Application Guide

How to Apply for Principal Designer - Via, Remix, Citymapper

at Via Transporation

🏢 About Via Transporation

Via Transportation has transformed from a startup to a NYSE-listed public company (VIA) while maintaining its mission-driven focus on revolutionizing public transit globally. What makes Via unique is its dual identity as both a cutting-edge technology platform and a service provider that directly impacts communities by improving access to jobs, healthcare, and education through smarter transportation networks. Working here means joining 'a bunch of hard working transit nerds' who solve meaningful problems at scale across 30+ countries.

About This Role

As Principal Designer for Via, Remix, and Citymapper brands, you'll be the creative force bringing these transportation brands to life through bold, heart-touching designs across all touchpoints. This role is impactful because you'll work directly under the new Global Creative Director to elevate established brands while designing the future of transportation through 360° campaigns that reach riders, partners, investors, and internal teams. You'll have the unique opportunity to inject fresh thinking into a respected business during its next growth phase.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve collaborating with the Global Creative Director on strategic brand direction, then diving into Figma to design campaign components for an upcoming product launch. You could be storyboarding a video for riders in the morning, refining investor presentation decks after lunch, and developing social templates for a new transit service rollout by afternoon - all while ensuring creative consistency across Via's family of brands.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Via Transporation Is Looking For

  • A senior designer with 7+ years experience who has successfully led high-stakes, multi-touchpoint programs from concept through execution
  • Someone equally comfortable creating brands from scratch (for new transit services) and reinvigorating existing brands (Via, Citymapper, Remix) with new creative flavor
  • A Figma and Adobe Creative Suite expert who actively incorporates AI generative tools into their design workflow
  • A strategic thinker who can translate complex transportation technology into compelling visual narratives for diverse audiences including riders, commercial partners, and investors

📝 Tips for Applying to Via Transporation

1

Showcase specific examples of 360° campaigns you've designed, highlighting how you adapted messaging for different audiences (consumers, B2B partners, investors)

2

Include work samples that demonstrate both brand creation from scratch AND brand evolution/refresh projects, as this role requires both skill sets

3

Mention specific experience with transportation, mobility, or public sector projects - or demonstrate how your portfolio solves similar complex system challenges

4

Highlight your experience with investor presentations and B2B materials, not just consumer-facing designs, since this role serves multiple stakeholder groups

5

Explicitly mention your proficiency with AI generative tools alongside Figma and Adobe Suite, as this is a stated requirement

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your philosophy on creating designs that 'touch people's hearts & minds' in the context of utilitarian services like public transportation", "Specific examples of how you've brought fresh thinking to established brands or businesses with strong reputations", 'Your experience working under creative direction while maintaining strong individual creative contributions', "Why you're passionate about Via's specific mission to transform 'antiquated and siloed public transportation systems'"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Study Via's recent investor presentations and earnings materials to understand their business narrative and growth priorities
  • → Explore the differences between Via's three brands (Via, Citymapper, Remix) and identify opportunities for creative alignment or differentiation
  • → Research Via's agency partners and transit networks to understand the real-world implementation of their technology
  • → Look into transportation design trends and how other mobility companies are approaching brand experience

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through a high-stakes, multi-touchpoint program you led - what made it high-stakes and how did you ensure quality across all touchpoints?
2 How would you approach creating a brand package for a new transit service versus refreshing an existing brand like Citymapper or Remix?
3 Show us how you've used AI generative tools in your design process for a recent project
4 How do you balance creative boldness with the practical constraints of public transportation systems and government partnerships?
5 What's your experience designing for investor audiences versus rider audiences, and how do your approaches differ?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Presenting only consumer-focused portfolio work without examples of B2B, investor, or internal communications design
  • Focusing solely on digital design without showing experience with events packages, physical materials, or full 360° campaigns
  • Demonstrating rigid design approaches that don't show adaptability to different brands (Via's established reputation vs. Remix/Citymapper's different positioning)

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Via Transporation!

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