Hire UX Designers: What Works & Doesn’t (A Designer’s Perspective)

Hire UX Designers: What Works & Doesn’t (A Designer’s Perspective)

Every product company eventually reaches a stage where hiring a UX designer becomes essential. With user experience now a priority across diverse industries, the demand for skilled UX designers is skyrocketing. But finding the right fit can be challenging, as competition intensifies and professionals’ expectations have evolved significantly from even 7 years ago. At Advayan, we’re tuned in to these shifts and always on the hunt for top UX talent. 

In this “Hire UX Designers” article, our lead designers—who are directly involved in the hiring process—share critical insights into identifying suitable candidates. Here’s what to look for in a UX designer to ensure they’re the perfect match for your team.

Do I Need a UX Designer?

Before you move forward, ask yourself this: should you hire a UI/UX designer, or are you actually looking for someone else?

Here’s the thing- design roles vary widely, and with so many overlapping positions, it’s easy for employers to get confused. Let’s break it down so you’re confident in making the right hire. A UX (User Experience) designer focuses on making your product intuitive and enjoyable for users. They collaborate with the entire product team at each stage, from researching user needs to creating user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and even conducting testing. If you’re looking to hire a UI/UX designer in the USA, understanding the difference between roles is essential.

Now, if your primary need is to elevate the look of your product—by updating visuals like illustrations, typography, and animations—a UI (User Interface) designer may be a better fit. But, if you’re seeking someone who can bridge both the UX and UI realms, it’s time to consider hiring a UI/UX designer, a versatile expert who can handle the end-to-end user experience and interface design.

Then, there are Product Designers whose work spans the product’s entire lifecycle, from conception to post-launch refinement. They are involved beyond the initial design phases, making sure the product evolves and continues to meet user needs.

Or maybe you’re in search of an Interaction Designer—someone with a narrower focus on UX design. These professionals zoom in on crucial moments of interaction between the user and the product, creating a seamless flow that elevates each user touchpoint.

Now that you’re confident you need to hire a UI/UX designer, especially if you’re looking to hire a UI/UX designer in the USA, let’s dive into the must-have skills to look for in a top candidate.

What Skills to Look For?

Here’s a quick guide on the essential skills to look for when you’re ready to hire a UI/UX designer. This list covers both hard and soft skills needed for a successful UX designer, making sure you find the right dedicated UI/UX designer for your team:

• Proficiency with UX design tools: A strong UX designer knows their way around user flows, journey maps, wireframes, and other tools that guide the design process from start to finish.
• Expertise in design software: Look for mastery in graphic editors like Figma, Sketch, and Adobe products. A dedicated UI/UX designer should also be comfortable using prototyping tools like InVision or Framer and, ideally, have some animation software skills.
• Knowledge of UX research methods: UX designers should be skilled in usability testing, gathering insights through tools like Google Analytics, and applying research to create user-focused solutions.
• Understanding of design thinking: This is a critical methodology for UX designers, as it fosters a user-centered approach, ensuring each product design is intentional and well-reasoned.
• Psychology principles: Great UX designers understand basic psychology principles and know how to leverage them to improve user interaction and satisfaction.
• Awareness of design metrics: The best designers understand that design is measurable and know how to track key metrics to ensure their work aligns with user needs and business goals.

Now that we’ve covered the core skills, it’s time to explore where to find top-notch talent. With these skills in mind, hiring a dedicated UI/UX designer becomes simpler and ensures you’ll have a designer who’s ready to bring value to your product.

How to Find UX Designers?

In an ideal world, when you’re ready to hire a UI/UX designer, a friend or colleague would instantly recommend a great candidate—just like they might for a trusted hairdresser or dentist. But if you don’t already have someone in mind, don’t worry! There are excellent platforms to help you find the right fit. For instance, if you’re looking to hire a UI/UX designer in the USA, start by exploring B2B reference sites like Advayan for top-rated professionals with proven track records. For freelance UX designers with client reviews, platforms like Upwork and Fiverr are reliable resources.

These resources make it easy to hire a UI/UX designer with the right skills and experience to elevate your project.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a UX Designer?

Hiring a mid-level UX designer in the U.S. typically costs around $115,000 annually. However, actual rates can vary based on factors like experience, location, and type of engagement. For instance, hourly rates and salary expectations differ between freelancers, in-house roles, and project-based collaborations. To get the complete picture—and discover ways to secure top talent within budget—our team of dedicated UX recruiters is ready to tailor recommendations to your needs.

Here’s a table showing the estimated annual salaries for UX designers in the United States at different experience levels:

When you’re ready to hire a UI/UX designer or are specifically looking to hire a UI/UX designer in the USA, we’re here to help you find the best fit for your project and budget.

Hiring a UX Designer: A Step-By-Step Guide

Here’s how we connect you with a top, experienced UX designer—from the moment you submit our hiring form to their first day with your team:

• Reach Out & Connect: Simply fill out our staffing request form, detailing the type of UX designer you need. A dedicated hiring partner will then contact you to understand your unique requirements, ensuring we find the perfect fit.
• Interview Candidates & Extend Offer: We search, screen, and present a curated shortlist of highly qualified candidates. We’ll coordinate interviews or even conduct them on your behalf, guiding you through extending the ideal offer to hire a UI/UX designer who matches your vision.
• Onboarding & Integration: Once hired, we handle all onboarding logistics, including a non-disclosure agreement and other formalities. Your new dedicated UI/UX designer is then seamlessly integrated into your team and ready to dive into development.

This streamlined process makes it simple and efficient to hire a UI/UX designer, tailored specifically to your team’s success.

Final Thoughts

The demands and responsibilities of a UX designer can vary greatly depending on your company’s size, industry, and project complexity. To prevent miscommunication, it’s essential to define precisely what you need from a UX designer and outline their role clearly. A well-defined job description ensures you find the right fit.

If hiring and onboarding a full-time designer isn’t the best option for you, consider working with a specialized agency. At Advayan, we’re a results-driven design agency focused on functional, goal-oriented design, not just aesthetics. Our team of dedicated UI/UX designers is ready to bring your project to life, often within a week of your request. So, whether you’re looking to hire a UI/UX designer or specifically hire a UI/UX designer in the USA, our experienced team can provide immediate and impactful support.