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How to Hire a Great Figma Designer
Introduction
No-code development is gaining popularity among companies of all sizes as a way to swiftly develop and expand products.
Figma is a cloud-based design tool that allows users to create, edit, and collaborate on design projects in real-time. It's a vector graphics editor and prototyping tool, providing features like vector networks, prototyping, code export, and design systems. Figma is available as a web application, and also has desktop and mobile apps for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android.
Figma is widely used by designers and teams in different companies and industries. It's a good tool for web and mobile UI design, logo design, and icon design. It's also widely used for creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes. It's easy to use, and it also has collaboration features that allow multiple people to work on the same design at the same time, making it a popular choice for remote teams and distributed teams.
Figma offers a free version and a paid version with more advanced features, it also has a plugin ecosystem that allows you to extend the functionality of Figma. Figma is becoming a popular tool for web and app design, with a growing community and resources.
As more companies are recognizing the value of Figma for design, there is an increasing demand for Figma designers. To meet this demand, many organizations are building entire teams dedicated to Figma design. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to successfully hire the right Figma designer, understand their skills and capabilities, and onboard them effectively. It will also delve into the possibilities and limitations of the Figma platform. By reading this guide, you will be well-equipped to find the perfect designer to bring your vision to life. And if you need help finding the right designer, WeLoveNoCode can quickly match you with the most qualified Figma designer for your project. Let's begin!
Things to Consider When Choosing Figma
While Figma is a popular and powerful design tool, there are some limitations and drawbacks to consider.
- Limited support for raster images: Figma is primarily a vector-based design tool, and it has limited support for raster images. This can make it difficult to work with certain types of images or designs.
- Limited support for plugins: While Figma does have a plugin ecosystem, it's not as robust as some other design tools. This can limit the functionality and customization options available to users.
- Limited animation and interaction capabilities: While Figma does have some basic animation and interaction capabilities, it's not as robust as some other prototyping and design tools. This can make it difficult to create complex animations or interactions.
- Limited support for web development: While Figma can be used to create wireframes, mockups and interactive prototypes, it's not as robust as some other web development tools.
- Limited support for 3D design: Figma is a 2D design tool and it doesn't support 3D design.
- Limited support for advanced typography: Figma has some basic typography features, but it lacks some of the advanced typography features that other design tools offer.
It's important to consider these limitations when deciding whether Figma is the right design tool for your project or team. It's also good to note that these limitations may change as Figma is continuously updating and adding new features.
What you can build with Figma?
With Figma, you can build a variety of design projects, including:
- User interface designs for websites and mobile apps
- Graphic designs for marketing materials, such as social media graphics and posters
- Wireframes and prototypes for testing and presenting user flow and interactions
- User research and testing with interactive design elements
- Collaboration and sharing design assets and libraries
- Design systems and style guides
- Presentation and documentation of design decisions.
Hiring Figma Designer Skills Checklist
When hiring a Figma designer, you may want to consider the following skills:
- Experience using Figma for UI/UX design: The designer should be able to create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups using Figma's features such as vector networks, prototyping, and design components.
- Understanding of design principles: The designer should have a solid understanding of design principles such as layout, typography, color theory, and user-centered design.
- Knowledge of web and mobile design: The designer should be familiar with designing for different platforms and devices, including web and mobile apps.
- Experience in creating design systems and style guides: The designer should have experience in creating and maintaining design systems and style guides, which are essential for creating consistent and cohesive designs.
- Strong communication skills: The designer should be able to clearly and effectively communicate design decisions and collaborate with other team members.
- Attention to detail: The designer should have a keen eye for detail and be able to identify and fix design inconsistencies and errors.
- Strong portfolio: The designer should have a strong portfolio of previous work that showcases their design skills and ability to use Figma.
- Familiarity with front-end development: The designer should have a basic understanding of front-end development and web technologies, which can be helpful for designing for web and mobile platforms.
- Flexibility: The designer should be able to adapt and work within the constraints of a project and be open to receiving feedback and implementing changes.
- Self-motivated and self-managing: The designer should be able to work independently and manage their own time effectively.
What Type of Figma Designers Do You Need?
When looking to hire a Figma designer, it is crucial to first identify the specific skills required for the role. However, determining the type of employment is also important for your project. Options for hiring include an in-house designer, a freelancer, or a design agency. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it's essential to evaluate which one will best meet your needs.
Permanent Figma Designer:
- Advantages: A permanent Figma designer on the staff will become a crucial part of the organization and will understand its goals. They will likely be more dedicated to the success of the company and take greater responsibility for their work. This option is like having an in-house Figma team that takes full ownership of the product from beginning to end.
