Hire the Best UI Designers without Risk. Toptal is an Exclusive Network of the Top UI and usability Designers. Our Team Hand-picks the Best Fit for your Project with a No-risk Trial.
For more than 15 years, Katie has worked in large design teams, as a solo designer, and, most recently, for startups. She specializes in user experience, responsive web design, app design, branding, and development (HTML/CSS). Her designs are eminently engaging, and she cultivates alignment to ensure the integrity of design from concept through implementation. As a former startup founder, Katie excels when working at high speed and collaborating on iterative designs.
With years of experience in design and advertising, Steve is an art director and designer at Rethink, the world's second-largest independent advertising agency. He freelances for companies worldwide as a branding, visual, and UI/UX designer for clients of all sizes. Steve has had the pleasure of working for other advertising agencies such as DDB, Tribal Worldwide, Grand Creative, Colenso BBDO, and more. He communicates exceptionally well with his clients and has worked in teams of all sizes.
United StatesToptal Member Since November 16, 2015
Jen is a UX designer with 13+ years of experience, including six as a co-owner and creative director of a thriving 30-person digital design agency. Her 30+ ADDY awards reflect her unwavering commitment to excellence. An asset to any team, Jen delivers user-centered solutions, leveraging her expertise in research, prototyping, and usability. Her captivating designs consistently surpass business objectives, making her the ideal choice for companies seeking a dynamic, results-driven professional.
Adrien is a French UX designer with more than 13 years’ experience in design, user experience, interaction design, and visual identity across a broad range of industries. He's had the opportunity to work with big accounts such as LEGO Education and MIT. He applies user-centered methodologies to help internal and external teams write product requirements to deliver research insights, experience maps, information architecture, and wireframes.
Adrien is an award-winning product designer and digital art director specializing in strategy, user experience (UX), user interface (UI), brand identity, and interaction design. For the last 17 years, Adrien has been crafting and delivering unique digital experiences for global companies and startups. Adrien's clients hire him for his UI/UX expertise, user-centered approach, strategic mindset, collaborative leadership, creativity, and effectiveness.
Eric is an award-winning designer with more than ten years of industry experience and a focus on products. With expertise gained working with top companies like Forbes and Universal Music Group, he has created many B2B and B2C platforms and data visualizations. Eric's strategic way of working contributes to startup projects that need a holistic approach.
Mathieu is a passionate visual designer who meticulously crafts UX/UI designs, product designs, web designs, and motion animations. He keeps up to date with industry trends via his research on substantial apps. He and his partner run a Paris-based mobile agency where he also works as an art director while his partner handles the visuals and branding. Mathieu expresses himself well and has worked for large companies and startups.
Alex is a passionate digital product designer with over 13 years of UI/UX experience. He has worked in both boutique design studios and large IT enterprises, feeling most comfortable in a creative environment where visual design is second only to usability. With a pragmatic approach, a highly structured design process, and close team collaboration, Alex can evolve clients' initial requirements into a complete design solution, ensuring a smooth development delivery.
Nemanja is a UI/UX specialist with more than ten years of industry experience who focuses on usability, user experience, and user research in his designs. He has worked with small and large teams, including teams from Google and Red Hat. Nemanja has worked as a freelancer and enjoys the challenge of solving user problems.
Grace is a senior UI/UX designer based in Beirut. Curious, enthusiastic, and passionate about solving problems, she has users at the heart of her design process, striving to deliver usable and enjoyable products. Having 16 years of experience helps her understand different types of businesses and adapt quickly to any challenge, from B2B to B2C, industries ranging from hospitality, government, finance, and more. Being a computer engineer graduate allows her a smooth collaboration with tech leads.
Marko is a multidisciplinary designer with over six years of experience specializing in UI/UX, web, brand, motion, lettering, and type design. He believes a pleasant identity and motion graphics can take a business to the next level and attract more attention. He has collaborated with companies like Mazda Ukraine and Maincast. Marko's project on Behance got featured in logo design. Moreover, after winning the competition, his lettering work was published in the Australian book "Typism Book 8."
