Hire the Top 2% of
Freelance Mobile App Designers

A mobile app designer is a skilled specialist who combines technical expertise and artistic creativity to create user-friendly and visually appealing mobile applications. They focus on designing interfaces that are not just visually captivating but also optimized for functionality and a great user experience. With a meticulous approach to problem-solving and a keen eye for detail, mobile app designers play a vital role in bridging the gap between user needs and technological capabilities.

Key responsibilities of a mobile app designer include:

• Designing UX/UI: They craft the visual layout and flow of the app, balancing aesthetic appeal with smooth user interaction.
• Creating wireframes and prototypes: They sketch the app's basic structure before development, setting clear expectations and guiding the build process.
• Implementing responsive design: They adapt to various screen sizes and resolutions, ensuring the app looks good on all devices.
• Using visual communication: They strategically employ colors, typography, and layout to make the app intuitive and engaging.
• Applying graphic design: They create visual elements, from icons to backgrounds, defining the app's look and brand identity.
• Collaborating on coding principles: While not coding themselves, they work closely with developers to ensure the design is technically feasible.
• Testing the app: They evaluate the design for functionality and usability, fixing any UX/UI issues before launch.
• Leading design projects: They manage the design process, working with team members, managing resources, and meeting deadlines.

When searching for a top-notch mobile app designer, it's essential to consider the combination of technical expertise and personal qualities that make an outstanding designer. These professionals skillfully merge various skills to create user-friendly and captivating designs, leveraging their natural talents and acquired abilities. The traits that distinguish exceptional mobile app designers can be categorized as follows:

Essential skills and qualities

• UX and UI design: Mastery in these critical areas of app design means creating user-friendly, visually appealing designs.
• Wireframing and prototyping: The ability to envision and outline the app's structure and flow is key to turning concepts into reality.
• Visual communication: Skill in conveying ideas visually is vital for crafting intuitive and user-friendly apps.
• Graphic design: A flair for aesthetics, color harmony, and iconography is indicative of superior graphic design talent.
• Responsive design: Designing for diverse screen sizes and platforms shows a holistic approach to user inclusivity.
• Coding proficiency: Understanding coding principles is essential for seamless teamwork with developers.
• App testing expertise: Knowledge of testing procedures is crucial to ensure the app is free from UI/UX issues before launch.
• Effective project management: Efficient project management ensures smooth coordination and timely delivery.

Cultural fit

• Adaptability: In the fast-evolving field of mobile technology and design, adaptability and ongoing skill development are invaluable.
• Teamwork and collaboration: Effective collaboration with teams and stakeholders is fundamental for a harmonious and efficient workflow.
• Problem-solving skills: A designer's problem-solving approach is often a distinguishing factor in their work.
• Communication skills: The ability to articulate design concepts clearly is crucial, especially to non-design stakeholders.
• Passion for design: A deep love for design can drive exceptional creativity and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

Remember, while technical skills are essential, cultural fit is equally important for integrating someone successfully into your team. Both aspects are crucial in identifying a candidate well-suited for long-term success in your organization.

Crafting a compelling job post for a freelance mobile app designer involves finding the right balance of clarity, specificity, and relevance. The post should clearly outline the role's requirements, align with your company's values, and resonate with your ideal candidate's aspirations. By following these guidelines, you can increase your odds of attracting top-notch talent.

Essential guidelines

• Clear job title: Opt for a straightforward and recognizable job title, such as "Freelance Mobile App Designer".
• Comprehensive job description: Offer clear, detailed information about the role and its responsibilities. Emphasize key tasks and expectations in areas like UX/UI design, wireframing, prototyping, testing, and project management.
• Specific skill requirements: Clearly list necessary skills and qualifications, including proficiency in UX/UI design, graphic design, coding principles, and relevant design tools.
• Desirable personal qualities: Emphasize desired cultural fit traits like adaptability, teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and a passion for design.
• Insight into projects: Provide a preview of the types of projects the designer will tackle, offering candidates a sense of what to expect.
• Clear application instructions: Specify application requirements — a portfolio, CV, examples of specific apps, etc. Also, clearly state how candidates should submit their applications.

Sample job post

Job title: Freelance Mobile App Designer

We are seeking a talented Freelance Mobile App Designer to join our forward-thinking team. As an experienced professional, you'll play a key role in designing user-centric, visually striking mobile applications.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop user-centered UX/UI designs.
• Create detailed wireframes and prototypes.
• Focus on responsive design for various devices.
• Utilize graphic design and visual communication for easy usage.
• Test design functionality and usability pre-release.
• Lead design projects from start to finish.

Requirements:

• Demonstrated experience in mobile app design.
• Expertise in UX/UI design and familiar design tools.
• Solid grasp of coding fundamentals.
• Strong graphic design skills and visual aesthetic acumen.
• Proficiency in app testing.
• Excellent project management capabilities.

