At The Alter Office, we’re not here to play by the rules. We’re here to rewrite them. If you’re looking for a place to simply clock in, follow a list of design guidelines, and go home at 6 PM feeling “satisfied,” this probably isn’t the spot for you. But if you’re ready to own your work, lead with vision, and break a few design norms along the way—then you’re speaking our language.
Who We Are
We say this a lot: design is a language spoken through screens, and here at The Alter Office, we make sure it’s spoken fluently. The way we see it, you’re not just creating something pretty to look at—you’re solving problems, shaping experiences, and connecting with real people.
We don’t believe in rigid rules in innovation or “this is how it’s always been done.” No thanks, but. “The steps in a staircase can be painted in many colors, but it can’t be shaped differently,” we like to say. Translation? Sure, you can go wild with innovation, but usability still matters. It’s a fine line, and we dance on it every day.
We embrace bold, uncomfortable ideas, not because we’re rebels (though, honestly, we want to be), but because it’s how we get to greatness.
Beyond Design Theater: Substance Over Aesthetics
We’ve seen it all—portfolios filled with sticky notes, user personas, and extensive research that often feels like it was done for the sake of appearances rather than to drive meaningful design decisions. Too often, we come across work that looks polished but ultimately clones existing products without real innovation or understanding. At The Alter Office, we’re not impressed by design theater; we’re impressed by impact.
Design principles, frameworks, and methodologies are tools, not commandments. They’re meant to guide, not dictate. A great product designer knows how to critically evaluate which practices add value and which ones are just noise. It’s about making smart, strategic choices that serve the product and the user—not just checking boxes on a design checklist.
We’re looking for designers who can cut through the fluff, who can tell the difference between what looks good and what works well. If you’re someone who isn’t afraid to challenge conventional wisdom, question the necessity of every step, and prioritize outcomes over aesthetics, you’ll thrive here. We don’t need more pretty pictures; we need problem solvers who understand that design is about delivering real value.
The Constant Clash: Designers vs. Developers
Let’s address the elephant in the room: designers and developers are constantly at war. We get it. A lot of that friction comes from misconceptions—largely fueled by the nonsense content online about what product design really is. It’s not about pixel-perfect dribble that gets posted to design blogs and gathers a few likes; it’s about shipping. At The Alter Office, we don’t focus on design theater. Our goal is to ship real products that actually work, not create pretty mockups that stay trapped in Figma forever.
Our advice? Don’t waste time on flashy concepts that never see the light of day. Stop trying to impress Behance and start impressing the users who will actually use your design. We focus on making decisions that push a product forward. Developers are your partners in this, not your adversaries.
Speed and Quantity: Why They Matter
You’ve probably been told that “quality over quantity” is the way to go, right? Well, we respectfully disagree. Let us tell you a story about a pottery class. A professor split his students into two groups. One group was told to focus on quality—spending all their time making the perfect pot. The other group was told to focus on quantity—just make as many pots as possible. After six months, guess which group produced the best quality pots? That’s right, the group focusing on quantity. Why? Because repetition breeds improvement.
Speed and quantity have a quality of their own. At The Alter Office, we believe in moving fast. We prototype, we test, and we iterate quickly. Every version is an opportunity to refine and improve. The faster we move, the better the product becomes. It’s not about polishing one concept until it’s perfect—it’s about learning and evolving as we go.
Who We’re Looking For
Let’s make one thing clear: we don’t need more followers. We need owners. People who take full ownership of the products they’re working on, who treat every design like their personal project, and who are ready to push themselves—and the team—toward something bigger. Here’s what that looks like:
1. Design Leaders, Not Button Pushers
If your idea of a fun day at work involves following someone else’s playbook, then this might not be the place for you. We need people who don’t just show up, but step up. You’ll be shaping the direction, not just following it. We want leaders who see the big picture and aren’t afraid to take risks to get there.
2. Professional Rule Breakers
At The Alter Office, we break the rules. We challenge what’s been done because the last thing we want is a product that looks like everything else out there. If you’ve got the guts to push the boundaries, disrupt the norm, and try something new—even if it fails—you’ll fit right in.
3. Boundary Pushers Who Get It
Here’s the deal: we push boundaries because we know that’s where the magic happens. We’re looking for people who aren’t satisfied with the status quo and see challenges as opportunities. Sound like you? Perfect. Whether it’s an app, a platform, or a game, you’ll constantly be stepping out of your comfort zone and, frankly, loving it.
4. Empathetic Problem Solvers
We’re big on empathy here. Why? Because design without empathy is just decoration. If you’re someone who can really put yourself in the user’s shoes and craft experiences that solve real problems, we need you. And by “shoes,” we don’t mean “fancy wireframes”—we mean really understanding the user’s needs and making sure their journey is a smooth ride.
5. Creators Who Take Ownership
We’re not interested in people who drop off their designs at the door and leave. We want owners—people who take pride in every pixel and stick around to see the project through. From ideation to launch, you’ll be there every step of the way, because you’re not just designing—you’re creating something you’re proud of. Creativity isn’t about knowing what to do from the start—it’s about trusting the process and owning it.
6. Collaboration with a Capital C
No one designs in a vacuum (and if you do, that’s weird). Here, we build together—one brick at a time, pushing and inspiring each other to create something bigger than ourselves. Openness is non-negotiable. Every idea, whether good, bad, or “what the heck was that?” is welcomed. The more we collaborate, the more we innovate.
Why The Alter Office?
We’re not just looking for people to follow orders. We’re looking for rule-breakers, boundary-pushers, and visionaries who aren’t afraid to challenge themselves and the team. At The Alter Office, you’ll have the freedom to design the future—and the responsibility to own it.
And let’s be real—we don’t do “good enough” here. You’ll be surrounded by people who push themselves and each other, who strive for excellence in every project, and who break the mold of what design should be. We’re shaping experiences that matter, and we’re doing it with empathy, creativity, and a little bit of rule-breaking.
The Future Is Yours (No, Seriously)
Look, we get it—design is evolving, and so are we. The future of UI and UX? It’s in AI. And yes, we’re leaning into that. AI will be our assistant, helping us prototype faster, refine ideas better, and cut through the noise to find what really works. But the heart of it? That’ll always be us—the designers, the creators, the owners of every product we touch.
So, if you’re ready to lead, create, break rules, and own the process, The Alter Office is the place for you. We’re not looking for the faint of heart—we’re looking for visionaries who are ready to push design to the next level. If that’s you, let’s talk.
This is The Alter Office. The future of design is ours to shape.