User interface (UI) designers are experts who create human-computer interaction for web and mobile design. This guide to hiring UI designers features an overview of relevant skills, job description tips, and interview questions and answers that will help you identify the best candidates for your company.
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Testimonials
Michael is an incredible designer, and has been a great fit for our project. He just gets it in a way that can’t be taught. My goal was to pay Toptal to find me a high quality designer for my project, and that is exactly what happened. It was easy. Being able to see the portfolio work on Toptal’s platform is what gave me the infomation I needed to choose Michael. I have nothing but good things to say about Toptal and am looking forward to using Toptal for other projects in the future.
Edward Daniel, Co-Founder
improvemygun.com
I've worked very closely with Martina for over a year and have to say she is one of the best people I have ever worked with. Instead of simply following instructions blindly, she thinks through the task at hand, becoming a thought partner to help with whatever the project may be. Besides being super talented at design, she possesses specific qualities that make her exceptional to work with given the fast paced nature of being a startup. I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for a talented, professional designer who doesn't need much direction to hit the ground running.
Sahil Khanna, Sr. Manager, Marketing
LeanTaaS, Inc.
Darko did a great job figuring out the user architecture for our concept, which led him to produce terrific wireframes. His knowledge of usability and design was a perfect match for the outside voice we needed to help jumpstart our project. We would certainly recommend him and work with him again in the future.
Rich Danker, Founder
Prose Market
Carlos has the unique talent of blending both quantitative and qualitative research to keenly identify UX challenges and opportunities. He thinks methodically, emphatically, and holistically to produce data-driven strategies and well-executed designs. Over the past 8 years of working with fully or partially distributed teams, Carlos manages working remotely far better than anyone I've encountered because of his strong communication and presentation skills. He is the first on my list the next time I need a UX designer.
Michelle Krogmeier, Project Manager
Union Station
Rafael is an amazing designer. His aesthetic sense is spot on, and he seems to be able to anticipate our needs before we even know what they are. He's taken the time to understand both our company and our clientele, and his solutions are consistently in-line with our values, interests, and our customers' needs. He delivers on time (if not earlier), works quickly, is well organized, and very effective. He's a pleasure to work with, and we're very happy to have found him through Toptal.
Ethan Brooks, CTO
Langlotz Patent & Trademark Works, Inc.
Toptal gave us access to the best designers out there. They’re not easy to find. Those designers integrated very quickly with our existing teams. They very quickly understood our business case and the value of our solution. Toptal really allowed us to focus on building the best possible product and save a lot of time on the typical administrative pains that goes with it -- specifically, finding the best talent. Toptal designers were very responsive, always online -- and that made life very easy for us. We have ambitious goals on how to grow the application and already Toptal has been a key contributor to that success.
Thierry Jakircevic, General Manager, Digital Solutions, Bridgestone Head Office, Tokyo
Bridgestone Corporation
We had an amazing experience working with our Toptal designer. In only two weeks, we accomplished what would've taken most companies 3 months to complete. We also enjoyed working with the Toptal team to make sure we were paired up with the right designer that would fit both our company culture and working style.
Ted Blosser, Head of Sales and Customer Success
WorkRamp
Dean blew us away. He ranks right up there as one of the top five designers of the hundreds I have worked with in the past. He listened, was totally professional, and came up with a 3D rotating cube design completely on his own. We didn't even ask for it, and yet it has become the centerpiece of our app and how users engage with it right off the bat. What he produced inspired all of us at Votify, and put us on track for launch and investor funding.
Michael Lawrence, Founder & CEO
Votify LLC
How to Hire UI Designers through Toptal
1
Talk to One of Our Industry Experts
A Toptal director of design will work with you to understand your goals, technical needs, and team dynamics.
2
Work With Hand-Selected Talent
Within days, we'll introduce you to the right UI designer for your project. Average time to match is under 24 hours.
3
The Right Fit, Guaranteed
Work with your new UI designer for a trial period (pay only if satisfied), ensuring they're the right fit before starting the engagement.
Find Experts With Related Skills
Access a vast pool of skilled designers in our talent network and hire the top 3% within just 48 hours.