Desirable attributes:

• Adaptability in dynamic work settings.
• Effective collaboration and communication skills.
• Creative problem-solving approach.
• Strong passion for design and ongoing self-improvement.

Project overview:

You'll be engaged in designing consumer-facing mobile applications, crafting an intuitive and attractive interface that elevates user experience.

Application process:

Submit your resume, a cover letter detailing your suitability for the role, and a portfolio of your top mobile app designs. Applications should be sent by [deadline].

Remember, your job post is not just an advertisement for the role — it's often the first interaction with potential candidates. Make a lasting impression.

Finding the right mobile app designer is a thorough process that involves assessing their creative design skills, technical proficiency, and ability to create visually appealing and highly functional apps. This evaluation can be accomplished by reviewing their portfolio, conducting practical tests, checking references, and asking insightful interview questions.

Assessing the portfolio:

• Aesthetic and design skills: Look for visual appeal, effective layout, color use, and visual harmony.
• UX/UI evaluation: Check the designs for intuitiveness and user-focus. Evaluate logical flow and ease of navigation.
• Project diversity: A varied portfolio shows the designer's flexibility and their ability to handle different industry requirements.

Conducting practical tests:

• Design challenge: Give them a task related to your project or a general design issue to assess their approach, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
• Technical understanding: They should understand coding basics to communicate effectively with developers, even if they don't code themselves.

Performing reference checks:

• Feedback from previous associations: Reach out to former clients or employers for insights into the designer's reliability, punctuality, teamwork, and communication abilities.

Interviewing for insight:

• Technical proficiency: Inquire about their use of design tools, understanding of coding, app testing knowledge, and project management skills.
• Design approach and philosophy: Learn about their design values, inspirations, methodology, and how they keep up with trends to gauge their adaptability and passion.
• Problem-solving skills: Present hypothetical design challenges and ask for solutions to evaluate their problem-solving capacity.

Remember, a designer's skills and expertise go beyond creating visually appealing work. It's about their ability to integrate art with functionality, centering the end-user in the design process.

Choosing the right mobile app designer is crucial for any business. The ideal candidate should offer more than just design expertise - they should possess problem-solving skills, effective communication, adaptability, and a deep understanding of your business needs.

During interviews, asking well-thought-out questions can provide valuable insights into a candidate's capabilities, mindset, and compatibility with your company culture. These questions should cover their technical skills, creativity, and ability to work collaboratively within teams and organizational dynamics.

Technical expertise

• Can you explain your approach to designing the user interface (UI) for mobile apps?
• Which tools and software are you proficient in, and what makes them your preferred choices?
• Share a challenging design problem you encountered in a previous project and walk us through how you resolved it.
• Provide an example of a project where you enhanced an app's usability or user experience (UX). What were the outcomes?

Creativity and problem-solving

• How do you stay current with the latest trends and technologies in mobile app design?
• Describe a situation where you had to devise a creative solution to overcome a design limitation.
• What's your strategy for designing for various mobile device screen sizes and orientations?
• Discuss a design project that you're particularly proud of, and explain why it stands out.

Teamwork and alignment with the organization

• How do you handle feedback and revisions during your design process?
• Provide an instance when you collaborated closely with developers and other team members.
• How do you ensure that your design choices align with the broader business objectives?
• Share your experience working with developers in Agile or Scrum methodologies.

Remember, these questions aim not only to evaluate the candidate's skills and experience but also to uncover their thought processes, work methods, and problem-solving abilities. By structuring your interview around these core areas, you'll be better equipped to identify a candidate who can make a meaningful contribution to your mobile app development projects.

Hiring a mobile app designer on Arc is a simple process that can be done in three easy steps:

1. Post your job details and required skills in a job description.
2. We will connect you with pre-vetted designers who match your needs.
3. Review their profiles, interview your favorites, and hire the perfect fit.

The cost of hiring a designer can vary based on factors such as project complexity, the candidate's expertise, and location. Experienced designers with specialized skills tend to charge higher rates. Additionally, the geographical location can influence the cost, as designers from countries with lower living costs may offer more competitive rates.

Designers on Arc set their rates to be market-competitive and reflective of their skills. You will have the opportunity to share your budget for the role when submitting your request details.

Arc screens all of our remote mobile app designers before we shortlist them to you. This means you only see interview-ready, full-time and freelance mobile app designers on Arc. These top 2% candidates have passed both technical and communication assessments. Typically, companies begin interviewing within 1-3 days after posting their jobs to our network of over 300,000 candidates. You can expect to hire a freelance mobile app designer within 72 hours, or find a full-time mobile app designer that fits your company's needs in just 14 days.

Discover how Arc has successfully helped our partners hire remote talent.