Middle/Senior Illustrator

About Us

We're building an EdTech platform with mechanics similar to Duolingo — think streaks, XP, levels, challenges, and bite-sized lessons that keep users coming back. We believe learning should feel like play, and we're looking for a designer who shares that vision.

About the Role

We're looking for a Middle/Senior Illustrator to define and create the entire visual identity of our mobile app from scratch. Think Duolingo's Duo owl, Lily, and the cast of characters that make learning feel personal and fun — we need someone who can build that kind of illustrated universe for our product.

This is not a "one banner and done" gig. You'll create a full illustration system: characters, mascots, scenes, UI illustrations, onboarding visuals, achievement badges, and animated assets that work together as a cohesive visual language across the entire app.

This is a project-based engagement with a minimum commitment of 10 hours per week.

What You'll Do

• Develop the product's visual identity — style, color palette, character design language, and illustration guidelines
• Create a cast of characters/mascots with distinct personalities, emotions, and poses for use across the app
• Design illustrations for key product moments: onboarding, lessons, achievements, streaks, level-ups, empty states, error screens, and notifications
• Create gamification-related visuals: badges, rewards, progress milestones, leaderboard elements, and celebration animations
• Produce icon sets and spot illustrations that support the UI without cluttering it
• Prepare assets for animation (Lottie/Rive-ready) in collaboration with the design and development team
• Maintain consistency across hundreds of assets as the product scales
• Collaborate closely with the UI/UX designer and product team to ensure illustrations enhance — not compete with — the user experience

What We're Looking For

• 3+ years of professional illustration experience, with a strong portfolio of character design and product illustration
• Experience creating illustration systems for digital products — not just standalone pieces, but cohesive visual languages that scale
• Strong character design skills: ability to create expressive, memorable characters with a range of emotions and poses
• Understanding of how illustration works within UI — scale, hierarchy, whitespace, and readability on small screens
• Ability to work in a friendly, approachable, slightly playful style (think Duolingo, Headspace, Babbel)
• Experience preparing assets for developers — proper naming, export formats, asset organization
• Available for a minimum of 10 hours per week

Nice to Have

• Experience in EdTech, gamified apps, or products for a younger audience
• Animation skills — creating simple character animations in After Effects, Lottie, or Rive
• Experience with AI illustration tools 
• Understanding of accessibility in illustration (color contrast, cultural sensitivity, inclusive representation)
• Experience creating sticker packs, emoji sets, or avatar systems
• Background in children's book illustration, game art, or motion design

What We Offer

• Competitive project-based compensation
• Fully remote, flexible schedule
• A product with real impact on how people learn
• Collaborative team