Typically, you can hire a UI designer with Toptal in about 48 hours. Our talent matchers are experts in the same fields they’re matching in—they’re not recruiters or HR reps. They’ll work with you to understand your goals, technical needs, and team dynamics, and match you with ideal candidates from our vetted global talent network.
Once you select your UI designer, you’ll have a no-risk trial period to ensure they’re the perfect fit. Our matching process has a 98% trial-to-hire rate, so you can rest assured that you’re getting the best fit every time.
How much does it cost to hire a UI designer?
UI designer rates vary depending on the project scope, timeline, and the UI designer’s geography. Some UI designers bill hourly, while others charge a flat project fee. In general, more experienced and accomplished UI designers charge more for their design services. As a point of reference, Glassdoor lists the average salary for UI designers in the United States to be $91,750 as of November 15, 2023.
How do I hire freelance UI designers?
Hiring freelance designers can be as simple or as complex as you would like it to be. Typically, you start by defining your requirements, which includes identifying the scope of the project, the specific skills the job requires, and the level of experience needed from the UI designer. After reviewing portfolios, checking references, conducting interviews, and presenting candidates with a small design challenge, you can narrow down your top choices.
What does a UI designer do?
A UI designer develops visually engaging and user-friendly interfaces for digital assets such as apps, video games, and websites. They work to combine fundamental design principles, user research, and industry best practices to craft layouts that are intuitive, responsive, and interactive. Their overall goal is to optimize user interaction and satisfaction while maintaining a high level of consistency with the brand identity. UI designers often work with cross-functional teams, which include UX designers, graphic designers, and developers, in order to ensure a seamless implementation of their designs. UI designers also continually fine-tune their work based on user feedback as a way to enhance the overall user experience design.
What qualities should I look for in a UI designer?
When hiring a UI designer, seek out qualities such as creativity, strong technical skills, and a user-centric mindset. An ideal UI design candidate should have a command over visual design principles, be proficient in design software tools, and possess the ability to design and execute intuitive interfaces. UI designers must be comfortable collaborating with partners in different disciplines and design teams, which reflects effective communication and problem-solving skills. Aside from a compelling portfolio, look for a UI designer who has a proven history of delivering successful and memorable end products. Soft skills such as empathy, adaptability, attention to detail, receptiveness to feedback, and drive are also markers of a qualified candidate.
How are Toptal UI Designers different?
At Toptal, we thoroughly screen our UI designers to ensure we only match you with the highest caliber of talent. Of the more than 200,000 people who apply to join the Toptal network each year, fewer than 3% make the cut.
In addition to screening for industry-leading expertise, we also assess candidates’ language and interpersonal skills to ensure that you have a smooth working relationship.
When you hire a UI designer with Toptal, you’ll always work with world-class, custom-matched designers ready to help you achieve your goals.
Alejandro is a digital product designer specializing in user-centered design, UI/UX, and developing visual and interaction languages. He was the senior designer on projects with New Relic, Telefónica, and Personio. Alejandro has a master’s degree in industrial and product design from the Scuola Politecnica di Design in Milan.
Globally, the average person spends approximately 6 hours and 37 minutes per day engaging with screens, and a significant amount of that screen time is spent on websites, mobile apps, and social media. By ensuring that digital interfaces are intuitive, adaptable, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing, user interface (UI) designers help companies engage users and maintain brand consistency.
UI design requires a unique blend of creativity, technical proficiency, and industry experience. It can be challenging to find and hire a qualified candidate who meets these standards, especially as the demand for UI designers continues to grow. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, web developers and digital designers (which includes UI design experts) can expect a 16% increase in employment from 2022 to 2032.
In a rapidly evolving, tech-driven marketplace, hiring a skilled UI designer can set a business apart from its competitors, leading to increased client retention and more profitable digital products.
This hiring guide explains what a UI designer does, how to identify candidates who align with your company’s goals, and how to adopt recruitment strategies that will help your business reach a stronger pool of qualified UI design candidates.
What attributes distinguish quality UI Designers from others?
