Ask HN: I struggle to hire a UI/UX designer, can anyone help?

6 pointsby s1k3svor 4 Jahren12 comments

For the past 2 months I've been struggling to hire a web designer to create a website for me. I wrote the entire product specification, all screens and app flows, and I want a designer to take that spec and turn it into a real product design.

Attempt #1: Direct hire

Posted a local job and hired a person based on their portfolio. We signed the contract, and they started the project. 2 weeks later I check in and all they have done is the color palette and fonts. I don't think I'm unreasonable when I say this is way too little work for 2 weeks booked at 8 hours / day. I closed the contract afterwards and I consider I simply got scammed. Am I being unreasonable here?

Attempt #2: Upwork

I posted my project on Upwork for a fixed price, estimated at 300 hours and with a price per hour that matches what Upwork says is their "top freelancers". I received more than 100 applications in the first 3 hours. Looking at their past work and portfolio, I notice a lot of them have linked the same projects, with the same screenshots and project description. I closed the project after I saw that, fearing another scam.

Attempt #3: LinkedIn

Posted a job for a contract-based short term project. I received less than 20 applicants in a week, and most of them sent me 5 page CVs without a portfolio. The portfolios that I got from the rest of them were very slim, presenting 1-2 project mockups which could barely be called projects, even though they called themselves experienced professionals.

I'm currently out of ideas on what to try next. I'm willing to pay top money for top work, and I mentioned this in every job ad, but for some reason all I get is scam attempts or homework projects.

Do you have some advice on how to hire high quality designers? Is there something wrong that I'm doing here?

13 comments

rahimnathwanivor 4 Jahren

What you have:

- backend engineering skill

- experience using Tailwind

- a color palette and font choices

- screens and user flows

It sounds like all you're missing is:

- UI polish

Depending on how detailed your screens are, maybe you could consider skipping the UI mockup step, and just try to build it yourself using the 'Application UI' components from TailwindUI (https://tailwindui.com/)? If you use your own color palette and fonts, your site will still look unique.

Sure, you might need to change some things later, but you'd save some time and stress searching for a designer.

s1k3svor 4 Jahren

Yes, I do have a Tailwind UI license and I'm regularly using it for some projects. However, when I start on a new one, I like having the design in place before I do any coding. It's just simpler when you have a UI mock that you just implement, instead of spending time to think about how everything should be placed, how interactions should work and so on. I might actually get back to this approach though, if I can't find anyone in reasonable time. Thanks!

Leftiumvor 4 Jahren

I've heard people had good experience with: https://www.toptal.com/

I heard about TopTal from https://mixergy.com. Andrew Warner is really serious about only accepting sponsors that provide great service and value. If you listen to his mid-podcast sponsorship spiels, they usually offer a free two weeks of work or 50% discount or something...

s1k3svor 4 Jahren

Thanks, I forgot about Toptal. I like what I see there so I'll give it a shot!

adelaidewvor 4 Jahren

Sorry to hear your story.. I am a UX designer myself having about 7 years of experience, let me know if you want to chat.

Per your question. Unfortunately I have never used any of this services, I have heard ppl using upwork but didn’t know it was that bad. I would recommend you try LinkedIn again. Instead of posting a job, just search for product/UX designers as a role. And from the results, reaching out to any person with experiences close to what u need. Even tho their experience don’t align you can still reach out. Cuz a designer would definitely know more other designers who can help you out. I would also recommend to check out dribbble, since u only needed UI, just check people’s visual work and contact them from there. It maybe more efficient. Hope that helps.

Adrigvor 4 Jahren

If you have the extra cash, you can go through screening platforms like Toptal. It's not the 1% of freelancers they like to advertise, but at least the pool should be decent.

You'll probably also have more success doing outreach. Designers hang out on dribbble, behance, twitter and linkedin. Find a few promising profiles with real life work and contact them. Even if they're not available, they might refer you to one of their contact or post the gig on a design community.

You indeed got owned for your attempt #1. For this kind of projects, I'd do a quote based on the delivery and have a deadline fixed. And 2 weeks with no communication with the client sounds insane to me.

Platforms like upwork and Fiverr are the jungle. Some people had success on it, I stay away from them.

s1k3svor 4 Jahren

Thanks, I just checked Toptal and I really like what I see there. For some reason I associated it with development work only, but it seems like they have a wide range of categories available. I'll give it a try!

tmalyvor 4 Jahren

Have you tried Fiverr? I have had some good luck there.

Also Craigslist gig section I found contract developers before for a project.

dgnemovor 4 Jahren

Hi there, my partner is a UI/UX designer and is looking for new gigs. Email me (see my profile) if you want to be put in contact.

ffhhjvor 4 Jahren

> top money

I'd contract several candiates from truelancer to do a small task each, then evaluate which is the best one and contract him/her again to work on a milestone.

[deleted]vor 4 Jahren

tanganianvor 4 Jahren

> I'm willing to pay top money for top work

How much is top money for you? Maybe that's where the problem is.

jsprogramvor 4 Jahren

How much are you paying?