Experience Designer - Words with Friends

We are looking for a User Experience Designer to join the team. 

The User Experience Designer assists Franchise Leads in executing the XD vision of a product. This role supports efforts in the implementation of innovative and groundbreaking user-centered design solutions that promote ease of use, employ best-in-class mobile game/interaction design, and optimize the user experience universally in response to user testing.

Participates in all phases of the design process including conceptual product design/development, prototypes, user/task flows, art production and game integration.

Works closely with Franchise Stakeholders to maintain the visual integrity, interaction methods, brand standards, and consistency for the game and collaborate with UX, Game Design Art Director, Product Management, Producers and Engineering for execution of design.

Job Responsibilities:

• Collaborate and present ideas and designs with the product and design teams to ideate, define, and develop features that yield world-class experiences for our players
• Synthesize the needs of players and all game disciplines to find solutions that work for all.
• Create and present user flows, interface wireframes, prototypes, and design documentation.
• Employ the classic design process of defining problems, researching, analyzing, designing, and validating results.
• Create UX/UI  design/layouts
• Create high-fidelity mock-ups for pre-visualization during pre-production 
• Create UI art and visual design for user interfaces
• Develop mood boards and help guide the visual design of features
• Collaborate with the art team to define/adhere to a thematic art style
• Design (and create) functional animation for user interactions
• Participate in the planning and moderating of user testing
• Conduct competitive research and deconstructs
• Participate in researching consumer insight, developing personas, and analyzing data
• Conduct heuristic evaluations of internal & external products
• Prepare assets for implementation in the game engine
• Partner with technical artists and engineers to implement user interface game assets in the game engine
• Participate in company-wide UI/UX community events, critiques, product reviews, and feature retrospectives

Applicant’s Competencies

• Ability to adapt and work in a fast-paced setting. Be able to rapidly develop new skills and behaviors in response to changing circumstances.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, work efficiency, manage time effectively, and complete your deliverables with minimal oversight.
• Demonstrates proactive self-development and interest in leveling up personal, interpersonal, and craft skills
• Be organized and demonstrate good digital hygiene and adhere to established naming conventions and organizational best practices.
• Work with a mentor, share your knowledge, insight, and experiences with others.
• Able to present complex ideas to diverse audiences and articulate a convincing point of view
• Skilled written and verbal communication, including technical writing.
• Ability to co-work and communicate with multiple studio locations, teams, and partners
• Able to collaborate with proactive communication and a willingness to build consensus with competing perspectives.
• Familiar with fundamental UX Design Principles
• Familiarity with the UX Design process: Defining usability challenges, researching the problem space, analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, designing appropriate solutions, and validating ideas through testing.
• An understanding of designing for games vs. task completion, specifically supporting fun and engagement
• Knowledge of how to assess and address product usability and applying user psychology
• Familiarity with prototyping design software (Figma, Sketch, or similar tools) and the prototype development process
• Has a solid foundation in user interface layout design, hierarchy, color theory, and information architecture
• Capable of adapting and adhering to an established visual style and build upon it
• Has a working knowledge of UI layout & design tools (Figma, Sketch, or similar tools)
• Familiarity with collaborative virtual environments (Miro, FigJam)
• Some familiarity with traditional game development methods and processes
• Some experience or familiarity with creating user interfaces in game engines (like Unity or Unreal)
• Aptitude for collaborating and partnering with technical team members such as Tech Art and Engineering
• A basic understanding of the limitations and best practices when developing games for mobile devices
• Education: Bachelor's degree in HCI, Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, or related area required. A combination of education and experience may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.
• Internships & industry experience a bonus
• Figma, Sketch, or other UI design tools
• Protopie, Axure, Framer, or other advanced interactive prototyping packages a bonus
• Unity Engine (UGUI, NGUI), Unreal Engine, or similar game engines a bonus

What we offer you:

• Competitive salary, bonus plan and ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)
• 401K Company Match Contribution (US)
• RRSP/DPSP company match contribution (Canada)
• Health coverage, dental, disability, critical illness, EAP, and life insurance (Canada)
• Medical, dental, vision, EAP, life insurance, and disability benefits (US)
• Virtual mental health and neurodiversity support programs
• Global Fitness reimbursement program
• Global Wellbeing Program
• Financial wellness program with unlimited access to certified financial planners
• Discretionary Time Off policy for many employees
• Family planning support program
• Generous paid parental, pregnancy-related disability, caregiver, and compassionate leaves
• Subsidized Back-up child care
• Zynga happy hours and frequent employee events
• Flexible working hours on many teams
• Culture of diversity and inclusion including employee resource groups
• Work with cool people and impact millions of daily player

We are an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to building a diverse and talented workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, disability, or any other class or characteristic protected by applicable law. We welcome job-seekers, players, employees, and partners from all backgrounds to join us!

We will consider all qualified job-seekers with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities in order to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at AccommodationRequest@zynga.com to request an accommodation associated with your application for an open position.