If you’re at the point where you’re looking to hire a user interface designer, you might be cooking up something interesting to launch, or you’re looking to upgrade your product’s current design to something more sleek, branded, and appealing. Either way - congrats! That’s a great decision and a big step.
1. Look for trusted sources of talent
Not to state the obvious here, but ask around for recommendations in your community: Facebook groups, professional organizations, and meetups are a great way to vet talent and learn who can deliver what you need. Alternatively, you can look outside that realm by searching in Google or LinkedIn, on Dribble or Instagram, or on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. It is possible to find really great freelancers and agencies this way - you’ll just have to do a lot more legwork in the vetting process to make sure you can trust these vendors to understand what you need and deliver a quality service.
2. Large or small - doesn't matter
Whenever you’re not looking to hire in-house, you’re going to be looking at a range of agencies (small boutique ones and large, corporate, international ones) as well as independent freelancers and specialists. In my experience, the difference really isn’t as dramatic as it seems. Most of the time, independent professionals are able to provide the same (or sometimes higher) level of quality as the large agencies. Often, independent professionals or small agencies have far less overhead costs than international agencies, and this will be passed on to you in the form of major savings. For example, if your app’s design is estimated to cost you $15K with a freelancer or specialist - you might receive a $45k quote for the same project from a large agency.
One benefit of working with a large agency is that they may be able to offer a wider range of services in addition to user interface design - such as market research, branding, photography and illustration work, or even programming services. However, smaller agencies often have the same exact services on offer - at the same level of quality - so be sure to price out each item and compare apples to apples before you decide.
3. Have a particular scope in mind
Although it’s fine to have most of the details still up in the air, you should begin your search for a designer once you already have a particular scope in mind for the project. This way, service providers will be able to quickly provide you with more accurate quotes. Your scope will also tell you which kind of professional you need, or which services you need them to perform.
For example, some providers do user interface design, but not user experience design (UX). Some may provide branding services but not illustration. When you have a goal in mind and an idea of your scope prepared beforehand, your service provider will better be able to prepare you for the costs involved, or direct you to someone who can provide a service that includes everything you’re looking for.
Your scope will also help the provider give you the proper pricing. For example, custom illustrations might cost you $150 each, or custom iconography $100 per icon. But if you need large batches of these items, or a certain number per month, you may get a discounted rate.
4. Look for powerful portfolios
Never, ever choose a designer or agency without a portfolio of work samples. Even if they come highly recommended, they might not be right for you in particular. Ideally, a portfolio should show the entire scope of services available. Look for a good command of the medium at hand, as well as storytelling and communication skills. Look for projects that resonate with you personally, and don't be fooled by big-name clients as the work that was done for them might be relatively minor in scope. Portfolios are also a great place to take a peek into the day-to-day work process of a service provider, so that you will know what to expect. For example: will they brainstorm with you and expect you to make certain decisions together with them? Or do they expect you to be mostly hands-off? Sometimes it can be hard to find this information about service providers on freelancing platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork, because service providers on those platforms don’t always have the ability to customize their listing pages to include it. When in doubt, ask!
5. Choose by style or subject matter
This super handy tip applies to visual designers rather than UX professionals. There are usually two ways to understand if a visual designer has the experience to deliver what you want. Either they have done work in a visual style you appreciate or worked around a subject matter that relates to your own. For example, you might love the way that they use color in their designs, or the style of their hand-drawn illustrations. If you want your project to have some of this same visual style - you’re likely to get it.
If this designer has a completely different visual style - or a set of styles - from what you expected, but they have done work within your subject area, they could also be a good match for you. For example: someone who has worked on a mobile health care app before, is likely to have knowledge that can help you with your own health care app. One caveat: don’t get too specific here. It is not usually necessary to find a provider who has already done exactly the same thing in the past, and you just want to repeat it.
5. It’s not true that only talent matters
The designer-client relationship doesn’t only rely on raw talent. No matter who you’re dealing with, remotely or in person - you will want to make sure they are not overly egotistical, disorganized, inconsiderate, or rude. This is a person or a group of people that you will be spending a lot of time with! If you are working with an agency, make sure you meet directly with the representative or team you will be working with. This chemistry makes a real difference in the quality and speed of the project’s execution.
6. Meet over video before committing
Even when working completely remotely, and even when working with a freelancer you have found on a freelancing platform, you will want to try and meet before committing. Mainly, you are looking for that person to understand you and “get” what you are doing. If they don’t, move on. Or, if they are pushy about a specific solution without making an effort to understand your individual project / perspective, move on. Remember that there are many talented people out there and that talent plus fit is what gives the best results.
7. Get to know your quote
Once you have been provided with a quote or statement of work (SOW), read it carefully to get to know the process well before starting. Your quote should include timelines for the work, the number of revision cycles expected, the number of sketches you’ll be given to choose from, budgets for stock imagery, cancellation policies and more. Also make sure you understand exactly what the deliverables will be: is your presentation going to be a Powerpoint presentation or Google Slides? Will you be given vector files or .jpegs? Will you be given exclusive rights to use the work? It is important to look at these details because they are likely to vary from agency to agency or freelancer to freelancer.
Also make sure the pricing schedule makes sense for you. As long as you aren’t on a freelancing platform, you can ask for flexibility if you need it and some designers will agree to let you spread out your payments.
8. Identify costs per project or item
Some providers will give you hourly rates only, some will give hourly rates with estimates of how long the project phases will take, and some will charge per project or per item (e.g.: per illustration or per page). Personally I find per-project or per-item quotes more transparent because you’ll generally know what to expect going in, and budgets are less likely to get out of hand. If instead your provider charges hourly, make sure there is a statement of work with a time estimate included, and that you will be getting regular, frequent updates on how many hours are being logged. In general, the cost of interface design ranges from $50-$250 per hour if you are being billed hourly.
9. Ask for NDAs
You are likely going to have a lot that you want to be keeping under wraps, which makes a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) ideal for working with service providers and freelancers. Be sure to have at least a standard one on hand. The ideal time for your service providers to sign one is at the beginning of your contract together.
Follow these tips and you’re sure to find and connect with your perfect design partner, even if it might take a little while at first - it’s worth it. Good luck!