UX/UI Web Designer

KYLE CAVAN JEWELRYContract Role: UX/UI Web DesignerMobile-First | Landing Page Optimization | CROHourly Fee: $50-$100 Role OverviewKyle Cavan Jewelry is seeking an experienced contract UX/UI Web Designer to lead the design and optimization of our website with a mobile-first approach. This role is focused on building high-converting landing pages and improving conversion rate optimization (CRO) across the site. The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of 2026 best practices in e-commerce UX, mobile design systems, and data-informed design decisions.  About the WorkThis is a hands-on design contract with a clear focus on business outcomes. You will work directly with the marketing team to audit, redesign, and optimize key pages across kylecavan.com. Deliverables include wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and design-ready assets handed off to our development team. Key ResponsibilitiesMobile-First DesignDesign all pages and components starting from mobile viewport (375px) and scaling upEnsure touch-friendly UI: minimum 44px tap targets, thumb-reachable navigation, swipe-friendly carouselsOptimize for Core Web Vitals on mobile: LCP under 2.5s, CLS under 0.1, INP under 200msDesign for one-handed use patterns common in mobile luxury shopping behaviorLanding Page DesignDesign dedicated, high-converting landing pages for paid social, email, and seasonal campaignsApply above-the-fold best practices: clear value proposition, hero imagery, and single primary CTA within first viewportCreate modular landing page templates that can be reused and adapted across campaignsDesign for scannability: F-pattern and Z-pattern layouts, clear visual hierarchy, progressive disclosureConversion Rate Optimization (CRO)Audit existing site pages and identify friction points in the conversion funnelApply evidence-based CRO techniques: trust signals, social proof placement, urgency/scarcity cues, checkout flow simplificationDesign A/B test variants for key pages (homepage, PDP, cart, checkout) in collaboration with marketingReduce cart abandonment through optimized mini-cart UX, exit-intent design, and streamlined checkout flowImplement best practices for product detail pages (PDPs): zoom functionality, image galleries, size guides, and review placementUX Research & StrategyConduct heuristic audits of current site experience using Nielsen's 10 usability heuristicsReview analytics (Google Analytics 4, Hotjar or similar) to identify drop-off points and prioritize design improvementsDevelop user journey maps for key customer segments (gifters, self-purchasers, repeat buyers)Present design decisions with supporting rationale tied to conversion goalsDesign System & HandoffMaintain and contribute to a component-based design system in FigmaDeliver annotated, developer-ready files with responsive specs and interaction notesProvide assets optimized for web performance (WebP format, correct sizing, lazy load annotations)Collaborate with developers during QA to ensure design fidelity across devices Required Skills & ExperienceMust-Have3+ years of UX/UI design experience with a focus on e-commerce or DTC brandsStrong portfolio demonstrating mobile-first design and measurable CRO outcomesExpert-level Figma proficiency (auto-layout, variables, component libraries, prototyping)Deep knowledge of 2026 mobile UX standards including gesture navigation, dynamic island awareness (iOS), and Android material design 3Understanding of WCAG 2.2 accessibility guidelines and inclusive design practicesExperience designing for Shopify or similar e-commerce platformsWorking knowledge of Core Web Vitals and how design decisions affect performanceStrong PreferenceExperience with CRO tools: Optimizely, VWO, Google Optimize, or similarFamiliarity with heatmapping and session recording tools (Hotjar, Microsoft Clarity)Understanding of GA4 and ability to interpret funnel and behavior dataExperience designing for luxury or fashion e-commerce brandsKnowledge of AI-assisted design workflows (Figma AI, Galileo, Framer AI) 2026 UX/UI Best Practices ExpectedThe contractor is expected to bring current knowledge of and apply the following 2026 best practices:Mobile & PerformanceDesigning natively for foldable screens and variable viewport widthsContainer queries over media queries for component-level responsivenessSkeleton loading states and optimistic UI patterns to reduce perceived load timeReducing layout shift through reserved space for dynamic content (images, embeds, ads)E-Commerce UXPersistent, sticky add-to-cart bars on PDPs for mobileVisual search and AI-powered product recommendations integration pointsOne-page or accelerated checkout design (Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay prominence)Post-purchase UX: confirmation pages, referral prompts, and cross-sell flowsCRO & Persuasion DesignEthical urgency: real-time stock counts, sold-out states, and restock notificationsSocial proof ecosystems: reviews, UGC integration, influencer badges, press mentionsTrust architecture: security badges, return policy visibility, and free shipping thresholds prominently displayedMicro-interactions and motion design that guide attention without causing distractionAccessibility & InclusionWCAG 2.2 compliance: focus indicators, skip navigation, and screen reader-friendly markup annotationsDesigning for aging users and low-vision accessibility (contrast ratios, font sizing, touch targets)Reduced motion alternatives for all animations Expected DeliverablesSite UX audit report with prioritized recommendationsWireframes and high-fidelity mockups for all assigned pagesMobile-first responsive design files for all breakpoints (375px, 768px, 1280px+)Annotated Figma files ready for developer handoffA/B test design variants with hypothesis documentationLanding page templates (minimum 3 campaign-ready layouts)Updated or new component library additions as needed