Hiring a proficient UI designer can have a significant impact on the long-term success of your digital product. Intuitive, user-friendly designs increase engagement and turn users into loyal customers. From e-commerce to gaming and education to healthcare, a design expert using UI best practices can solve an array of design challenges. Quality UI designers possess the following skills:
Command of design and developer tools
An adept UI designer will be proficient in design tools such as Sketch, Figma, UXPin, or other similar software. They should know the strengths and weaknesses of these platforms and be able to adapt to your company’s preferred software. Additionally, a UI designer with a basic knowledge of HTML and CSS will have a more holistic understanding of the development process and can effectively collaborate with developers.
Mastery of visual design
In order to create products that are both cohesive and visually compelling, a UI designer should have a solid foundation in the understanding and application of graphic design principles and techniques. Fundamental concepts such as color theory, composition and layout, and negative space are key to building functional digital assets.
UI designers should also be familiar with principles relating to typography, iconography, and visual hierarchy. And as new trends and theories emerge, UI designers must be on top of, or at least be mindful of, the latest styles and guidelines.
Knowledge of interaction design principles
By being aware of how users interact with digital applications, UI designers can create interfaces that function intuitively, prioritize accessibility, and help users achieve their goals. UI designers also look for ways to simplify the dissemination of complex information. Similar to interaction designers, a qualified UI designer will rely on their mastery of design considerations, such as microinteractions, error handling, progressive disclosure, and navigation, to deliver an efficient user experience design.
Expertise in responsive and mobile design
Approximately 55% of all global web traffic is generated through a mobile device. Any capable UI designer should be comfortable with developing designs that are mobile-friendly and adaptable to a broad spectrum of screen sizes, including tablets, mobile phones, and desktops. When hiring a UI designer, consider their familiarity with adaptive layouts, fluid grids, media queries, usability testing across multiple devices, and performance optimization.
Proficiency in prototyping and wireframing
A skilled UI designer is capable of using prototyping and wireframing tools, such as Figma, to efficiently communicate their design concepts. Being able to visualize a digital application allows stakeholders and developers to feel confident about the designer’s decisions and methods. An expert UI designer will also be able to use interactive prototypes and wireframes during design reviews or team collaborations, helping to generate meaningful discussions around product use, development, and implementation.
How can you identify the ideal UI Designer for you?
Because UI designers come with a range of skills, it’s important to decide whether your company is seeking to hire a junior designer or a more seasoned professional. Your choice depends on several factors such as budget, project goals and requirements, timeline, and workplace culture. Each option presents its own set of considerations, but the following will help you determine which option may best suit your needs:
Junior UI Designers
Junior UI designers typically have limited professional experience and only a few years of practical, hands-on training. Junior designers may have only worked on smaller, less complex tasks or assisted more established designers on larger projects. These designers are proficient in UI but may lack the intuition or professionalism that can come with experience.
Compared to their senior counterparts, junior UI designers are budget-friendly and may be more malleable to your company’s standards and culture. They are also more likely to share fresh ideas and show an eagerness to learn and take on responsibilities. Because of their flexibility and enthusiasm, junior UI designers are suitable for projects with evolving requirements.
Senior UI Designers
Senior UI designers, on the other hand, have industry knowledge that is robust and nuanced, enabling them to create sophisticated and impactful interfaces aligned with business and brand objectives. A senior UI designer can produce quality content at a rapid rate and with minimal guidance. Additionally, senior UI designers with leadership experience can leverage their talent to make informed design decisions that can benefit the final product.
The best scenario for your company’s UI project is a well-rounded team with a mix of junior and senior talent. By blending the enthusiasm of junior designers with the senior professional’s expert design services, UI design projects stand a better chance at delivering fine-tuned products that utilize best practices and exceed user expectations.
How to Write a UI Designer Job Description for Your Project
A UI designer tends to be conflated with a UX designer; however, these positions cater to different skill sets. To reduce the chance of confusion, and to increase your odds of finding a highly qualified UI designer, consider the following traits when writing a job posting:
Problem-solving Abilities
A UI designer who possesses strong problem-solving skills delivers innovative solutions in an ever-changing digital landscape. Look for candidates who are adept at locating user pain points, handling complex interactions, interpreting data-driven results, and continuously refining interfaces based on user and stakeholder feedback.
