Icon Designer

ROLE OVERVIEW

We are seeking a Senior Icon Designer with an exceptional command of iconography, visual systems, and

branding to support a time-critical Visa brand update initiative. The client's visual and brand direction is

already firmly established — the mandate is to interpret that language and construct a cohesive, scalable icon

set from the ground up within that framework.

This is a specialist role. Generalist design backgrounds will not meet the bar. The ideal candidate brings

forensic attention to craft, a systematic approach to icon architecture, and a portfolio that speaks

unambiguously to enterprise-grade iconographic output — demonstrating the capacity to elevate conceptual

briefs into polished, precise visual assets.

Engagement Type Contractor / Freelance

Availability Immediate start required

Working Hours 4:00 PM – 1:30 AM

Team Integration Cross-functional (UX, Engineering, Product)

Primary Deliverable Production-ready, brand-aligned icon system

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

ICON DESIGNER · Brand Update & Icon System

JOB DESCRIPTION

Design and deliver a comprehensive icon system — monoline, duotone, and filled styles — operating strictly within the client's pre-established visual and brand direction

Translate complex business and product concepts into clear, precise, and brand-coherent visual metaphors; demonstrating the ability to elevate a conceptual brief into a production-ready icon

Architect and maintain a scalable icon library with rigorous naming conventions, version control, and fully optimised SVG asset delivery

Ensure every icon adheres to the client's brand guidelines, accessibility standards, and enterprise design tone — consistency and visual coherence are non-negotiable

Collaborate with UX designers, developers, and product managers to validate icon usage, scalability, and functional integrity across platforms and screen densities

Contribute to and document icon usage guidelines within the broader design system, enabling sustained usability by the extended team

Develop concept-driven illustrations for product features, workflows, and empty states where required

Work independently, own deliverables end-to-end, and manage output with precision under tight timelines

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

Core Iconography & Visual Expertise

5–8 years of dedicated, demonstrable experience in iconography and icon system design with enterprise-grade output

Exceptional portfolio showcasing icon sets built for B2B, SaaS, fintech, or enterprise digital products — portfolio must reflect depth of craft in iconography specifically, not general illustration or UI design

Mastery of icon construction fundamentals: grid systems, optical alignment, stroke weight consistency, corner radius logic, and visual metaphor development

Proven capability to work within an existing visual identity system — interpreting and extending an established brand direction rather than defining one from scratch

Tools & Technical Proficiency

Mastery of Adobe Illustrator and Figma with a command of precision vector-based design workflows

Expertise in producing UI-ready assets: optimised SVGs, systematic naming conventions, and structured version control

Experience contributing to and maintaining design systems with structured documentation and governance

Design Fundamentals

Strong command of core design principles: color theory, typography, layout, proportion, and compositional hierarchy

Proven ability to translate abstract business concepts into intuitive, visually precise metaphors

Experience with branding and visual identity systems — particularly in execution and extension, not just creation

Collaboration & Delivery

Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, and deliver high-quality output with minimal supervision under tight deadlines

Strong communication skills with the ability to articulate design rationale to cross-functional stakeholders

Proven track record of working within cross-functional teams: UX, engineering, and product

PREFERRED SKILLS (GOOD-TO-HAVE)

Experience with AI-assisted design workflows for ideation acceleration or production efficiency

Ability to create and document comprehensive icon usage guidelines and governance frameworks

Deep familiarity with accessibility standards (WCAG) and enterprise-grade design requirements

Motion and animation capabilities — micro-interactions, icon state transitions, and animated asset delivery

Background in conceptual illustration for product features, onboarding flows, and empty states