the data in ways that can be used to drive design: a) personas, b) user stories, c) user journey maps.
• Critically evaluate any previous user research and start your own research where appropriate.
• Perform synthesis and ideation.
• Identify the correct objectives and criteria for decision-making.
• Identify and ask the correct questions and leverage those people who ask the correct questions.
• Hold focused idea generation sessions, with appropriate time limits.
• Set expectations and direct/focus the discussion.
• Be open to ideas that challenge existing views/opinions.
• Avoid group thinking and other biases.

Information Architecture/Design

• Possess expertise in a specific area of UI/UX design (e.g., mobile app design, web design, accessibility, etc).
• Lead the development of specialised design solutions, advocating for best practices in the chosen domain.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure design excellence and adherence to industry standards.
• Solve complex design problems and provide creative solutions in the specialised area.
• Act as a subject matter expert in the chosen domain, offering guidance to the broader design team.
• Participate in design critiques and peer reviews, providing specialised insights.
• Conduct research and experiments in the specialised area to push the boundaries of design.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand specialised user requirements and deliver tailored solutions.
• User-Centric Mindset: Prioritise the needs, goals, and expectations of users throughout the design process.
• Conduct user research, empathise with learners and educators, and advocate for user-centered design decisions.
• Design Excellence: Demonstrate a strong foundation in design principles, including visual aesthetics, typography, colour theory, and composition. Strive for excellence in designs with meticulous attention to detail.
• Creative Problem Solving: Approach design challenges with creativity and innovative thinking. Find elegant and effective solutions to complex problems while considering technical constraints and business goals.
• Strategic Thinking: Align design decisions with the overall product strategy. Analyse user data, market trends, and business objectives to inform design choices that drive impactful outcomes.
• Manage and prioritise design projects, allocate resources, and ensure timely delivery.
• Collaborate with product managers to define project scopes and objectives.
• Continuously improve and innovate design processes and methodologies.
• Act as a design advocate within the organisation, promoting user-centric design practices.
• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of industry trends and emerging technologies.
• Foster collaboration among design teams and other departments for successful project execution.
• Take the lead on brainstorming sessions and presentations with stakeholders.
• Define the overall UI/UX strategy and design vision for products or projects.
• Conduct strategic user research and analysis, translating insights into design decisions.
• Develop and refine information architecture, conducting user flow analysis and information hierarchy.
• Define metadata that may assist the organisation with better design decisions.
• Establish the flow between a user and the solution to ensure the shortest route to completion (user tasks).
• Uncover and describe users’ patterns of usage/behaviour.
• Organise, structure and label content, functions and features for the product in a logical and meaningful manner.
• Make recommendations between different design patterns for organising content (such as faceted navigation, tagging, hub and spoke, etc).
• Develop a controlled vocabulary for both development and users.
• Analyse data for outliers, and take appropriate action.
• Run online and offline ticket/card sorting sessions, so development can prioritise improvements beyond merely technical and business requirements.
• Understanding of user socio-cultural - time - historic - geographical - physical - markets - use – task.
• Ensure the design is useful and accomplishes user goals, including non-practical benefits.
• Use fundamental principles of visual design (like contrast, alignment, repetition and proximity) to de-clutter user interfaces.
• Ensure the user can effectively and efficiently achieve their end objective with the shortest possible route.
• Ensure the user can easily find and complete their task/objective in an increasingly complex and varied product offering.
• Ensure the user experience is credible with feedback, confirmations and appropriate messaging.
• Ensure the brand, image, identity, aesthetics and emotional design of the solution is desirable: appropriate typography – grids – page layouts – colour palettes – icons – organisational branding.
• Ensure the design is accessible to users who may not have a full range of abilities, this includes impaired vision, hearing loss, motion impairment, or learning impairment.
• Plan and schedule user experience development in consultation with developers and project managers/scrum masters.
• Constructively critique the work of team members, taking into consideration longer-term relationships.
• Explain and evangelise the cost-benefit of user experience activities with development and management.
• Lead the multidisciplinary team in terms of user experience and design by making appropriate and well-thought-out decisions.
• Ensure the team remains engaged and involved with providing the optimum user experience.
• Promote ongoing professional development of the team in UI/UX.
• Complete prototyping.
• Translate ideas into interactions by developing prototypes and simulations.
• Choose the appropriate fidelity of the prototype for the phase of design.
• Use fast iteration models to generate rapid turnarounds.
• Create paper prototypes where needed.
• Properly explore the design space before deciding on a solution.
• Create interactive electronic prototypes where possible.
• Perform Usability Evaluation.
• Choose the most appropriate evaluation method: formative v summative test - moderated v unmoderated test - lab v remote test - usability testing v expert review - usability testing v A/B test - usability testing v survey.
• Interpret usability principles and guidelines and use them to identify likely problems in user interfaces.
• Understand how to design an experiment and how to control and measure variables.
• Plan and administer different types of usability evaluation.
• Log the data from usability evaluations.
• Analyse the data from usability evaluations.
• Measure usability and prioritise usability challenges.
• Create high-fidelity interactive prototypes for user testing and stakeholder review.
• Design interactive elements, animations, and micro-interactions for a more engaging user experience.
• Lead the development of design style guides and maintain design consistency throughout projects.
• Collaborate closely with developers and other cross-functional teams to ensure successful design implementation.
• Champion a user-centered design approach, incorporating user feedback into design decisions.
• Contribute to the design of responsive and adaptive interfaces for various platforms and screen sizes. Mentor junior designers and assist in their skill development.
• Manage multiple design projects, from concept to delivery, and coordinate with cross-functional teams.
• Stay current with industry best practices, design trends, and emerging technologies.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align design strategies with business objectives..

