Finding a mobile UX design expert – tips on where and how

In the modern world, mobile applications are the backbone of many businesses. However, with millions of apps available for download on two major app stores, Google Play Store and Apple App Store, only 0.5% of mobile apps manage to achieve success. Sounds weird, right? The difference between an app that thrives and one that fails is UI/UX design.

Mobile experiences become increasingly sophisticated, and only a talented UI/UX designer can elevate a mobile app from functional to exceptional. But where to hire mobile UX designers who are experts in this field? Let’s explore the best places for UX designer recruitment and learn tips for hiring the right fit for your project.

Top online platforms for finding mobile UI/UX designers

Modern UX talent sourcing is democratized thanks to many online UI/UX job platforms where you can connect with the best candidates worldwide. Here are the most popular options:

• Freelance marketplace. Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal offer a wide range of designers with different skills and experience levels. You can look through portfolios, check reviews, and hire a mobile UX specialist for specific projects or hourly work. For example, Upwork lets you post detailed project descriptions and provides strong payment protection. Toptal, on the other hand, connects you with top-tier professionals.
  
  Pros. Access to a global talent pool, flexible hiring options, and competitive pricing.

  Cons. Communication may be challenging due to time zone differences.
  

• Specialized design platforms. Dribbble, Behance and DesignCrowd are not traditional hiring platforms. These are websites where you can connect experienced designers. You can browse through portfolios, find professionals whose style fits your project, and contact them directly. Dribbble showcases design works and gives you a glimpse of a designer's style in action. DesignCrowd lets you post design contests or projects and choose the best candidate.
  
  Pros. Focused on design talent, easy to assess skills through portfolios.

  Cons. May require more effort to filter through candidates.
  

• Remote job boards. RemoteOK and We Work Remotely specialize in remote job postings. You can hire UX freelancers with experience working remotely – this approach is excellent for distributed teams.
  
  Pros. Access to experienced remote workers.

  Cons. Limited to remote-only candidates.

UX/UI design agencies & Studios

Some mobile UX design projects demand a team-based approach or have complex requirements, so it’s recommended to consider a mobile UX design agency or a studio for reliable and high-level UX/UI design services.

• Full-service agencies. These agencies provide end-to-end design services, from research and strategy to visual design and development. They often have a team of specialists with diverse skills and can handle a project of any nature and complexity. Look for agencies with a strong portfolio and experience in your industry.
  
  Pros. Access to a team of experts with narrow skills.

  Cons. Higher cost compared to hiring freelancers.
  

• Boutique studios. Smaller studios often specialize in niche areas, such as mobile app design. They are often expensive, but the quality of work is typically very high. Studios offer a more personalized approach, work on high-profile projects and have a reputation for delivering exceptional results.
  
  Pros. Tailored services, closer collaboration.

  Cons. Some may have limited resources compared to larger agencies.

Industry events & Conferences

UI/UX networking events and conferences  are a great way to meet talented mobile design professionals and stay updated on the latest trends in mobile UI/UX design.

• Design conferences. These attract leading UI/UX professionals and provide opportunities to network, attend workshops, and discover new talent. You can often find designers showcasing their work or speaking at these events.
  
  Here you can find a calendar of UI/UX design conferences for 2025.
  

• Local meetups and workshops. Attending local meetups and workshops is excellent for connecting with designers in your community. These events often provide a more informal setting for networking and knowledge sharing.
  
  Visit Meetup.com to find design-themed events where you can connect with local talent.

Educational institutions & Bootcamps

If you are looking for fresh talent, educational institutions and bootcamps can be great places to find emerging mobile app designers.

• Many universities offer degree programs in design, digital arts, or human-computer interaction. Graduates of these programs have solid foundations in design principles, user research, and mobile-specific design practices. Reach out to universities directly to discover talented recent graduates.

• Bootcamps like General Assembly, CareerFoundry, and Ironhack are great sources for finding junior digital product designers. These programs often focus on practical skills and real-world projects, and bootcamp graduates are well prepared for the job market. If you are seeking designers with up-to-date skills, this may be a great solution.

Social media & Online designer communities

Social media and online communities are also valuable resources for mobile UX research.  

• Twitter and Instagram. Many designers showcase their work, share insights, and discuss trends on these platforms. Comment on their posts, ask questions, and build a connection. To hire mobile UX designers, search for hashtags like #UIDesign, #UXDesign, and #MobileDesign.

• Reddit. You may also join communities like r/UI_design, r/UXDesign, and r/DesignJobs – these are filled with designers sharing work, discussing trends, and looking for opportunities. You can even post a job opening here for finding freelance UX designers.

• Slack communities. Here, you may find groups Designer Hangout and Friends of Figma, where professionals network, share advice, and discuss projects. 

Essential factors for hiring the right UI/UX designer

When you have a list of potential candidates, it may be challenging to select the right UI/UX designer. Here are key UX/UI hiring criteria:

1. Portfolio and experience
   The first thing to study is a designer’s portfolio. It demonstrates their skills, creativity, and approach to work. Look for experience in mobile app or web design, ideally within your industry. A strong portfolio proves that the designer knows how to create intuitive user experiences. Pay attention to details – accuracy and consistency show a thoughtful approach to design.

2. Hard skills
   A UI/UX designer should know mobile UX best practices – Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD for designing interfaces. Prototyping skills are also important – check their experience with InVision or Axure. Designers don’t need to be developers, but still, they should understand the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.  

3. Soft skills
   A good designer is proficient at communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. They should be able to clearly explain their design decisions, take constructive feedback, and work effectively with different teams. Look for someone who listens, asks the right questions, and adapts to your needs.

4. Cultural fit
   A designer can be highly skilled, but if their working style and mindset don’t align with your company, they are not the right fit. Consider how they approach teamwork, deadlines, and feedback. Choose a candidate who shares your company’s values and can easily adapt to your processes. 

Conducting interviews and practical assessments

When you have narrowed down your list of potential designers, the next step is to thoroughly assess their skills through interviews and practical mobile UX testing. Prepare a checklist of questions about their background and past projects. A practical assessment can be a great way to see their skills in action - give them a small task related to your project. It may be, for example, a user experience audit of your current app. Also, don’t hesitate to check their past performance. This structured evaluation process will help you hire a designer who both meets technical requirements and fits your team flawlessly.

Conclusion

Finding the right mobile UI/UX designer requires research, networking, and thoughtful evaluation. You may hire a freelance expert, an agency, or a design school graduate – the main thing is to find a specialist with the right mix of skills and cultural fit. A great designer isn’t just good with tools – they understand users and know how to craft winning user experiences. This is what we are proud of at DreamX. We are a team of UI/UX designers that live through every project we handle. If you want your app idea into something users love – we are here to help!