Over 30 years ago, Ziba became one of the first innovation and design consultancies to use research to create great design. The world has changed since then; design research and trends have become nimbler, more creative. With decades of user experience design, we remain rigorous and resourceful, fueled by a core belief that the problem solvers are often the problem identifiers.

At Ziba, we are always looking for the truth—the “insight.” We define a hypothesis early on, continuing to refine, modify and challenge through rapid prototyping. Our approach is rooted within human-centered design, integrating trends and research alongside agile business modeling to respond to cultural shifts and business challenges in real time.

The Consumer Insights + Trends team is seeking a talented design researcher and ethnographer determined to challenge the status quo, bring design planning to the conversation and, through understanding people and trends, inform and inspire design that makes a difference.

An ethnographer with a passion for field research, data analysis and insight synthesis

A designer at heart; understanding how to inspire our product, interaction, brand and experience designers through actionable insights

Constantly developing and evolving both qualitative and quantitative tools and approaches for consumer, brand and trend research

A communicator; creating frameworks, visuals, videos or stories to ensure that your key insights are relevant and practical for both client and designer

Comfortable working in cross-disciplinary teams in a variety of fields

A minimum of three years of experience conducting ethnography and design strategy work (agency or design consultancy experience is a plus)

Experience contributing to complex qualitative studies from start to finish (recruiting through analysis and recommendations)

A bachelor’s or secondary degree in a social science or design discipline

MS Office and Keynote, with Adobe Creative Suite proficiency as a bonus

Experience with digital/remote ethnography platforms, online survey tools, and other rapid insight platforms

DSLR Camera operating proficiency (preferred)

As a mid-level design researcher and ethnographer, you will be expected to leverage your existing experience and skill in the pursuit of meaningful design. In return, we will help you grow professionally through peer mentorship in an environment of constant learning and exploration. We expect you to start running on day one, but we’ll be right there running with you.

A link to your portfolio and one-page résumé

A brief introduction letter listing one or two of your preferred research methodologies and why you love them


Interested? Reach out! We always love to connect: 

Ziba Design is an equal opportunity employer.

Join our creative team of dreamers, tinkerers, and makers.

If you’re not familiar with Portland, it’s a great place to live and work. There’s a strong design and creative culture here, and an incredible quality of life. Frequently ranked as one of the greenest, most livable cities in North America, Portland is renowned for its walkability, innovative food scene, local artisans, and access to the outdoors. Ziba HQ is located in the Pearl District near the Willamette River just north of Downtown, with quick access to amenities and attractions via nearly all modes of transportation. Or, stay on-site and hang your bike up in our dedicated Bike Room, take your MacBook out to the private patio to work in the sunshine, crank out a new design in our fully equipped industrial design shop, attend a design-related event in our on-site auditorium, or take a few minutes to recharge in the Zen-like Restore room.


Ziba is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, or discharge are based on performance and business needs, and not on the basis of race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We take pride in having a diverse studio and encourage candidates from all countries, cultures, and backgrounds to apply.

Medical, dental, vision, HSA, and life insurance benefits are standard, as are a flexible work schedule, an unlimited FTO policy, and a family leave plan. Our innovative and effective employee initiatives have earned recognition with the prestigious When Work Works Award. 

Ziba encourages a culture of personal and professional growth. Just graduated? Been in the game a minute? We hire at all levels and strive to foster a crossover learning environment matched to each individual’s strengths and interests.

Taking on a position at Ziba is not for the faint of heart—Zibites like to have fun but we put in serious effort to deliver our best work. Always. If you’re up for the challenge, join us and let’s grow together.

Ziba is looking for a Product Manager to bridge the Client Relations and Interaction Design teams. This role is responsible for facilitating the execution of our complex digital programs by managing the day-to-day tactical operations of assigned projects, working to ensure they’re delivered on time and on budget, while providing both clients and internal teams with a smooth process. The role oversees the entire life cycle of a product, from defining the scope, building the technology, creating a great customer experience and acquiring customers.

Responsible for overseeing completion of the overall vision of the product, from design to development to deployment

Managing and integrating front- and back-end development teams

Partnering with the Account Director and Creative Director to help drive the team conversation, balancing the four factors of project management: Quality of Work, Client Experience, Team Experience, Financial Performance

Using proposals to infer resourcing roles and tasks involved then managing, vetting and coordinating internal team needs and work plans

Responsible for understanding what content is required for each phase of the digital project pipeline and creating the product’s requirements

Creating product roadmaps, key phases and assignments

Tracking product schedules / scope and project budget; proactively communicating the project status with the team and navigating solutions to any upcoming problems

Recording, distributing, tracking, and following up on notes from client engagements

Arranging in-person and virtual meetings with clients, vendors, and internal teams

Managing sprint cycles, including backlog item tracking and assisting teams to meet sprint goals

An advocate for the end-user; which may include conducting end-user testing / surveys and iterating on the information received from the end-user

Leading project wrap-up discussions and documenting close-out

Collaborating with Client Relations and Interaction Design team members to continuously improve and elevate our work

A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

A background or interest in design, innovation, marketing, entrepreneurship, or hospitality

A familiarity with existing workflows for digital project management (e.g. Jira)

The ability to do design thinking with strong administrative and organizational skills

A keen sense of when to elevate issues to the project leadership team

An understanding of the difference between production and reference files

The agility to anticipate and proactively respond to needs

Empathic, positive and results-driven attitude

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

The desire to learn about Ziba processes, both creative and business

Deltek ERP experience and/or Creative Suite experience a plus

Ziba is a collaborative group, passionate about our brand; we work together to strengthen the quality of the work and lift the overall experience. You will be expected to leverage your existing experience and strengths to help us deliver. In return, we will help you grow professionally through peer mentorship in an environment of constant learning and exploration. We expect you to start running on day one, but we’ll be right there running with you.

