Senior Designer L3
Leads the design of projects end to end and helps other designers grow.
What we expect at L3
| Scope | Runs point on the design of whole projects, from concept to shipping, alongside the project lead and engineers. Understands how customers use the product and how the project serves the business. |
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| Independence and judgment | Sets scope and manages their work with minimal oversight, and has a good sense for when to cut scope to deliver on time. Doesn't need daily check-ins. Can disagree and commit. |
| Design and writing | Design sense consistently fits the KODE design system and our principles. Writes clear product copy without guidance, needing only light editing. |
| Technical skills | Proficient in HTML, CSS and JavaScript, and comfortable applying designs and interactions in our Rails codebase with Tailwind and Hotwire. |
| AI-assisted delivery | Designs AI-assisted workflows the team can reuse, such as prompts, context, prototypes and review steps. |
| Quality and review | Finds improvements as they go and ships small product improvements. Reviews and critiques other designers' work, and makes sure what ships matches the design, including accessibility. |
| Communication and influence | Mentors new designers and works well with anyone. Communicates feature releases internally and takes part in interviewing and hiring. Gives specific, thoughtful feedback in their area. |
Growing toward L4 Lead Designer
What changes on the way to the next level. Use it in your quarterly career conversation to pick one or two areas to practice.
| Invent, not just apply |
Create new designs, flows and experiences, and help improve our design processes, conventions and techniques. |
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| Run larger projects on your own |
Run point on larger, multi-milestone projects without regular review of your approach, and make the cuts that keep features tight and on time. |
| Build more in code |
Write clear JavaScript with Stimulus, stub basic flows and wire up views in Rails, so your designs reach the product faster. |
| Write fluently in our voice |
Write product copy in our tone and voice without guidance. |
| Coach the team |
Give specific, constructive feedback that deepens other designers' skills, and help define what good looks like. Become someone people outside design come to for guidance. |
| Choose your tools well |
Stay current with modern design tools and techniques, and know when each one helps. |
| AI-assisted delivery |
Set AI practice for design work, and measure whether it helps. |
At every level
Every designer's work gets reviewed, whatever their level, and leading a project is an assignment, not a promotion. Read more on the design overview.