UI/UX Designer — Social Impact EdTech Brand (Website + App + Programme Materials)

Connection Lab is a New Zealand-based social enterprise tackling one of the defining challenges of our time: the collapse of human connection skills in young people aged 16–25, driven by social media and screen dependency. We build hybrid programmes — combining in-person workshops with AI-assisted tools — that help people reclaim their attention and develop real-world conversational and relational skills. Our three programmes are AttentionReset, RealTalk, and Mastery. We're growing. Our digital presence, programme materials, and participant-facing tools all need to match the quality and purpose of the work we do in the room. What we're looking for An exceptional UI/UX designer who brings both strategic thinking and beautiful execution. Someone who can hold a brand consistently across very different surfaces — a public website, a mobile/web app experience, and physical workshop materials. You won't be handed a brief and left alone. You'll work directly with the founder (me — Andrew Harwood, CEO) and you'll be expected to push back, bring ideas, and help shape what great looks like. I want a creative partner, not just a pair of hands. The work — initial project scope This engagement begins with a defined project covering three areas: 1. Website redesign — connectionlab.nz and sub-brand pages for AttentionReset, RealTalk, and Mastery, plus functioning backend onboarding workflows and compliance adherence to NZ data privacy laws and child protection adherence. Work with founder to agree site structure. The site needs to speak clearly to schools, youth organisations, and young people themselves. It should feel modern, warm, and credible — not corporate, not childish. 2. Programme app / platform UI — We are building a digital companion tool for programme participants. You'll design the screens, flows, and interaction patterns for this. Mobile-first, simple, and deeply human in feel. 3. Programme materials — Workbooks, slide decks, and workshop resources that participants use in sessions. These need to be visually polished, on-brand, and easy for facilitators to work with. If the fit is right, this becomes an ongoing retainer. Our brand Connection Lab has a defined visual identity — logomarks, colour palette, and typography — across the parent brand and three sub-brands. The brand personality is: bold but approachable, grounded, calm authority, modern, and welcoming. Think less startup-flashy, more considered and purposeful. Brand assets will be provided. You'll be expected to work within the system and, where needed, help us evolve it. What great looks like • You have a strong portfolio showing work across both digital products and brand-driven design • You're Figma/Canva-native and work in a way that makes handoff straightforward • You think about users first — not just how things look, but how they feel and how they work • You communicate clearly, ask good questions, and don't disappear for days • You have experience designing for mobile-first products and AI first • Bonus: experience with education, wellbeing, youth, or social impact brands What you won't find here • A huge team to hide in • Vague briefs with no feedback (I'm engaged and have a clear vision) • Work that doesn't matter To apply Please include: • Your portfolio or 2–3 relevant case studies • A brief note on why this project interests you specifically (not a generic cover letter — I read everything) • Your hourly rate I review applications personally. If your portfolio shows the right level of work, I'll respond quickly.