A one-page résumé with references and salary requirements

A brief introduction letter outlining the strengths you would bring to the Ziba Client Relations team

Interested? Reach out! We always love to connect: 

Ziba interaction designers are thinkers and makers, designing the future of the world’s most recognized brands and humanizing technology to create the best possible user experience. We communicate digitally through form, function, and motion, considering structure and beauty equally and striving to get functional prototypes into the hands of users early and often. Our tasks are complex; weaving business and consumer needs together to create solutions that support our clients and delight the real people that use them.

A digital craftsman with a high proficiency in the visual and prototyping tools of your trade

Passionate about the intersection between culture and technology, and able to articulate how current trends are relevant to projects

Knowledgeable about how technology constraints and capabilities impact the end user experience

Knowledgeable about interaction design methodology and processes

Comfortable working in cross-disciplinary teams in a variety of fields


Analyze client and customer needs to generate user requirements and inform design

Contribute to design research via concept generation, evaluation, and synthesis

Generate information architecture and cognitive models that support innovative and highly functional design solutions

Translate architecture and interaction needs into appropriate visual designs that balance function and beauty

Produce development-friendly visual assets that support your designs

Prototype your ideas for real-world testing

Collaborate with developers to reinforce design intent as it transitions from idea to reality

Communicate effectively across a variety of mediums including writing, speaking, visuals, and motion

As a junior interaction designer at Ziba, you will be expected to leverage your existing experience and skill in the pursuit of innovative and effective design solutions. In return, we will help you grow professionally through peer mentorship in an environment of constant learning and exploration. We expect you to start running on day one, but we’ll be right there running with you.

A brief introduction letter listing a few of your favorite user experiences and why you love them

At least one project case study showing your design process from beginning to end, including a summary of how insights influenced the final result

Links to interactive prototypes and/or motion studies that demonstrate your design intent

Ziba is looking for a senior service designer with a passion for creating new services and transforming existing customer experiences. Together with a multidisciplinary team of designers, researchers, and strategists, you’ll envision concepts and ideas for a wide variety of clients using a diverse set of tools to illustrate and activate all the components of the service.


Driven to deliver real impact and beauty in everyday life

Passionate about human-centered services for both customers and employees

Both charismatic and empathetic; you can rally and unite around a unified service vision

An adept communicator with excellent facilitation and presentation skills

Eager to tackle complex problems and a natural at zooming out to see the big picture, then diving in to nail the important details; you thrive on putting all the pieces together

Conduct qualitative design research using ethnographic and participatory methods

Analyze service metrics data to inform design solutions

Lead design work sessions with cross-functional teams

Create service concepts, prototypes, and systems, and design testing plans for validation with clients and the Ziba team

Design for both the target user experience and the client’s ability to implement

Experience in core service design methods and processes

5+ years working in at least one practice area (user experience, design research, service design, or design strategy)

The ability and desire to work in all phases of the design process



As a senior level designer, you’ll be expected to leverage your existing experience and skill in the pursuit of creating exceptional services and customer experiences. In return, we will help you grow professionally through peer mentorship in an environment of constant learning and exploration. We expect you to start running on day one, but we’ll be right there running with you.

A one page résumé and a link to your portfolio

A brief introduction letter listing a few of your favorite services or consumer experiences and why you love them

At least one project case study showing your design process from beginning to end


Branded environments are playing an ever-increasing role in the modern marketplace, and rightfully so; these spaces have the potential to shape everyday experiences for millions of people. Environment designers work with clients to create innovative branded environments, inspiring a meaningful connection between brand and consumer.

Ziba is looking for an environment designer to join our Environment Design (EVD) team, someone who appreciates that great work comes from a collaborative process. Together with a dynamic team of experienced, talented designers and researchers, you’ll map out the consumer/user journey, key scenarios, and create multiple concepts for major programmatic elements. The ideal candidate will be able to effectively communicate their perspective and possess strong rapid visualization skills via sketching, modeling, or graphics applications.


Passionate about design and producing creative and elegant solutions

Able to lead projects and mentor a team, delivering innovative concepts from programming and schematic design through design development

Knowledgeable on current trends in architectural, interior, and retail design

Actively engaged with the design community

A gifted collaborator with an aptitude for seeing the broader picture and understanding how to integrate multiple touchpoints, creating a holistic consumer experience

3+ years of experience in creating world-class branded environments, preferably with retail or hospitality projects

A degree in architecture, interior design, environment design, or related field

Well-rounded knowledge of 2D and 3D CAD programs and Adobe Creative Suite

An understanding of building construction, detailing, and furniture/fixture fabrication and the ability to work closely with contractors and fabricators

The ability to translate brand, consumer, and business needs to create engaging narratives in spatial environments

The ability to define visual direction of materials, finishes, furnishings, and fixtures

As a mid- to senior level designer, you’ll be expected to leverage your existing experience and skill in the pursuit of creating exceptional branded environments. In return, we will help you grow professionally through peer mentorship in an environment of constant learning and exploration. We expect you to start running on day one, but we’ll be right there running with you.

A one page résumé and a link to your portfolio or samples of relevant work that demonstrate your process as an environment designer

A brief introduction letter listing a few of your favorite brand experiences and why you love them


Ziba is people.

Design Researcher & Ethnographer

Learn more about our openings in Portland, Oregon.