- Disadvantages: Hiring a permanent Figma designer comes with the traditional costs associated with employee compensation, such as a basic salary, taxes, bonuses, and pension contributions. It may also be more difficult, time-consuming, and costly to terminate their employment if their performance does not meet expectations, similar to hiring any other type of designer.
Contractor / Freelance Figma Designer:
- Advantages: If your project has a defined timeline, working with a freelance Figma designer can be a good option. For example, if you're building a prototype and need to test its viability before committing to permanent staff, a freelance designer can be ideal. It's also easier to hire freelance designers with specific strengths for specific tasks within a set timeframe and you don't need them to be as invested as a permanent employee would be.
- Disadvantages: Freelance designers may be less organized and require more supervision to ensure they're working on your project. They may also lack the long-term accountability that a permanent employee would have, resulting in less attention to detail. This is a common challenge when working with any type of freelance designer.
Outsourced to a Figma Design Agency:
- Pros: A reputable Figma design agency typically has a wider range of skills and can be a valuable technical partner for large projects. They offer a structured approach and are generally more dependable. If you select the correct agency, they will provide designers with experience and expertise, allowing for different levels of collaboration depending on your project needs. Additionally, as their success relies on their reputation, they tend to deliver a higher quality of results compared to freelancers. Some agencies such as WeLoveNoCode, provide a combination of the benefits of a Figma agency, committed designers, and cost-effectiveness.
- Cons: Engaging with a Figma design agency can be more costly than hiring a freelancer, and the fees may be as much as 5 times more, especially if the agency is based in the US, UK, or Europe. Choosing the wrong agency can result in working with junior designers, causing delays and wasted time and resources. This is particularly true when opting for cheaper agencies that may have a strong sales team, but lack an efficient design process, QA, junior team members, and work ethic. This is an important factor to consider when working with any agency, as there are both good and bad agencies out there.
Conclusion
When it comes to hiring Figma designers, the best option depends on the particular requirements of your project. For short-term and smaller projects, freelancers or project-based teams can be an excellent choice. However, if you're an established business looking to expand your existing product, hiring an in-house team of permanent designers or working with a design partner may be the best option. An option like WeLoveNoCode, which provides pre-screened Figma designers with management support, can be ideal for businesses looking to quickly develop and grow their product.
How can you identify the right candidate?
When hiring Figma designers, it is important to keep in mind that the ideal candidate may not necessarily be the most technically proficient designer available. Rather, it will be the person who best aligns with the unique needs of your business in terms of personality, company culture, and the stage of your business, including budget constraints. It is vital to avoid wasting time and resources on poor hires or unreliable agencies and instead, focus on finding the best fit for your organization.
Step 1: Assess them before the first call
In the hiring process, it's not always feasible to meet with every applicant who applies for the role. To effectively evaluate potential hires and narrow down the field, it is important to have a screening process in place prior to the initial interview. This process can include reviewing resumes and portfolios, administering pre-interview assessments or phone screens, and checking references to evaluate the candidate's qualifications and suitability for the role.
CV sifting
When hiring a Figma designer, it's crucial to start by clearly defining the critical qualifications and requirements for the role. This will serve as a benchmark for reviewing resumes and narrowing down the list of potential candidates. Anyone who does not meet these requirements should be eliminated from consideration. This approach ensures that the remaining candidates have the minimum qualifications for the role. Once you have a list of qualified candidates, the next step is to evaluate their design skills and cultural fit through interviews and other evaluation methods.
Check their portfolio
When assessing a candidate's design abilities in Figma, reviewing their portfolio is one of the most effective resources. The portfolio includes samples of the candidate's past projects, which provides insight into their skills, experience, and the types of projects they have worked on. By analyzing the portfolio, you can evaluate the candidate's proficiency in Figma, their ability to utilize best practices, and the level of quality in their work.
Ask for a cover letter
Another way to evaluate a candidate's interest and qualifications for the Figma role is to ask them to submit a cover letter along with their resume. This approach allows you to assess the candidate's willingness to put in the effort to write something original and shows that they have a genuine interest in the role. A cover letter also demonstrates that the candidate has read and understood the job posting, rather than just blindly submitting their CV.
The downside to this approach is that it may discourage some potential candidates from applying, particularly if they feel it adds an extra layer of work to the application process. Additionally, it creates an extra task for the interviewer to review and evaluate the cover letters in addition to resumes.