Communications Skills
A UI designer with strong communication skills is a valuable asset to any company. Presenting abstract concepts in ways that are easy to understand, articulating project goals, and clearly conveying the rationale behind design choices are must-have skills in the design field. A proficient UI designer understands that communication soft skills can foster positive working relationships, leading to successful products and satisfied clients.
Creativity
Creative UI designers often challenge conventional modes of thinking, and their innovative approaches can lead to more exciting digital products. UI designers who draw inspiration from a deep well of creative sources are more likely to produce work that feels authentic as opposed to generic. Experimenting with design concepts, establishing empathy, and generating noteworthy visuals should come easily to UI designers.
Brand Awareness
To create design interfaces that reflect integrity, credibility, and professionalism, a UI designer should understand the brand’s overall goals and respect the brand’s reputation. Designers who exhibit brand awareness use consistent design elements to tell a compelling story that resonates with users, leading to enhanced brand positioning, recognition, and customer loyalty.
Collaborative Mindset
Throughout the course of a project, a UI designer may work alongside a host of potential partners and design teams, including—but certainly not limited to—users, clients, developers, graphic designers, user experience designers, interaction designers, marketing teams, and product managers. Collaborating with an extensive network of departments requires a dedication to interpersonal communication and teamwork in order to develop a truly user-centric application.
What are the most important UI Designer interview questions?
The following UI designer interview questions can help you hold productive discussions and make well-informed decisions throughout the UI design hiring process:
Can you explain your design process?
While the goals for each project may vary, a skilled designer will strive to meet certain standards throughout the design process. Listen for answers that touch on conducting user research, exploring user behavior patterns, brainstorming functional design concepts, prototyping, seeking feedback, and maintaining brand consistency. The creative design process can be highly personal, but collaboration and communication are key.
How do you incorporate accessibility into your designs?
Accessibility should be fundamental to any UI designer’s creative philosophy. Principles of inclusivity and accessibility are inherent to functional product design, and a thoughtful UI designer should be committed to implementing these standards in their work. Listen for responses that speak to semantic markups, screen readers, responsive design, color contrast, alt text, keyboard navigation, and W3C Accessibility Standards.
How do you stay updated on the latest UI trends and technologies?
Staying abreast of design trends and technologies is a hallmark of a dedicated designer. Taking a proactive approach to learning allows a UI designer to be aware of cutting-edge innovation, improved design solutions, and industry insights. Listen for answers that address reading or subscribing to design-related publications, participating in conferences or attending webinars, joining in-person or online design communities, taking courses to stay updated and adaptable, and networking with professionals in a broad range of disciplines.
Can you describe a project where you improved the user experience significantly?
Answers will vary greatly, but a strong response should touch on the following: conducting user research, identifying pain points, usability testing, brand alignment, collaboration, and implementing strategic design solutions. A seasoned UI designer will be able to provide an answer that highlights tangible, real-world results that leave their clients satisfied.
What metrics do you use to evaluate the success of your design?
A qualified UI designer will employ the use of both qualitative and quantitative metrics in making design decisions. A few key barometers may include implementing user satisfaction surveys, monitoring on-page metrics such as bounce rate or time on page, tracking retention and churn rates, evaluating web analytics tools like heatmaps or click-through rates, or gathering feedback from shareholders, product managers, or additional developers.
Why do companies hire UI Designers?
Companies often hire UI designers to improve the overall appearance, functionality, and success of their digital products and services. UI designers are experts at creating assets that provide a positive user experience, leading to enhanced user satisfaction, engagement, and retention. From a technical standpoint, UI designers are in demand because they focus on simplifying complex interactions, organize information effectively, and producing applications that are responsive, accessible, and inclusive.
Companies interested in capturing the attention of a specific audience, standing out from the competition, and increasing sales and brand loyalty will benefit from the expertise of a UI designer.