Perform Technical Writing

• Always keep the user of the documentation in mind, so that ease of comprehension remains your top priority.
• Plan the purpose and scope of your writing before beginning.
• Set goals and timelines and communicate them.
• Ensure you follow established templates, styles, formats, and expectations.
• Draft a high-level outline covering all topics, then fill in specific content and supporting graphics.
• Review your drafts to ensure you have achieved accuracy, conciseness and the required levels of comprehension.
• Publish and deliver the documents on time.
• Define UI/UX requirements into tasks/tickets for the development team in a manner the development team understands.
• Test the target audiences understanding and refactor as appropriate.
• Choose the right kind of document for the situation.
• Write content in a tone of voice that matches the organisation's identity or brand..

Review and Refine the UI/UX Experience

• Liaise with stakeholders and manage expectations.
• Ensure organisational product/solution is competitive and relevant.
• Where possible ensure organisation leads the market in terms of UI/UX.
• Measure and monitor the effect of UX on product/organisational success.
• Refactor designs and plans as required.

Perform Testing

• Test internally for inconsistencies between what was expected and what was delivered.
• Provide development-appropriate feedback.
• Ensure changes are implemented before “go-live”.
• Take a lead role in usability testing and expert reviews to improve overall product quality.

Living our spirit:

• Take initiative: Be proactive in identifying design and user experience improvement opportunities. Don't wait for instructions; instead, take the lead in suggesting and implementing enhancements.
• Ownership and accountability: Assume responsibility for the user experiences you design and implement. Ensure that the quality of the experiences meets high standards, and be accountable for the results.
• Embrace challenges: Approach each project with a sense of curiosity and a willingness to explore new solutions and design approaches. View every project as a creative journey and an opportunity to learn and grow.
• Innovative thinking: Continuously seek innovative solutions to design problems. Explore cutting-edge design trends and technologies to keep your work exciting and dynamic.
• Personalised design: Infuse your personality and creative style into your work, while staying aligned with the project's objectives. Dare to be authentic and unique in your design choices.
• User empathy: Dare to be yourself by empathising with users and designing experiences that genuinely resonate with their needs and preferences. Avoid cookie-cutter solutions and create experiences that are truly user-centered.
• Collaborative spirit: Foster a collaborative environment within your team and across departments. Actively engage with team members, developers, managers, and other stakeholders to ensure a collective effort toward creating outstanding user experiences.
• Share knowledge and skills: Be willing to share your expertise with others and learn from your team members. Encourage open communication and knowledge exchange.
• Communicate your design decisions clearly and effectively with team members and stakeholders. Ensure everyone understands the rationale behind your choices and be open to feedback.
• Encourage feedback from your team members and stakeholders to iterate and refine your designs. Welcome diverse perspectives and use them to enhance the user experience.
• Mentor team members and lead by example. Help them grow in their roles and instill a culture of collaboration and creativity.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest trends and best practices in UI/UX design. Continuously invest in your professional development to bring fresh insights and innovative ideas to your projects.