Reviews
When hiring a freelance Figma designer through platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, reviews from previous clients can be used as a means to evaluate and filter potential candidates. The reviews can provide an understanding of the freelancer's work ethic, the quality of their work, and the overall experience of working with them. This can be a valuable tool in determining which freelancers are worth considering for your project.
Step 2: Set up an interview process.
When conducting interviews for a Figma designer, whether in-person or via video conference, it's important to be well-prepared in order to find the best candidate. This includes having a set of consistent questions ready to ask all candidates, and having the right people in the room to conduct the interview, ideally including fellow designers. As the saying goes, "game recognizes game," so it's important to have at least one person on the interview panel who understands the candidate's job and can relate to them on a technical level.
During the interview, it's important to not only evaluate the candidate but also to make a good impression, as they may have other job offers to consider. Typically, an interview panel would consist of 2-5 people, with a smaller number for startups. However, it's important to have a balanced perspective and compare at least a couple of views before making a decision.
To make the evaluation process more objective, it can be helpful to introduce a simple scoring system, along with a design Figma assessment. This system should be based on a set of agreed-upon criteria, weighted based on the most important factors for the role. Examples of criteria to consider include hard skills related to using the Figma platform, understanding of design concepts, cultural fit, communication skills, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Examples of Good Figma Interview Questions
Here are a few examples of good interview questions to ask when evaluating a potential Figma designer:
- Can you walk me through a project you've worked on using Figma and explain the design decisions you made and the challenges you faced?
- How do you approach design challenges and problem-solving when working with Figma?
- Can you give an example of a time when you had to collaborate with a team on a Figma project, and how you managed communication and workflow?
- How do you stay up-to-date with the latest design trends and features in Figma?
- Can you explain your process for creating wireframes and user interface designs in Figma?
- How do you work with stakeholders to gather feedback and incorporate it into your designs in Figma?
- Can you give an example of a project you worked on in Figma where you had to make design tradeoffs due to time or budget constraints?
- Can you explain how you use Figma's prototyping and animation features in your designs?
- How do you use Figma's version control and collaboration features to keep your work organized and efficient?
- Can you share your experience with other design tools you've used and how do you compare it with Figma?
Step 3: References
After completing steps 1-2 and narrowing your list of preferred Figma candidates, conduct reference checks with previous employers or clients to evaluate their work ethic and values alignment with your business, confirm experience in similar settings, and gain insight into their strengths and weaknesses. Reach out to references provided by the candidate and if none are available or they do not reply, it is a warning sign. If the candidate has no references or testimonials, consider other candidates.
How to Onboard Your New Figma Designer
1. Introduce the new designer to the team and company culture: Make sure they understand the company's values, goals, and mission. Give them a tour of the office (if applicable) and introduce them to their team members and other relevant colleagues.
2. Set clear expectations and goals: Clearly communicate what is expected of them in terms of deliverables and deadlines. Outline their role and responsibilities within the team and company.
3. Provide training and resources: Give them access to any necessary training materials, resources, and tools that they will need to be successful in their role. Make sure they have a clear understanding of how to use Figma and any other design tools they will be using.
4. Assign a mentor: Pair the new designer with an experienced team member who can provide guidance and support as they adjust to their new role.
5. Provide ongoing feedback: Schedule regular check-ins to provide feedback on their work and progress. Use this time to address any questions or concerns they may have.
6. Encourage collaboration: Encourage the new designer to collaborate with their team members and other departments. This will help them to quickly integrate into the company culture and develop a deeper understanding of the company's needs and goals.
7. Celebrate their successes: Recognize and celebrate their achievements, both big and small, to boost their morale and motivation.
What should be the budget for a Figma Designer?
The budget for a Figma designer can vary depending on a number of factors, including the designer's experience, skill level, location, and the specific project or role they will be working on.
In general, a Figma designer with a few years of experience and a strong portfolio can command a salary of around $70,000 to $90,000 per year in the United States. A more experienced designer with 5 or more years of experience can earn up to $110,000 to $150,000 per year.
If you are looking to hire a freelancer or a contract designer, the hourly rate can range from $50 to $150 per hour. It's important to note that these are just rough estimates and the budget for a Figma designer can vary depending on the complexity of the project and the level of experience required.
It's also worth noting that budgeting for a Figma designer is not only the salary cost, but also the cost of benefits, office space, equipment and software, and other expenses associated with hiring an employee.
It's essential to have a clear understanding of your project requirements and budget, as well as being open to negotiation with the designer.
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