Amsterdam (Brouwersgracht) · 28 to 40 hours · €4.000 to €5.500 per month
Merlin is a boutique digital studio in Amsterdam. We craft interactive experiences for brands like Sprite, Dior, Heineken, Nike, Eurovision and Inter Milan, experiences that keep audiences engaged for minutes. Next to that, we often stick our heads out for for-good projects/campaigns. Our clients come to us with real business goals, and we help them get attention through action combined with beautifully crafted digital work.
We're looking for an NL-based Senior Designer to raise the bar on how our work looks, moves and feels.
What you'll do
Design interactive web experiences from first concept to final screen
Set visual direction on campaigns for premium brands
Design for motion: you think in transitions, interactions and rhythm, and you know how to communicate that to the people building it
Work side by side with our creative developers so every design reaches its full potential
Translate client business goals into ideas that resonate culturally
Draft up interactive concepts and prototypes during pitches and explorations
Create internal brand assets when the studio needs them
Extend and evolve Merlin as a brand
Collaborate with clients, strategists, developers, 3D artists and external specialists
How we (usually) work
Our designers work in Figma
Our motion designs come from After Effects, Rive, Lottie, or as a video
We work with a grid system, that translates to development
We work with Design Tokens, Components and Variables
- This allows the hand-over from design to development to be more smoothly
We iteratively design work in the browser at times when we do graphical heavy work (WebGL)
How the role evolves
You start as the senior design voice within the team, working directly with the founders on client projects and pitches. As Merlin grows, so does this role. You'll help define our design standards, shape how design and development work together, and over time build and mentor a design team of your own. The path we have in mind leads to Design Director. If that ambition excites you, this role gives you the runway to earn it.
Who you are
4+ years of experience designing digital products or interactive campaigns, with a portfolio that proves it
A strong visual eye: typography, layout, color and art direction come naturally to you
Deep experience with interactive web experiences and designing for motion
You understand how developers work and how to set them up for success, from structured files to motion references
You see design as a way to reach goals, and you're comfortable explaining your choices in those terms
You enjoy working with other experts and stay open to their input
You keep your head cool and your energy positive when deadlines get tight
You are interested in– and excited about AI
Based in or around Amsterdam, comfortable working on-site with the team
What we offer
€4.000 to €5.500 per month, depending on experience
A potential growth path toward Design Director
A young, open and ambitious team that moves fast and takes care of each other
Work for world-class brands and agencies, with your name on award-worthy projects
Monthly Creative Friday: an afternoon to experiment with whatever sparks your curiosity
Good pension plan
A studio on the Brouwersgracht in the Jordaan
Interested?
Send your portfolio and a short note about yourself to hiring+designer@merlin.studio. A few lines about the interactive project you're proudest of is more useful to us than a formal letter.
