There are 6 levels as a Product Designer at Alto. As we're still a small company, there are no official titles yet. We’re all just “Designers”, just as Engineers here are all "Engineers". There are however expectations at different levels of seniority in your career that we recognize with appropriate pay scales and responsibilities. We do not yet have a separate manager track, or a communication design track yet; hierarchy is simple and flat. There are 6 themes that we use across each level to adequately recognize the breadth of responsibilities we have as Designers, plus room for one additional focus area:
🧠 Product Strategy (Before you work) — Designing the right thing
How well are you able to define requirements?
Can you be trusted to take on complex projects?
Can you grasp complex topics?
Can you solve problems that might be systematic in nature, or look at the bigger picture?
Can you contribute new ideas that are helpful.
🛠 Craft + Quality (While you work) — Designing the thing, right
Are your designs well crafted, simple, beautiful, etc,?
Is the interaction design sound and the overall flow easy to use and navigate?
Do you follow up diligently to ensure quality of designs are upheld?
Are your designs consistent with the Figma Design Guidelines?
Can you prototype your designs with precision; not leaving details or edge cases left unturned?
🎢 Communication + Collaboration (Working together) — Being clear + easy to work with
Do you clearly communicate your projects to maximize impact?
Is it easy for others to understand you and your ideas?
Do you share work regularly?
Are you reliable and easy to reach when needed?
Do people enjoy working with you?
Are you empathetic and reasonable during conflicts?
Do you take feedback constructively, always seeking to improve?
🚀 Action + Impact (Shipping) — Being efficient and productive
Do you achieve the goals you’re being asked to achieve?
Are you known for getting things done (general output)?
Talking vs Doing (actions speak louder than words?)
Are things done on time?
Does the business grow from your efforts?
👫 Leveling Up Others (Internal Influence) — Improving design team, and design at Alto
Have you improved the quality of the design team as a whole in some way?
Have you offered mentorship or guidance to others?
Have you taught design to others in the company?
To you others accountable high standards?
Have you interviewed or recruiting members onto the team?
👌 Independence (Self-sufficiency) — Working proactively without supervision
Are you able to proactively identify opportunities?
How much hand-holding is required to help you move your work forward?
Do you identify opportunities that need assistance without being explicitly asked?
