Founders hiring their first designer
You need design support but aren't sure how to evaluate fit.
02 / Design Recruiting
Find the designer your team needs.
Designer-led hiring support grounded in your product and team. I meet each candidate one-to-one to assess craft, goals, and fit.
Request hiring supportWho it's for
Start where you are.
Product leads
You need someone who understands both craft and shipping.
Growing teams
You're defining a design function and need a quality bar.
What's included
A designer-led search, end to end
A clear process for finding and evaluating the right designer for your team.
Define the right fit
Clarify the skills, working style, and level of ownership your team needs.
Find relevant talent
Identify designers whose experience matches your company’s specific needs.
Meet candidates one-to-one
Personally consult with each candidate on their craft, goals, and expectations.
Assess alignment
Evaluate candidates against your bar and share the reasoning behind each recommendation.
This is not generalist recruiting. Find design talent evaluated by a UX professional who still practices the craft.
Process
A designer-led search, grounded in your needs.
Understand your needs
Align on your product, team, role requirements, and what a strong hire would bring.
Source and meet candidates
Find relevant designers and hold one-to-one conversations to understand their work, ambitions, and expectations.
Introduce aligned talent
Present candidates with clear context on their strengths, fit, and any considerations for your team to explore.
Before you reach out
FAQs.
How is this different from a recruiting agency?
Candidates are evaluated by a practicing designer, not a generalist recruiter, assessing craft and judgment alongside experience and fit.
What roles do you support?
Mid-level through founding, staff, and lead roles across Product Design, UX Research, and related practice, matched to what your team actually needs.
How are candidates sourced?
Through direct outreach, referrals, and relationships built through The UX Chats community.
What do we receive for each candidate?
A clear recommendation with the reasoning behind it, including strengths, potential gaps, and alignment with your expectations.
How does your fee work?
Most searches run on contingency: a placement fee paid only when you hire, with no upfront commitment. For founding, staff, or lead design hires, where the search is longer and the cost of a miss is higher, a retained arrangement is usually the better fit. I'll agree with you on the right model and fee for your specific role and timeline before any search begins.