UI Designer, Puzzles
Join our team at the Guardian and be a part of a diverse and inclusive global organisation that delivers fearless, investigative journalism, and holds power to account. Our team of award-winning journalists, cutting-edge commercial professionals, and industry-leading digital experts are committed to making a difference and represent a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. We offer a challenging and exciting environment for career development, with a focus on training, growth and fostering an inclusive culture.
We are looking for a Midweight UI Designer to join our Puzzles team, which is part of the newly formed Premium Propositions Product Group on a 12 month fixed term contract or internal secondment. You will focus on delivering visually compelling, polished, and user-friendly interfaces across web and mobile platforms. From a quick to cryptic crossword on your morning commute, to our Film Reveal puzzle (think Pointless meets cinema testing trivia), Guardian puzzles look to elevate our readers' downtime.
You will work closely with Senior UX Designers, Product Managers, and Engineers to bring the Puzzles proposition to life, turning concepts and user flows into delightful, accessible experiences. Your work will directly support engagement, retention, and subscription growth by ensuring a high-quality, cohesive design language across all touchpoints.
About the Role
UI design executive, translating UX wireframes, user flows, and prototypes into polished visual interfaces ensuring designs are consistent with The Guardian's brand guidelines and the design system.
- Create assets for web and mobile platforms, including layouts, icons, illustrations, and interactive elements, collaborating with UX designers to ensure visual hierarchy, clarity, and accessibility.
- Work closely with Product Managers and Engineers to implement designs accurately and efficiently.
- Participate in design discussions, providing UI-focused input and feedback.
- Support testing and iteration by creating visual prototypes for user feedback and validation.
- Suggest improvements to components, styles, and patterns to enhance design efficiency and quality.
- Stay up-to-date with UI trends, visual design best practices, and emerging tools, contributing ideas to improve the visual quality and polish of the Puzzles proposition.
About You
- Demonstrated experience designing digital interfaces, preferably for web and mobile products.
- Strong visual design skills with a keen eye for typography, layout, colour, and iconography.
- Experience working with design systems and component libraries.
- Comfortable collaborating with UX Designers, Engineers, and Product Managers.
- Knowledge of accessibility best practices and responsive design principles.
- Experience designing gamified or interactive experiences.
- Interest in casual gaming or puzzles.
We actively encourage applications from candidates who are Black, Asian or minority-ethnic (BAME), or from other groups traditionally underrepresented in the UK media.
We operate in a hybrid environment working 2 days a week from our offices in Kings Cross and 3 days a week remotely.
We value and respect all differences (seen and unseen) in all people. We aspire to have inclusive working experiences and an environment that reflects the audience we serve, where our people have equal access to career development opportunities, their voices are heard and can contribute to our future. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Many of our staff work flexibly and we will consider all requests for flexible working arrangements.
How to Apply
To apply, please upload your latest CV and a cover letter which outlines why you'd love to take on this role, and why you're a great match for what we're looking for. We'd also love to see some previous work examples or links to your portfolio.
We appreciate the time taken to prepare each application we receive. We do not use AI-assisted technology to review applications; every application is reviewed by a member of our recruitment team.
The closing date for applications is Thursday 15th January 2026.
All roles at the Guardian are open for everybody to apply. It is important to us that you feel supported and comfortable throughout your recruitment process, in order to perform your best. Please let us know if there are any changes we could make to help your application, this includes providing documents in accessible formats or personalising the process to better support your needs. Please contact Anna Vipers on anna.vipers@theguardian.com to discuss further so we can work with you to support you through your application.
Benefits at the Guardian
You'll have 30 days of annual leave per year (plus bank holidays). Our pension scheme is generous; if you contribute 5% then we will contribute 8-12% (depending on your age). We believe in giving back, which is why employees are given 2 volunteering days annually and the option of payroll giving. Season ticket loans are also available.
You are entitled to life cover, income protection, and eye tests. You can also opt in to dental insurance.
We have enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies in place. We also support our employees by offering an IVF, menopause, baby loss, and trans equality policy.
Culture and Wellbeing
We want everyone to feel like they belong at the Guardian and we champion diversity of thought. Our various employee forums provide a platform to use their voice to foster an inclusive workplace. We became the first major media organisation to achieve B Corp status.
We offer tools to help you prioritise your wellbeing including access to our employee benefits platform which provides tailored support for health and wellbeing. In addition, we also offer free yoga and pilates classes. These run alongside our corporate gym membership and cycle to work scheme.
Our canteen has views overlooking the Regents Canal and caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Learning and Development
We encourage personal and professional growth. Employees have access to a broad range of tools and solutions, and we are happy to support the pursuit of professional qualifications through vocational courses and apprenticeships.
The Product & Engineering team offers ‘10% time' - dedicated time for personal development, separate from time spent contributing to your team's delivery.