Visual Designer

Ford - Trenton, NJ

Full-time - Mid Level

Trenton, NJ

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

At Ford Model e, we are excited to lay the foundation for an all-electric future, creating digital products that not only improve over time but also contribute to the sustainability of our planet. Our organization, Digital Product Design (DPD), is re-founding Ford's digital experience, evolving to experience-based product development that encompasses vehicle exterior/interior, software, and service design and implementation. As a leader on Ford Model e's Digital Product Design Team, you will be at the forefront of digital design, collaborating with researchers to formulate strategic thinking based on customer and product needs. Our goal is to provide transportation solutions at the heart of our shifting industry, laying the groundwork for this transition to an all-electric future while building services and experiences that support this transformational moment. In this role, you will be instrumental in designing products that drive this revolution, inspiring your peers and pushing the industry forward. You will be creating and working at scale, as Ford's vehicles and services support millions of people worldwide. The Visual + Motion Design Lead within our Design DNA team will play a vital role in reimagining how people interface with Ford vehicles through the visual design of the in-vehicle experience, connected devices, and mobile applications. Grounded in understanding user needs, you will conceive, design, prototype, and launch experiences that integrate physical products, digital services, and human interactions.

Responsibilities

• Work cross-functionally with leadership and fellow designers within Digital Product Design to establish and codify the 'Look and feel' of the Ford and Lincoln digital experiences.
• Define, create, and guide standards for visual and motion design, including developing visual and motion design guidelines/standards for Digital Product Design.
• Become the owner and evangelist of motion design quality and expression for the larger Digital Product Design organization through guidance, work product, and collaboration.
• Translate the larger DNA principles clearly into motion design principles that can be seen and felt.
• Work with design and research teams cross-functionally to amplify product and UX work.
• Enhance presentation and prototyping through visual and motion execution in collaboration with design teams.
• Guide engineering teams towards visual and motion design execution at the highest standard, ensuring consistency.
• Participate in design reviews, providing guidance and constructive feedback to deliver world-class products and experiences.
• Manage communication with internal colleagues and stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, 3D animation, motion, digital product design or related field, or a combination of education and equivalent experience.
• 3+ years' experience developing complex design languages for consumer-facing brands/products and software.
• 3+ years' experience within highly collaborative creative teams, either on the product side or in consultancy.
• A positive attitude that inspires those around you while providing pertinent, actionable feedback.
• Experience working with production systems and/or hardware.
• 1+ years of experience collaborating with Engineering teams to ensure production viability of design.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working closely with multi-disciplinary product teams comprised of researchers, designers, product managers, and engineers.
• Experience utilizing design thinking and/or human-centered design.
• Passionate about brand and digital product design.
• Extensive experience designing digital experiences for key touch points across the customer journey.
• Extensive experience developing brand guidelines and/or standards for user interfaces, including color, typography, iconography, imagery, and all GUI elements.
• Experience developing digital services and bringing products or services to market.
• Experience mentoring and/or managing others in the visual design field.
• Passionate about the automotive and transportation industry.
• Strong verbal, written, and visual presentation skills.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members, and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.