How to apply for Product-Focused UI / Web Designer

About Earthtrust

Earthtrust is a public platform that enables companies and organizations to verify their claims through radical transparency. Unlike typical startups, Earthtrust is building trust infrastructure where design directly impacts credibility and user confidence. Working here means shaping how the world sees verified truth online.

About the role

As a volunteer Product-Focused UI/Web Designer, you'll partner directly with the Product Lead and founders to design and build Earthtrust's website from wireframes to launch. Your work will define the visual language of transparency and make complex verification processes feel simple and trustworthy. This is a hands-on role where you iterate quickly based on user feedback and help shape the product's future.

A typical day

You might start your day with a quick sync with the Product Lead to prioritize design tasks, then dive into creating wireframes or high-fidelity mockups for a new verification feature. Later, you'd share your work with the founders for feedback, iterate based on their input, and collaborate with a developer to ensure your designs are implemented accurately. Since it's a startup, you might also jump into a brainstorming session on improving the overall user experience.

Who Earthtrust is looking for

• Experienced UI/Web designer with a strong portfolio of product-focused work, ideally including websites or web apps you've designed end-to-end.
• Passionate about UI design and product development, with a keen eye for detail and a user-centered approach.
• Eager to grow with a startup, comfortable with ambiguity, and excited to take ownership of the design process.
• Able to collaborate closely with a Product Lead and founders, translating vision into a compelling online presence.

Tips for this application

• Lead with your portfolio: Earthtrust explicitly requires it, so include a link prominently in your application and ensure it showcases product design work, not just static graphics.
• Highlight any experience designing for trust, transparency, or data-heavy platforms—even if it's a personal project—to show alignment with Earthtrust's mission.
• Demonstrate startup adaptability: mention times you've worn multiple hats or iterated quickly based on feedback, as this volunteer role likely involves rapid changes.
• Show you've researched Earthtrust: reference their platform's purpose in your cover letter and suggest how you'd improve their current web presence.
• Emphasize collaboration: since you'll work with founders and a Product Lead, provide examples of how you've partnered with non-designers to ship a product.

What to cover in your cover letter

["Your specific interest in Earthtrust's mission of radical transparency and how design can foster trust.", 'Concrete examples from your portfolio where you designed a product from wireframe to launch, highlighting user feedback and iteration.', 'Your ability to work closely with founders and a Product Lead, showcasing strong communication and collaboration skills.', 'Your eagerness to grow with a startup and take ownership of the design process in a volunteer capacity.']

Research before applying

• Explore Earthtrust's current website and platform to understand their existing design, features, and areas for improvement.
• Research the concept of radical transparency and similar platforms (e.g., provenance, verification services) to grasp the competitive landscape.
• Look up the founders and Product Lead on LinkedIn to understand their backgrounds and vision for Earthtrust.
• Review Earthtrust's public communications (blog, social media) to identify their tone, values, and target audience.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Walk us through a product design project from wireframe to launch—what was your process and how did you iterate?
• How would you design a feature that communicates complex verification data in a simple, trustworthy way?
• Describe a time you received critical feedback on a design and how you handled it.
• How do you prioritize design tasks when working with limited resources in a startup environment?
• What excites you about Earthtrust's mission, and how would you translate that into the website's visual identity?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a portfolio that only includes visual mockups without demonstrating product thinking or user flows.
• Ignoring the volunteer nature of the role—don't imply you expect full-time pay or benefits; focus on the mission and growth opportunity.
• Writing a generic cover letter that could apply to any UI designer role, rather than tailoring it to Earthtrust's transparency mission.